Hoover Center provides day programs, social interaction for senior adults

Members of the Hoover Center's exercise program from left, Louis Gann, Alberta Kemp, Anice McKissick, Coline Heisserer, graduate assistant Kathryn Sellenriek, Betty Carstens, Annabelle Brady, coordinator Cherie Herbst, Estel Bowers, Louis Colon and Hazel Jackson, pose for a photo after their morning class at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

For senior citizens who want to remain independent and active while continuing to live in their own homes -- but still need some daily assistance and enjoy social interaction -- The Hoover Center in Cape Girardeau is a great resource. The adult day program is licensed through the state of Missouri.

"We provide transportation to and from the seniors' homes to the center," says Dr. Shelba Branscum, department chair and professor in the Department of Human Environmental Studies at Southeast Missouri State University. Branscum also serves as director of The Hoover Center, which is housed by the university.

After seniors are picked up, they use the gym at Centenary United Methodist Church for light to moderate exercise from 9 to 10 a.m. Next, they arrive at The Hoover Center, where they participate in a variety of programs and activities.

"We'll have speakers come in as well as students from various departments at SEMO," says Branscum.

Lunch is provided for the senior adult attendees most days by the Cape Girardeau Senior Center.

From left, Louis Gann, Alberta Kemp and Annabelle Brady do arm curls during the Hoover Center's morning exercise class at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

"We try to take them out to eat for lunch about once a week," says Branscum.

The center also takes the seniors out shopping at local stores for supplies that they need.

"We'll take them to places like Wal-Mart, Target and Walgreen's," she says. "Many of them don't have families nearby and it helps them to remain independent."

The Hoover Center is funded by four grants from the United Way, the Senior Citizen's Service Fund, Aging Matters and the Missouri Department of Transportation, so there is no cost for senior adults to attend.

"The center also functions as a lab for students majoring in the fields of nursing, family study, dietetics, recreation and psychology," says Branscum.

Volunteers are always needed at the center to provide entertainment and to help when the group travels on various outings.

"We have people who come in and sing and play instruments, speak to the group or go on trips with them," says Branscum.

Certain criteria must be met before a senior adult can be admitted into the program.

"They must live in Cape County; be mobile, whether it be with a wheelchair, walker or cane; be oriented to time, day and place; and be able to communicate," says Branscum.

If all of that criteria is met, an assessment is done next.

"If they meet all of the qualifications, we have them try it for a day," she says.

If all goes well, the senior adult is then worked into the weekly schedule.

While some senior adults come to the center every day, most come a few days a week or even every other week.

"We are licensed for 12 senior adults per day," says Branscum. "But, we serve between 35 and 40 senior adults total."

The adult day program was started in 1980 by Grace Hoover.

"In 1990, the university named the center after her," says Branscum.

To find out more information about The Hoover Center or to volunteer, call 573-290-5944.