Area Plan & Budgetary Town Hall Meetings

Town Hall Meeting Coming To Your Area

In 1965 Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA), creating programs and services for adults 60 and over.

As a recipient of OAA funding, Mid-Columbia Council of Governments, Area Agency on Aging, (MCCOG-AAA) is required to update our 5 year Area Plan that addresses the needs of older adults, including rural and low-income.  The Area Plan must be updated and submitted to the State of Oregon by October 2012.  Implementation will be June 2013 and continue until June 2018.

We need your help. This is your opportunity to let us know what programs and services work and what could be improved upon.

Under the current Area Plan, MCCOG-AAA offers the following programs and services:

• Advocacy- for those 60 and older at the local, state and national levels.  Promoting the needs of older persons through elected officials, community leaders, service providers, agencies, and organizations.
• Information and Referral for seniors.
• Congregate and Home Delivered Meals, currently helping fund eleven meal sites in the five county area served by the AAA.
• AAA Newsletter-published bi-monthly, brings news to educate seniors and their families.
• Legal Assistance.
• Health and Wellness through classes such as the Living Well with Chronic Conditions, and Tai Chi for exercise and stress reduction.
• AARP Money Management Program.
• SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) -provides one-on-one assistance with Medicare.
• Friendly Visitor -provides shut-in seniors with a visitor once a week.
• Elder Abuse Awareness.
• Oregon Project Independence -allows seniors to remain in their home instead of moving to a facility.
• Family Caregiver Services-Resources, classes and respite training for family caregivers. Offers family caregivers an opportunity for time for themselves.
• Emergency Preparedness-Education and resources for preparing for an emergency, including assisting those who are housebound.
• Minor Home Repair.
• Outreach -The promotion of the above programs through radio psa’s, presentations and community efforts to identify individuals eligible for assistance.

During January, February and March, 2012, you will have an opportunity to have your voice heard on the programs provided by the MCCOG-AAA.  Below is a schedule of dates/times/locations of meetings.

Make plans to attend. We need to hear from you.

For additional information call Bill Larson, AAA Director at 1-541-298-4101 or toll free 1-888 316-1362.