Calcasieu Council on Aging
Published 6:00 pm Sunday, May 6, 2018
Providing a ‘better aging experience’ for seniors
May is National Older Americans Month, and the Calcasieu Council on Aging is providing a host of special events at its seven senior centers across Calcasieu Parish.
“Engage at Every Age” is the 2018 theme for the observance, and agency CEO Jacqueline Green said she aims to not only celebrate Calcasieu seniors through special events but also to showcase ways that CCOA can benefit family members, social agencies and nonprofits that serve the elderly.
CCOA provides home- and community-based services free of charge to seniors who are at risk of hunger, isolation or losing their ability to live independently.
“Engage at Every Age” is the 2018 theme for National Older Americans Month. Calcasieu Council on Aging CEO Jacqueline Green said she aims to not only celebrate Calcasieu seniors through special events this month but also to showcase the many ways CCOA can benefit them.
“The council is one of the best-kept secrets in the parish,” Green said. “People drive right by the agency or its senior centers and don’t realize all we have to offer. This month we are hoping to change that because we are the premier agency for the elderly in our community.”
Green said that working with the elderly is a calling that she and her staff share.
“We really have a dedicated team of workers,” she said. “It’s not just a job, but a ministry. Every day we impact a senior who otherwise may be isolated.”
The agency serves a twofold purpose: providing recreational services through its seniors centers and coordinating a vast number of homebound services for the elderly.
{{tncms-inline alignment=”left” content=”<p><strong>The Calcasieu Council on Aging has the following events planned for May, which is Older Americans Month.</strong></p> <p><strong>Lake Charles Senior Center</strong></p> <p><span>Denim and Bling Fashion Show and Luncheon</span></p> <p>May 11, 9-11 a.m.</p> <p><strong>Westlake Managan Center</strong></p> <p><span>Barbecue and Bingo</span></p> <p>May 11, 9-11 a.m.</p> <p><strong>Moss Bluff Senior Center</strong></p> <p><span>Health Fair and Luncheon</span></p> <p>May 17, 9-11 a.m.</p> <p><strong>DeQuincy Senior Center</strong></p> <p><span>Fun, Food and Games Fun Day</span></p> <p>May 17, 10 a.m.-noon.</p> <p><strong>Vinton Recreation Center</strong></p> <p><span>Barbecue Cookout Fun Day</span></p> <p>May 18, 8 a.m.-noon</p> <p><strong>Sulphur Senior Center</strong></p> <p><span>Giddy Up Cowboys and Cowgirls Fun Day</span></p> <p>May 23, 10 a.m.-noon.</p> <p><strong>Iowa Senior Center</strong></p> <p><span>Fun, Food and Information Fun Day</span></p> <p>May 24, 9 a.m.-noon.</p>” id=”cd4e1471-10d2-45ce-bf4b-6257e57b42be” style-type=”fact” title=”Special events in May” type=”relcontent” width=”half”}}
The CCOA’s senior centers cover the entire parish and should be thought of as “active aging centers,” said Green.
Their regular calendar of events includes exercise classes, crafting, gaming tournaments, Senior Olympics, field trips and other events that “promote wellness and social interaction” for the aging.
Access to the centers allows seniors to remain independent and have a “better aging experience,” Green said.
Like the senior centers, CCOA’s homebound services are available to any Calcasieu resident.
“If they’re in Calcasieu Parish, we’re going to get to them,” Green said.
Many seniors don’t need to go into a nursing home, she said, and all of the seemingly little things the agency provides add up to a big impact because they help seniors “stay home where they will live longer and healthier lives.”
One of the most popular offerings to homebound people is the agency’s Meals on Wheels program.
The service provides five days of meals to seniors in need. Last year the agency delivered over 100,000 frozen meals to residents.
Frozen meals ensure clients are able to eat at their convenience, with the food’s nutritional value remaining intact because the meals aren’t exposed to excessive reheating, Green said.
On days when meals are not delivered to seniors’ doors, the agency makes personal calls to its clients to ensure their satisfaction, health and overall happiness, Green said.
Not only does the agency serve seniors in need; it also provides services for caregivers. Green said all residents have a responsibility for the care of seniors.
“We are the eyes and ears of our community. We have to know who we’re missing,” she said. “Who do you not see at church anymore? Who do you not see take their trash out anymore?”
Armed with this knowledge, she said community members and social organizations can use the agency as its referral tool. With a wide scope of services, the agency can be the first line of defense for elderly care concerns.
“If we don’t provide it. We find other social organizations or agencies to help,” she said. In addition to connecting seniors and caregivers with support the agency will follow up with clients to ensure their needs are being met.
The agency will host a Lunch and Learn for social service providers, community leaders, churches, home health providers and hospital staff noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, in the CCOA office, 3950 Gerstner Memorial Blvd.
A Sulphur luncheon will be noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, in the Sulphur Senior Center. To attend, call Rosalind Berry at 337-312-1050 or Jackie Green at 337-312-1045.
For more information on the agency, to donate or volunteer call 474-2583 or visit www.calcoa.org.
The Calcasieu Council on Aging has the following events planned for May, which is Older Americans Month.
Lake Charles Senior Center
Denim and Bling Fashion Show and Luncheon
May 11, 9-11 a.m.
Westlake Managan Center
Barbecue and Bingo
May 11, 9-11 a.m.
Moss Bluff Senior Center
Health Fair and Luncheon
May 17, 9-11 a.m.
DeQuincy Senior Center
Fun, Food and Games Fun Day
May 17, 10 a.m.-noon.
Vinton Recreation Center
Barbecue Cookout Fun Day
May 18, 8 a.m.-noon
Sulphur Senior Center
Giddy Up Cowboys and Cowgirls Fun Day
May 23, 10 a.m.-noon.
Iowa Senior Center
Fun, Food and Information Fun Day
May 24, 9 a.m.-noon.
