06/11/2026
Last week, we let you in on our exciting news - we have a brand new crisis-relief fund dedicated to meeting the needs of our community! Seniors, their loved ones, or worried neighbors call out of fear that older adults are starving.
Sadly, they are often correct.
In August of 2025, we received a call from one of those neighbors, worried about an older gentleman who lived in their mobile home community. When we arrived, we were devastated - but not surprised - to find a state of severe self-neglect. Russel had lost his will to live almost entirely. His own family had exploited his trust and removed all but 39 cents from his account. With his money stolen and his trust betrayed, he was behind on his rent payments, facing eviction, and suffering from severe depression.
When our Case Manager Sherri first checked in on him (bringing a warm meal), Russel had no food or running water. He only had power because a kind neighbor had allowed him to run an extension cord into their home. He had lost hope entirely. Even so, his first request when we visited him was to ask for pet food for his two dogs.
We’re happy to report that we were able to provide for him and his four-legged friends immediately. Within a day, case managers delivered food, water, and pet food. He was added to a Meals on Wheels route and was provided with a Pet Meals on Wheels delivery. We were able to ensure he was not evicted and helped him get his lot payments back on track and restore his power.
Russel is now receiving COA services regularly, including in-home care, pest control, and transportation to any necessary medical appointments. COA's handyman helped make necessary repairs to his home, including fixing his door to make entry and exit safer. He is no longer trapped and tells us that his world is getting brighter. After being exploited, Russel was uncomfortable with technology and was at risk of losing his Medicaid Benefits. However, a case manager was able to sit with him to guide him through the process.
Situations like these remind us of why COA is so important—we are one of the only remaining services that can be accessed via a simple phone call. For people like Russel, this is their only option.
Our favorite part of this story is that we were also able to provide Russel with his first haircut in months.
This is what Council on Aging does; this is who Council on Aging is. We believe that every older adult in our community should be granted the dignity they deserve, especially in their golden years.
