Senior Community Services’ (SCS) Friendship Circle Senior Center in Darby placed first in a state-wide competition for the “Prescription for Better Health & Wellness” Award for their implementation of Passport to Health Program,” making them eligible for the national competition where they received Honorable Mention. The competition was sponsored by CVS, the National Council on Aging and the Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers. Friendship Circle received a plaque and two checks for five hundred dollars each, plus two complimentary registrations at the 2009 NCOA/ASA “Aging in America” conference to be held March 16-19, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV, where they will present the Program to encourage other senior centers around the country to duplicate its success.
    “Passport to Health” encourages older adults in our community to become more knowledgeable about nutrition and live a healthier lifestyle. Since 2007 Friendship Circle has partnered with Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) to implement this valuable 13-week program at the Center. The aim is promote physical activity and wellness education for older adults. The Program takes participants on an imaginary trip to historical sites across the United States. As they “travel” to different locations, they earn miles that are redeemed in prizes. They also attend health education lectures or engage in physical activities, which they will hopefully carry over into their own daily lives.
     Friendship Circle won this award because they expanded the program beyond its initial concepts, making it accessible to numerous seniors in their community by offering weekly feedback and check-in meetings. The Program experienced many successes along the way. “Passport to Health” will resume in the spring.
SCS wishes to congratulate Christine Helmandollar, Center Director and Friendship Circle Senior Center, the County Office of Service for the Aging (COSA) and Mercy Fitzgerald for their outstanding achievement in the promotion of better health and nutrition for area older adults.
     SCS, based in Folsom, is a non-profit agency that operates four Nationally Accredited senior centers in southeastern Delaware County and provides in-home support services for homebound elderly. SCS works in partnership with the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) and is a United Way Agency.