About Senior Services
Polk County operates 6 multipurpose senior centers and 10 dining centers. Each senior center is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and serves as a focal point for area seniors and neighborhoods. The dining centers are open 4 hours per day.
Click here for a list of our centers and their locations.
At all of these centers you can expect to find:
Recreation and Education
Neighborhood senior centers offer varied activities and classes on a daily basis. Educational classes, crafts, music, exercise, and games are just some of the activities available. Each center develops their own schedule of activities to match their hours. Of course, you can always just enjoy coffee and conversation with old and new friends.
Nutrition
At 14 of the centers lunch is served Monday through Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays meals are available at the Polk County Community center. On Wednesdays meals are served at the Deaf Senior Site located at Calvary Lutheran Church for the Deaf. Meals must be reserved one day in advance by notifying the center of your choice. Donations are accepted for the meals.
The most up to date information is available through nutrition education at all centers.
Do you have a special diet you must follow? We can meet your needs with ADA calorie controlled and fat restricted diets when we receive a doctor’s order. Or come to one of the classes that help you learn how to adapt your diet to a new lifestyle.
Click here for the Senior Center Meal Application Form
Health Clinics
The 6 senior/community centers, Central, East, South, North, Northwest, and Norwoodville have health clinics that offer dental and medical screening programs. Podiatry services are regularly available at these centers. Blood pressure and dental screenings are at all sites on a scheduled basis. Monthly health education on the latest health topics is available at all centers.
Volunteer Opportunities
Come and share your talents and skills, or be trained for a volunteer position in a new area of interest. One of the center’s coordinators can help find the right spot for you.
Transportation
Transportation is available to your nearest center or meal site, and for grocery shopping. Call your nearest center for more information.
Drake University, Senior Services and West Des Moines Human Services are working together, with a Community Betterment grant, to offer transportation to Polk County seniors to many Drake Fine Arts performances. These include plays, concerts and some visual art programs.
Information and Referral
Do you ever wonder what’s out there for you as an older adult? Each center offers information on community programs that are geared for older adults. These include food programs, energy assistance, chore services, and Medicare and Medicaid information.
County Wide Activities
Throughout the year we offer different activities, but there are a few things that are regular. These include:
- Tournaments: Pool, Cribbage, and assorted cards on a monthly basis
- Annual Senior Picnic at the state Fairgrounds in the Spring
- Annual Volunteer Recognition Party
- Annual Fishing Festival
Also,
click here for the monthly Senior Bulletin that lists the area activities and health screenings. Plus it has articles of interest for the older adult.
For more information, contact your nearest center or call our administrative offices: 286-3679