LOCAL PROGRAMS GEARED TO ELDERLY

For senior adults in search of a new hobby, the Hoover Center's senior learning program offers classes in everything from mature driving to yoga.

The center's primary program, Eldercare-Senior Alive, is an adult day program designed to help senior citizens by offering activities and health information as well as access to the community.

"Our goal is to increase an individual's ability so they won't be put into a nursing center prematurely," said Alicia Prince, assistant director of the Eldercare program. "Our purpose is to provide support to people 60 and older."

The Senior Alive program offers daily activities, exercise and lunch to program participants, all at no cost. A $2 donation is requested to pay for the cost of the lunch. Transportation also is available.

The agency offers its programs through the Department of Environmental Studies at Southeast Missouri State University and receives some funding from the Area Wide United Way and Area Agency on Aging.

"We offer access to the community," Prince said. "Many of the people are low income so they don't have a car to get to the grocery store or city offices."

Participants must be at least 60 years old and able to function alone or with the help of a walking device.

But the Eldercare program is not a nursing home alternative, Prince said. "This is not for people who can't take care of themselves," she said. "It's not like a nursing program."

The program does offer relief for family members living with older parents or relatives, she said. "For some it's a respite. But they (participants) get to be around people their own age. Many are into their 80s, and it's hard to make new friends at that age."

Many of the participants make friends through the learning program classes. The classes are offered at Southeast Missouri State University and the Eldercare program provides transportation shuttles.

Classes offered in the spring semester include watercolors, German and Italian castles and palaces, preserving photographs, Tai Chi Chuan and exercise courses. They begin Jan. 12. For more information, call 290-5944.