Seniors sing praises of Wayne senior centers

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA — Howard Klist wants other Wayne County residents to take advantage of the county’s three senior centers as he has over the years.

Klist, who lives in Honesdale and is confined to a motorized wheelchair, joined a group of seniors at the Wayne County Commissioners meeting on September 2 on the occasion of the proclamation for the 2008 National Senior Center Month during September.

Seniors constitute 23 percent of the Wayne County population.

“I have visited the center in Honesdale almost every day for the last 10 years,” Klist said. “I want other seniors to get to know how valuable the center is in making their lives better. I know a lot of seniors who don’t come to the center. It was in the center that I learned about a company that remodeled my bathroom for a wheelchair person like me. They remodeled my shower so that I could bring the chair right into it. They put in appropriate sinks and made my life more tolerable. I have an aide who helps me get started in the morning. It was at the center where I learned about all this.”

Some of the services the centers provide are free lunch during the week, promotion of wellness, lifelong learning activities, access to senior benefits, counseling on health insurance and drug coverage, the creation of a living will, notary assistance, help with social security and opportunities for community service.

The three centers are the Honesdale Senior Center at 323 10th Street in Honesdale, which is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the Hawley Senior Center at Bingham Park in Hawley, which is open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; and the Hamlin Senior Center located in the Salem Township Municipal Building in Hamlin, which is open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“One of the principal functions of the senior centers is to help senior people continue to live in their homes,” said Andrea C. Whyte, Wayne County Human Services Administrator. “The alternative is living in a nursing home with its isolation from the community. Living in their homes means that they are active and more alive.”

Seniors can learn about the senior centers by calling 570/253-4262 or visiting www.co.wayne.pa.us for a complete list of services.