50+ Lifestyles

September we celebrate National Senior Center Month and World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

What is CASI and why do we need CASI in our community?

By Laura L. Kopp
CASI President/CEO

September is a time designated to recognize and honor the important support provided in communities throughout the country by Senior Centers and Adult Day Service programs. For close to 50 years, CASI has served as the Iowa Quad Cities only comprehensive senior center. Serving over 5,000 seniors annually, our mission is to enrich the lives of older adults and provide services/activities that promote independence.  We know we are not alone in this grand endeavor. CASI is partnering annually with local senior service partners to bridge the gap between needs and resources for area seniors. But CASI remains one of the oldest and largest community- based senior centers in the state of Iowa and is one of only two centers statewide to achieve national accreditation through The National Institute of Senior Centers.

As CEO, I serve as our agency’s face and biggest fan. I am always cheerleading and promoting CASI and the thousands of activities we offer each year. Yet, at least once a day, when I ask friends, neighbors and new acquaintances why I never see them at CASI, the most common response I receive is, “I’m not old enough” or “I don’t need CASI.”

The first response is an easy one to address. CASI is open to anyone of any age. There are no age restrictions. We at CASI believe an individual should decide for themselves when coming to CASI feels right, not just when they achieve a certain age-related milestone. For most, the term Senior Center brings with it certain connotations. Not all of which are necessarily positive. Some of the misconceptions I have heard over the years are:

• It’s for old people and I’m not old;
• People live there;
• Everyone there is in a wheelchair or a walker;
• There is nothing there that would interest me.

For anyone who has visited the center, I am sure you would join me in a silent chuckle at these misconceptions. CASI is not a residential facility, and while the average age of our membership is 70 years young, the members at CASI are actively redefining what it means to be a “senior.” New programs and classes are popping up every week from Zumba to pottery to Art with Raphael Iaccarino to corn hole, and so much more.  There is something for everyone of any age.

For those who say “I don’t need CASI,” I respectfully disagree. I think we all could use a little more of what CASI has to offer.

• Who doesn’t need a new friend or two? At CASI we have hundreds of opportunities to meet new people and build long-lasting friendships. Eleanor’s Café, named after Eleanor Duffy founder of Per Mar Security, is just one of our many programs geared towards socialization. Stop by for a cup of coffee!
• Who doesn‘t need to shed a few pounds or focus more on living a healthier lifestyle? CASI offers over 7,000 activities every year focused on health and wellness, socialization and education. We have an active Fit for Life Fitness Center and are acquiring new equipment regularly. CASI is Silver Sneaker and Renew Active certified so the monthly fitness center add on fee can be covered through those options if you have that benefit.
• Who doesn’t need support every once in a while? At CASI, we have multiple support groups to help navigate the challenging waters of losing a loved one, being a caregiver, and other life events.

Our center is but one third of what CASI offers in our community.  We have a robust Senior Advocacy program. This program links our social work team with older adults in their home to connect them with the resources and services they need to remain independent in their home for as long as is safe and healthy.

A vitally important segment of CASI is Jane’s Place, Eastern Iowa’s only Adult Day Services program with a focus on caring for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and other disabilities. Jane’s Place provides daily activities and support to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of the person living with disease and serves as a daytime respite care option to provide caregivers with a break or other support services to help them navigate through caregiving.

CASI has a little bit of something for everyone regardless of age. Come join us as we celebrate Senior Center month. Maybe we will change your mind about what it means to need a senior center.

Laura L. Kopp, MS is President/CEO of CASI, located at 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA  52806. For information call (563) 386.7477 or email info@CASIseniors.org.