<div class="Content"><p class="indent">JENNINGS — The Jeff Davis Parish Council on Aging is opening its door to allow the public to learn more about the services and programs the agency provides to senior citizens.</p><p class="indent">The Council on Aging will host an open house 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 23, 210 South State St. There will be tours of the facility and transportation vehicles, guest speakers and refreshments.</p><p class="indent">“We just want to let people know what we do here and have a look at the facility,” Executive Director Helen Langley said. “We also want to let them know what we can do for them and their loved ones.”</p><p class="indent">Although the Council on Aging has been open since 1963, Langley said many residents are still unfamiliar with the services and programs the agency provides to local senior citizens 60 and older. Donations are accepted for most services and programs not covered by insurance or Medicaid/Medicare.</p><p class="indent">“I think the Council on Aging is one of the best-kept secrets in Jeff Davis Parish,” Activities Director Kim Benoit said. “A lot of people think they are not old enough to come or that services are provided to them based on income.”</p><p class="indent">The agency provides an outreach to identify potential clients and encourage their use of existing services and benefits. Among its services, the agency provides nutrition education, home-delivered meals, congregate meals in Jennings and Welsh, housekeeping services, wellness programs, legal assistance, utilities assistance, transportation, relieve care for caregivers and more. “Our transportation is probably our most popular and most-needed,” Langley said.</p><p class="indent">The agency started with two vans and will soon have 13 in its fleet. Senior citizens can request public transit services within a 50-mile radius to doctor appointments, medical treatments, grocery shopping, to pay bills and other necessary services. The services are provided for a donation with some costs covered by Medicaid if available.</p><p class="indent">The sitter service/respite care provides a much-needed service to relive caregivers. The service provides up to 96 hours per year of respite care to relieve caregivers for at least four hours a day.</p><p class="indent">“This program allows caregivers time to get away to get a haircut, grocery shop or pay bills,” she said.</p><p class="indent">The agency also provides assistance to persons with the inability to perform household duties. Homemakers are allowed to stay an average of 45 minutes per household to mop and sweep floors, change and make beds and grocery shop for a $2 donation.</p><p class="indent">Activities are also designed to provide wellness programs to support and improve seniors’ mental health and physical well-being. Exercise and health screenings are offered 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7-11 a.m. on Friday. Donations, including equipment, is needed to keep the program going, Benoit said.</p><p class="indent">The program includes zumba, aerobics, tai chi and line dancing classes.</p><p class="indent">Education programs are also held throughout the year on topics including Medicare changes, insurance supplements, holiday depression, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, hospice care and more.</p><p class="indent">Social gatherings, including a Fall Fest Gumbo and Christmas party, are also held throughout the year.</p><hr /><p class="indent"><em>For more information, contact the Council on Aging at 824-5504, or visit them at 210 South State St., Jennings.</em></p></div><div class="Lead"> </div>Open House