Intentional. Holistic. Diverse. These are the words that I would use to describe the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center in Downtown SD after visiting this past Wednesday. The center is run by the Serving Seniors non-profit organization, whose focus is on supporting seniors in poverty. This is the first time I’ve heard of such a place that wasn’t a nursing home. The center itself is far from a nursing home; it’s the opposite of what you’d expect from a nursing home. Typically with senior centers, one would make the association with total bleakness: no color, no joy, gross conditions, and strange smells with unidentified sources.
The West Center has made gracious efforts to combat these stereotypes and reinvent the idea of a senior center. Its modern architecture and interior design are accentuated by high ceilings, natural lighting, and warm and bright colored walls. It’s inviting and warm. “We wanted to make it feel like a college campus…we want people to want to come here”, said Serving Seniors Paul Downey during our tour. And what he said was reflected while we were there. The waiting room and lobby were packed with seniors all awaiting the 3 lunch sessions provided at the center. The intentionality of the design was seemingly very effective and it shone through all other parts of the center.
One feature that especially stood out to me was the format of the 2nd floor, where all the social and health services are located. Social workers, legal support, mental health support, and a health clinic are all in one place. The offices of these professionals have been strategically placed in one hallway, creating what Paul calls a “hand-off system”. This eliminates huge barriers that often prevent low-income seniors from getting services, which may include transportation or forgetfulness. These seniors are more likely to get all of the services that need to stay afloat and healthy because they can be easily handed off from one professional to the next in one visit. It’s a simple yet effective concept that increases access, and should be done in more places serving low-income populations. It not only increases access, but also creates a collaborative, holistic, and interdisciplinary environment that is working towards a single goal.
Though the West Center is far from perfect and their capability to help everyone is limited, the initiative and thoughtfulness of their programs gave me hope, something I rarely have now in our current political climate. But this visit was a breath of fresh air. And getting the chance to meet and talk with some of the seniors during lunch gave me a look at the outreach that Serving Seniors has, as well as its diversity. I spoke to seniors who immigrated from literally all over the world: Philippines, Ethiopia, China, Mexico, Peru. The diversity of this group is a reflection of the aging populations that exist in our country today. Despite their differences, there is a common struggle to find support and to be seen. The West Center gave me hope because they provide a safe, warm, healthy space for these forgotten seniors to age no matter where you come from or what your circumstances led you here. They take you in and say “I see you, and I will support you”.
The West Center has made gracious efforts to combat these stereotypes and reinvent the idea of a senior center. Its modern architecture and interior design are accentuated by high ceilings, natural lighting, and warm and bright colored walls. It’s inviting and warm. “We wanted to make it feel like a college campus…we want people to want to come here”, said Serving Seniors Paul Downey during our tour. And what he said was reflected while we were there. The waiting room and lobby were packed with seniors all awaiting the 3 lunch sessions provided at the center. The intentionality of the design was seemingly very effective and it shone through all other parts of the center.
One feature that especially stood out to me was the format of the 2nd floor, where all the social and health services are located. Social workers, legal support, mental health support, and a health clinic are all in one place. The offices of these professionals have been strategically placed in one hallway, creating what Paul calls a “hand-off system”. This eliminates huge barriers that often prevent low-income seniors from getting services, which may include transportation or forgetfulness. These seniors are more likely to get all of the services that need to stay afloat and healthy because they can be easily handed off from one professional to the next in one visit. It’s a simple yet effective concept that increases access, and should be done in more places serving low-income populations. It not only increases access, but also creates a collaborative, holistic, and interdisciplinary environment that is working towards a single goal.
Though the West Center is far from perfect and their capability to help everyone is limited, the initiative and thoughtfulness of their programs gave me hope, something I rarely have now in our current political climate. But this visit was a breath of fresh air. And getting the chance to meet and talk with some of the seniors during lunch gave me a look at the outreach that Serving Seniors has, as well as its diversity. I spoke to seniors who immigrated from literally all over the world: Philippines, Ethiopia, China, Mexico, Peru. The diversity of this group is a reflection of the aging populations that exist in our country today. Despite their differences, there is a common struggle to find support and to be seen. The West Center gave me hope because they provide a safe, warm, healthy space for these forgotten seniors to age no matter where you come from or what your circumstances led you here. They take you in and say “I see you, and I will support you”.