“Wonderful things are going on at the Commission on Aging,” Executive Director Tammy Pennington said at the beginning of her annual report to the Barry County Commision.
She read the COA’s official mission statement: “To provide independence, dignity and quality of life to the aging population and their families.”
She also read the COA’s unofficial motto: “If it’s not fun, we’re not doing it.”
To meet those goals, Pennington listed the services they offer: In-home services, senior nutrition programs, adult day services, Medicare/Medicaid assistance programs, community-based services and FUNraisers that help support the COA.
All of the headings have several subheadings with its programs listed; for example, in-home services has five programs within it; community-based services provides seven separate programs.
Pennington stressed her appreciation for the partnerships the COA has with many other county organizations that all contribute to their goals. Alzheimer’s and dementia, financial instability and elder abuse are increasing, as are the COA’s efforts to address them, she said.
Some statistics from 2017:
*1,743 older adults served
*58,387 meals provided
*12,177 in-home care hours provided
*8,422 day services hours provided
*206 community volunteers
*$379,894 grants written and received
*$14,234 in emergency funding for utility shut off notices, prescription, ramps and other necessities and,
*100 percent of Barry County townships and municipalities served.
The focus of the COA for an aging population is decreasing isolation and loneliness, improving health and wellness, increasing support to caregivers and supporting financial stability, Pennington said.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners approved the re-appointment of Jodi Trantham to the Barry County Solid Waste Oversight Committee to the environmental professional seat for a three year term, and accepted the 2018 Barry County Equalization Values Report.
