Submitted by Maria Reed, Administrator
If you were able to join us for lunch in November you saw all the beautiful fall colors filling the dining room. We had lots of good meals and lots of patrons through the month. We are especially thankful for all who enter these doors. Our Thanksgiving meal was a big hit. We served 114 between dine-in, carry-out, and home delivery. I do believe that is a record in recent years. It was wonderful watching everyone gather and I am particularly grateful for all the kind words and encouragement I have been receiving from all over Atchison County.
The center has been decked out for Christmas and we are gearing up for our Christmas holiday meal. We welcome all to come join us on December 18. Between now and then, every time you come in to dine you receive a chance to win a “12 Days of Christmas” present or the beautiful quilt. On December 18 at noon, we will draw for the quilt, the 12th present, and a special drawing for a set of 12 home-crafted wooden ornaments made by Myrna Brooks, the theme being “The 12 Days of Christmas.” We will be closed Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, for Christmas.
The Older Americans Act of 1965 has passed new federal guidelines called “The Final Rule.” Many changes will be coming with these guidelines. I would like to let all of our clients and the public know that I will be more than happy to sit and discuss with each of you individually any questions or concerns you may have. The newest implemented change is how we log our carry-out clients. Those changes took place December 2 and I have discussed the new process with all carry-out clients that have come in this week.
Under the final rule, we are now required to do conflict of interest screenings and family care safety registration, and background checks on all staff, board members, and volunteers. With that comes some unexpected costs that will not be reimbursed by the state. Those costs will be coming directly out of the center’s pocket. The registration fee is a one-time fee of $15 per individual. We are currently unaware of the cost of background checks. We have approximately 12-15 volunteers. Anyone who wishes to donate toward these expenses is encouraged. If you are a volunteer and have the time to come in and see Maria to get registered and fill out conflict of interest screening, please do so.
As always, we appreciate all of our volunteers and those who donate to the center. We are always looking for volunteers to help deliver to our homebound clients.
Young at Heart Resources, our Area Agency on Aging, is in need of board members and advisory council members. Board members would meet once a month in Cameron, Missouri. The advisory council meets once per quarter. Candidates must be 60 years of age or older and able to travel to Cameron for meetings.
Board candidates may not be current board members to any senior center in the Area Agency’s service area.
Advisory council candidates can be any member of the community, especially members who utilize the services provided.
If interested, call Young at Heart Resources at 660-240-9400 and they will put you in contact with their board of directors.
It is important for members of our communities to be actively involved with our Area Agency so that we may all be informed.
