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Council on Aging/Senior Center
Programs
&Services
The Bertie County
Council on Aging serves all Bertie County Senior
citizens, aged 60 or older, and their spouses.
Bertie County is home to roughly 3, 947 older
adults. More than 31% of our county’s seniors
are at or below the poverty level. Bertie County
is a rural county with a minority senior
population of a 2,027 (51%). Through the
Council’s programs we serve between 400-500
seniors and their family caregivers during a
year.
Congregate
Nutrition
This program provides
a delicious catered meal that assures 1/3 of the
daily recommended dietary allowances. Our meals
are at noon Monday through Friday. We have three
nutrition sites in Bertie County, Windsor,
Aulander, and Colerain. These sites are open
from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00p.m. A nutrition site
manager is present to coordinate activities and
distribute meals. Recreation, educational
programs and “time to chat” are available for
the patrons to enjoy. Each senior is asked to
contribute $1.00 (for those 60 and older)
towards the cost of the meal.
Home
Delivered Meals
Home delivered meals,
better known as “Meals on Wheels”, is similar to
congregate nutrition, in that it is a well
balanced, catered meal that is delivered to home
bound Seniors Monday-Friday. Home Delivered
Meals provides a brief visit by a volunteer
along with a daily meal. Currently we have two
routes within the county. One is located in
Windsor and one in Aulander. Colerain has Home
Delivered Meals, but family members or
caregivers pick up the meals at the nutrition
site for the home bound persons. A $1.00
contribution (for those 60 and older) is asked
of each recipient.
Transportation
Transportation is
provided for Seniors from all areas of the
County on a pre-scheduled basis, Monday –
Friday. Transportation is provided to the
Windsor Nutrition site, Social Services, Health
Department, grocery stores, drug stores, post
office, etc. Special medical transportation is
provided when needed. Transportation is provided
through a contract with the Choanoke Public
Transportation Authority (CPTA) and medical
transportation is provided by C&J Non-Emergency
Transport. Contributions
of a $1.00 are asked to help continue the
services.
In Home Aide Services
With a contracted
home health agency, the Council provides a
certified nursing assistant to “relieve” a
primary, unpaid caregiver for loved ones that
would be unsafe if left alone due to mental and
or physical problems. Typically the relief is no
more than eight hours a week. Unfortunately, due
to the high demand for this service at this
time, spaces are limited, but families are
encouraged to have their names placed on a
waiting list. A $1.00 contribution (60 and
older) per hour of service is asked to help
continue this service.
Cost Sharing
The most unique
feature of the Council’s services is the Cost
Sharing requirement. Each participant is given
information on the cost of each service and is
encouraged to make a voluntary contribution
towards the cost of the service. This is
strictly voluntary and services will not, and
can not, be denied if a contribution is not
made. The revenue is reinvested to expand the
services provided by the Council on Aging.
Senior Center
The purpose of the
Senior Center is to be a focal point where
Seniors can come for services and activities
which enhance their dignity, support their
independence and encourage involvement in and
with the community. The Senior Center also
serves as a source of information on aging
services and activities, and provides
opportunities for volunteerism for Seniors and
others alike. The Senior Center can never have
too many volunteers.
The goal of the
Senior Center is to promote the physical and
mental well being of Seniors. Also the Center
organizes, plans and coordinates services and
activities that will encourage Seniors to
experience a sense of achievement and
productivity and gives them opportunities for
interaction with their peers and community. We
strive to provide an atmosphere that will
encourage Seniors to use their current skills
and talents; and to learn new ones.
S.H.I.I.P (Senior’s
Health Insurance Information Program)
coordination is available through the Council on
Aging. This program is a statewide network of
volunteers and is sponsored by the NC Department
of Insurance. S.H.I.I.P. trains Senior Adults to
counsel other Seniors in their community about
Medicare, Medicare Supplements and long term
care.
AARP Tax Aide
Volunteers are available during February,
March and April to assist Seniors with their
state and federal income tax returns. Seniors 60
and older with low to middle incomes are
eligible for this free service.
Wellness and
Exercise
A variety of classes
and programs are offered for seniors. Currently
senior citizens are offered health,
wellness & exercise classes in Windsor and
Colerain. Windsor holds two classes Monday,
Wednesday and Friday. Colerain holds classes on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. Several arts and crafts
classes are held in the fall, winter and spring.
Health
Services
Flu shots are
arranged each fall through the local health
agencies to be given at the Nutrition Sites. The
county health department gives periodic blood
pressure checks. Different agencies provide
monthly programs on current issues and provide
information about services their agencies offer.
Large Print
Library
The Senior Center has
an ever-growing large print library that is
available for Seniors to check out.
Other
Programs
Day field trips are
planned and administered through the Senior
Center.
Through programs and
activities offered at the Senior Center, Bertie
County Council on Aging works diligently with
other agencies and groups to be an effective
advocate for the Senior Citizens of Bertie
County
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