The Council on Aging provides the following services to the elderly of Lafayette parish:
CASE MANAGEMENT: to meet the needs of the frail and elderly who are at risk for institutionalization.
FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM: provides opportunities for low income persons age 60 and over to remain active and enhance their self esteem through participation in community services. Volunteers render supportive person-to-person services to children with special and/or exceptional needs. Benefits include a tax-free stipend wage, travel reimbursement, an annual physical, liability insurance while serving and uniforms. All volunteers must be 60 years or older and receive pre-service training and monthly in-service training. Residents of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion Parishes are eligible.
HOMEMAKING PROGRAM: provides services to senior citizens in Lafayette parish to remain independent as long as possible. Homemaker aides render light housekeeping services that enables those who are unable to perform the tasks to remain in their homes. The degree of need establishes priority for services and is determined by the use of a referral/assessment from case management. Other duties provided include errands for home-bound seniors as time permits. They also report any unusual changes in the clients general health to a coordinator.
MEALS ON WHEELS: provides one hot meal a day to home-bound seniors and other shut-ins. In addition a nutritious meal, the human contact of the driver delivering the meal helps eliminate isolation. This program goes a long way to insure the continued independence of at risk seniors. NUTRITION PROGRAM: has five congregate meal sites throughout Lafayette parish. These include Scott Meal Site in Scott, La Belle Maison in Broussard, St. Anne’s Hall in Youngsville, Beau Sejour Estates in Carencro and Zim Center in Lafayette. Eating at one of these sites provides interaction with peers and avoids the waiting list for the home delivered meal program. In addition to the congregate meal sites, clients are provided with nutrition information which helps seniors understand what foods make up a healthy diet which helps achieve lifelong health. PERSONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM: is designed to put frail, elderly and disabled individuals in 24 hour contact with personnel who are trained in handling emergencies. The console is easily installed in the patient’s home. The patient wears s remote transmitter that has a help button to use in an emergency. SENIOR CENTERS: LCOA has two senior centers, La Belle Maison, 203 E. 2nd Street in Broussard and La Maison des Amis, 106 St. Charles St. in Carencro. In addition to on-going activity programs these centers serve as community focal points through which participants receive supportive services. SENIOR AIDES: An employment and training program that hires persons 55 years and older who meet an income guideline. They are placed in non-profit and government agencies to obtain on-the-job training with the goal of going into an unsubsidized position. The program serves Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion parish residents. TRANSPORTATION: is provided to the elderly and the handicapped to and from medical facilities, congregate meal sites, grocery, shopping, banks and other personal needs. Medical appointments take precedence over all others. Appointments are generally taken on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended that appointments be scheduled at least 2 days in advance. MATERIAL AID PROGRAM: which provides food baskets, wheelchairs, beds and handicapped bathroom equipment. SENIOR OLYMPICS: Acadiana District Senior Games are open to anyone who is at least 50 years of age by December 31. Entry forms required with proof of age. Contact LCOA for entry forms and more information. PROJECT CARE: provides utility assistance to elderly when funds are available. LCOA also produces the Les Bon Jours newspaper, provides information and referral and is a SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) representative. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE and related dementia programs: Call Barbara Broussard at 262-5990. RESPITE CARE for caregivers (formerly a Faith in Action program).