Council on Aging eyes big changes
The next couple months will be busy for the Adams County Council on Aging with upcoming events that seniors can take part in as well as repair plans that they hope to have started in the near future. To move forward with these newly set goals, Council on Aging executive director, Michelle Lingerich, submitted a request for $150,000 dollars in ARPA funds to complete this project.
Included in the MERIT Center Senior Center renovation plans include $2,000 for tearing off the wallpaper and painting the walls, $10,000 for installing a handicap accessible door that would be installed leading into the courtyard, $20,000 for removing the existing carpet and installing vinyl flooring, $92,000 for the cleaning and renovation of the outdoor courtyard, and $25,000 for one or two outdoor pickleball courts that would run north and south i the furthest west side of the parking lot depending on space available.
Originally, the Council on Aging submitted an ARPA request for $200,000 but the request was never approved. It required the City of Decatur to be on board before it moved to the county level and it never made it past that point. With the request being 25% less than the previous ask, the submitted form states that, “if the pandemic taught us anything, it is that we all need to stay in touch to stay connected and avoid isolation.”
The request lists “support of public health response” as its eligible use criteria for the ARPA funds.
As for upcoming events, the Council on Aging will be hosting, “Caring for the Caregiver,” which will provide caregivers an opportunity to take a quick break from their routine and will help gauge the interest in possibly forming a small caregiver support group to be held monthly at the Council on Aging Senior Center. This will be held on Monday, February 27th from 100:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will charge no admission fees. Preregister by calling 260-724-5316.
The Council on Aging will also be hosting another Senior Day Trip to see Little Women, the Broadway Musical hosted by La Comedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro, Ohio. The group will depart on the Royal Excursion buses at 8:30 a.m. and will return to the MERIT Center at 5:30 p.m. The trip costs $100 and includes the bus fare, buffet and show ticket, and a bus driver tip. To reserve a spot, contact 260-7245316 to reserve your spot by March 1st.