Mission: To improve the quality of life for seniors 60-and-older by offering recreational, educational and social activities; and by providing support services for all seniors, including special services for those with physical and/or cognitive impairments.

Cities Served: Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, North Lauderdale, Margate, Pompano Beach (west of the Turnpike), Tamarac, Parkland and Sunrise.

History: The Center was founded in 1976 and has twice moved to larger locations to meet the increased demand for senior services in Northwest Broward County. The current location, just one block south of Margate City Hall, opened in 1989 and serves about 200 members each day. Nearly 100 volunteers and 38 staff personnel administer Center programs.

Membership: There is no charge for registration for the non-sectarian Senior Center and Weekend Alzheimer’s program. Participants in the weekday Adult Day Care program are assessed a minimal fee based on a sliding scale. Upon joining, members are given a blood pressure and health care screening with a registered nurse. Members receive an ID card that can be helpful to family, friends and public safety officials in the event of an emergency.

Hours of Operation: Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Saturdays. The Alzheimer’s Day Care program is open Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Social and recreational programs such as: Aquatic therapy, arts & crafts, billiards,card games, ceramics, computer classes, line dancing, discussion/advocacy groups, lectures and other activities
• Intermediate Program
• Adult Day Care
• Weekend Day Care for Alzheimer’s patients
• Individual and group counseling
• Transportation to center, local banks, grocery stores and physician’s offices
• Broward Meals on Wheels
• Telephone reassurance for homebound seniors
• Information and referrals on Broward County seniors’ services
• SHINE -- Serving Health Insurance Needs of the Elderly
• Health Screening Program
• AARP Senior Drive Alive Classes

Funding: Two-thirds of the Center’s funding comes from federal and state grants. The remainder is raised through local funding, donations, and by the Seniors Foundation of Northwest Broward, Inc.

At The Senior Center:

Live music: Each Monday through Thursday, swing and Dixieland-style musical groups rehearse in the center auditorium, entertaining members with timeless classics.

Computer Lab: The computer lab is open daily, with computer orientation classes available every Tuesday and Thursday. Further hands on classes are available from BCC’s North Campus, with complimentary transportation provided by the center.

Arts and crafts: Work rooms for painting and creating crafts are open daily, with classes offered in each activity throughout the week. Pieces created by members are sold to the public with proceeds going to the Senior Center. Knitting, crocheting, and doll making are also popular craft activities.

Billiards: The game room offers a pool table and television set to ESPN to catch the latest sports scores.

Outdoor patio: A shaded outdoor seating area allows members to enjoy the fresh Florida breezes surrounded by butterflies, birds, and flowering plants. Plans are under way to form a garden club.

Field trips: Daytime excursions are offered regularly to area shopping malls, such as Sawgrass Mills, Coral Square, or the Festival Flea Market. A luncheon is held each Wednesday at area restaurants. And, on occasion, trips on the SeaEscape, to the Musicana Supper Club and other special excursions are organized.

Adult Day Care:

The Adult Day Care program provides a support system for members who have a physical or cognitive disability, such as being wheelchair-bound or suffering from memory loss. The program is licensed to accommodate 90 participants.

Seniors who attend the Adult Day Care program are readily assisted by a registered nurse and a staff of certified nursing assistants. Educational classes are provided on a number of issues, such as nutrition, medication, and other related aids. The day care facility at the Center was expanded by 2,000 square feet in 1997 to meet the growing needs of area seniors.

Weekend Alzheimer’s Day Care:

Available for persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. The program is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Participants engage in sing-a-longs, games and other recreational activities. They also enjoy a nutritious noontime meal.

Individual and Group Counseling:

Focal Point counselor Eireen Brams provides individual counseling three days a week. In addition, she leads support groups for seniors who have recently lost a spouse and are having difficulty coping with the adjustment to single living. Brams, who has a bachelor’s degree in social work, also advises Alzheimer’s caregivers, and leads the Center’s Alzheimer’s Support Group meeting, which is held at 9:30 a.m. every other Sunday.

Transportation:

For seniors who no longer drive a car, there are seven Focal Point vans to provide transportation to and from the facility. The handicapped-accessible vans also take seniors to local banks, doctors’ offices, supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants and field trips. The Physician Taxi Service provides door-to-door, complimentary transportation to help seniors visit their local doctors. About 150 seniors depend on the Focal Point vans to meet their daytime transportation needs. Each of the vans logs about 300 miles each week.

Broward Meals on Wheels:

Broward Meals on Wheels serves about 150 lunches at the Senior Center each day, making the facility one of the largest meal sites in northwest Broward County. Besides providing seniors with a nutritious meal, the lunch break is a meeting and social ground for those who use the Center daily. Themed lunches to celebrate holidays or cultural events are scheduled year-round to enhance the dining experience for seniors. The Center’s Breakfast Club meets for toast, coffee and orange juice each morning for a minimal donation. The Critic’s Corner offers seniors the opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee and a muffin in the afternoon.

Telephone Reassurance Program:

Homebound seniors who live alone are contacted by phone each morning by center volunteers. About 70 to 80 calls are made seven days a week. The Reassurance Program is invaluable during the hurricane season. Volunteers reassure homebound seniors by calling them before and after the storm.

Information and Referral:

This is the first stop for new Northwest Focal Point Senior Center members. It is similar to the registration office on a college campus. Seniors are interviewed regarding their areas of interest to determine what services they are likely to enjoy. The Information and Referral office also directs members to the proper local government agencies serving seniors in Broward County.

Health Screening Program:

This program provides medical response in the case of an emergency, such as a fall or other event. The Senior Center nurse is prepared to render or coordinate medical care to all program participants. In addition, lectures on health issues such as osteoporosis, cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular concerns are available throughout the year. In addition, health screens and a flu shot program are available to area seniors.