Central Oregon Senior Services

With the generation of baby boomers all reaching seniorhood, many senior citizen service organizations are feeling the need to expand and network together to more fully address the growing demand for senior care.

Finding Senior Services in Central Oregon

The Central Oregon Council on Aging (COCOA) is an example of senior citizen service organizations networking together to care for the seniors of central Oregon. COCOA is a private nonprofit organization whose goal is to meet the immediate needs of central Oregon’s senior citizens while supporting their dignity, safety, and independence.

Seniors in LaPine, Madras, Sisters, Redmond, Prineville, and Bend, Oregon may benefit from transportation services including discounted bus fares and personal transportation to and from work, doctor’s appointments, shopping centers, and other recreational destinations offered through COCOA’s Dial-A-Ride service.

Another well known organization, Meals-on-Wheels, in conjunction with COCOA, provides hot weekday lunches and frozen weekend meals and nutritional information to central Oregon seniors who are house-bound.

COCOA has networked with senior centers in central Oregon to help seniors become aware of the elder care services and community activities offered through their local senior center. Providing opportunities for seniors to connect with each other and give back to their community by participating in projects are just twp of the many ways senior centers are enriching the lives of Central Oregon’s seniors.

In addition to the above services, COCOA has coordinated with SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) to provide seniors with assistance in obtaining medical insurance, understanding insurance coverage, and resolving medical bill or insurance disputes.

To find out more about the elderly care services offered by the Central Oregon Council on Aging, call 1-877-704-4567.

Networks for Helping Seniors

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in their handy “Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home,” recommends that people explore different options BEFORE deciding to put their loved ones in a nursing home. In many cases, those loved ones do not need intensive, 24-hour assistance, but their needs are just a little more than any one person can handle. The Guide lists many different kinds of services that can help out based on the individual’s needs, so that the Nursing Home option doesn’t have to be the first and only option. I’m posting those options below, along with a brief definition and explanation.

■ Adult day care : This is a unique service offered to seniors who live with loved ones but need care during the day while their loved ones are at work. Most adult day cares are designed for seniors who have dimentia or alzheimers and cannot care for themselves.

■ Meal programs (like Meals-on-Wheels) Meals on Wheels is a national program that offers home delivery of lunches to seniors who are not able to get out. Delivery Drivers are volunteers

■ Senior centers are gathering places for seniors and their caregivers where they can find limitless information on senior services, and also find friendship, recreation, employment, and volunteer opportunities.

■ Friendly visitor programs: Offer much needed fellowship and friendly assistance for seniors who are stuck at home without friends and family. The volunteer network of is dedicated to making those they help realize that they are not alone.

Be sure to check with any of these networks to inquire about further assistance in transportation, shopping, or any other questions regarding elder services in your area.