SMI Annual Report

 

This year has been a challenging one for everyone at Senior Monongalians, one

where we have seen a lot of changes for the benefit of the seniors.

One of the first changes during my time as director this past summer was contracting with the local bus service, Mountain Line, to replace our former

in-house transportation service.  Since switching to Mountain Line, our transportation numbers have increased from 850 trips a month to well over 1700 per month.  This is very exciting for Senior Monongalians - the seniors can now travel all of Morgantown to do visiting and shopping, as well as daily trips to the center.

We also have recently contracted with another local agency, In Touch and Concerned, for medical transportation. That program, as well, has seen an increase in usage.

The Nutrition Program has seen the addition of a “hot/cold” truck to our

existing fleet.  This vehicle has enabled us to increase the number of home delivered meals into the rural areas of Monongalia County - while keeping the foods at the required temperatures.

Our Social Services and Outreach programs continue to grow. We now are providing additional information and services to the recreational centers.

Our Community Care program is constantly growing with new clients receiving in-home personal care services through the “Lighthouse Program” (that is funded by the State of West Virginia) and has been accepting new clients as approved through the VA.

My goal for the coming year is to continue to work tirelessly with the Board, Staff and Volunteers as together we conquer the challenge of bringing the Senior Center back into sound financial stability.

Betsy Robinson
Executive Director

Vision Statement
 
“To preserve, enhance and stabilize the quality of senior life; to maintain dignity and independence for older adults and to promote their participation in all aspects of community life.”

 
Maintaining Our Vision

 Throughout our childhood we were asked, “Where do you want to be in 5, 10, or 15 years?”  The answer we gave is our “vision statement”.  Businesses and organizations have vision statements also.  An organization’s vision statement acts as a guide in reaching its short and long term goals.  So, how is Senior Monongalians accomplishing its vision?

It starts with a commitment to the vision; we want older adults to have the best life possible.  Our next step has been to introduce services and programs that meet and exceed the needs of the baby boomer and senior populations.  The nutrition, adult day services, lighthouse, and community care programs assist seniors to maintain an independent and more desirable quality of life in their homes.  Our wellness, educational, and volunteer programs enable baby boomers and seniors to remain a vital force in their community.  The recreational programs bring a smile to the face and imbue a happy feeling in the heart.

Showing respect and granting dignity to those we serve is of the utmost importance to the staff and volunteers of Senior Monongalians.  As children, we were taught to respect our elders and those teachings have remained with us.  A sterling example of granting dignity is our Adult Day Services Program.  The seniors participating in this program have worked their entire lives and have taken care of their families.  Now the staff and other seniors have the opportunity to pay them back by respecting their abilities and assisting them when we can.

Has Senior Monongalians reached its goal or accomplished its vision?  Not entirely.  Receiving national accreditation in 2008 has opened new doors of opportunity to the agency.  Also, our vision continues to expand and evolve as the needs of the older adult population changes.  Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Senior Monongalians continues to be the “senior center of the future”!

Senior Monongalians, Inc. is still celebrating its recognition as the first nationally-accredited senior center in Monongalia County, only the second center in West Virginia to reach this status, and just the 165th to be accredited out of the 15,000 senior centers across America. The senior center’s accreditation status was bestowed in 2008 by the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC), a unit of the National Council on the Aging.

Accreditation is the official recognition that a senior center is meeting its mission in a nationally-accepted professional fashion. It is based on compliance with nine standards of senior center operations developed by the NISC. Accreditation is unique to the senior center field and demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to quality programs and services to older adults. With this recognition, Senior Monongalians, Inc. is considered to be in the top one-percent of all senior centers nationwide, and is commended for its vision, collaborative relationships, volunteer programs, outreach programs, wide range of health and fitness programs, and other supportive services.

Services Provided

 

Adult Day Services………………5,635 hours  

Computer Labs/Classes…………371 visits

Exercise ……………6,735 visits

(equipment use, arthritis exercise class, walking

group, group exercise class, video sports,

DANCE - Senior Shufflers, String of Pearls,

Touch of Class, etc)

Transportation………12,443 visits

(Medical, Grocery Shopping,

Senior center round trip, Mountain Line)

Special Events and Groups…………7,654 participants

(Cooking classes, massage therapy, Farmer’s

Market, Non-denominational Bible Study, Tax Preparation,  Games such as Hospice Bingo, Fun

Bingo, Cash Bingo, Rotating Bridge, Social Bridge,

Dominoes, Mahjong, and Pool. Senior Expo,

Senior Festival, AARP Driving Class, Blankets of

Love, Coupon Club, Tea Party, Beltone, Hearing Impairment Discussion, and much more.)

Volunteer Hours………5,072 hours

Vital Signs Clinic………1,189 visits

Nutrition Program………

Information & Assistance……………….1,185 contacts

Lighthouse Program…………8,037 hours

Family Alzheimers In-Home Respite………..2,885 hours

Caregiver Training…………1,023 hours

Medicaid Waiver & Personal Care………..29,375 hours

Medicaid Case Management…………204 contacts

Expense Summary

Click on the pie chart below to enlarge the summary.