Even as Adult Resources Inc. closes, several other agencies are teaming up not only to fill the gaps left by the popular Coraopolis senior services provider, but also to roll out new services.

"I know there's a need out there," said Terri Brown, the supervisor of Center Services for the Lutheran Services Society in Bellevue.

Her agency as well as Adult Resources had already been partnering with Valley Care Association in Sewickley and the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging to create the Western Regional Wisdom Center.

She said recent studies show that the over-50 age group in Coraopolis, Kennedy, McKees Rocks, Moon, Robinson, Sewickley and Stowe are significantly underserved.

The Wisdom Center, however, has no physical location. So far it has been bringing programs to a variety of locations throughout the area. Events such as health seminars, a powder puff mechanics class, pinochle tournament and a Gateway Clipper cruise have been offered by the Wisdom Center since March of this year.

This month, it is holding a Holiday Bingo Spectacular at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center.

The senior center without walls will continue while the Wisdom Center seeks to find additional funding sources and establish its own program and office space.

Lutheran Services Society has already agreed to offer the VITA (Volunteer Tax Assistance) program formerly offered by Adult Resources. It also will offer 55 Alive, a two-day driving course that qualifies drivers over age 55 for a discount on their auto insurance. Lutheran Services also hopes to serve as a registration center for both OPT and ACCESS transportation services in the absence of Adult Resources.

Home Safe Home, which was also based at Adult Resources, will now be operated out of Valley Care Association, which runs the Valley Care Adult Day Services Center in Ambridge and has provided funding to local groups, including Adult Resources, serving seniors in the Sewickley Valley.

Home Safe Home was originally run out of Sewickley Valley Hospital. It is an outreach program that provides senior citizens with free home safety inspections and free or low-cost home improvements.

"We're particularly happy about Home Safe Home becoming a part of our organization because of the work they do helping senior citizens age in place," said Deb Shtulman, executive director of Valley Care Association.

The program's full-time coordinator, John Seitz, works from both requests and referrals to schedule visits to seniors' homes, where an assessment is made of the fall risks as well as general fire and security risks. Afterward a handyman, many of whom are volunteers, will return to the home and make minor repairs or add grab bars, railings, grip mats or ramps.

Seitz said the program is effective because it can make an immediate difference to an elderly person who still lives independently.

"Many times they can get upstairs easier that same day," said Seitz.

The group accepts payment for its services but says sometimes payment is milk and cookies.

The program's success is evidenced by its waiting list. It made 120 homes safer last year and is on track for about 160 homes this year. Both the move and the need to establish liability insurance means the program cannot take any new referrals until the beginning of next year.

The Presbyterian Church of Coraopolis is also planning to step in to fill gaps left by the departure of Adult Resources. Members of the Walk and Talk program, who walk together the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, will now be based out of the church.

Coordinator Marjorie Gleichert said the group of about 12-15 older men and women travel to a variety of parks, malls and other sites and walk about two miles and then have lunch together. The bimonthly planning and discussion meetings they held will now be held at the church instead of Adult Resources.