WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – New Hanover County’s Senior Resource Center is celebrating its new Older Adult Resource Guide.
It’s kind of like a high-tech Yellow Pages, helping seniors with “one stop shop” access to find available resources based on their specific needs.
“We’re proud of this and it’s easy to use,” said Megan Lanier, the Virtual Services and Marketing Coordinator. “They can get all the resources they want. I would say faster than a search engine. These are vetted resources that are reliable and trustworthy.”
That’s great news for Barb and Bob Foster. Bob is a recent double amputee and the adjustment, despite his positive attitude, hasn’t always been easy.
“I had no idea all these resources were locally available,” said Bob Foster. “This is good to know.”
For seniors who access the portal on the center’s website, they’ll find a menu that connects them to several services like caregiving, disability services, financial aid and nutrition.
All told, there are more than eight categories on the local, state and national levels. The center’s staff, however, wants to remind people the guide, which can be accessed by computer or mobile phone, should supplement the face-to-face services, the center provides.
“We’re a multi-purpose center and that’s important to remember,” said Emily Ford, a Community Engagement Specialist. “We have a wonderful team of social workers who can kind of point you in the right direction and help with your individual needs and make sure you have a customized path.”
The hope is to take out some of the guesswork and stress of the unknown. All of the organizations listed, on site, have been vetted by the resource center.
“Oh, I learned something today and that’s great,” said Barb Foster. “New Hanover County is growing so much and people need help and a lot of seniors have come here. We need this kind of service so New Hanover’s got to get with it.”
For agencies that provide social services and that are not on the current list, they can contact the senior center for registration information.
To learn more about the Older Adult Resource Guide, click here.
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