City: Des Moines, IA

Category: Retirement

Telephone: (515) 286-3679

Address: 1914 Carpenter Ave.

Description: Senior Services of Polk County operates roughly 16 senior centers and meal sites throughout Des Moines and its outlying towns. A complete listing of centers is available at www.polkcountyiowa.gov/CFYS/pages/seniorMealSites.aspx. Senior centers are open Mon through Fri from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while meal sites are open Mon through Fri from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is also a center for deaf seniors open Wed only. Both centers and sites serve meals on days they are open. Seniors who are attending meals for the first time should contact the closest center at least a day in advance. Special meals are available for seniors who require them. Transportation is available to senior centers and meal sites, which can also arrange transportation for grocery shopping and other errands. Each senior center offers its own selection of activities, which may include craft and art classes, book and discussion groups, games like cards, dominoes, and electronic games, and dances and exercise classes. There are also health services available, including blood pressure checks and foot clinics. Meal sites offer some of the same services as senior centers, although their offerings are more limited—check with individual centers and sites for details on their offerings. Donations are suggested for materials for some classes.