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Living independently. For many senior citizens, it is a struggle to do so each day. But seniors do have someone on their side - the Calcasieu Council on Aging (CCOA).
"Our main goal is to keep our elderly clients independent in their own homes," said Debbie Duhon, CCOA Program Manager.
Incorporated in 1982, the CCOA is one of the largest in the state with over a dozen programs offered and six centers located throughout the parish. And out of all their programs, it is their Meals on Wheels program that is always rated at the top of their needs assessment list each year, according to Toni Caraway, CCOA Executive Director.
The program delivers a hot meal five days a week to the homebound elderly, those the CCOA deem as high risk clients. The well-balanced meal is prepared each morning at the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office with deliveries beginning around 7 a.m. The meals meet the one-third RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) and are low in salt.
Employees of CCOA deliver the meals, and for many of these homebound seniors, this person is often the only one they will see throughout the day. Meals are delivered to the door and the driver has to see the client before leaving. Often they assist the clients with the meal and report back to CCOA any problems they see in the home.
"They go that extra mile willingly," said Duhon, "They know that they are often the only person the client is going to see."
"Rain, sleet or snow those drivers are out there delivering those meals," said Caraway.
The cost of the Meals on Wheels program runs approximately $1,400 a year per person and the CCOA does not charge for their services. They do accept contributions but it is not a requirement to participate in the program. And there are currently around 475 participants throughout the parish with a waiting list growing larger each day.
"We're over 250 now who are assessed and waiting, and we get an average of four to five calls a week requesting to get on the Meals on Wheels program," said Duhon.
"The waiting list is only going to continue growing," she continued, "The need for the program will never go away."
And in response to the growing need and cost of the program, the CCOA and Southern Home Health have organized their first fundraiser, the 1st Annual Senior Prom. It will be held on Saturday, September 19, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall. The theme is "Lost in the 50's", and there will be music, court presentations (each senior center will present two kings and two queens from their center), pictures, classic cars and more. Money raised goes directly to the program to help clients on the waiting list as well as those new clients coming in daily.
For more information about the Meals on Wheels program or the Senior Prom, contact the CCOA at their offices, 3950 Hwy 14, Lake Charles, by calling (337) 474-2583 or (800) 223-5872, or visit their website at www.calcoa.org.
Living independently. For many senior citizens, it is a struggle to do so each day. But seniors do have someone on their side - the Calcasieu Council on Aging (CCOA).
"Our main goal is to keep our elderly clients independent in their own homes," said Debbie Duhon, CCOA Program Manager.
Incorporated in 1982, the CCOA is one of the largest in the state with over a dozen programs offered and six centers located throughout the parish. And out of all their programs, it is their Meals on Wheels program that is always rated at the top of their needs assessment list each year, according to Toni Caraway, CCOA Executive Director.
The program delivers a hot meal five days a week to the homebound elderly, those the CCOA deem as high risk clients. The well-balanced meal is prepared each morning at the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office with deliveries beginning around 7 a.m. The meals meet the one-third RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) and are low in salt.
Employees of CCOA deliver the meals, and for many of these homebound seniors, this person is often the only one they will see throughout the day. Meals are delivered to the door and the driver has to see the client before leaving. Often they assist the clients with the meal and report back to CCOA any problems they see in the home.
"They go that extra mile willingly," said Duhon, "They know that they are often the only person the client is going to see."
"Rain, sleet or snow those drivers are out there delivering those meals," said Caraway.
The cost of the Meals on Wheels program runs approximately $1,400 a year per person and the CCOA does not charge for their services. They do accept contributions but it is not a requirement to participate in the program. And there are currently around 475 participants throughout the parish with a waiting list growing larger each day.
"We're over 250 now who are assessed and waiting, and we get an average of four to five calls a week requesting to get on the Meals on Wheels program," said Duhon.
"The waiting list is only going to continue growing," she continued, "The need for the program will never go away."
And in response to the growing need and cost of the program, the CCOA and Southern Home Health have organized their first fundraiser, the 1st Annual Senior Prom. It will be held on Saturday, September 19, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall. The theme is "Lost in the 50's", and there will be music, court presentations (each senior center will present two kings and two queens from their center), pictures, classic cars and more. Money raised goes directly to the program to help clients on the waiting list as well as those new clients coming in daily.
For more information about the Meals on Wheels program or the Senior Prom, contact the CCOA at their offices, 3950 Hwy 14, Lake Charles, by calling (337) 474-2583 or (800) 223-5872, or visit their website at www.calcoa.org.
