Programs and Services

Programs and Services sponsored by COA

The Council on Aging of Etowah County, Inc. sponsors several programs and services, such as:  Be Active Campaign, Fraud Fighters Initiative, and Senior Outreach.

Be Active Campaign

This Program is designed to encourage seniors to be active both physically and socially.  This program educates seniors about health and wellness through professionals speaking on chronic illness, disease and prevention.  Clients are updated during monthly meetings on important Medicare information.  This program also provides activities to enhance their minds, and to keep them active. Information on health fairs, screenings and local events is also given.  A nutritional snack is served at each meeting, along with incentives for attendance.  Attendance points are earned for free field trips.

 Senior Club Meetings

Greater Gadsden Housing Authority Campbell Court

100 Campbell Court, Gadsden, AL 35903

Meeting Date:  4^th Tuesday of every month

Meeting Time 1:00-2:00

Baptist Retirement Center

1315 Coates St., Gadsden, AL 35903

Meeting Date:  4^th Wednesday of Every month

Meeting Time:  1:00-2:00

Holy Comforter House

400 Walnut St., Gadsden, AL 35901

Meeting Date:  2^nd Monday of every month

Meeting Time:  10:00-11:00

Daugette Towers

700 Forrest Ave., Gadsden, AL 35901

Meeting Date:  1^st Friday of every month

Meeting Time:  2:00-3:00

Cherry Creek Village
507 Cherry St., Gadsden, AL 35954

Meeting Date:  1st Friday of every month

Meeting Time:  10:30 a.m.

George Wallace Senior Center
407 Hollingsworth Park Lane, Glencoe, AL 35905

Meeting Date:  2nd Wednesday of every mont

Meeting Time:  12:30 p.m.

Fraud Fighters Initiative

 This program is designed to protest seniors from physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse and neglect.  This program also is part of Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), which is part of the Alabama State Health Insurance Program (SHIP).  Helping others live protected (HELP) was created by this program.  HELP is a network of professionals motivated to reduce elder abuse in Etowah, Calhoun and Cherokee Counties.

Senior Outreach

This program is designed to discover the needs of the senior community through either one-on-one interview or group interview.  The Council on Aging of Etowah County has an Outreach Coordinator which performs the following programs and

Services; Individual casework, information and referral, creating and maintaining senior club meetings and enhancement, administering the Vial of Life, planning hosting and attending health fairs and screenings to provide local and up-to-date information to seniors.

Casework - The service is designed to help seniors on a one-on-one basis, either at COA office, a public location, or senior center.

Information and Referral -This service is designed to inform and refer seniors to local agency providers of other senior services.

Senior Transportation Program (STP) - This program provides senior citizens with out-of-county transportation to Dr’s. Appointments.  This is provided at a minimal cost, and is for seniors who have no other means of transportation.

Senior RX - Monthly, a representative from East Alabama Planning and Development Commission comes to COA to help seniors get free prescription assistance.

Vial of Life - This program is designed to help trained emergency medical technicians (EMT) fine medical information about seniors during an emergency at a senior’s home.  Participants in this program list their medical information on a medical form, which lists medications, know diseases, such as diabetes, and emergency contact information.  This form is then placed in a ziploc bag.  The ziploc bag has a Vial of Life sticker and is taped to the inside of the senior’s refrigerator.  Another Vial of life sticker is placed on the front door of the senior’s home.  This is designed to get medical information to emergency personnel as quickly as possible. Everyone is welcome to participate in this program.

Alabama State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) - This is program is designed to help seniors make an informed decision concerning Medicare Parts C and D, and Advantage and Medigap supplemental health plans.  Everyone who is eligible for Medicare can participate in this program.

Right to know - This program was designed to offer suggestions for arranging financial affairs so that families and spouses can conduct personal business affairs during a life altering situation.

Dental Program - Assist persons 55 and older living in Etowah County without dental insurance to obtain dentures.