One Senior Place
by Laura Breen Galante
If you have questions about a senior’s next stage of life, One Senior Place on Douglas Avenue in Altamonte Springs is the ideal one-stop shop.
“One Senior Place of Greater Orlando is a unique and excellent resource for anyone over 55 or their children or family,” explains Chris Shepherd, director of One Senior Place.
The center offers any kind of resource you can imagine for that demographic, all under one roof. In fact, Chris calls it a mall for seniors.
The organization offers a comprehensive calendar of programs and educational sessions, at no cost, about topics that are of interest to community members who are 55 and older.
“We have multiple events and presentations Monday through Friday covering a wide array of topics,” says Chris.
The calendar is chock-full, with four to five events scheduled each weekday.
Since 2011, One Senior Place has partnered with local, senior-focused businesses like elder-law attorneys for estate planning, skilled-nursing facilities, healthcare advocates, hospice organizations, counseling services, caregivers for those with Parkinson’s disease, referrals to doctors and physicians’ groups, hearing-aid companies, experts in Medicare, real-estate firms, and insurance agents, to name a few. The list is extensive, and there is no marketing or hard selling allowed. At least 45 experts comprise the business partner network. All are vetted by One Senior Place and host educational sessions with a helpful heart.
“There is a great synergy between the business partners,” says Chris.
One Senior Place does offer social activities like bingo, the game Rummikub, craft sessions, improv acting classes, and meditation and fitness classes, but it is not intended to be a recreational senior center.
“While people do build friendships, it’s meant to be a resource center,” explains Chris.
Another free service is the opportunity to speak with a Care Manager. Anyone – whether it be a senior or family member – can reach out to an experienced Care Manager, who will meet with clients without charge for up to an hour. The on-staff Care Manager helps families with questions relating to life over 55. Topics might include discussing a specific health issue, a parent needing memory care, or the pros and cons of living in a 55-plus community. The goal is to create a plan of action or list of options to consider.
The building’s on-site Senior Resource Library is amazing, says Chris.
“Every kind of question can be answered in that library,” he says, “and if we don’t have the answer, we’ll find it.”
From information about volunteering as a senior, to details about insurance, Social Security, and family issues, it’s all there, and it’s all free. Resident business partners keep the information current.
Visitor Jackie is thankful for One Senior Place:
“[It appeals] to all the different facets of being a senior, from the serious and informational to the entertaining to the educational to the just plain fun.”
Chris notes that recently a couple visited from Avalon Park (a half-hour drive from One Senior Place) in search of resources. The couple, a pair of retired public-school teachers, were in search of resources to manage their new stage in life. In a month, they returned six or seven times.
“This is an example of the impact that we have on people,” says Chris. “Our resources help them map out their future and feel more secure. It’s a great joy to be able to provide a path to go forward. You really won’t understand all we have to offer until you come here.”
For a plethora of information, stop by the center or visit the website at OneSeniorPlace.com.