Public Hearings to Address Senior Services

The Mid-east Area Agency on Aging (MEAAA) is holding four public hearings in February and early March to discuss the agency’s services plan and budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. The public is invited to attend, ask questions, learn how MEAAA’s services are funded and delivered, and make suggestions and comments.

The public hearings are scheduled as follows:

* Friday, February 17, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at the Arnold Senior Center, Arnold Recreation Center, 1695 Missouri State Road, Arnold, MO 63010 (636-296-0475)

* Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 9:00 a.m. at the Ferguson Senior Resource Center, Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., St. Louis, MO 63135 (314-867-5661)

“This is an important opportunity to residents of all ages in St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Franklin Counties to learn more about how we are striving to meet the needs of our senior population and to help guide us in the best use of available resources,” said Mary Schaefer, MEAAA executive director. “We are especially pleased to hold one of these hearings at our new Ferguson Senior Resource Center, which was recently remodeled and reopened.” That center provides a wide range of services to North County residents, including serving up to 60 meals a day to seniors age 60 and older.

The U.S. Census reports that the St. Louis area had the eighth highest percentage of older people in the country, at 14.9 percent. An additional 15,000 people in the region reach the age of 65 each year, and the number of seniors here is expected to double by 2030.

MEAAA is working to meet the needs of this growing population segment, operating 23 senior centers, and running the area’s largest Meals on Wheels program for homebound seniors. Its programming incudes assistance with Medicare and health insurance questions, exercise and social opportunities, transportation services, energy and legal assistance, disaster preparedness, and assistance with acquiring medical equipment and supplies.

“There is no doubt that we are all getting older,” said Schaefer. “Our goal is to raise awareness of the need for more public and private support for senior services, as well as to ensure that we are using our resources effectively and efficiently in meeting the needs of seniors throughout the area.”

About the Mid-east Area Agency on Aging

Founded in 1973, the Mid-east Area Agency on Aging is the area’s leading source for unbiased and comprehensive information on local senior services to help people find senior housing, care facilities, support groups, and much more. MEAAA also provides supportive services through its 23 senior centers in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson Counties. Persons age 60 and over, family caregivers, and adults with disabilities may access a wide range of programming, from assistance with Medicare and health insurance questions, to exercise and social opportunities, transportation services, energy and legal assistance, disaster preparedness and assistance with acquiring medical equipment and supplies. In addition, MEAAA operates the region’s largest Meals on Wheels program, bringing nutritious meals and companionship to more than 2,500 home-bound seniors each weekday. MEAAA also serves as a Marketplace Navigator for the Affordable Care Act, providing assistance with selecting a health plan or completing an application.

For more information on MEAAA, call 636-207-0847 or go to www.agingmissouri.org.