New AGE facility to open soon

HAYS COUNTY — Home-grown and regional nonprofit, AGE of Central Texas, will be opening its third facility this summer.

A dream that has been brewing for more than half a decade, the nonprofit secured a $1,500,000 investment from the Mabee Foundation that will aid in the final construction of the facility. The building, located only 5 miles from the Buda location, will be behind JCPenney in Southpark Meadows. Factors in determining the site include its close proximity to other resources and easy access to the highway and bus routes.

The center, which was designed to help older adults age with dignity, will have numerous amenities inside such as: raised vegetable gardens with plants that are safe; a health equipment lending office; lockers with the individual’s photo for their personal items; a large seating area; coffee station; and a doorbell — a feature that Executive Director Susan Anderson emphasized.

“This incredible facility is going to offer a state of the art Thrive Social and Wellness Center … The doors are the entrance into [this center]. It’s a secure door, so there will be a doorbell on the outside to let folks know you’re there. Picture that — ringing the doorbell like you’re going into a home,” said Anderson.

A doorbell might seem trivial, but those small details help to provide an environment that does not feel like a nursing home. AGE of Central Texas does this because it believes in treating its members — whom the staff stresses are not patients — like the individuals they are and not the diseases or disabilities they face.

“We’re serving our members, we’re not serving their dementia, we’re not serving their walker or their wheelchair. We’re serving that person, their smile, the fact that they were a fashion designer," said Chief Community Engagement Officer Rob Faubion, "Even though they don’t remember it, we do.”

The social club-like facility, located at 9400 Alice Mae Lane in Austin, will be licensed for 75 adults daily, have transportation options for members and use a sliding scale fee structure for individuals who need financial assistance.

For more information, visit www.ageofcentraltx.org.