Category: News

Meet Marianne McClure, our volunteer manager. She manages the fantastic volunteers who give their time to support much-needed services for seniors in our community. Without volunteers, we couldn’t begin to meet the needs of our senior neighbors. Marianne is passionate that our aging population, especially those living alone, deserve a support system that helps them manage…

Research shows that many seniors are affected by social isolation – the absence of meaningful social relationships. Studies found that older adults who describe themselves as lonely face a 59% greater risk of functional decline and a 45% greater risk of death.

Meet our March volunteer of the month for the Council on Aging (CoA), Sally is our SHIBA Medicare Counselor extraordinaire! Recently, we sat down with Sally to find out why she chose to volunteer for the CoA. Why did you decide to volunteer for the Council on Aging (CoA)? Before I retired, I read about…

This year, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program, which partially funds public-private organizations like Meals on Wheels. The government relies on agencies across the country to make these programs work. The Council of Aging of Central Oregon (CoA) and our local partners have managed the Meals on…

An excerpt from an interview of Caring Connection participants by Geoff Norcross, host of Think Out Loud on OPB. This episode aired Friday, June 25th.  Norcross: Emily, can you talk first about the problem? Emily Freeman, Council on Aging Outreach Manager: A poll released last month by the University of Michigan revealed that twice as many…

The City Club of Central Oregon recently brought together a panel of experts to address this important topic: Envision Better Aging: How Can Central Oregon Adapt to the Needs of an Aging Population? That’s a complicated question, and there’s no single answer. The aging population in the world and Central Oregon is rising rapidly. How…

A choice of dwellings and the ability to retain independent living are priorities as we age. Affordable housing ranks high on the list. A case study from the U.K. indicated that 76% of the homes were owner-occupied, reaffirming that most retirees would rather live in their own homes than move to a retirement community. This…

The National Volunteer Week theme for 2021, The Value of One, The Power of Many, reflects on the awe-inspiring acts of kindness by millions of individuals.  It’s an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the…

We have great news! Starting today, Central Oregon residents who are 75 and older are eligible to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. You can schedule your appointment now, online or by phone.  There is no out-of-pocket cost to attend this clinic. The vaccine is available by appointment only. …

After a lifetime of hard work, often for reasons beyond their control, many older adults in Central Oregon are forced to choose between healthcare and hunger.  Many are struggling with food insecurity for various reasons, including limited finances and resources, the cost of healthy foods, competing priorities such as medication, functional limitations, and stress. Some…