For more than 40 years, the Council on Aging of Buncombe County has been helping local seniors “age well.” The Council has three major programs that reach more than 3,000 persons annually: Resource Coordination, which works to identify and find needed services; Seniors Safe At Home, which helps the frail elderly stay independent; and Senior Dining, which includes lunch, exercise and socialization at seven area locations.
The Council’s Call-A-Ride service provides transportation for frail elderly to medical and food-shopping appointments. A regular Call-A-Ride volunteer says he gives his time because “I may need this one day myself—so now I’m trying to help others!”
Project EMMA (Eat better, Move More, Age well) aims to increase health and wellness opportunities for participants in the Senior Dining program and at Battery Park and Vanderbilt Apartments downtown. Exercise classes by trained instructors from the YWCA at dining sites and Battery Park are just one of EMMA’s many initiatives (call 253-8024 for more info).
Peer Counseling is a new Council effort that entails training older adults to assist their peers with adjusting to depression, loss and other life changes. To volunteer or for more info on programs and services: 277-8288 or www.coabc.org.
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