Our Vision:
A community where everyone has the opportunity to age successfully.
Our Mission:
To promote the independence, dignity, and well-being of adults through service, education, and advocacy.
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Word from our Executive Director
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As July comes to a close, we are aware that for many it represents the second half of the year; warm weather, outdoor gatherings, and plants in bloom. For the Council on Aging, it represents the start of the new fiscal year. A chance for new programs to begin, a closeout of the past year, and plan for the future.
I am excited to share with you some news regarding programming at the Council on Aging. In May, we were selected as a Women for Women grant recipient to support our Elder Justice Navigator position. Our Elder Justice Navigator, Niki Duff, will provide support for clients experiencing abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This program is meant to complement the work at Adult Protective Services (APS) and will be available for clients and individuals who do not warrant APS involvement.
We were also granted an extension for our Benefits Enrollment work, which allows us to provide application assistance to low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Grace Collins, our Benefits Enrollment Specialist, meets with clients one on one to help them apply for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Heating Assistance, Low-Income Subsidy Assistance, and the Medicare Savings Program.
If you know of someone who could utilize one of these services or any of our other programs, please have them call the Council on Aging at (828) 277-8288. We are honored to be able to serve in this capacity. We appreciate your continued support and trust in us!
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Information about caregiver support resources and respite services are provided through the Council on Aging, and we encourage you to call us to receive information, support, and services.
The Caring for Aging Persons Education and Support (CAPES) program offers monthly support group meetings for anyone who is caring for or concerned about an older adult. These meetings are open to the public and free of charge. There is a ten to fifteen-minute educational session on topics of interest at the beginning of each meeting. The group explores key challenges of caregivers and gives encouragement, resources, and information to assist with those challenges. We encourage you to join us whenever you are able. CAPES meets the second Tuesday of each month 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the MAHEC Educational building. Refer to our website for more information, for additional caregiver support programs, and to watch for upcoming events.
For more information please contact Juanita Igo at (828) 277-8288.
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The Council on Aging of Buncombe County has been assisting seniors in Buncombe County for over 50 years. During this time, we have helped thousands of older adults remain safely in their homes. By helping clients enroll in Medicare and other healthcare coverage as well as enrolling clients in various assistance programs such as SNAP (food assistance) and Medicaid we are able to save clients money. By assisting clients with accessing transportation, barriers to services are eliminated. Funding for these programs is often provided through grants from public and private organizations. This funding often covers the basic structure such as salaries, mileage, and benefits for the direct service staff. Unfortunately, grants do not always cover all of the expenses, nor do they always cover the organizational support needed to run the programs.
Our services are delivered at no cost, and most grants prohibit us from charging a fee. Many of the clients we serve are low income and could not pay for the services. We also need additional funding in order to create and implement new and innovative ways of providing services to seniors. As the population ages and their needs change, the agency has to change in order to deliver quality services in an effective way. We also strive to maintain adequate staff levels to ensure client access to services.
This is where you, the donor, comes in. Your gift, small or large helps us to cover these unfunded expenses and maintain a quality service for our clients. Every dollar is meaningful and goes a long way towards helping the older adult have a quality of life they might not otherwise experience. Please consider a donation of any amount or a monthly recurring donation. You will enjoy the great satisfaction of knowing that your gift is helping a senior receive a monthly food box, a grab-bar for safety or assistance in enrolling in a Medicare plan to cover their healthcare needs.
YOU CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
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"You can tell Emily's empathy for the elderly. Emily was very helpful. She is going to follow up with me. A very positive experience."
-Elder Justice Client
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Deborah was extremely helpful, detailed and informative with excellent advice
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-Resource Coordination Client
"Robyn was fantastic. Knowledgeable and very, very helpful."
-Medicare Client
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We are honored to have been awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the North Carolina Department of Insurance for outstanding achievements and services for our Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)!
Thank you all for trusting us to help navigate your medicare options!
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a SHIIP counselor to discuss your Medicare options, call (828) 277-8288.
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46 Sheffield Circle
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 277-8288
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