Payson Senior Center

The mission of the PAYSON SENIOR CENTER is to assist senior citizens in the Payson area in achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency with dignity and to offer choices of appropriate care by providing a wide range of community and home based services.​

Aging comes with a price. The three biggest threats to aging are hunger, isolation and loss of independence. Statistics state that 1 in 6 seniors will face these threats...especially in rural communities. It is critical for seniors to have the resources and support available to assist them gain quality of life. Our staff and volunteers are passionate about helping our seniors maintain dignity while aging. We are making a difference.

Meals on Wheels is a DONATION BASED PROGRAM that delivers well-balanced, nutritious, home-cooked meals to seniors and disabled. Our current budget allows us to serve approximately 150 people at any time. We deliver an average of 2,650 meals monthly. We anticipate that we will deliver 31,000 meals this fiscal year. This program is more than delivering a meal. Our drivers are often the only contact with the home-bound. They do a visual wellness check on each person ad notify the office of any decline in health and notify the police when there is a crisis.

Congregate meals is a DONATION BASED PROGRAM that offers seniors 60 and older a well-balanced, nutritious meal at our Center. We serve 35 to 45 individuals 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday. We anticipate we will finish this fiscal year with at least 5,500 meals served.

In addition to the meal, the senior receives camaraderie, activities and education. We want the Center to be the "home away from home" that the senior feels comfortable going to. It is difficult for those who have lost someone to get out of the home and to start a new phase of their life. We are her to support their efforts. Socialization is the key to a healthy, purposeful life.

Transportation is a DONATION-BASED PROGRAM for seniors aged 60 and older and adults under 60 that are mobility challenged. This is a "door-to-door" service. Trained & skilled drivers take our clients to medical appointments, stores, and other appointments. This program allows many seniors and disabled to remain independent when they are no longer able to drive or lack transportation. We currently serve about 250 people a month and make about 520 trips a month. We anticipate we will finish this fiscal ear with over 6,500 trips.

Testimonials

"Please help the elderly! We are the ones that are overlooked! But I thank God for the Senior Center. They have helped me." - Janice 

"Meals on Wheels has become a Godsend. My wife has Alzheimer's and I know at least one of the meals I get her is balanced. I'm not the greatest cook." - Doug

"This program has saved our lives and home. My Husband is an 89-year-old Korean Veteran who has outlived his retirement. As of January 1, 2019, we would have had to either eat and lose our home or keep our home and not eat. We are forever grateful for this program." - Nancy & Joseph

Bonnie called the Center and stated that she is legally blind. Her husband is 86 years old and usually does the driving. He recently took a fall and had surgery and cannot drive. It was important that he make it to his upcoming medical appointment. Bonnie did not know how she would get him there. They have no local friends or family to help. We arranged the proper transportation that they needed. She was crying tears of happiness as she told us that this program gave her hope. Hope that her husband will make it to the medical appointments and that she will be able to go grocery shopping.