A combination of in-home and destination programs are selected from more than 35 types of programs and services on SCA’s menu of options to address each community’s unique needs. Following is a menu of representative programs and services; contact a Center near you to find out which programs and services are available in your area.

SCA Model Programs

• Breaktime Club creates a partnership between professionals, volunteers, caregivers and care receivers to create enrichment and socialization for the dependent care receiver as well as respite for the caregiver.

• Equipping Caregivers cprovides monthly meetings of education and support for those who care for the elderly. Participants are furnished with resources and tools for managing their own self care and the care of aging persons.

• Partners in Health is a health literacy initiative focusing on personal health management and doctor/patient communications for older adults and their caregivers.

Learning Programs

• Adventures in Learning offers college-type programs on a variety of subjects to continue the life-long learning process. Most class instructors are retired older adults.

• Computer Classes teach older adults computer skills to enable them to access the Internet, use e-mail, and other personal computer programs.

• Intergenerational Program offers opportunities for older adults to interact and share knowledge and experiences with younger generations.

• Personal Finance Classes (often in conjunction with AARP) helps train widowed persons in personal finance management.

• Tax Assistance helps prepare forms for older adults filing federal, state, and local taxes.

• 55 Alive (AARP Program) teaches defensive driving skills. Completion often reduces car insurance rates.

• Arts and Crafts provide classes and workshops for ceramics, woodworking, chair caning, macramé, knitting, quilting, etc.

• Fine Arts offers oil, pastel, or china painting; sculpture, ballet, classical music, and other self-expression techniques.

Health Programs

• Health Screening offers awareness training and screening for glaucoma, blood pressure, pulse, hearing, vision, anemia, blood sugar, etc.

• Home Blood Pressure. Nursing volunteers provide blood pressure and minimal health checks for homebound older adults.

• Home Health Aide volunteers help home-bound persons to follow regular medication and health needs and requirements.

• Nutrition Education helps maintain healthy lifestyles by encouraging balanced diets and weight control. Healthy Cooking for One is a typical class.

• Medication and Health Classes conducted by active and retired health professionals alert us to prescription conflicts and effects, illness symptoms, and the need to carefully follow medical instructions and advice.

• Medical Equipment Leasing (or Lending) provides donated medical
  equipment to persons with a need at minimal or no cost.

• Nursing Home Visitors provides contact with persons in nursing homes to help break the long-term care monotony.

• Respite Care provides volunteers to enable persons giving full-time care to an ill or disabled family member to have time off for shopping or errands.

• Meals on Wheels offers dietetically-planned hot meals to the home-bound for a nominal fee.

• Exercise Classes include senior aerobics, walking, chair exercises, water aerobics, line and square dancing, Tai Chi, Senior Olympics, etc.

• Insurance Form Help assists older adults to file and obtain insurance
  payments for claims eligible under their coverage.
  

Home Assistance Programs

• Housing Information provides clearinghouse information to individuals on housing resources and available options.

• Handyhands perform minor home repairs. The program links retired craftspersons and older homeowners.

• Transportation provides rides for older adults for medical appointments and to Center activities.

• Shopping provides travel & shopping assistance for older adults for grocery and personal needs shopping.

• Telephone Visitors enables the home-bound a chance to keep up to date on activities and services.

• In-Home Visitors gives the home-bound a chance to share contacts with friends and enables a Center to better assess needs.

• Neighborhood Shepherds visit nearby home-bound persons, linking them to services they may need.
  

Social and Support Programs

• Life Enrichment helps us realize that retirement provides opportunities for a richer lifestyle through faith experiences, positive goals, and active participation in life.

• Reminiscence gives seniors an opportunity to share experiences and memories with others.

• Travel Trips include trips to local gardens, museums, and cultural events; and longer out-of town trips to more distant state or national parks, events, and other sites of interest.

• Performing Arts includes instrumental and choral music, drama groups, clown clubs, dance groups, etc., with performances at local events, nursing homes, and organizations.

• Support Groups offer peer support to deal with traumas of later years. Programs deal with strokes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, spouse loss, weight control, and cancer, among others.

• SPRINGthing is an annual nationwide Shepherd's Centers program designed to provide one-time aid in late April/early May to needy families in a community.

• Adult Day Care provides supervised activities for frail older adults during daytime hours.

• Information/Referral or Shepherd's Centers Connections is a telephone clearinghouse service to link persons and programs to meet needs.