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Downtown San Jose senior residents are playing a traditional Chinese game called "Xianggi" at St. James Senior Center on Tuesday afternoon. The St. James Senior Center is open every day, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for seniors in downtown areas.

City senior center closures could impact nursing program

By: Allie Figures

Posted: 5/13/09

Senior citizens soon may not be able to strengthen their flexibility with yoga, improve their coordination with a waltz or, most of all, receive balanced nutrition and health assistance.

The city of San Jose has announced the possible closure of four downtown senior centers, including, Northside Community Center, Alma community Center, Hank Lopez Community Center, and Saint James Community Center - which provide these services to older residents.

In the city's purposed budget, the four area locations are closing because of budget cuts, but the centers in the surrounding suburban areas are still set to remain open, according to the released budget, which can be found on the city's Web site.

"I think it's unfair to choose downtown because there is a bigger demand for the centers in downtown than in the suburbs," said Phil Canet, a senior nursing major.

Canet and his classmates are a part of a 12-week program that volunteers their time every Wednesday at the Saint James Community Center.

"We got to interact with them and encourage physical activity," Canet said.

SJSU nursing students help the seniors by regularly taking their blood pressure, providing medication counseling, encouraging physical activity, serving hot meals and by socializing with the resident.

"We help them by providing health services," said Michael Ilumin, a senior nursing major. "Pretty much we make a difference by being there with them and accompanying them during their activities."

Toby Adelman, a nursing associate professor, said the consequences of the closures will be dire for the downtown community.

"If they are at home by themselves they no longer have healthy interactions. And they won't call for themselves in the case of an emergency."

Connie Langford, chair for the city of San Jose Senior Citizen Commission, said the city hopes the seniors will continue going to the other centers outside of downtown, even though they are located further away from their community. Langford said the likelihood of the residents traveling is slim.

"It is an accomplishment for them to make it here every day. And they won't go further on their own because the city has also cut their transportation funding," Adelman said.

For some seniors, the centers provide for their sole interaction, activity and meal for the day. From ethnic backgrounds, including, Latino, Indo-American, Filipino, Punjabi, Chinese and Japanese, the center provides for a mix of social opportunities for San Jose oldest residents, said Adelman.

"Through the center the residents are able to come together with their own ethnic community and share with the others," said Ilumin, student volunteer. "Everyone here is like a family, and by closing the center they would be discontinuing a family environment."

SJSU student volunteers help to provide cost-effective health service options for residents who may not have their own insurance; all while giving students a chance to hone the knowledge learned in the classroom. The students are given the opportunity to practice actual nursing procedures, said Ilumin.

Canet said closing the centers will help ease the city's budget, but may also weaken the community, and could negatively affect the SJSU student program.

"It will only increase their risk of social isolation," Ilumin said about the common living circumstances that many senior citizens face. "They won't have anywhere to go, kill time, eat and interact. Many of them will lose touch with their case managers who link them to outside resources concerning their health."

Adelman said funding for the centers is already limited, only functioning by donations from the community, residents and even students.

"The students are willing to pay," she said. "They do a great job here creating community. There are serious reproductions for the people not being able to be in the community."