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Washington-Morgan Community Action encourages residents to vote for the Washington County Senior Services Levy on November 8, 2016. The levy is administered by the Washington County Commissioners and supports many services for seniors that allow them to remain healthy and independent. Services include nutritious meals, assistance with household chores, transportation to medical appointments or facilities, adult daycare, and prescription medication. Services also promote senior social interaction and community service. Without the Senior Services Levy, many of these services could not be offered. The Senior Nutrition Program offers hot, nutritious lunches to seniors over age 60 at congregate dining sites located in Beverly, New Matamoras, Layman, and Marietta. In addition to improving the health of seniors, the dining sites also provide social interaction and companionship. Also, the Meals on Wheels program offers home-delivered meals to home-bound seniors over age 60. This program allows seniors to remain independent as long as possible, and ensures that someone will check on them each day. For Shirley Wanzo of Marietta, the Meals on Wheels program allows her and her husband to remain living at their home. "It means everything to us…having a meal brought in, not having to stand on my legs, just having a hot meal prepared, and knowing that you're always faithful and are always here," she said. In the last five years, the Senior Nutrition Program has provided 204,370 home-delivered meals and 69,251 meals at senior dining sites. Many seniors also need help with basic household chores such as shopping, cleaning, laundry and meal preparation. With the help of the Senior Services Levy, Washington-Morgan Community Action and the O'Neill Center have been able to offer 37,743 hours of in-home help for seniors. The O'Neill Center offers transportation to hospitals or medical facilities for seniors who require medical care but have no way to get there, totaling 61,549 trips to and from medical facilities. The O'Neill Center Adult Daycare provides seniors with professional daycare, a nursing staff, activities, games, crafts, and fellowship. Adult Daycare also allows care givers a break and peace of mind so that they can have time to attend to their other needs. The O'Neill Center has provided 32,014 hours of adult daycare in the last 5 years. Many seniors also need assistance purchasing prescription medication. Without assistance, they might not receive the medication they need or take their medication as prescribed due to the cost. The O'Neill Center has provided seniors with a $771,162 value of free medication in the last 5 years. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program provides seniors with an opportunity to remain involved in the community, allowing them to use their life experiences to make a difference in the lives of others by matching them with organizations where they can volunteer. RSVP has helped seniors to complete 186,016 hours of community service. The Senior Services Levy also provides funds to assist with Community Senior Centers which help improve the health and wellness of seniors as well as combating isolation and loneliness. The Senior Services Levy, which voters renewed in 2011, is set to expire at the end of 2016 unless voters renew it. The Levy is 0.85 mills; the millage does not increase, and for a homeowner with a house valued at $100,000, the levy costs $23.95 a year, or just 46 cents a week. For less than a cup of coffee or a pack of gum, the Levy can help provide essential services to seniors. This November, please help our elderly neighbors, friends, and loved ones by voting "for" the Senior Services Levy. |
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Washington-Morgan Community Action Washington and Morgan Counties, Ohio |
218 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750 (740) 373-374550 W. Third Street, PO Box 398, Malta, OH 43758 (740) 962-3827 |