St. Johns County is a great place for seniors, and one of the reasons is the COA (Council on Aging), which has served the community for a half century.
COA is a private not-for-profit agency. It operates six senior community centers, delivers more than 300 Meals on Wheels each day, provides services and companionship to older residents and maintains a schedule of classes and activities.
Do you enjoy writing, exercise, art, books and movies? Are you seeking resources for caregivers or help in dealing with health challenges or information about wellness? The variety and number of services offered through COA is remarkable, and well worth checking out.
Here’s a look at some of the services COA provides:
Care Connection: This 100% donor-funded and almost completely volunteer-run program helps independent older adults manage the more challenging demands of everyday life. Volunteers can help with monthly budgeting and minor home repairs, provide basic lawn maintenance, install assistive devices such as wheelchair ramps and grab bars, assist with accessing services and benefits and more. For more information, call 904-209-3649.
Community Care-Giving: This free, confidential service for residents of St. Johns County and their families helps to improve the health and wellbeing of caregivers and their loved ones. Among the services offered are educational workshops, caregiver support groups, self-care activities and more. For information, call 904-209-3674 or email caregiving@stjohnscoa.com.
Independent Living Services: Fee-based and subsidized programs facilitate at-home, independent living for adults age 60 and older. Services include care management, assistance with daily household chores, emergency home energy assistance, emergency alert response systems, homemaking and more. For information, call 904-209-3700.
Meals on Wheels: According to Meals on Wheels America, about 10 million seniors are threatened by or experience hunger. The local program provides nutritious meals to homebound elders in St. Johns County and even pet food deliveries to pet owners who receive this service. Call 904-209-3632 for information.
Memory Services: COA offers screening programs, needs assessments, early memory care and more. The Integrative Memory Enhancement Program integrates the mind, body and brain connections to improve cognitive reserve and minimize the progression of memory loss or dementia. For further information on memory care services, call 904-209-3700.
Transportation: The COA offers a variety of transportation services.
For more information on COA and its many services, classes, activities and opportunities, go to coasjc.org.
