This past week on Wednesday the Life Course Scholars were able to meet and tour the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center located at 1525 Fourth Avenue, San Diego. Students were also given an overview of the center by Paul Downey, the president and CEO of Serving Seniors. In comparison to the other site visits we have had on affordable senior housing, this visit was focused on the services that it provided for the senior community. Some notable features that the center provides is breakfast and lunch every weekday, a media room, a computer lounge, game room, and a variety of legal and health services. These services included social workers, check ups with RNs, psychiatry nurses, and dental work. Mr.Downey noted how important it was for the center that it provided dental care to its seniors because of how quickly and dangerously mouth infections can lead to overall health complications quite easily. This made me realize how fortunate I am to even complain about having to go to the dentist when there are many out there who do not have and/or have lack of access to dental services that may lead to very harmful illnesses if not treated quickly and properly. After, the tour of the center students were able to mingle with the seniors waiting to be served lunch. After conversing with a few seniors, it was a common theme that many of them come to the center to socialize and for its sense of security. In fact, to all three of the seniors I spoke with they said that the table we were at were the table they sat at everyday! Additionally, one gentleman not only held the table for his friends, but also set out a cup of water for each person when they come. It was just warming to see how these seniors have found a small home away from home with the West Center. After, the students gowned up in some aprons and gloves and served the seniors their lunch trays. Personally, I loved the idea of serving the seniors and not having them line up to receive their meals. I feel like this makes the experience much more personable, and lessens the fear of what if I won’t be able to get a meal? This entire experience has made me even more excited for the senior prom, and I can not wait to have it all finalized!
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Katie HuynhArchives
June 2020
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