Who do you call if you have questions about services and supports for older adults? One of the agencies you could have called was the Region Nine Area Agency on Aging (AAA) which served Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler counties and was administered by the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments (MCCOG).
But because of the dissolution of MCCOG, on February 1st the local office of the State Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) began temporarily administering many of the Region Nine AAA programs.
Area Agency on Aging (AAA’s) are essential in providing critically important supports for older adults such as in-home care through Oregon Project Independence, SHIBA’s Medicare counseling, caregiver supports such as “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” classes, and funding for community nutrition programs.
To continue to provide these services, it was announced last week that The Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO) has been designated as the Area Agency on Aging to serve the Region Nine area. CAPECO is an I-84 neighbor, currently administering the AAA in Umatilla and Morrow counties and providing many other services to Gilliam and Wheeler Counties as the Community Action Program serving that area.
The local APD office will continue administering the AAA program during the transition to CAPECO which should be completed by September 1, 2018. These transitions can be difficult, but the good news is the local APD is learning more about AAA programs so in the future, there will be better coordination in supporting older adults in the region.
Although this may all seem confusing, (but, hey, you’ve learned five new acronyms to impress – or bore – your friends!), if you are interested in learning more about how the selection of CAPECO will affect AAA services in our region, I would encourage you to attend the public meeting APD will be holding at the Center on April 2nd starting at 1:00.
Its Spring! – and the activities at the Center are popping up faster than the daffodils in your garden.
On Wednesday, March 28th (which is tomorrow for those who don’t need to know what day of the week it is because every day is the weekend!), Kerry Cobb, Executive Director of Columbia Art Center, will lead a class on coloring for adults from 1:00 – 2:30 PM. Create, socialize, and enjoy the meditative relaxation of coloring pages from stunningly beautiful coloring books created by adults for adults.
At the Center on Wednesday, April 4th from 11:00 – 12:00, Mid-Columbia Community Action is offering a class on “Saving Energy (and Money) in Your Home”. Besides learning how to identify and reduce your home’s top energy wasters, you’ll receive a free energy savings device to take home.
The Center has scheduled Nehemiah Brown to perform three times this year thanks to The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center’s financial support. Nehemiah’s first performance will be on Friday, April 6th before and after the noon lunch provided by Meals-on-Wheels. With a buttery smooth voice, Nehemiah sings pop, country, and gospel standards from the 50’s and 60’s. There is no cost, but you are welcome to enjoy lunch for a suggested donation of $3.75 for anyone 60 and over or $5.00 for anyone under 60.
The western themed American television series that was a Saturday morning staple in the 50’s and 60’s; and featured an Arizona rancher who flew a Cessna 310B named “Songbird” was Sky King. (No one sent me a Signalscope, but I did receive correct answers from Sandy Haechrel, Lucille Stephens, Don McAllister, Dave Lutgens and the winner of a free quilt raffle ticket, Ed Anghilante.)
I remember going down to my dorm’s rec room at Purdue University to watch this innovative comedy that aired from September 1966 to March 1968. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this series that followed the adventures of four young men trying to make a name for themselves as a rock ‘n roll band? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or drop it off with one of Michael’s wool hats.
Well, it’s been another week, enjoying the hints of warmer weather to come. Until we meet again, if you can, do.
“When you have grown still on purpose while everything around you is asking for chaos, you will find the doors between every room of the interior castle thrown open, the path home to your true love unobstructed after all.” St. Teresa of Avila
Menu for The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels dinners served at noon in Betty’s Diner at the Center.
