Environment at the Uptown Shepherd Center

The Uptown Shepherd Center provides a safe environment for the seniors. The seniors can depend on a daily lunch, social activities, and the safety of being around others. Some seniors believe being outside on the street is dangerous. Some fear crime, while others are concerned about the weather. There is one particular senior, everyday after lunch she would say "I guess I will walk home." Then she says the sun is going to be too hot and she'll be too tired. However her daughter picks her up daily at 2pm. The other seniors always bring up crime, warning her not to think about walking home. They noted that they are defenseless against a criminal. One senior asked the woman what will she do when someone attacks her and push her down.

There are a few seniors that walk or take public transportation while others use the van service or a family member drives them to and from the center. However they get there,they will walk down the path surrounded with foliage. The front entrance opens up to the lobby which is more like a sun room where the seniors spend a lot of time looking out to S Carrollton Ave. The backside has a view of the patio. However the patio does not seem like it is ever used. It seems like it would be a good place for the seniors to enjoy the outside environment in cooler comfortable weather. Recently, blinds were put up on the backside windows, since the sun glared down on the seniors' backs making it extremely hot.

Two seniors had previously mentioned how they use to enjoy walking so many blocks, but now they are unable to walk a distance. I believe most seniors would enjoy an outside activity at least once a week during the cooler seasons. Perhaps a picnic at the local park would be nice.