The Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) Area Agency on Aging held a question and answer session at the Silver Creek Senior Center in Snowflake on April 5. NACOG director, Mary Beals-Luedtka, presented information on the services NACOG offers and answered questions from town leaders and residents in attendance.
Snowflake council members Kerry Ballard and Allison Perkins were in attendance, as well as Taylor Councilman Jason Brubaker. Addressing the needs of those over 60 years of age in this community is important. It is estimated that over the next five years the number of Arizonans over the age of 65 may increase by 30 percent. NACOG is the third largest Area Agency on Aging in Arizona, with an annual budget of $5 million.
The agency director is passionate about making sure older adults do not go without their basic needs being met. “I don’t want people waiting for services,” said Beals-Luedtka. The waitlist for services in this region was at 478 people at the beginning of last year. That number is now below 200.
Funding is the biggest hurdle in providing services. Beals-Luedtka was most excited to reveal that with the recent passing of the Omnibus Bill for the first time since 2012 there is an increase in federal funding for services for older adults. “From 2008 to 2012 there have been nothing but cuts,” said Beals-Luedtka regarding budget dollars. It is also important to take funding for older adult service programs into consideration when voting for government leaders or speak concerns to current leaders. “It matters that you speak up for what matters to you and what you believe,” said Beals-Luedtka. Cuts to these types of services are common to help balance the federal budget. Beals-Luedtka will be voicing the concerns of this region to leaders in Washington D.C.
NACOG offers many useful services geared towards older adults. The agency serves as a public advocate to put seniors in touch with needed services. They offer benefits counseling to help choose the best Medicare plans, case management to help assess individual needs, provide meals at senior centers or for home delivery through Meals on Wheels and caregiver support just to name a few. The agency can also get individuals referred for any necessary services like legal aid or health and wellness services. Another service that NACOG can refer qualified individuals to is the Home Weatherization Assistance Program. The program can help with no cost home weatherization to those who qualify.
NACOG has made it easy to inquire about services available to older adults by having one number to call. Anyone with questions on services, in need of referrals or just in need of direction can call (877) 521-3500.
The local Silver Creek Senior Center is funded through NACOG and serves older adults and the disabled in the Snowflake, Taylor and some outlying areas. The center recently became an eligible organization in the Arizona Eligible Tax Credit. This means when you donate to the center you may qualify for a tax credit on your state tax return in the amount of your donation up to $400 for single or head of household filers or up to $800 for married filing jointly. You may still be able to take advantage of that credit for 2017 if you have not filed your taxes yet and donate before April 17.
In addition to donating to the senior center, other opportunities are available to help older adults and the disabled in this region. Volunteers are always needed either directly at the center or through NACOG in their Ombudsman program. Ombudsman are volunteer advocates who can help if there are loved ones in a long-term care facility.
Local organizations or churches who might be holding community clean ups or other service-related projects can also call the NACOG toll-free number, (877) 521-3500, to notify them to put them in touch with individuals who might need those services.
Caring for aging adults takes the community as a whole working together to make sure services are funded, volunteers are available and that the basic needs are met for those who may not be able to care for themselves. For more information on the Silver Creek Senior Center you may contact them directly at (928) 536-2222.
