CAAA event reveals services to seniors

• By DARLENE DENSTORFF
• Advocate Ascension section editor
• Published: Nov 5, 2009

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GONZALES — More than 620 senior residents from 10 parishes attending the Capital Area Agency on Aging annual meeting learned about services available in the area and had a chance to recommend what they would like to see offered by agencies.

The event, held Oct. 27 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, featured a Health Expo with 51 exhibitors displaying products and services specifically designed for senior citizens, Linda Beauvais, executive director of the CAAA, said.

Those attending were also encouraged to share ideas and “give their input on the issues of importance to them so we can serve them well,” she said.

The agency held its annual meeting and a board meeting.

“The meetings give the elderly a chance to see what we do … and hear our plans for the future,” she said.

The Capital Area Agency on Aging Inc., chartered in 1974, is a public nonprofit corporation designated by the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs. Its mission is to ensure the availability of supportive, nutrition and volunteer services to all people ages 60 and older in Ascension, Assumption, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rogue and West Feliciana parishes.

The agency provided services to 9,439 senior residents in its 10-parish region from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, according to its annual report. Those services include supportive living, home-delivered meals, congregate meals, disease prevention and health promotion and other resources.

Ascension Council on Aging Director Darlene Schexnayder said her clients look forward to the event.

“They get to see what’s new and what’s being offered, so they learn quite a bit when they come to this conference,” Schexnayder said. “This facility is perfect for this conference and we’re lucky to be able to use it.”

One popular display at the conference was hosted by the Tangipahoa Council on Aging.

Beverly Brazil, Hammond area supervisor for the Tangipahoa COA, was busy setting up tennis and bowling games on her agency’s Nintendo Wii game system.

“They just love it,” she said, adding that they have had the system for two years.

Beauvais said the growing number of active baby boomers seeking services at senior centers are looking for a wide variety recreational opportunities.