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2 <br /> Departments and the County Department on Aging have had to use <br /> 411 more than twelve (12) different locations for their older adult <br /> activities and services. (Current Center Space- Appendix /3) <br /> Fragmentation of efforts and scattered locations make it difficult <br /> for older persons to know where to go to meet particular needs. <br /> II. GOAL STATEMENT <br /> As more and more citizens reach "retirement age" with special <br /> needs and characteristics, planning a comprehensive service <br /> delivery model should be, and must be, a vital concern to the <br /> community. <br /> THE COMMUNITY'S GOAL SHOULD BE TO ESTABLISH A SENIOR CITIZEN <br /> CENTER NETWORK AS THE MODEL FOR THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY HUMAN <br /> SERVICES TO ALL OLDER ADULTS. A SENIOR CENTER is defined as a <br /> COMMUNITY FOCAL POINT ON AGING, serving as a base from which <br /> various individual services and group activities are delivered to <br /> older adults. It is a place that seniors can call their own. <br /> Among its purposes are developing meaningful, creative services <br /> and activities for individuals and groups; discovering <br /> opportunities to perform community services; and making available <br /> information about community resources and plans relating to older <br /> people. <br /> Any proposed new senior center facilities should have the <br /> following identified IDEAL CHARACTERISTICS: <br /> a. Serves all older adults, potential and actual users. <br /> b. Provides exclusive space in order to maintain <br /> identity, even though shared with other age groups when <br /> not in use. <br /> c. Maintains a holistic approach to serving older adults. <br /> d. Is highly visible to older adults and the community. <br /> The center should be clearly identified and its <br /> functions described on a permanent outdoor sign. <br /> e. Is centrally located. Ideally, the center <br /> should be located on a much-travelled street, public <br /> area, conveniently located and easily accessible to bus <br /> service. <br /> f. Has adequate parking. Parking space should be <br /> available and accessible for older adult and staff use. <br /> g. Is accessible to the handicapped. There should be <br /> special provisions for handicapped elderly, such as <br /> handrails, ramps, wide electronic doors, grab-bars, etc. <br /> h. Involves older adults. The center operations <br />