CSA catering to most pressing needs of local residents

By Clyde Noel, Town Crier Staff Writer

Laura Schuster, program director for the Community Services Agency, works with kitchen aide Mary Smith and head chef Joaquim Uemura in the Senior Nutrition Program at the Mountain View Senior Center.

Cathy Chavez, senior services program director at Community Services Agency (CSA), visits clients at the hospital and later in their homes to assist them with their most pressing needs. Those needs most frequently include medical care, prescriptions, transportation, housing or specialized foods.

“We service about 200 seniors a year with two case managers,” said Chavez. “Our services are supported by the cities and are free, compared with other agencies that charge up to $100 an hour.”

CSA Associate Director Maureen Wadiak said CSA offers activities for seniors and their adult children who often aren’t aware of the services available.

“Our primary goal is to get recuperating seniors independent and help them stay independent,” Wadiak said.

Laura Schuster, program director for CSA’s Senior Nutrition Program, conducts educational presentations on food at Mountain View and Los Altos senior centers. She offers information for diabetic and cholesterol menus as well as general nutrition. Schuster is also responsible for the Mountain View Senior Center Nutrition Program.

“We have three cooks who prepare the meals on site in a commercial grade kitchen,” Schuster said. “Today we are having meatloaf and homemade stuffing, made in the kitchen and not out of a box. A lot of people don’t like to cook anymore and they appreciate the fresh, home-cooked foods we provide.”

The nutrition program provides subsidized hot lunches every weekday for clients older than 60. In addition, the lunches offer a time for socializing and education. “Lunch is $2. If seniors can’t pay on a certain day, we will not turn them away,” Schuster said.

“Ever since my wife died, I have been coming here for a hot lunch,” said Evangelo Gerontinos, Mountain View resident. “It’s my main meal and I see my friends here at noon; then on Friday, we dance with the girls.”

Schuster said in addition to the dances, she helps conduct exercise programs and educational seminars on current issues.

“Tomorrow we are having aerobic dancing for seniors,” she said. “If transportation is a problem, volunteers provide escorted transportation to and from medical appointments. Clients also rely on volunteer transportation for grocery shopping and other errands on a weekly basis.”

Chavez said a 78-year-old client with severe osteoporosis and arthritis uses a walker and is unable to go out alone. Volunteers take her to her medical and dental appointments at least twice a month and deliver groceries to her on a weekly basis.

“We are trying to meet the needs of seniors going through the aging process,” said Wadiak.

“Through case management, community outreach programs and senior nutrition, we are helping care giving relatives maintain their sanity. We provide referrals to other community resources and make arrangements for in-home services that CSA does not offer.”