After 32 years in the same location on North St. Asaph Street, in the heart of Old Town, Senior Service of Alexandria can now greet their clients in wood paneled offices where parking and wheelchair access are no longer challenges. “We went from Class C to Class A for the same financial outlay,” said Executive Director Eileen Longstreet.
Although the move to 700 Princess St., the Wachovia Bank building, owned by American Financial Realty Trust of Pennsylvania, took place on June 8, there are still a variety of details to be completed. One of those is to make sure their clients know were they are now based.
“I want to thank the city for providing the signage that identifies our new location and directs our clients to us,” Longstreet said. Located on the building’s mezzanine level, their offices are easily accessed by elevator directly from the Princess Street glass double doors.
“Our entrance is now at ground level and those with disabilities have easy access to the elevator. Before, there were times when we had to go out on the street to meet with clients because they could not navigate those two steps into our old offices,” she said.
The new space is 1,500 square feet compared to the previous 1,000 square feet. “And we got this new space for the same amount of cash outlay as our old space. Previously we had to pay for all maintenance and upkeep. Here we have a full service lease,” Longstreet explained.
In addition to being very attractive, Senior services can now offer clients the amenity of discussing matters in private. “Here, we have two private offices and a conference room. Before, we had no areas for private talks with our clients,” she said.
“We really needed the space to offer our clients space were conversations could be confidential especially in the area of financial services,” said Senior Services President Susan Winn. “In addition to being very attractive space, it also provides separate space for our Senior Taxi and DOT volunteers.”
Claudia Kostel, Senior Services Vice President, also emphasized the new location’s privacy. “Seniors who visit will find it offers them much more privacy in a very attractive environment. The additional space is very important because our aging population is growing. We needed more space and better space to better serve that growing clientele,” she said.
ENTERING THE OFFICES, guests are greeted by an attractive waiting area with leather chairs and literature pertaining to all areas of senior services. Immediately beyond that is the general office area, followed by the executive directors office and a small conference room.
As noted by Winn, two of Senior Services most active programs, Senior Taxi and DOT, now have their own area enabling them to better serve clients seven days a week. From June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006 Senior Taxi provided 14,586 taxi trips to 552 clients. In that same period DOT Transportation completed 55,714 trips for 1,109 riders.
Senior Taxi is for seniors who no longer drive “for whatever reason.” It provides transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping and other necessities. Trips are booked through Senior Services reservations.
DOT is a service provided primarily to disabled Alexandria resident seniors enabling them to get to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and entertainment venues such as the theater. It is provided through the American With Disabilities Act. The City contracts with Senior Services to make reservations.
“We were providing Senior Taxi when the City asked us to also provide the DOT service. What we bring to the table is the added value of sensitive reservationists that the caller can rely on to answer their questions and reassure them in a caring way rather than dealing with just a dispatcher,” Longstreet said.
One of the biggest pluses for Senior Services clients is the availability of free parking at the new location. At their prior address clients were faced with metered street parking that is always at a premium in the heart of Old Town.
“The parking is a real plus as well as the offices being such an improvement over the old space. It has real potential for the future,” said Board member Judy Drewry.
In addition to the easy access parking area immediately adjacent to the rear of the building, there is bus stop at their front door. “Many of our clients use bus transportation and this is another plus for them and us,” Longstreet said.
For Senior Services’ four full-time and nine part-time employees the new office is a plus, not only for the additional space but also for its attractive environment. “Job sharing is a big part of our operations and this space accommodates that very well,” Longstreet noted.
PROGRAMS OPERATED BY SENIOR SERVICES, in addition to Senior Taxi and DOT, include the following:
Meals on Wheels: Averaging 115 people per day five days a week there were 54,810 meals served last fiscal year. Approximately half the clients’ meals are paid for by the City. Other clients pay for their own meals while others are paid by Social Security Administration. Deliveries are made by more than 140 volunteers. They cover eight routes, each of which includes 14 people receiving two meals each — one hot and one cold.
Employment, In Home Care, and Chore Help: Employment services are provided to seniors wishing to continue working. With nearly full employment in the Washington Metro Area, there are many employers looking for senior experience and knowledge. The demand for in home care continues to escalate with the growing aging population and the desire to remain in their own homes. This independence is also aided by “Chore Help” which provides limited in-home help with daily chores that is affordable to those on fixed incomes.
Money Management services for Alexandria and Arlington Residents: The need for this service was identified by the Arlington Agency in 2003. Over the past three years many low and very low-income elderly and vulnerable have received free or very low-cost assistance to pay bills, develop budgets, balance checkbooks, setup direct deposit of social security checks, and other financial management aid. The goal of this service is to secure clients’ income and assets, thereby protecting their ability to remain in their homes for as long as possible.