DRiVE voucher program for DeKalb Co. seniors

via Commissioner Rader...

 Please come to Central DeKalb Senior Center to learn about the DRiVE Voucher Program for seniors!

Transportation Staff will be there to explain the program changes and answer your questions.

Wednesday, March 7th at 1:00 pm 1346 McConnell Drive Decatur, GA 30033
CDSC Great Room

Please sign up in the lobby!

Additional info about DeKalb vouchers for seniors.

Fall Prevention Program [Sept 22]

via Commissioner Rader...

Fall Prevention Program - Date Change Correction:
Fall Prevention Program will be this Thursday, September 22nd at 12:30p.m. with Sandy Bramlett at the Central DeKalb Senior Center. We apologize for the incorrect date previously sent.

Stay Balanced, Active and Independent - Strategies for staying strong, active and independent. Learn how your BODY and BRAIN help with Balance & Fall Prevention, so that you are able to move with comfort and ease, and with youthful vitality. Get the FACTS about Falls, and what to do if you fall, get TIPS on how to prevent falls in the first place, and sample simple brain/body ‘games’ and exercises you can do daily to keep you steady, active and mobile for life. Lunch is available on Thursday, but requires a reservation, at $7.00 per meal. Call Center Director, Victoria Kingsland at Phone: 770-492-5462.
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The Central DeKalb Senior Center is located at 1346 McConnell Dr. 
The Center's website is:  http://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/CentralDekalbSenior/index.html
That page includes links to the monthly activity schedule, registration form and interest sheet.

Senior Opportunities for October

 ...from Victoria Kingsland, Central DeKalb Senior Center
1346 McConnell Drive Decatur, Georgia 30033
Phone: 770-492-5462
Email: VKingsland@dekalbcountyga.gov

A note from Victoria at Central DeKalb Senior Center, with a few highlights that I know you will enjoy!

• On Thursday, October 29th at 12:30 p.m. in Lobby of CDSC, the Ukulele Society of Decatur will perform, this will be a good time for all! Please join us for lunch too!
• I am so excited to announce the following Transportation Voucher Program for Seniors in DeKalb County who do not drive, or have no form of transportation. This program is being offered through DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs, not any other funder. Every Wednesday, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Ericia Wheeler, a DeKalb County employee, manages the program. She will be at CDSC to sign up seniors and their drivers each Wednesday. As you know, transportation is one of the most needed services for Seniors, and I am thrilled to share this opportunity with you. Please let me know if you are interested in signing up for this program. I look forward to hearing from you.
• The DRiVE (DeKalb Reimbursement Voucher Program for the Elderly) opens the door to leisure and fun. Use a driver of your choice!
• Medicare’s Open Enrollment period is October 15 to December 7. ALL people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage for next year. CDSC will host a presentation on Thursday November 5th, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Please ask Seniors to bring their Medicare card, and the names of their prescriptions. Personalized counseling using the medicare.gov decision tool will be available after the session.

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The Central DeKalb Senior Center serves "DeKalb County Residents, age 62 and older, who are active and independent. The role of the CDSC is to provide programs, services, and activities that promote health, wellness, social interaction, community engagement, education, and independence. Participants and the CDSC staff will work together to create a true sense of community."

Please visit the Center's website at http://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/CentralDekalbSenior/index.html
On the left margin, there is a link to their monthly activity schedule, as well as links to a registration form (so they can reach out to eligible residents)  and interest sheet (for letting the senior center know what activities would best serve users). Often, there is also a flyer highlighting special activities. Here is the October special events flyer...

Central DeKalb Senior Center activity schedule

The Central DeKalb Senior Center is located at Mason Mill Park. To view their monthly activity schedule, click here.

Grand opening: Central DeKalb Senior Center at Mason Mill Park

Last February, we reported that a new senior center was being built at Mason Mill Park.

And now, drumroll!, because the senior center is opening on February 2.

The PATH will connect our neighborhood to this new center.

Central DeKalb Senior Center coming to Mason Mill Park

via CHCA... 

Commissioner Rader's website has a link to site and floor plans for a new senior center at Mason Mill Park. Simply labeled as "DeKalb County Central Senior Center", the drawings show the new building facing McConnel Drive, situated on an area that is already paved over. 

Proposed Senior Center at Mason Mill Park (in gold, in drawing at the left) and Google map image of park.
  Image via http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/commdev/pdf/DCSC_communityPresentation_boards.pdf
Click to enlarge.

Street view of proposed center. Click to enlarge.

As proposed, the building would include arts and crafts rooms (listed activites include drawing, painting, carving, pottery, quilting and sewing) and exercise areas (weights/cardio and yoga/dance/aerobics). There is also a cafe, a large multi-purpose room, billiards room, and several classroom and activity spaces. An elevator connects both floors.

OnCentralDeKalb has an item talking about three senior centers being built in DeKalb: a North DeKalb Center (3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee), a South DeKalb Center (at 1931 Candler Road, Decatur, replacing an older structure built in 1979), and a third as-of-yet-unreleased location "Central DeKalb facility" to be "the first county-owned facility in the Central DeKalb area." Per the article, the County will "spend $15 million in federal funding to construct the centers under HUD programs." The article goes on to say that

"Three new senior centers are slated to open by December 2013—one in North DeKalb, one in South DeKalb and one in Central DeKalb, county officials have announced. ... Each 15,000-square-foot center will have community meeting rooms, a computer lab, a fully equipped fitness room, a commercial kitchen, access to walking trails, and sitting areas inside and around the grounds.
The centers’ main dining halls will accommodate approximately 120 people seated, and are designed to easily convert and serve as a meeting space for educational seminars and civic events.
Activity rooms will be made available for ceramics, billiards, and games such as chess, bridge, and backgammon.
A large social lounge will also be included in each facility."

This facility will be a great addition to Mason Mill's recent improvements, and is great news to area residents hoping to age in place. Mason Mill Park is accessible by via the PATH's South Peachtree Creek Trail [trailhead at Medlock Park, with access point on Willivee Dr.]. Mason Mill Park is located at 1340 McConnell Dr  Decatur, GA 30033 | map |.

Pink asterisk marks the proposed location of the Central DeKalb Senior Center at Mason Mill Park.
PATH trail that connects Mason Mill and Medlock Parks is highlighted in light green. Click to enlarge.