Hardin County Council On Aging Inc

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE 60 AND OVER IN HARDIN COUNTY.

THE TRANSPORTATION PROJECT IS A COUNTY-WIDE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL ON AGING AND COVERS ALL OF HARDIN COUNTY AND IS AVAILABLE FOR DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS, DENTIST APPOINTMENTS, REHAB VISITS, PHARMACY TRIPS, GROCERY SHOPPING, BANKING, ADULT DAY CARE, SENIOR MEAL SITE, SOCIALIZATION TRIPS, AND OTHER AS VANS AND DRIVERS ARE AVAILABLE. WE ARE THE ONLY LOCAL TRANSPORTATION OTHER THAN A TAXI SERVICE IN THE COUNTY AND HAVE MULTIPLE VANS AND DRIVERS, A MOBILITY MANAGER, A DISPATCHER, A DATA ENTRY CLERK, AND A SCHEDULER. WE OPERATE FIVE DAYS A WEEK WITH VARYING HOURS. THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT HAS EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY REMAINING NOT-FOR-PROFIT IN AN EFFORT TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS. ALL BUT ONE VAN ARE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE. WE TRANSPORT TO DOCTOR AND DENTIST APPOINTMENTS OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY AS WELL. THIS SERVICE ALLOWS SENIORS THE ABILITY TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT LIVING IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND REMAINING ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO TRANSPORT CLIENTS UNDER AGE 60 AS WELL WITH AN AGENCY WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH. THIS IS A VALUABLE SERVICE TO ALL COMMUNITIES IN OUR COUNTY.

SOCIALIZATION: THIS SERVICE PROVIDES DAILY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PUZZLES, BINGO, CARD GAMES, HEALTHY EATING CLASS, ZUMBA, YOGA, DANCE CLASS, ARTHRITIS CLASS, COLORING CLUB, BIBLE STUDY, MONTHLY BIRTHDAY PARTY, AND OTHER EXERCISE CLASSES. WEEKLY AND MONTHLY PROGRAMS INCLUDE SPECIAL SPEAKERS, SPECIAL MUSICAL PROGRAMS, NAIL POLISHING, WII BOWLING, HEALTH FAIRS, BREAKFAST ONCE A MONTH, AND SPECIAL BAKING DAYS WITH WONDERFUL DESSERTS. SPECIAL EVENTS ARE PROVIDED SUCH AS A TRIP PREVIEW PARTY IN AUGUST, INTERGENERATIONAL EASTER EGG HUNT AND SANTA CLAUS VISIT AND ACTIVITIES IN DECEMBER, A MOTHER/DAUGHTER BANQUET IN MAY, SENIOR CITIZENS DAY IN MAY, FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, A VETERANS DINNER IN NOVEMBER, AND CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH ANGEL TREE GIFTS FOR SENIORS IN DECEMBER. AFTERNOON EVENTS INCLUDE BIBLE STUDY, MOVIE MATINES, EUCHRE GAMES, BOWLING, AND DINNER OUT. WE ALSO HAVE ADDED AN HCCOA EXERCISE CENTER AVAILABLE TO THOSE 55 AND OVER FIVE DAYS A WEEK TO ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH HABITS. LUNCH IS PROVIDED TO OVER 40 PEOPLE PER DAY. SOME COME EARLY AND ARE INVOLVED IN DAILY ACTIVITIES IN THE SENIOR CENTER AND THEN THEY STAY FOR A WONDERFUL, NUTRITIOUS MEAL SERVED AROUND 11:15 AM WHICH IS PROVIDED BY THE SENIOR CENTER (2018). ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO THE SENIORS DAILY FOR A DONATION OR AT NO COST TO THEM. SOME SPECIAL EVENTS HAVE A SMALL CHARGE TO COVER COST.INFORMATION AND REFERRAL: THIS SPECIALIST PROVIDES MANY SUPPORTIVE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES TO ASSIST THOSE 60 AND OVER WITH THEIR NEEDS AND IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THEM. SOME OF THE SERVICES INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICAID AND MEDICARE ISSUES, INCOME TAX REFERRALS, AND REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR FOOD, CLOTHING, FOOD BOXES, FARMERS MARKETS, AND SO FORTH. THIS EMPLOYEE ALSO SIGNS ELIGIBLE PERSONS UP FOR GOLDEN BUCKEYE, AND OTHER PROGRAMS OFFERED TO SENIORS AND BY THE COUNCIL ON AGING. SHE ARRANGES THE FOLDING AND MAILING OF OVER 2000 NEWSLETTERS WHICH GO OUT EVERY THREE MONTHS AND ANSWERS ALL INCOMING CALLS TO THE CENTER. HE/SHE SCHEDULES VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS AS NEEDED IN THE CENTER AND ASSISTS WITH CALLS FOR DONATIONS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS THAT THE SENIOR CENTER PROVIDES. OUTREACH: THIS SENIOR SERVICES SPECIALIST IS A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER WHO PROVIDES INFORMATION TO SENIORS ABOUT OUR SERVICES AT NO COST OR FOR A DONATION. SHE SERVES AS A SUPERVISOR TO CHORE AND HOMEMAKER STAFF, SENIOR CENTER ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR, TRIP COORDINATOR AND INFO/REFERRAL SPECIALIST. THIS EMPLOYEE DOES REQUIRED ASSESSMENTS OF THE NEEDS OF THE CLIENTS IN THEIR HOMES IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON WHAT THE CENTER HAS TO OFFER, INFORM THEM OF OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES AVAILABLE, AND HELPS THEM MAKE USE OF THOSE SERVICES. SOME OF THIS INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE REQUESTED BY PHONE AS WELL. FOLLOW UP VISITS AND/OR PHONE CALLS ARE DONE TO ASSURE LINKAGE. ELDER ABUSE AND OTHER CLIENT ISSUES ARE HANDLED BY THIS SPECIALIST AS NEEDED. SHE ALSO ASSISTS WITH LETTER WRITING, BILL PAYING, MAILING OF LETTERS, AND OTHER NEEDS OF THE CLIENT. CHORE: THIS SERVICE IS PROVIDED AT NO COST OR FOR A DONATION TO SENIORS 60 AND OVER IN HARDIN COUNTY AND CONSISTS OF MOWING, TRIMMING, RAKING LEAVES, SOME MINOR REPAIRS AROUND THE HOMES, AND REMOVAL OF ICE AND SNOW FROM SIDEWALKS, STEPS, AND SHORT DRIVEWAYS. OTHER ASSISTANCE IS GIVEN FOR THOSE TRANSITIONING FROM NURSING HOMES TO AN APARTMENT OR HOME, AND SO FORTH AS NEEDED.

THE WILKINSON-MCVITTY-BERLIEN SENIOR DAY CARE CENTER PROVIDES SENIOR DAY SERVICES TO HELP FAMILIES KEEP AN ADULT LOVED ONE AT HOME AND ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY. THE STAFF IS WELL-TRAINED AND QUALIFIED, INCLUDING AN RN, LPN AND 2 CNAS, TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR CARE. SENIORS CAN COME TO THE CENTER FOR THE DAY AND RETURN TO THEIR HOME FOR THE EVENING. THIS ALLOWS THESE SENIORS TO MAINTAIN THEIR ROLES WITHIN THE FAMILY UNIT AND ALSO ALLOWS CAREGIVERS TO REMAIN IN THE WORKFORCE. ANYONE WHO IS A CAREGIVER WITH A CARE RECIPIENT WHO CANNOT STAY HOME ALONE AND THEY MUST THEMSELVES WORK, OR RUN ERRANDS, OR WHO JUST NEED REST FROM THE STRESS OF FULL-TIME CARE GIVING, MAY SEND THE CARE RECIPIENT TO ATTEND THE SENIOR DAY CARE CENTER. HEALTH MONITORING IS PROVIDED BY THE LICENSED NURSE, INDIVIDUAL CARE PLANS ARE COORDINATED WITH STAFF AND FAMILY, MEANINGFUL AND PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED BY A CERTIFIED PROGRAM PLANNER, AND SNACKS AND LUNCH ARE SERVED. THE CENTER IS OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK AND ALSO PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE CENTER AS NEEDED. THE COST IS $11.00 AN HOUR UP TO $44.00 FOR A WHOLE DAY, WITH AN EXTRA CHARGE FOR SHOWERS.