First, I'd like to provide this Sub-Committee some demographics on our area. The typical elderly person is a white woman between the ages of 65 to 70, widowed, and living alone on a fixed income and who is dependent on social security. In the surrounding parishes, which are all rural, there are some 40,000 plus elderly persons and the demographics are similar as to Ouachita, with some having higher percentages of elderly as they are all remaining in place, while the young are leaving to seek better employment. We in Louisiana are fortunate in that our State Legislature in the 1960s established a Council on Aging in every parish. The Ouachita Council on Aging concentrates its efforts on those services that help our elderly remain in their homes as long as possible to prevent premature institutionalization.
Seniors are much happier in their own abode.
We provide a wide variety of services. We operate one Senior Center and 12 satellite sites located in neighborhoods where seniors live, and we support two other independent senior centers. While these are vital services, we do not have funding for all persons and there is a long waiting list for some of these vital services. We, as do all Councils on Aging, act as entry points for seniors to receive services or obtain information and assistance. Time does not permit me to go into details.