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South Central Alabama Development Commission Area Agency on Aging representative Tenesia Jones recently visited Crenshaw County to talk about her agency and the various programs offered to older residents of the county.

The Area Agency on Aging is, according to the SCADC website, “responsible for advocacy, planning and provision of supportive services, nutrition services, and where appropriate, the establishment, maintenance or construction of multi-purpose senior centers. In addition, we administer a variety of home and community-based services for older adults, caregivers and persons with disabilities.”

Jones first went over the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) hotline, 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463).

“Senior citizens, caregivers and their families, and interested persons of all ages” can call that number and provide information to be screened for a wide gamut of programs and learn how they might help them.

In addition to the ADRC, other community based programs include the Elderly Nutrition Program (manifested as local Nutrition Centers), nutrition counseling, the SenioRx Program, the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), legal assistance, Long Term Ombudsman and SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol).

These services cover needs such as healthcare and housing. The SenioRx program, for example, “assists uninsured and underinsured individuals with obtaining medications at a reduced rate or no cost,” while the Medicaid Elderly & Disabled Waiver Program offers services such as homemaker, personal care, case management and more for elderly and disabled people who are “medically eligible for nursing home admission but would prefer to remain in their homes.”

Jones stressed that all of this information can be obtained at local senior nutrition centers.

Senior centers in Crenshaw County include:

Brantley Senior Center, located at 81 Maple Street, Brantley

Luverne Multipurpose Senior Center, located at 317 S. Forest Ave., Luverne

Honoraville Multipurpose Senior Center, located at 111 Post Office Loop, Honoraville

Jan Cook Community Center, located at 7712 S. Main Street, Dozier

Bradleyton-Helicon Multipurpose Senior Center, located at 55 East Helicon Road, Grady

Jones praised the senior centers in Crenshaw County, saying “all of the centers are excellent.”

The Area Agency on Aging is also involved with programs such as chronic disease and diabetes management programs. Furthermore, they also have a program called “A Matter of Balance” “designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels of older adults living in the community, thus reducing the number of falls and injuries from falls.”

The agency also coordinates with other agencies and can help direct people to others that can assist them.

For more information or to receive a screening for potential helpful programs, call 1-800-243-5463 or visit the Area Agency on Aging’s website at https://scadc.net/aging/.