Superpower: Pushing forward until solutions are found
Nonprofit Organization
At the Jefferson County Council on Aging, a group of empathetic and understanding women are working to support and provide services to older adults in the community. The goal of the nonprofit is to help those adults remain independent and age in place, in their homes, for as long as possible.
The Council on Aging crew also work tirelessly to enhance the quality of life of older residents through a series of teams focused on nutrition, recreation, transportation, in-home care, and more. “Every day, they make a difference somewhere,” says Executive Director Amy Wellman, who oversees the staff of 32. “My group does whatever is needed. We try to figure out a way to make it happen.”
Every year, the nutrition team provides at least 20,000 meals to homebound seniors. A congregate site is also available where seniors can share meals together. When folks are on-site, the recreation team provides activities like bingo, card games, tie-dyeing, and more. People who need a safe space for an aging parent can take advantage of the Adult Day Care/Congregate Respite Program. And there’s more: The transportation team takes seniors who cannot drive to their doctor and hair appointments, the library, and grocery stores. The in-home care team visits seniors who need assistance with bathing or dressing, light housekeeping, or cooking a meal. And the Center for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities offers a way for folks to integrate into the community.
“Many people don’t know what we offer, so when we go over the things they need and we say we offer that, they’re truly amazed and excited that it’s all in one place,” says Chasidy Rosa Morales, assistant director and outreach coordinator. “We’re 100% go-getters and passionate about what we do. We don’t do it for the money but because our heart is here.”
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