Senior Services

Cenla Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
1423 Peterman Drive
318-484-2260

• Conducts needs assessments, develops coordinated service system, and contracts with local agencies for services to persons 60 years and older in Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides and Winn Parishes. 
• Provides information and assistance to seniors and their families. 
• Also provides nursing home ombudsman services in the preceding seven parishes and Vernon Parish.

Programs Offered:
Every parish offers the following services under contract with this agency: 1. Information and Assistance; 2.Outreach; 3. Case Management for At-risk Seniors; 4. Transportation; 5. Chore Assistance or Homemaker; 6. Congregate Meals; 7. Home Delivered Meals; 8. Wellness Programs; 9. Recreation; 10. and Legal Assistance. Additional services such as telephone reassurance, respite or material aid are also available in some parishes.

Council on Aging, Rapides
3223 Baldwin Ave
318-445-2773

• Provider of elderly services and programs.

Programs Offered:
Homebound meals, Transportation, Chore Service, Outreach, Information and Referral, Case Management, Energy Assistance, RSVP Program, Title V Senior Aid Program and Senior Resource Centers

On Call Transportation Service

Friendship House Adult Day Services, Inc.
114 6th Street
318-473-9504

Description of Agency:
Friendship House is the only licensed adult day services center in Central Louisiana. It is a not-for-profit organization that provides supervised programs and activities for adults who require a support system during the day-time hours, but can still live in their own homes or with relatives or friends.

Programs Offered:
Day-time, supervised and individualized programming and activities for older and impaired adults including daily exercise, music, arts and crafts, presentations by guest speakers/performers, cooking, gardening and much more. Activities focus on enrichment, education, wellness, nutrition, recreation and socialization. Daily healthcare and medical monitoring are provided by our nurses. Noon meals, prepared by Rapides Regional Medical Center, and two daily snacks are catered to meet each participant's dietary needs. Limited transportation to and from the center is provided by Atrans. Participants may attend 2 - 5 days per week. Caregivers may continue full-time employment, receive needed respite, and know that their loved one is well cared for. Our Caregivers' Support Group meets the last Tuesday of every month.

National Association of Senior Friends
3437 Masonic Drive
318-443-0110

Description of Agency:
Membership is open to persons 50 years of age and older. Our mission is to provide healthy options for happier living through education and wellness programs. We have monthly meetings, monthly travel, social functions and education.

Programs Offered:
Monthly meetings offering education on health care. Annual Health Fair including blood profile screenings at no cost to membership. Exercise programs, including discounted rates at Health Central. Daily Blood Pressure and pulse monitoring by a staff R.N. We also provide assistance to members in Medicare or insurance filing and review. Group travel, social events and holiday gatherings. Bi-monthly national magazine and bi-monthly chapter newsletter listing information on local happenings and events.

SAGE - Seniors Aging with Grace and Energy
Broadway and 8th Street
Alexandria, LA 
318-443-5971

Description of Agency: Community-based Falls Risk Reduction/Prevention

Programs Offered:
Falls Risk Reduction Prevention program (FRP) is a community-based comprehensive and collaborative health promotion effort. It provides community-based service to older adults in Rapides parish utilizing three (3) core components:

• Screening - Fitness (functional) assessment, Fall risk assessment, Health History to determine individual Fall risk factors, and home environmental safety knowledge.
• Intervention - Health seminars, Safety Kits, exercise (aerobic/non-aerobic, swimming, progressive resistance training/PRT), Environmental (in-home assessment) and referral for home modification and/or remediation safety needs.
• Support - Follow-up (1-3, 6 and 12 months), peer social interactive activities - Stress Management. Foot care parties, etc.

A Registered nurse will provide initial health assessments, routine exercise/health monitoring and health education seminar. A certified retired physical education instructor will conduct and monitor exercise classes targeting older adults to improve strength, flexibility, balance, lower extremity strength, and range of motion. A LPN will provide in-home assessments, safety education, and follow-up contact. Upon completion of the home safety asssessment, each participant will receive an evaluation of home fall hazards factors, a home safety kit, and a list of available resources for home modification/remediation safety needs.

FRP classes meet twice weekly for 1.5 hours. Each session is held for a 12 week period. Follow-up via telephone or home visit is provided at 1-3, 6 and 12 months to assist participants as needed. Participants are encouraged to contact referral sources (at participant expense) when home remediation is indicated. Prior to beginning exercise classes, participants are screened and instructed to obtain written permission from their physician.

For more information and registration contact: Mrs. Daisy Dempsey, Executive Director 318-443-5971