Homebound invited to join ‘A Senior Center on Call’

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The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. (WCCOA) invites homebound older adults in Wood County to
participate in the interactive A Senior Center on Call program.
The program offers activities, conversation, an assortment of telephone groups and a supportive community
– all from the comfort of home.
The weekly program allows homebound older adults to make friends, while also learning about a fun and
interesting topic all via a telephone.
Past topics have included world travel, ice fishing, science fiction, the assassination of John F Kennedy
and the many uses of coconut oil, among many others.
Jerry Smith, one of the participants, said, "It helps connect with others. It helps when you haven’t
gotten out or are ill. You might be bored or depressed by not communicating with people. You’re talking
to people the same age so the similar memories help you to connect. It’s a comfort thing. You are
transported back in time. Memories spring up that help you remember the past experiences in life. Like
comfort food."
How it works: A schedule of classes is distributed to participants in advance. The participants are given
a toll-free conference call number and a code number to connect them to a chosen class. Then,
participants call in to join the conversation.
Criteria: Participants must have their own phone line. They must be able to consent to participate, dial
into the conference call independently, and must show no evidence of severe auditory impairment, severe
speech impairment or severe cognitive impairment (due to the nature of the program).
Benefits of the program include the ability to connect from the comfort of home, improving well-being,
reducing stress, promoting learning and connecting with peers from the community.
The program is free and available to all individuals age 50 and over in Wood County. Isolated caregivers
are also encouraged to participate.
For more information and to sign up for the program, contact the Program Department at the WCCOA at (419)
353-5661, (800) 367-4935 or email [email protected].

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