The St. Martin Parish Council on Aging (COA) is a non-profit organization operating a number of services which are meant to allow the elderly of St. Martin parish grow old comfortably and gracefully in their homes. Services provided by the COA include: ADVOCACY to secure needed services and benefits which may assist the older individual. CONGREGATE MEALS which provides nutritional balanced meals, five days a week to individuals 60+ in a congregate setting. HOME DELIVERED MEALS, commonly called Meals on Wheels, which provides a daily nutritional balanced meal delivered five days a week to individuals who are home-bound.
HOMEMAKER services which include light house keeping. INFORMATION and ASSISTANCE which provides information to meet the individual needs, through advice, counseling, referral and follow-up. LEGAL which assists the individuals in the accessibility of legal representation. MATERIAL AID which offers emergency utility assistance. MEDICAID ENROLLMENT CENTER where individuals can apply for Medicaid on Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment. NUTRITION EDUCATION which provides education to individuals 60+ and can acquire knowledge and information regarding nutritional balanced meals and health related issues. OMBUDSMAN – NURSING HOME provides volunteers trained to resolve problems and concerns of the residents, family, friends and staff for the quality care or residents in the nursing home. OUTREACH identifies isolated and hard to reach individuals, to assist them in gaining access to needed services. PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS which assists those 65+ under the Medicaid waiver program with bathing, dressing, feeding, grooming, shopping, laundry, and acquisition of certain independent living skills. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION transporting clients of all ages within St. Martin Parish and in the City of Lafayette and New Iberia to medical facilities, shopping, food stamp office, etc. for a small fee. Children under the age of 12 require an escort. RECREATION encourages senior citizens to use their free time through social activities, arts, dancing, travel, games and sports. RESPITE CARE provides temporary relief to a caregiver from continuous care of an individual with developmental disabilities or services for frail elderly. SENIOR CENTER PROGRAM seeks to create an atmosphere that acknowledges the value of human life. SENIOR EMPLOYMENT trains persons 55+ who qualify for placement in jobs within the community.
SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM (SHIIP) which helps seniors evaluate supplemental health insurance in order to make an informed decision. VISITATION:staff visit clients who are lonely or isolated in order to provide comfort, support and/or help. WELLNESS: promotes wellness through exercise and health screening, such as blood pressure checks, flu shots and eye screenings.