“We want to bring more services to the seniors,” she said in a recent interview. “Lots of them just get lost in the system.”

That’s what director Nancy McBeth said recently. She oversees all of the Washington Parish Council on Aging’s activities and senior center sites. A bundle of energy, McBeth strives to make the parish senior centers and each of its services top notch. She is constantly trying to find ways to add services or improve those already offered.

A non-profit corporation, the Washington Parish Council on Aging has a mission to promote the welfare and personal independence of those Washington Parish residents who are 60 years old and over. In addition to their social service agenda that features recreation, meals served either on-site at the four area senior centers or home delivered, they also provide coordination and planning with other agencies and act as an advocate for seniors.

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Currently, there are two senior centers in the parish and two additional nutrition sites. The Bogalusa Senior Center is located at 603 Willis Ave., near Cassidy Park, and their phone number is 732-6869. The Franklinton Senior Center is at 1025 Dobson St., 839-4535. These senior center sites provide activities and meals each day.

A nutrition center is located in Pine at Pine High School on Highway 62. Call them at 848-2265. The Angie nutrition center is at 30276 Houston St., 986-4333. The nutrition sites provide one nutritionally balanced meal a day on site.

Most everyone knows the senior centers are there, but few are aware of all the services and activities they provide.

First, just what constitutes a senior citizen when it comes to services offered? According to McBeth, anyone 60 years or older who resides in Washington Parish is eligible to receive services and there are several programs that give low-income individuals preference. Some require proof of income.

McBeth pointed out that most services are at no charge to seniors, but they do have the opportunity, although not the obligation, to make a contribution for the services they receive. Several services offered carry a suggested donation, including transportation and on-site meals.

Transportation is one area that is not as well publicized as the COA would like.

“Our transportation is for all ages,” noted McBeth. They have received grants to provide public transportation in the parish, she said.

“We’re fortunate that we can serve the public as well as seniors,” said McBeth.

Transportation services have been offered since 1983, she continued. “We operate 12 vehicles and 80 percent are handicapped accessible. We do not discriminate on any basis,” she pointed out.

“Any resident of the parish is eligible to ride. We can accommodate two wheelchair clients at one time,” she said.

In case anyone wonders, the vans are equipped with seat belts for those in wheelchairs, which includes a lap belt and a shoulder belt that is attached at both the ceiling and the floor of the van.

“We offer the only transportation in the parish for wheelchair-bound people,” said McBeth proudly.

To take advantage of this service, one must call two days in advance of the pick-up time required. The service is offered from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and covers the entire parish on a first-come, first-served basis. To make an appointment, call 732-6868. McBeth encouraged anyone wishing to book transportation to call as early as possible, especially if it is not going to be local.

Fares for individuals under 60 are $4 each way for inter-city trips and $6 each way for outside city limits trips. Senior citizens pay only a donation.

One of the best programs they offer, said McBeth, is the low-income program where folks unemployed or even under-employed can get free transportation for up to six months. The program is called Job Access and it’s to be used for getting to and from a job.

“The theory is,” she said, “that lack of dependable transportation is a big reason why low-income people can’t hold a job. The Job Access program was started to take away that barrier. The cases are reviewed every six months.”

There’s also a frequent rider discount offering 20 trips for a flat fee of $44.

The big news, though, is what McBeth calls a fixed route system, which is in the works by the state, with federal funding through the Department of Transportation. That would allow them to travel outside of Washington Parish, to places in adjoining parishes.

Another huge part of the Council on Aging is the meals they serve, both on-site at the centers or via the home-based delivery services. Since 2007, when a property tax increase brought them additional funding, they have been able to go from delivering 120 home-delivered meals per day to 242. They have increased home services from 17 a day to 90, and they were able to reopen the nutrition site in Angie, which had been closed since 2001.

Activities at the centers range from bingo to playing cards to putting puzzles together or just hanging out and visiting. But one of the newest activities has turned out to be the one of the most popular with seniors. Computer classes are offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Classes are limited to five people each one-hour class, and they are broken down into classes for those with little or no experience to those with some knowledge all the way up to advanced. Bruce Kilbourne is the instructor and he takes the time to explain everything so that each student is able to become more computer literate. The fee is a $10 donation.

“We’re using old computers,” said Kilbourne, “old and worn out.” Consequently, according to Kilbourne, there are many things that they just can’t do.

“If we were were able to get some new equipment…” he said longingly. You can be sure McBeth is working on that.

If all these services weren’t enough, the COA offer additional services, such as home repairs, wellness services, like health fairs, and caregiver support, including personal care and respite care, for individuals caring for a relative or loved one.

Partnered with LSU Bogalusa Medical Center, the centers will offer flu shots in October to anyone with a Medicare card.

McBeth is driven to provide everything she can to the seniors of Washington Parish.

“Outside of dealing with government bureaucracy and managing 50 people, I probably have the best job in the world,” she said with a laugh. “They (seniors) are so appreciative of everything you do and you learn something from them every day. It’s a great job.”

And it’s a great service to the seniors of Washington Parish. Give them a call — they’re waiting to hear from you.