Naples Senior Center

Naples Senior Center at JFCS empowers seniors and their families by giving them tools to address life’s challenges, like the isolation and loneliness faced by so many older adults. Located at 5025 Castello Drive, the nonprofit organization provides critical programs and services to those 60 years of age and older throughout Collier and southern Lee counties.

Senior Center

Naples Senior Center opened the doors to the first senior center in Collier County on January 22, 2014. It has since grown to more than 1,400 members. The center is a vibrant place for seniors to socialize, receive services and participate in a variety of stimulating programs. Services and activities are provided in a nurturing environment, helping seniors maintain a healthy, satisfying quality of life, and individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs are welcome.

The center is open five days a week, offering over 100 different activities, including art and music classes, computer instruction, exercise and dance, movies, lectures, card games, discussion groups, foreign language, book club and other in-person programs. A number of programs also are offered “virtually” online. Annual membership is just $25 per person. There are no additional fees and scholarships are available for those who cannot afford to pay.

Members of the community are invited to make an appointment to visit the Naples Senior Center. For a full calendar of activities, visit our website at www.naplesseniorcenter.org.

The Center’s core programs and services are as follows.

Geriatric Case Management and Senior Outreach

The Naples Senior Center Geriatric Case Management and Senior Outreach program includes a variety of supportive services for frail seniors who are unable to come into the office. The Naples Senior Center Outreach and Support program provides a wide range of additional services addressing the isolation of the at-risk elderly. Among those services are:

• Geriatric Case Management

• Information and Referral

• Friendly Visiting

• Volunteer Driving

• Telephone Reassurance

Dementia Respite and Memory Support

Naples Senior Center currently has 11 Dementia Respite Groups for men and women who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Seven groups are in Naples and two are on Marco Island. The nurturing environment for the person with dementia and four hours of respite for the caregiver. Caregivers receive support through a variety of programs, including professionally facilitated support groups, individual support, socialization activities and membership in an exclusive Facebook group.

Early Memory Loss Program

Naples Senior Center has an Early Memory Loss (EML) program designed to preserve and challenge cognitive abilities, teach memory strategies and encourage active lifestyles. The program serves individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), early memory loss and individuals with a significant concern about their memory. The program is for individuals who are mindful of the challenges they are experiencing and choose to participate in group activities that promote brain health. It is facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker.

Geriatric Mental Health Services

Naples Senior Center provides emotional support to older adults and their families. Licensed social workers and counselors assist with challenges brought about by life transitions such as aging, cognitive decline and loss of a loved one. We accept Medicare.

Financial Assistance

Direct assistance is available on an emergency, short-term basis to help pay utilities and for the purchase of food. The Naples Senior Center Food Pantry is available to the community. Financial assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis.

Information and Referral

Information about community resources and referrals to appropriate agencies are available for specific needs such as housing, assisted living and home health care agencies.

Volunteer Services

Naples Senior Center has a dedicated corps of over 200 carefully vetted and trained volunteers who assist the frail senior population who are participants in the case management program. The center is always looking for new volunteers who are interested in making a difference in someone’s life. Volunteer opportunities include:

• Friendly visits to frail, homebound seniors

• Telephone reassurance calls to the frail, homebound seniors

• Driving seniors to life-sustaining activities, such as doctor visits and quality-of-life activities, including visiting a loved one in a nursing home

• Assisting on site at the Naples Senior Center

• Providing assistance in the Structures Dementia Respite programs