Cheer improves senior citizens´ quality of life
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CHEER, also known as Sussex County Senior Services Inc., has served county seniors for more than 30 years. |
Retiring to Florida? According to the 2000 Census, probably not. Sussex County's percentage of adults age 55-plus is larger than Fort Lauderdale, Fla.'s Broward County or Miami's Dade County. With so much to offer, Sussex County is becoming quite the "hot spot" for retirees.
Sussex County Senior Services Inc., better known as CHEER, is a nonprofit organization that has served the seniors of Sussex for more than 30 years. Now, more than ever, CHEER supports this ever-expanding population with programs ranging from nutrition to transportation and from home-health servIces to socialization environments.
CHEER is governed by a board of directors and employs approximately 185 full- and parttime people who are dedicated to helping the seniors of Sussex County maintain a healthy lifestyle in the place they most want to be - their homes. Volunteers are the heart of CHEER. In 2004, CHEER volunteers donated almost 53,000 hours. To volunteer, contact the volunteer director at (302) 856-5187.
Senior centers
CHEER operates seven senior centers throughout Sussex County in the towns of Greenwood, Slaughter Neck, Oak Orchard, Ocean View, Roxana, Georgetown and Lewes. A midday meal is served Monday through Friday in these centers. CHEER additionally supports the Bridgeville and Laurel senior centers with a meal program. Recognizing that there are individual nutritional needs, three diets are available at each center: regular, diabetic and low cholesterol. The transportation program is available to pick up seniors at their homes and transport them to senior centers, then home again.
Throughout the week, centers take various trips to help seniors run errands to the grocery store or pharmacy. Each center offers daily socializing and educational activities that may include health seminars, computer classes, cultural trips, health and wellness screenings, card games and tournaments, dances, support groups, crafting and parties.
The Harbour Lights Senior Center in Lewes hosts a fitness facility for mature adults, and the planned Ocean View Leisure and Resource Center will include another fitness facility upon completion in 2004. For information on CHEER senior centers or to volunteer at a center, call (302) 856-5187.
Homebound Meal Program
CHEER is a Meals On Wheels agency and delivers, through a network of volunteers, several hundred meals each day to area seniors or disabled persons who are homebound. Call (302) 856-5187 for information on receiving meals or to volunteer.
In-Home Services
CHEER In-Home Services is a licensed and bonded homehealth agency that has been providing for the needs of area seniors and disabled citizens since the 1970s. It is a responsive agency that provides personal home-health services, housekeeping, caregiver services and much more. All services are available for a reasonable fee. For more information on these services, call (302) 854-9555 or (302) 644-8325.
Warren L. & Charles C. Allen Jr. CHEER Community Center
The CHEER Community Center in Georgetown is a multipurpose facility for Sussex County's adults ages 50-plus. Within the center is the beauty and barbershop, a game room, a massage and aroma therapy specialist and a banquet room. The banquet room is available for rental for weddings, meetings and events, and can seat up to 400 guests. Catering and bar service is available.
The facility also features the Fit 'N' Fun Fitness Center, managed by certified personal trainers and boasting professional equipment, including treadmills, EFX machines, free weights and stationary bicycles.
With one in four American households caring for another family member, CHEER offers a Caregiver Resource Center within the community center. This lending library offers informational materials and Internet access for caregiver research. Respite services also can be obtained from the In-Home Services Program.
To contact the Community Center, call (302) 854-9500.
CHEER apartments
Within walking distance of the community center are CHEER apartments available to seniors 62 and older. For more information on apartment availability, call (302) 856-6676.
Special events
All year long, CHEER offers unique and exciting events and programs. The holiday season is always busy with activities, like the Thanksgiving Feast for seniors, and volunteers deliver hundreds of meals to area seniors on Christmas Day. Other events include Make a Difference Day, the Trap Pond Fall Festival, a Veterans Day Dinner and Beach Day.
For general information on CHEER, call (302) 856-5187. CHEER's Web site, http://www.scss.org, is a comprehensive source for CHEER services and events. News & Views, CHEER's free monthly newspaper, is available throughout the county on newsstands and in businesses. Annual subscriptions are available for $10 by calling (302) 856-5187. 
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