The Area Agency on Aging is the pass through agency through which federal, state and local funds provide resources or referral for older persons, age 60 and older, in the designated planning service area of Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner counties. Funds are distributed under the Older American Act of 1965.
The EODD Area Agency is the pass through agency for contracted projects: Caregiver Program, Legal Aid of Oklahoma, Project H.E.A.R.T., SAC Nutrition, SAC Outreach, and Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative. Other grants provide services for Community expansion of Nutritional Assistance, Masonic foundation for Seniors, and Farmers Market vouchers.
With the increase of Baby Boomers, the need for volunteers and donations to all the Area on Aging programs are encouraged. Please contact Sharon Elder, AAA Director, (918) 682-7891 or (910) 913-9583, selder@eoddok.org or Stacy Turner (918) 682-7891 or (918) 913-9584, sturnter@eoddok.org for more information.
Services provided through EODD Area Agency on Aging office are:
Information & Assistance
Information & Assistance that provides referrals to numerous services through the ADRC referral program along with the local resource directory, which is provided to seniors free. Linkage and referrals with the assistance of the SAC Outreach program helps in providing for individuals’ needs. Contact Karen Sedberry at (918) 682-7891 or (918) 913-9580.
Long Term Care Ombudsman
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program enables ombudsman supervisors to monitor and advocate for quality of care and quality of life for seniors living in long-term care nursing homes, residential care and assisted living facilities. Ombudsman supervisors and ombudsman volunteers attempt to resolve complaints from residents, family and friends by exploring problems and recommending corrective action. The goal is to empower the resident to stand up for their rights and their dignity. Volunteers are trained and certified to spend two hours per week in their assigned facility. Contact Scott Harding (918) 913-9582, sharding@eoddok.org or Tim Nicholson (918) 913-9587, tnicholson@eoddok.org, regarding services and becoming a volunteer.
Till Case Management
Till Case Management goes into the seniors environment and assesses the needs and recommends to the senior and the family any services that might be available to the senior to allow them to remain in the home and as safely as possible. Often times, these are the more complicated situations that need more guidance to allow the senior to stay independent. Please call and ask for Tonya Williams at (918) 913-9588, twilliams @eoddok.org.
ADvantage Case Management
ADvantage Case Management services are provided the Oklahoma Health Care Authority of Tulsa. Services might include assistance with purchasing medications, personal care, nursing service, and homemaker chore if Medicaid eligible. Please call (918) 933-4900 for application and request EODD ADvantage Case Management for your case management services.
Nutrition and Supportive Services
Nutrition and Supportive Services Nutritious hot meals are served five days per week at all 30 Title III Senior Nutrition Centers. The meals provide 1/3 of Recommended Daily Allowance of nutrients for older persons are served at the congregate centers or are Home Delivered to homebound individuals only. Activities and health screenings are available at each center. Transportation through the local bus systems and/or vans for older seniors is available to nutrition centers where available. For information in Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner counties call SAC Nutrition (918) 775-0778. For Okmulgee County call Project H.E.A.R.T. (405) 214-1972. A list of the nutrition center is available on _____.
Outreach Program
Outreach Program services are available in Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner counties by calling SAC Outreach at (918) 775-7708. A trained outreach worker can come to the senior and assess their needs and help with referrals and follow-up for those needs. Outreach is also available to educate the community in the issues of the growing senior population and what services are available to the senior, families and the community.
Caregiver Program
Caregiver Program identifies as a person taking care of someone who is 60 years and older who needs assistance because of a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia or needs assistance with at least (2) Activities of Daily Living such as bathing, dressing, eating, walking, toileting, and transferring. Often times, this is a spouse, adult child, grandchild, neighbor, or others that do not identify themselves as a Caregiver. An additional component of the program is Seniors Raising Children. These are seniors (55 years and older) who are the primary caregiver of a relative child under the age of 18 and have the legal relationship to the child in their home.
Services available are:
1. Respite — A temporary break for the caregiver by hiring a substitute caregiver.
2. Access Assistance — A service that provides access to the services and resources that are available within their community.
3. Information Services — Provides education, information to the public and individuals within the communities.
4. Support Groups — Provides counseling to caregivers and seniors raising children to assist them in making decisions and solving problems related to their caregiver roles.
5. Supplemental Services is a service provided on a limited basis to complement the care provided by the caregivers.
Contact Caregiver Director Stacy Williamson (918) 682-7891 or (918) 913-9585, swilliamson@eoddok.org
Legal Aid of Oklahoma
Legal Aid of Oklahoma provides legal advice, counseling and representation by an attorney or other person acting under the supervision of an attorney. Assistance is provided to seniors for advanced directives, powers of attorneys, wills, limited guardianship, debt, Social Security Disability, consumer financial issues, estate planning, Grandparent issues to name a few. Contact (855) 488-6814, OKSPLASH@laok.org for further assistance.
Health Promotion
Health Promotion is education and training to the senior population in healthy living and health prevention. Training is evidence-based courses in “Eat Better, Move More,” “Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program”, “Chronic Disease Self-Management”, and “Resource for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health II (REACH II) to name a few are available in Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner counties for community senior to participate. For more information or to set up training, please contact OHAI (918) 779-7367.
Community Expansion of Nutritional Assistance (CENA) is a program funded through the Department of Commerce (ODOC) for D-EODD and the Area Agency on Aging to provide funding for the general improvement of nutritional conditions at eligible independent senior centers that will assist with increasing meals served and expanding other needed services for senior residents of the state. Applications may be requested after July 1, from EODD AAA (918) 682-7891.
Masonic Foundation for Senior
Masonic Foundation for Seniors (MASON) is a program funded through the Masonic Foundation for the benefit of seniors 60 years and older, low income, and unmet needs such as minor home repair, eyeglasses, dental work, wheelchair ramps, but not limited to other needs determined by the EODD Area Agency on Aging senior committee. Applications may be requested after January 1, annually, and until funds are depleted. Please call (918) 682-7891
Oklahoma Senior Farmers’ Market Program
Oklahoma Senior Farmers’ Market Program is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. In accordance with federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Seniors 60 and older with low-income sign up for the voucher card that can be presented at participating farmers markets throughout Oklahoma to purchase fresh produce. Markets are only open between May and September.