AREA FIVE AGENCY ON AGING & COMMUNITY SERVICES

AGING AND IN HOME SERVICES IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO ASSIST THEMSELVES IN ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AND TO MAKE AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SAFE, HEALTHLY HOME ENVIRONMENT. HOME VISITS ARE MADE TO CLIENTS TO ASSESS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ABILITY AS WELL AS THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION. THROUGH A SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF CARE, APPROPRIATE SERVICES ARE RECOMMENDED AND BROKERED THROUGH A VARIETY OF HOME CARE SERVICE PROVIDERS. THIS PROCESS ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE IN THEIR HOMES RATHER THAN RISK INSTITUTIONAL PLACEMENT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE RESIDENCY WITHIN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY IS IMMINENT. AREA FIVE PROVIDES AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION FOR THE LEVEL OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS ENTERING A NURSING HOME FACILITY. THIS OPPORTUNITY ALLOWS THE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR FAMILY TO MAKE A MORE INFORMED DECISION REGARDING THEIR OPTIONS, AS WELL AS TO PREVENT INAPPROPRIATE PLACEMENT. THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT OF FELLOWSHIP AND FUN FOR SENIORS IN OUR AREA. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED AT THE CONGREGATE SITES AND VARIOUS AGENDAS OF INTEREST ARE SHARED WITH THE PARTICIPANTS. AREA FIVE SERVES CONGREGATE MEALS AT 11 SITES AND PROVIDES HOME DELIVERED MEALS TO PARTICIPANTS UNABLE TO LEAVE THEIR HOME IN OUR SIX COUNTIES. OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT AREA FIVE PROVIDES EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH AVAILABLE PROVIDERS INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES. CAREGIVER SUPPORT, RESPITE ASSISTANCE, AND GUIDANCE FOR GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN ARE ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS.

HEAD START PROGRAM - AREA FIVE'S HEAD START PROGRAM SERVES OVER 179 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN CASS, FULTON, AND WABASH COUNTIES. CLASS SIZE WAS REDUCED TO 13 EACH DUE TO THE PANDEMIC SO NUMBERED SERVED IS MUCH LESS THAN PREVIOUS YEARS. ALONG WITH NUTRITIONALLY BALANCES BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES, AND SNACKS, CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES (100% POVERTY OR BELOW) RECEIVE DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE AND INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION. THERE IS AN EMPHASIS ON LITERACY, NUMERACY, MATH, AND SCIENCE, ALLOWING THE CHILDREN TO LEARN IN CONTEXT, WHILE SURROUNDED BY ACCEPTANCE, LOVE, UNDERSTANDING AND A FEELING OF SECURITY AND STRUCTURE. THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TEACHERS AND ASSISTANT TEACHERS, WORK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO HELP PARENTS SET GOALS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND TO ASSIST THEM IN LEARNING THE VALUE OF WORKING TOWARD AND ACCOMPLISHING THEIR OBJECTIVE AND GOALS. EVERY DAY OUR PROGRAM SEES PARENTS HELPING THEIR CHILDREN GROW BY JOINING THEM IN THE CLASSROOM FOR THE DAY AS A VOLUNTEER OR BY SERVING AS A MEMBER OF THE PARENT COMMITTEE OR POLICY COUNCIL.