- WHAT AGE DO I HAVE TO BE TO PARTICIPATE?
Answer: Various programs have different guidelines but the basic ones are:
55 years- Senior Center, Town Bus, NKSA
60 years- Sea Breeze Dining and Meals on Wheels. Exceptions are made for spouses and
people with disabilities. Some State and Federal Programs such as RIPAE, Housing, Medical
Assistance, Heat & Energy have other restrictions such as income.
- DO I HAVE TO JOIN THE NORTH KINGSTOWN SENIOR ASSOCIATION IN ORDER TO
PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OF THE CENTER?
Answer: No, all programs and services are available to members and
non-members alike.
- WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF JOINING NKSA?
A. Receive your newsletter in the mail.
B. Receive voting rights on issues and business conducted at the NKSA General
Meeting held on the 3 rd Wednesday of the Month at the Beechwood House Senior Center.
Membership renewal in July.
C. Become a part of a 700+ member organization well-known for assisting the senior
population in North Kingstown.
- IS NORTH KINGSTOWN RESIDENCY REQUIRED?
Answer: Yes & No. Not for NKSA. The Center with so much Federal and State dollars
involved, is open to all; however, the bus and services of outreach home visits is limited
to North Kingstown residents.
- WHAT TYPES OF PROGRAMS
DOES THE SENIOR CENTER OFFER?
Answer: As a recreational center Beechwood House offers a
variety of programs and classes to enhance the lifestyles of older
adults. These include exercise classes such as Yoga, Tai Chi,
Intermediate Fitness, Dancersize, PACE an Line Dancing. Health
Wellness programs which include Health clinics, Glaucoma Screenings,
Cholesterol screenings and Podiatry services. Popular activities at
the Center include Social Activities, Special Events, Arts and Crafts
classes, cards and games, Bingo as well as monthly day trips.
Please call our office at 268-1590 for further information. For further information click on the Programming Icon.
- IS THERE MORE TO THE CENTER THAN CLASSES AND PROGRAMS?
Answer: Yes.
1. Staff in the Social Services Department can assess problems brought to
their attention by concerned parties. If Social Services can solve the initial problem no
further action is taken other than to continue to monitor the situation. If it is an abuse
or self-neglect case, state law requires additional reporting to the RI Department of
Elderly Affairs. The Senior Center attempts to assist seniors and their families in any
area of need
2. Social Services can assist in advocating for seniors who may need
various types of services. The Senior Center attempts to assist
seniors and their families in any area of need.
3. People caring for loved ones receive assistance both through support
groups and Caregiver training workshops. Referrals can be made for
respite care and information is provided on various issues involved in care
giving.
4. In addition, if a senior is experiencing mental changes,
becoming confused, or increasingly forgetful, Social Services can arrange for a geriatric
assessment to determine the cause of the problem.
- IF I WANT TO HAVE LUNCH IN SEABREEZE DINING, WHEN SHOULD I MAKE
RESERVATIONS?
Answer: Please call the dining room manager at 268-1592 a few days
in advance to make a reservation. Holiday reservations should be made
one week in advance.
- HOW MUCH DOES LUNCH COST?
Answer: The recommended donation is $ 2.50 however, no one is turned away for lack of
payment. Envelopes are available for payment privacy.
- IF I NEED TRANSPORTATION TO THE CENTER OR TO DOCTORS OR TO SHOP WHAT
SHOULD I DO?
Call the Center Office for more information regarding transportation
services. As for the Town Minibus, most requests for Center and Local
Medical Appointments can be scheduled if requested at least 24 hours in
advance. For regular riders, an easy way to
assure service is to fill out a bus request slip one week in advance. Our
Transportation Coordinator can be reached at 268-1590 and will assist you with this process. Click on the Transportation Icon for more
information. Call the Center Office for a sheet outlining all the areas of transportation
services.
- HOW WOULD I GET MEALS-ON-WHEELS IF I EVER NEEDED IT OR HAD A NEIGHBOR WHOM
I THOUGHT COULD BENEFIT FROM IT?
Answer: In North Kingstown, the local Meals on Wheels is a branch of Meals on Wheels of
RI, which maintains an office in Providence. The drivers and participants are scheduled by
a volunteer coordinator. Enrollment, some coordination and administration is done through
the Outreach Department at the Senior Center. To receive Meals on Wheels certain criteria
must be met and there is a recommended donation of $ 2.00 a day usually collected weekly.
Again, as with Sea Breeze Dining, no one is turned away for lack of payment. For further
information on Meals on Wheels call toll free 1-888-44-MEALS or click on the Nutrition
services icon.
- WHERE DOES THE FUNDING COME FROM FOR THE CENTER'S MANY PROGRAMS
AND SERVICES?
The various programs & services
require many funding sources.
1. The
Town of North Kingstown provides the major funding for staffing, bus, supplies, inside
& outside maintenance, heat, light, electricity, and of course the building and allied
insurance; this amount equals over $ 270,000 per year.
2. A State Legislative Grant provides $19,440 at present.
3. The North Kingstown Senior Association provides programs &
supplies in the amount of around $ 10,000 per year plus funding for special projects.
4. The
remainder is funded through mini-grants from RI Department of Elderly Affairs for special
programs such as Caregivers Training.
5. Seabreeze Dining under Westbay Community Action, Inc. is federally
funded by the Older Americans Act.
- DOES THE CENTER ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS?
Answer: Again there are various ways to do this.
1. North Kingstown Senior Services has two escrow funds (carried over year to year) are set up
through the Town of North Kingstown to provide for center needs not met with other
funding. A person may also donate a lump sum for specific program purposes to the Center
through the Town of North Kingstown into these funds. Checks are made out to the Town of North Kingstown and
mailed to 10 Beach Street, North Kingstown, RI 02852
2.NORTH KINGSTOWN SENIOR ASSOCIATION--Individuals may also
donation to NKSA. Please contact the senior center for information about
donating to this organization.
- WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO SOMEONE WHO IS HOMEBOUND?
Our
Social Services Office coordinates two visitation programs.
First,
The Senior Companion Program offers weekly visits by another senior who can provide
assistance to the homebound senior. They also may provide respite to the family. Senior
Companions are all over the age of 60.
Second, The Friendly Visitor Program also provides visits to the homebound. The
Friendly Visitor Program does not have an age requirement therefore anyone can volunteer
to be a friendly visitor. If either program is of interest or if you are interested in
volunteering your time to these valuable programs, please call the Outreach Office
268-1591
Third, Social Services may also be contacted to problem solve unmet or
unusual transportation needs.
