May is Older Americans Month With Celebrations Across the Commonwealth 

(Editors: This is the first in a series of releases about Older Americans that will be sent during May. Today’s features the Older Americans Month Proclamation and planned activities throughout Kentucky.)

            Frankfort, KY (May 5, 2004) – People around Kentucky will be wearing gold ribbons and participating in special events this month in observation of Older Americans Month.  Gov. Ernie Fletcher has proclaimed May as Older Americans Month to honor the more than 693,000 Kentuckians who are 60 years old and older.

            Older Americans Month is an annual national observance.  The 2004 theme, Aging Well, Living Well, acknowledges the promise and the challenges posed by our rapidly increasing multi-cultural and multi-generational aging population.

 “It is important to salute the contributions of older Kentuckians while renewing our commitment to improve the quality of life of Kentucky’s elderly citizens,” stated Gov. Fletcher in the proclamation.

 “There are a variety of services and activities available for older Kentuckians,” said Jerry Whitley, executive director, Office of Aging Services in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.  Aging Services provides assistance for older Kentuckians through contracts with area agencies on aging in the area development districts.

Here are some sources of help for older people:

·         Senior citizens centers provide a place where people can meet with their friends, enjoy a nutritious meal and participate in programs including health screenings;

·         Adult day-care centers offer special care for people who are frail;

·         Alzheimer’s day-care programs help people with dementia;

·         The Kentucky Homecare Program assists people 60 and older at risk of going to a nursing home;

·         The Senior Community Service Employment Program serves people 55 years and older who have incomes below 125 per cent of the poverty level - $11,075;

·         The Kentucky Benefits Counseling Program answers questions about Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance and other public benefits;

·         The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program offers assistance to nursing home residents;

·         Personal Care Attendant Program helps severely physically disabled adults who are at risk of institutional care to live in their own homes; and

·         Kentucky Family Caregiver Program serves family caregivers who provide care to people over 60 years of age, or children up to 18.  

Following is a list of area aging agencies in Kentucky, the county served, agency planners, scheduled events of Older Americans Month and contacts:

Purchase AAA, Mayfield, serving Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall and McCracken; Vicki Williams, (270) 251-6114 or 1-800-866-4213. Purchase Area Senior Games, sponsored by Purchase Area Senior Games, Inc., May 24-28, 2004, all week, Mayfield and Paducah.  Contact: Crystal Williams, (270) 247-7171; Mother’s Day Tea, sponsored by Mayfield-Graves Senior Center, May 7, 2004, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Mayfield-Graves Senior Center.  Contact:  Pam Dowdy, (270) 247-2566 

Pennyrile AAA, Hopkinsville, serving Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg; Jill Collins , (270) 886-9484 or 1-800-928-7233. 

Green River AAA, Owensboro, serving Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union and Webster; Bill Cooper, (270) 926-4433 or 1-800-928-9094.  

Barren River AAA, Bowling Green, serving Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalf, Monroe, Simpson and Warren; Debbie McCarty, (270) 781-2381 or 1-800-598-2381. Senior Fun Day, sponsored by Glasgow Senior Center & Housing Authority of Glasgow, May 14, 2004, 10:00 – 1:00 pm, Glasgow Senior Center.  Contact Debra McKinney, (270) 651-6288; Senior Health and Fitness, sponsored by Hart County Senior Center, May 26, 2004, Time Unknown, Beaver Creek Park.  Contact Peggy Howell, (270) 524-1019.

Lincoln Trail AAA, Elizabethtown, serving Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington.  Nancy Addington, (270) 769-2393 or 1-800-264-0393.  Senior Celebration, sponsored by Lincoln Trail Service Providers Group, May 20, 2004, 9:00 – 2:30 pm, Pritchard Community Center.  Contact Nancy Addington, (270) 769-2393; and Essentials Of Late Dementia Care:  Providing Dignity and Comfort, sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association (Greater KY and Southern Indian Chapter), May 24, 2004, 8:30- 4:00 pm, Hardin County Industries, Elizabethtown.  Contact Gretchen Houching, (800) 272-3900. 

Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency, Louisville, serving Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble; Barbara Gordon, (502) 266-6084. Garden Party, sponsored by Fern Creek AARP & FCHUM ADC, May 13, 2004, 1:30 –2:30 pm, FCHUM Adult Day Center, 7502 Tangelo Dr., Louisville.  Contact Ron Loughry (502) 239-7431.  TCCAA Fashion Show, sponsored by Bons Worth, May 14, 2004, 12:30 pm., Trimble County Senior Center.  Contact Shirley Young (502) 255-7514 or Betty Chilton (502) 845-4464.

Northern Kentucky AAA, Florence, serving Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton, Carol Marek, (859) 283-1885.  

Buffalo Trace AAA, Maysville, serving Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason and Robertson; Caroline Ullery, (606) 564-6894 or 1-800-998-4347.  Senior Prom and Dance Series, sponsored by Maysville Community and Technical College, May 27, 2004, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, Technical Bldg Lobby.  Contact: Caroline Ullery (606) 564-6894 or Teresa Plymesser, (606) 845-1411; and Local History/Tour with John Klee, Trolley Ride Tour of Old Washington and Historic Downtown Maysville, May 4, 2004, 10:00 – 11:30 am, MCC, Technical Bldg., Contact Gwyn Gallenstein (606) 564-7141 Ext 3120.  Fee of $2.00

Gateway AAA, Owingsville, serving Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan and Rowan; Charles Jones, (606) 674-6355.  Volunteers Appreciation Luncheon, May 6, 2004, 10:00 am, Carl D. Perkins Center, Morehead; Senior Prom Wellness Program, May 14, 2004, 4:00 pm. Carl D. Perkins Center, Morehead.  Contact Charles Jones for more information at (606) 674-6355. 

FIVCO AAA, Catlettsburg, serving Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup and Lawrence; Karen Rice-Sizemore, (606) 739-5191 or 1-800-499-5191.   Senior Prom, May 14, 2004, 7:00 – 10:00 pm, Elks Lodge, Ashland.  Sponsored by Fivco Service Agency.  Contact Karen Rice-Sizemore at (606) 739-5191.  Cost is $5.00 in advance, $6.00 at the door. 

Big Sandy AAA, Prestonsburg, serving Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike; Donna Frazier (606) 886-2375 or 1-800-737-2723.  Pot Luck Dinner and Hat Contest, sponsored by Magoffin County Senior Citizens Center, May 5, 2004, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, Contact: Marlene Howard (606) 349-5152; Adopt a Friend Tea Party, sponsored by Wheelwright Senior Citizens Center, May 14, 2004, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Wheelwright Senior Citizens Center, Wheelwright.  Contact: Lois Curry (606) 452-2179. 

Kentucky River AAA, Hazard, serving Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe; Peggy Roll, (606) 436-3158 or 1-800-928-5723.   Intergenerational Prom, April 28, 2004, 9:00 am –1:00 pm; Kentucky River Senior Games and Health Day, May 20, 2004 at Perry County Park; Senior Radio Day, May 12, 2004. Senior Center.  Please contact Peggy Roll for more information

Cumberland Valley AAA, London, serving Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle and Whitley; Bernice Miracle, (606) 864-7391 or 1-800-795-7654. 

Lake Cumberland AAA, Russell Springs, serving Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor and Wayne; Cindy Branscum, (270) 866-4200 or 1-800-264-7093.

Bluegrass AAA, Lexington, serving Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford; Rhonda Davis, (859) 269-8021.

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