Coalition Looks to Increase Involvement with Life Center Seniors

The Coalition for Senior Citizens is looking at ways to become more involved with seniors at the William N. Pennington Life Center, including spending more time talking with seniors, expanding activities, and potentially serving as an intermediary with Churchill County Social Services for those who have concerns.

During the coalition's Sept. 14 meeting, board members discussed the organization's role at the Life Center and ways it might increase interaction with the seniors who use it.

Coalition chair Karla Kent explained that when Churchill County took over operation of the Life Center, it shifted some of its focus toward helping seniors outside the center. Now, she said, it may be time to reconsider that approach.

“Maybe our approach as the coalition should be to get more involved in the seniors,” Kent said, suggesting more activities and interaction and possibly serving as a liaison.

The discussion followed public comment from Rita Palmer, who raised several concerns about conditions at the Life Center, including changes in activities and programming, the treatment of seniors, and whether their needs are receiving enough attention.

Palmer encouraged coalition members to spend time at the center and, more importantly, listen to the people who use it.

“A lot of people, they don't want promises ... They just want you to talk to them,” Palmer said. “They have nobody to talk to.”

Board members had already begun discussing ways to do just that. Kent and board member Becky Schelling talked about attending lunch at the Life Center, visiting with seniors, and asking what kinds of activities they would like to see.

The coalition is also continuing its monthly movie program at the Fallon Theatre. Members discussed improving promotion of the program and continuing to provide transportation from the Life Center for seniors who need it.

A special meeting is scheduled for Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. to finalize plans for a holiday event for the week of Dec. 7, considering bingo, bunco, raffles, food, and other activities.

Palmer recalled activities that once drew seniors together, including raffles, birthday celebrations, and craft fairs.

“It wasn't even about the money,” Palmer said of the raffles. “It was just the fun that we had because the fun has gone out of that place. There's no more fun.”

Turns out, there appears to be at least one reliable way to draw a crowd — ice cream. Despite concerns, a recent banana split event paired with live music was one of the best-attended events in recent months. “They are a sucker for root beer floats, though,” Lindsay Larson said of the seniors. “They really are. That's their heart.”

Because Palmer raised the concerns during public comment at the end of the meeting, the coalition board could not take action on them. The concerns will be placed on the agenda for the board’s next meeting.

As the discussion closed regarding increasing the coalition's presence and encouraging more community involvement with seniors, Schelling offered a simple reminder. “What people don't understand is everybody's going to be a senior one day.”