Our Services
How we help Lafayette area seniors thrive!
CONGREGATE MEAL PROGRAM
Noon meals are served at four sites throughout Lafayette Parish: Broussard Community Center, Broussard; St. Anne’s Hall, Youngsville; Beau SeJour Estates, Carencro; Acadian Heritage Apartments, Scott. Not only are seniors provided a meal that meets 1/3 of their daily nutritional needs, but provides companionship and fellowship with others their own age. The LCOA has no waiting list for congregate meals. To apply, any person aged 60 years and older may contact the Lafayette Council on Aging, Inc. office (337) 262-5990, or apply and any one of the meals sites listed.
The Home Delivered Meals Program currently delivers 500 meals each day, five days a week, to at-risk senior citizens in Lafayette Parish. There are 120,000 meals delivered to over 850 clients each year.
To be eligible for the home delivered meals program, a person must be 60 years of age or older and have a specific health or physical need. Many clients are referred by hospital social workers. These clients are placed on a floating meals regimen for 30 days to help in their recuperation. Others are assessed by case management and those with the greatest need are placed on the daily meals program. All others are placed on a waiting list until an opening occurs. Drivers ask clients how they feel each day in order to establish their continued health and to help eliminate isolation. To apply; call (337) 262-5990.
NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION
The LCOA provides clients with monthly nutrition, physical fitness and health information to promote better health. Clients informally meet after the noon meal at Congregate Meal Sites. A dietitian or nurse, makes presentations on the importance of balanced meals and exercise. Periodically, dietitians from the LSU-Extension Service provide cooking classes with nutritional education.
CAREGIVERS PROGRAM/PUBLIC EDUCATION
The LCOA has scheduled educational meetings,to be held in the spring and fall of each year. The purpose is to share ideas and information about the importance of giving the caregiver some time away from the person to whom care is being rendered. Brochures have been prepared and are being distributed to potential clients or caregivers, giving them insight into the choices and resources available that will help them in their roles as caregivers.
CASE MANAGEMENT
The needs and problems of the most vulnerable clients are addressed through case management professionals. Case Management is provided to the clients receiving two or more in-home services. These clients are more at-risk for institutionalization and a more comprehensive assessment is needed. Activities include assessing needs, developing care plans, approving services, arranging services, coordinating to provide services among service providers, reassessment and follow up as needed. The LCOA provides current information about available resources and the opportunities and services available. Staff visits clients in their homes, develops a plan of care and links them to opportunities and services that are available.
INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
Anyone placed on a waiting list for services is telephoned annually to see if the need for services still exists. Should the client’s condition worsen, he or she is reassessed and either recommended for services or placed on a current waiting list with a recommendation for services as soon as possible.
HOMEMAKING PROGRAM
The LCOA provides light housekeeping services for one hour to senior citizens who for whatever reason are unable to clean their homes. The purpose of this program is to insure that those who are physically unable to do normal housekeeping chores are able to remain independent. Homemakers do light housekeeping such as: vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, mopping, laundry, clean kitchens and bathrooms, and other duties as time permits. Only rooms which the senior citizen utilizes are cleaned, such as; one bedroom, living room, kitchen and one bath. The homemaker also reports any unusual changes in the client’s general health to the coordinator.
MATERIAL AID
The LCOA provides clients with some Material Aid; such as: Project CARE utility assistance, fans, commodities, food baskets, wheelchairs, bath chairs, potty chairs, walkers and canes. The medical equipment is provided on a loan basis. All medical equipment is for use by disabled senior citizens to aid them in remaining independent.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation services are provided for health care appointments, therapy sessions, dialysis, group trips to restaurants and time permitting personal needs; such as: banking, grocery shopping and other necessities. The vehicles used are 8-10 passenger vans that are wheelchair accessible. Vans used for this service are equipped with 2-way radios for dispatch and emergency communications. Transportation services are furnished Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
OTHER SERVICES
OUTREACH:
Potential clients are made aware of existing services and benefits through Case Management. Contacts are made with older individuals through senior housing complexes, senior centers, local home health agencies, and annual health fairs. Many contacts are made in areas where minority senior would normally congregate. The entire Council staff is alerted to identify potential clients.
RESPITE CARE:
Respite Care Attendants are available for up to four hours a week, in as little as two hour increments, to allow personal time for full time caregivers; in an effort to keep them from becoming overwhelmed by the daily obligations to their loved ones.
SENIOR CENTERS
Acadian Heritage Apartments is a congregate meal site located in Scott. Programs at this center include: computers, social gatherings, bingo, card games, exercise equipment, and periodic health and wellness screenings.
Beau Sejour Estates is a congregate meal site located in Carencro. Programs at this center include: social gatherings, bingo, exercise equipment, and periodic health and wellness screenings, and flu shots.
Belle Rose Gardens Apartments is the home of the Carencro Senior Center. Programs at this center include:, art classes, arts and crafts, Pokeno, computers, social gatherings, bingo, card games, WII games, exercise equipment, exercise classes, and periodic health and wellness screenings.
Broussard Community Center houses our Senior Center in Broussard which serves as a congregate meal site where seniors can enhance their individual abilities and maintain their vigor by participation in educational, recreational and physical activities.
The Lafayette City-Parish Government has two senior centers in Lafayette: Rose House and Green House.