West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging enters golden years; open house set for Wednesday

QUINCY — Kay Califf sat in the entryway of the Quincy Senior and Family Resource Center on Monday afternoon with a metallic pink walker at her side and a soft, sweet smile across her face. 

“It’s my birthday!” she gushed.  “93 years old today.”

It’s the fifth year she’s celebrated her birthday at the senior center, where she lives in one of the 56 apartments upstairs. She was waiting for a special delivery order sent by her granddaughter — a strawberry chicken salad and a bear claw from Panera Bread. Her granddaughter wanted her to have cookies to pass out to her friends, but they didn’t have them.

“Oh, I’ll live without,” Califf giggled.

She’s not the only one celebrating a birthday this week.

The West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WCIAAA) is celebrating its golden jubilee this week with an open house from 4:30 to 6:30 on Wednesday at the Quincy Senior and Family Resource Center, 639 York. Refreshments and tours will be offered.

‘We learned of things we didn’t know existed’

“I go to four and four that we have on Fridays. It’s a little cocktail hour with special treats,” Califf said as another smile crept across her lips. 

Califf attends Wednesday night Bingo in addition to Friday night four on four, but she’s usually too busy reading mystery novels for anything else (she finishes a book in two days, on average). She spends about 30 minutes per day walking in the halls or outside, often to the library and Dollar General.

She considers herself to be “very, very lucky” to be living at the senior center, where she is “very, very content” with the close knit community, spacious apartments and friendly staff.

Califf also appreciates the meal program, which offers a salad bar twice per day. 

“Well, they make a very good lasagna, that’s a good one … and once in a while, we have steak,” Califf said. “And they make really good pizza every two weeks, and then tacos every two weeks, you know. And the breakfasts are wonderful.”

The only thing she seemed indifferent towards was the ever-so-controversial recent serving of bologna salad, but that’s no problem. Califf said guests are welcome to order a cheeseburger, hot dog, baked potato or grilled cheese if they don’t like what’s on the menu. They can even ask for an Eggo waffle in the morning for breakfast.

“The food’s good, but the fellowship’s even better,” Larry Houghton said.

About three years ago, Larry and his wife, Donna Houghton, decided to try the center. By the time they left, they knew they’d be back. 

The Houghtons attend movie nights, bingo, church gatherings and other events at the center, like one held on a recent Valentine’s Day when they “failed miserably” at asking each other questions and guessing the answers. They got third place — out of three couples.

“That’s better than fourth,” Donna said.

The couple loves eating at the center. In addition to cooking for their own five children, Donna was a school cook for 25 years, so it’s been nice having someone else cook for them, they said. They have utilized the agency to secure their license plate for $10.

“Since coming down here, we learned of things that we didn’t know existed,” Larry said.

They aren’t the only ones who didn’t know of the resources provided by the WCIAAA.

“Our plan for the next three years is really focusing on making sure that the public and our communities that we do serve are aware of our services,” said Vanessa Keppner, the agency’s director. 

A handful of the agency’s services are:

• supportive living facilities with three meals per day, laundry and cleaning services and on-site staff 24/7;
• income tax assistance;
• meal programs and delivery services;
• regional and local public transportation;
• and an elder service officer provided in partnership with the Quincy Police Department who specializes in age-specific issues.

A complete list can be found on the agency’s website.

The WCIAAA hopes to increase its engagement with people in younger communities who might have an aging loved one who could benefit from the agency’s services. Another part of the plan is to continue efforts to break the stigma of aging. 

“If you’re not aging, you’re not living,” Keppner said. “Just have fun and enjoy life. Make friends as you go, and engage, socialize, all those good things.”

The agency serves Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler counties.