Senior Center Without Walls
114 Montecito Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
ph: 877-797-7299
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does Senior Center Without Walls work?
All of the activities take place on the telephone with participants calling in from their own homes. When folks register with us, we give them a special toll-free number to call at the times that their chosen groups are scheduled. A recorded voice will prompt them to enter a code number, and they punch in the two-digit code which we also provide. This connects them to the group conference call, which allows them to talk to each other, much like the old party lines.Who can participate?
SCWW is available to adults aged 60 and over throughout California who have difficulty getting out to community activities. Difficulties may include disability, illness, transportation challenges, caregiving responsibilities, and other hindrances.How can I register for activities?
Call us toll-free at 1-877-797-7299 and we will sign you up.How much does it cost?
There is no cost to register. We use a toll-free number for the activities, so if you are using a regular land line telephone, there will be no charges on your phone bill. The program is completely free. However, if you plan to use a cell phone, check with your provider about possible charges.Is there a deadline for registering?
You can sign up at any time during our sessions, though some of the groups do fill up quickly.Do I need any special telephone equipment to participate?
No special phone equipment is needed. All you need is a basic touch-tone telephone.
How long are the sessions?
SCWW sessions run for 12 weeks. We have three per year: Winter/Spring (February thru April), Summer (June thru August), and Fall (October thru December). During the 5- to 6-week break times between sessions, we have a few groups continuing for participants who were signed up in the preceding session.How long are the activity groups?
Most groups are half an hour long. Others might be forty-five minutes or an hour long.How many people are on each conference call?
It depends on the activity. Most groups have between 5 and 12 people on the call. Other activities like Health Presentations, Parties, and Armchair Travels may have 15 or more participants.What if everyone tries to talk at the same time?
There is always a facilitator or group leader on the call who will manage the discussion. The facilitator will ask who is on the line and make sure that everyone who wants to talk gets the opportunity.Can I listen in without joining the discussion?
For most activities, it's fine to just listen as long as you let the group know that you are present on the call as a listener. It is not comfortable for others if there are anonymous listeners.What happens if I cannot call in to a scheduled activity?
If you need to miss a group because of an appointment or some other reason, it is not necessary to let us know ahead of time.I might forget that I have an activity on a certain day. Can you help me?
Yes. We have volunteers who make friendly reminder calls to participants who request them.What about confidentiality?
To conduct our classes and groups, SCWW uses a telephone conference format, which should be considered a public format. Only first names are used on the calls, and participants are often reminded that any personal information exchanged should remain confidential. Although we do our utmost to secure privacy and confidentiality for each participant, we cannot guarantee it.My mother is severely depressed and cannot leave her home for therapy. Do you think a telephone support group would help her?
We have a number of supportive groups which are meant to offer support in a safe, nurturing environment. However, they are not intended to replace individual psychotherapy sessions. We suggest you help your mother consult her doctor about appropriate treatment. We would welcome your mother as a participant in SCWW and hope she would find stimulation and enjoyment in socializing with others.I have a visual impairment. Will I still be able to participate in the program?
Yes. You will just need to be able to punch in the numbers on your phone. Free adapted phones are available from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) to assist people with vision, hearing, speech, and mobility difficulties. You can call them at 1-800-806-1191 for more information. We also have large print copies of our catalog, and we schedule a time when the catalog will be read aloud on the phone.I have some difficulty with hearing. Will this be a problem?
Many people with hearing limitations do participate in Senior Center Without Walls telephone activities using special phones which amplify sound. Call the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) at 1-800-806-1191 to ask if one of their free amplified phones will work for you.Are you looking for volunteers?
Yes, we welcome calls from potential volunteers. All of our groups are facilitated by volunteers. Other volunteers help by making friendly reminder calls to participants on the days they have activities scheduled.How is Senior Center Without Walls funded?
In addition to funding from Episcopal Senior Communities and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, grants have been awarded by True North Foundation, Y & H Soda Foundation, the Darby Betts Fund, and Lafayette Community Foundation. We are also very grateful to all of the individuals who have made donations to SCWW.
Copyright 2011 Senior Center Without Walls. All rights reserved.
Senior Center Without Walls
114 Montecito Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
ph: 877-797-7299
