City of Salem Center 50+ has launched the WOW van (Wellness on Wheels) to keep seniors connected to their community through life-enriching activities and services. With the support from Salem Health, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, P3 Health Partners Oregon, and Home Instead Senior Care, Center 50+ now delivers socially distanced wellness services to area seniors.

Front porch visits from the WOW Van includes fitness, nutrition, mobility and wellness programming, activities, lifelong learning instruction, social checks ins, and technology tutoring.

The Center 50+ is Salem’s premier non-membership community center providing programs and services to adults age 50 and older and their caregivers. Although the Center is temporarily closed to the public due to COVID-19, programs and services continue to be offered throughout the community. Center 50+ serves more than 850 people a day and hosts more than 150 programs and activities each term.

The WOW Van was inspired through the work of the Age-Friendly Salem Initiative and meets the goals of keeping seniors socially connected, engaged in their community, and able to remain safe and healthy in their homes for as long as possible. Center 50+ recognizes the importance of delivering services to older adults whose mobility and aptitude to travel around Salem has decreased because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Marilyn Daily who manages operations and programming for the center says, “Everyone on our staff is excited about the possibilities of this service and eager to bring classes and companionship to those who need it most.”

To find out more about the WOW Van residents are encouraged to email Connect50plus@cityofsalem.net or to visit the Center 50+ website.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-10-19 20:07:05

Last Update: 2020-10-19 20:22:28