The Red Shield Senior Program

The Senior Program is a rededication to a service well needed in the community of South Modesto. It’s been 15 years since the Red Shield could offer such an amazing program to our community of 55 years and older. Daily watching seniors walk in a community with no sidewalks lots of stray dogs and extreme weather my heart strings tugged at how to find a way to fund a senior program. Sutter Health had an opportunity that came our way with a grant for funding. Remembering the seniors I would see daily trying to get in some exercise to keep moving and stay active it was perfect opportunity to write for them.

With the Sutter Health funding the Red Shield has been able to open a beautiful and amazing Senior Drop In Center open to all individuals 55 years and older. Our Senior Program staff are dedicated to providing amazing activities, field trips and guest speakers to help seniors with resources they might not otherwise have or know where to go. While most seniors live on limited resources the Red Shield Senior program has incorporated healthy lifestyle with healthy meals for breakfast and lunch as well as workout sessions several times a week.

At the Red Shield Senior Drop In Center a senior can come in for coffee, make new friends, read a book, be inspired or blessed with spiritual opportunities, have breakfast, lunch, field trips and exercise (on their own or in group fitness). The Senior Program has a designated Senior Coordinator who leads the program Monday – Friday from 7am-1pm. A designated driver has been assigned to assist those that need transportation assistance by picking up and dropping off seniors for the program. Assistance for medical appointments is available depending on schedule.

The program opened its doors in October 2022 and has been actively flourishing ever since. The program is bilingual and seniors have shared how much they are being blessed. For some seniors the program has assisted their health in being able to brush their own hair again from the fitness classes on muscle strengthening. For others who needed a safe place to recover from knee/hip surgery the Red Shield Senior program has assisted in offering a facility they can do their walking. Others enjoy the program for its companionship and allowing for them to not stay home continuing to be depressed.

Through this program some have done things for the first time like coloring (something an 80 year old man would never have experienced) planting seeds and seeing the growth of their nurturing/ caring. For others the resources for medical equipment/insurances available and for some it’s the place they find they can have a meal twice a day without having to worry about the finances of it.

There are so many good things happening and the passion and love for the program from the Red Shield staff to the seniors themselves has allowed us to incorporate them into our family fun nights where they not only interact with senior but are integrated with our community families and bringing joy and smiles to those who were once lonely and homebound.