It was another dark, dreary February morning when Mary awoke. She wondered why she bothered to get out of bed. After her stroke, she had physical therapy and was grateful for enough improvement to live by herself.
She thought about the beach house her and her husband, Jim, lived in and remembered the good times they had beach combing and fishing. Jim had passed away several years ago, but Mary continued to live at the beach. It was home and she had many good memories. However, after the stroke, the children insisted she move into town in an apartment. Now, each day was no different from the next. Most mornings she didn’t bother to dress.
As the morning dragged on, she thought about preparing a meal, although she didn’t feel hungry. It wasn’t any fun to eat by yourself. From her window she could see Manuel and Juanita’s door across the courtyard. She thought about how difficult Juanita’s job was taking care of Manuel since he developed Alzheimer’s. They didn’t have any family and Juanita was confined inside her apartment because she could not leave Manuel.
Just as she looked out the window, she noticed a car pulling up to the sidewalk. On the door a sign read “Meals on Wheels”. The lady driving the car took something to the door and knocked. Juanita came to the door and they stood visiting for a while. After lunch Mary called Juanita, just as she did most days, to chat and see how they were doing. She mentioned seeing the car earlier and Juanita explained the senior center was delivering lunch to them five days a week since they were home-bound. Juanita said they were also helping her cope with all of the paper work she had to fill out. They had even bought a prescription medicine for Manuel when their money ran out before the Social Security check arrived. She told Mary she should call the center and ask for their van to pick her up for lunch at the center some day.
That night Mary thought about how nice it would be to have lunch with someone – anyone. She thought to herself, “In the morning I’m going to call.”
The next morning around nine she looked up the number of the senior center and called to inquire about transportation. Leslie answered the phone. She seemed so happy to hear from a new person interested in the service they provided. She explained the van would take Mary wherever she needed to go – shopping, doctor’s appointments, hair dresser, banking – whatever. They would take her where she needed to go and pick her up and return her home.
Leslie insisted on sending the van this very morning to bring Mary to the center for lunch. They would be playing bingo in the morning and after lunch cards and dominoes. Mary thought, “Why not! I will just sit here all day by myself and look at these four walls.” So she agreed and hung up the phone. Now she thought, “I have a reason to wear that new outfit the kids gave me for Christmas.” She dressed and waited by the window until she saw the van pull up. The lady driving the van introduced herself as Maria Pena. She helped Mary into the van and explained she needed to pick up Mr. Lopez.
When they arrived at Mr. Lopez’s home, his daughter pushed him out in a wheelchair. Mary wondered how he would get into the van, but then Maria lowered a ramp and his daughter pushed his wheelchair onto the ramp. Maria raised the ramp with Mr. Lopez and away they went to the center.
When Mary entered the center she could hear others laughing and talking. They were getting ready for bingo. Mary won a prize the first game. What a surprise! Others moaned, but then the next game started. Soon, lunch was being served and she thought, “How nice it is to have lunch with someone again.” Just then she noticed an old friend she had not seen in years. Irene had taught her children in school and they became friends when Mary would volunteer to help out in the classroom. Just as she looked at Irene, Irene recognized her. Irene came over, put her arm around Mary’s shoulder and told her how happy she was to see her. She said, “How about playing a game of cards after lunch? Phil and Robert want to play and we need one more.” Mary thought, “My, I haven’t played cards in so long, but maybe it will come back to me.” She said, “Sure, if you think I can keep up with you.”
After playing cards until nearly four, the van was ready to take Mary home. As she went by the counter she told Leslie to be sure and send the van for her the next day. They had a hot card game going. Phil and Robert had beaten them today, but tomorrow was going to be another story. She and Irene would see to that.
That night Mary smiled as she thought back on her day. “Maybe there is something to get up for in the morning!”*
The 2010 census information shows Calhoun County with a population of 15.1% persons over 65 years of age. The average for the state is 10.3%. Also, the 2010 census shows Calhoun County with a population of 16% below poverty. Calhoun County has more than its share of elderly and poor people. Calhoun County Senior Citizens Association, Inc. (CCSCA) has an active client list of 782 duplicated clients. CCSCA is providing necessary services to keep clients in their own homes for as long as possible.
The Calhoun County Senior Citizens Association, Inc. (CCSCA), a 501 (C) 3 organization, operates a multipurpose community center providing hot meals five days a week at the Center in Port Lavaca and one day a week at two satellite centers. About 46,000 meals a year are served. Out of these, 24,000 home delivered meals are provided for approximately 100 clients Monday through Friday through-out the county, who are medically assessed as unable to prepare a well-balanced diet for themselves. Sometimes this is the only contact these people have all day. CCSCA depends on volunteers for delivery of these meals.
*Characters are fictitious, but representative of real situations in our community.
Already, more than 7 million Americans over 65 – one in five – are non-drivers, according to the U. S. Department of Transportation. What happens when people can no longer drive? The problem is growing quickly and will continue to grow as the oldest of today’s baby boomers continue to age. Most people can expect to live for many years after they’ve quit driving. Once they give up driving, many elderly rely on family and friends to drive them. But family members may not live nearby, or may find it a strain to provide transportation in the middle of a work-day. In rural areas, such as Calhoun County, far from public transportation, the CCSCA is providing transportation for elderly clients.
CCSCA operates three vans with lifts and two mini vans, through-out the county for transporting clients to the Center for lunch, doctor’s appointments, shopping, banking, dialysis treatments, and for delivering meals. A small donation is suggested. The Center is reimbursed for Medicaid clients, so there is no charge for them. This transportation is available to everyone in Calhoun County, but senior citizens have priority.
In 2010/11 the transit service provided 16,556 client trips and traveled 69,455 miles. Many clients, especially Medicaid clients, are transported to Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Galveston, Victoria and Corpus Christi for treatment. There is no other affordable public transportation available with the exception of a ship shuttle (which is costly) from the port. Most clients could not afford the long trips to medical facilities out of the county without the service provided by Calhoun County Senior Citizens Assoc., Inc.
CCSCA coordinates with the Calhoun County Emergency Management and others in the county to provide transportation for citizens needing to evacuate from hurricanes, industry accidents, etc.
Information and assistance is provided to clients in finding available sources for their needs. Also, clients are assisted with application forms, counseling, advocacy, check writing and other needs. Detailed assistance is provided in preparing income tax forms for the elderly in a program by AARP and IRS.
CCSCA operates a resale shop with three employees and a number of volunteers. The merchandise for the shop is supplied by donations from the community. The resale shop serves a great need in the county by providing low income families with affordable clothing, furniture, etc. Also, the resale shop provides a place for citizens to donate items no longer needed and provides funds for the operations at the Center. The resale shop assists a number of other agencies in the county with needed items.
CCSCA has a 21 member Board of Directors who meet monthly to maintain the efficient operation of the organization. Special meetings are called when needed. All members of the board serve without compensation. Funding for CCSCA is provided by Federal and State governments through the Older American Act. CCSCA receives local support from Calhoun County, City of Port Lavaca, City of Point Comfort, and City of Seadrift, United Way, fund-raisers, grants and many other donations from the local community. Other funds come from the operation of the resale shop by CCSCA.
CCSCA welcomes all citizens 60 years of age or older and their spouses (regardless of age) to partake of the services provided at the Center and the two satellites, one in Port O’Connor and one in Point Comfort. The satellites sites meet on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. and play bingo afterward.
The senior citizens center (The Heritage Center) is located at 2104 W. Austin in Port Lavaca. It is open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, please call 552-3350.
Persons needing transportation should call 24 hours in advance.
