Hoover Center
Senior Adult Programs
805 N. Sprigg  Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701
(573) 290-5944

Senior Alive/Eldercare Program

The Senior Alive Adult Day Care Program is the only social, educational model of this type in Southeast Missouri and is licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The purpose of adult day care is to provide supportive programming during the daytime hours to the well and frail senior adult aged 60 and older.  The program provides participants with the opportunity to pursue educational interests, interact socially and continue to access and contribute to the community. The specific program goals are as follows:

• Increase independence and self-reliance

• Assist senior adults in remaining in their homes

• Prevent premature institutionalization

• Increase resource accessibility 

History: Senior Alive Adult Day Program, formally known as SEMO Eldercare Center, was established in 1980 in cooperation with Southeast Missouri State University and the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging.  The program was licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in 1999 and is also a member of the National Council of Aging and the National Association of Adult Day Services. 

Eligibility:  Criterion for entry into the program:

• Age 60 and older

• Oriented to time, identity, and place

• Ability to communicate necessities

• Living in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

• Control of bodily functions

• Minimal assistance with mobility 

• Minimal scoring on all pre-entry assessments

• Willingness to participate

Facilities:  The Senior Alive Adult Day Program is housed at the Hoover Center.  Its' location on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University enables the program to participate as a Community Outreach program and serve as a Gerontology Laboratory for the students in the Department of Human Environmental Studies. 

Fees:  No fees are charged for any services provided through the Senior Alive Adult Day Program.  However, donations are accepted for programming supplies, activities, and transportation.  Contributions are private and tax deductible.  A suggested donation of $2.50 is accepted for the hot lunch and is sent directly to the Cape Girardeau Senior Center.  

Programming:  The Senior Alive Adult Day Program is a five-day a week program beginning with early morning pick-up at 8:00 am and ending at 3:30 pm with delivery to the senior's home.  Although the program does not provide health or medical services, it does provide a comprehensive health education and wellness component  where the focus is prevention.

Attendance:  Prior to attending the Senior Alive Adult Day Program, it is required that every applicant have a pre-entry functional assessment.  This assessment is used to determine eligibility for entry into the program.    Interested persons may call Hoover Center at 
(573) 290-5944 to set up an appointment for the initial assessment.  Upon entry into the program, attendance is on a first come, first serve basis.  A calendar of events is mailed to each participant every two weeks; they must call the Hoover Center to reserve a space for the day/days that they wish to attend for that two week period.  Due to the licensure requirements, only twelve participants per day are accepted.  An alternate list is kept in case of a cancellation.  Set attendance patterns are not required and guests are welcome.   

Services:  Senior Alive Adult Day Program offers:

• Functional assessments to determine eligibility

• Home visitation

• Health education and screenings

• Fitness classes

• Social service coordination and resource referral

• Transportation to and from the Center for city residents 

• Transportation to various community locations including banks, city hall, grocery stores, and fitness classes

• Programming supervised by a Gerontology Specialist

• Cognitive stimulation and memory exercise activities

• Senior adult advocacy

• Mental health counseling and support group

• Family support and education

• Morning snacks and a hot lunch

• Field trips

• Community service projects

• Consumer education

• Gerontology library with over 1000 books and publications

Licensure:  The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services licenses the Senior Alive Adult Day Program.

Funding Agencies:  Appreciation is expressed to the funding agencies, without whose financial support, programming and staffing would be impossible. 

Senior Citizens Services Fund Board -- Cape County
Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging
Missouri Department of Transportation
Area Wide United Way
Margaret Woods Allen Library Endowment

Calendar:  View a sample calendar of events

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to attend the program five days a week?
No, you choose when you want to attend.  A bi-monthly calendar is mailed to each participant's home and they must call the Center to reserve a space for the day/days that they wish to attend.  Attendance is on a first come, first serve basis.  There are no set attendance patterns and guests are welcome.

Do you accept senior adults with dementia and/or Alzheimer's Disease?   The Senior Alive Adult Day Program is  a social/educational model, not a medical model.   Seniors with an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and/or dementia are accepted on a case by case basis only.  Length of eligibility will be determined at the initial assessment and reassessments will be conducted as needed.     

May I bring my lunch to the Senior Alive Adult Day Program? Yes,  you may bring your lunch or order a hot meal from the Cape Girardeau Senior Center, suggested donation of $2.50.   

Do you provide transportation to the Center from my home?   Yes, the Senior Alive Adult Day Program will provide transportation services beginning with early morning pick-up at
8:00 am and ending at 3:30 pm with delivery to the senior's home within the Cape Girardeau, Missouri city limits.  Those participants living in Cape Girardeau County must arrange their own transportation to the Center.   

May I attend the Senior Alive program for half day or may  I drive to the Center?  Yes, we accept attendance on a half day basis, however, we only provide transportation in the early morning and late afternoon.  If you choose to attend only half day, you must arrange your own transportation.  Some of our participants choose to drive to the Center on an occasional basis.