Senior center members will see end to some paperwork

As predictable as the weather cooling in October, members of the Carson City Senior Citizens Center are filling out informational paperwork.

But seniors who go through the laborious process - required so the center can get federal funding and document who uses the services - will see relief after this year.

"After this year, the participant will only have to tell us of changes, if there are any," said Janice McIntosh, the center's director. "They will not have to complete a new form. Only new members will complete a new form."

McIntosh said the information is vital to the Administration on Aging, which provides grants to senior centers. They also study trends so they know what direction they need to go in the future.

"It also verifies to the feds they are a legitimate person for the program."

McIntosh said in years past some agencies have made up fictitious people in order to get additional funding. The new order of paperwork takes "cheating" out of that realm.

McIntosh has also requested the member give information on who to contact in case of emergency, and medical information should an emergency arise.

"We ask for doctor, family or friend contact and their medications," McIntosh said. "There are a lot here who are in distress.

None of the information is given out.

The Carson City Senior Citizens Center, at 911 Beverly Drive, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It has a variety of activities, serves a meal at 11:30 a.m., and at last count had about 4,000 people come into the center for a meal or programs, with 1,650 of them being volunteers.

For information, call 883-0703.

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.