For over 50 years, Cherokee County Senior Services has been a lifeline for older adults across our community. Since 1975, Senior Services has grown into a hub of support, offering meals, transportation, caregiver support and in-home assistance for residents 60 and older.
"The senior population is predicted to grow to a milestone we have never seen before. By 2034, seniors age 60 and older are predicted to outnumber children under the age of 18,” said Senior Services Director Stacy Jones. “We assist local seniors with critical needs like meals, respite care, transportation, and socialization.”
As of September, Senior Services has more than 350 Silver Roamers members, while about 35–40 seniors attend the Canton center and nearly two dozen visit the Ball Ground center daily
Cherokee County operates senior centers in Canton and Ball Ground, with plans for a future senior center at Woodworth Park to serve southwest Cherokee.
The need is real and close to home. Many seniors in Cherokee County live alone, without family nearby to help with transportation, groceries, or to help make needed home repairs. That's where Senior Services steps in.
The organization's programs include: Home Delivered Meals and a daily Congregate meal program, Case Management, Caregiver Support, Homemaker Services, Respite Care, and Transportation Vouchers, plus an Information & Assistance line for families navigating Medicare. Programming at the Canton center includes everything from Bingo and crafts to field trips and guest speakers, giving seniors a reason to stay active and social.
"When a loved one finds themself losing independence, families often begin looking for resources and services to assist,” Jones said. “When a senior can no longer prepare food, a home delivered meal fills that need. When a senior can no longer change their bed sheets or take their trash out, the Homemaker Program provides an aide to assist.”
Senior Services offers both a Caregiver Support Group and a Respite Program to provide resources, connections, and respite from caregiving duties.
“Many caregivers continue to work and manage their own lives while they care for their aging loved one,” Jones said. “Caregivers may need a break to run errands or simply have some alone time. Our caregiver programs are just as important as the programs that directly meet senior needs.”
Some of the programs Senior Services offers have lengthy waitlists. Partnerships give the community the opportunity to sponsor a senior citizen on the Home-Delivered Meals waitlist. Sponsorships range from $5.25 for one meal for one senior up to $1,286.25 for one year for one senior.
As the November Giving Back issue lands in mailboxes, Senior Services is gearing up for one of its most beloved traditions: the Adopt-A-Senior Program. Each December, the community donates holiday gifts for Meals on Wheels clients. This year, Senior Services staff aims to collect gifts for 400 seniors.
"For many of our seniors, these gifts will be the only ones they receive. We plan how to provide gifts that meet our seniors’ needs and still gives them feelings of Christmas from their childhood,” Jones said.
This year’s donation list includes: books of stamps, holiday themed treats, candy and snacks (non-perishable), $25 gift cards to Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Ingles, Aldi, Walgreens or CVS. This year, small reusable, holiday-themed shopping bags no larger than 12x9 or 10x13 are requested.
Items can be dropped off at the Senior Center in Canton now through Dec. 4, Monday through Friday, 8 to 4pm. A Saturday drop-off will be held Dec. 5, from 10 to 1pm .
Senior Services offers several ways for neighbors to pitch in:
- Adopt-A-Senior: Fill a holiday gift bag for a local senior this December. Information is shared with local media, on county social media and the Senior Services website.
- Sponsor Meals on Wheels for a Senior on the Waiting List - Sponsor 1 meal, 5 meals, 25 meals or an entire year of meals. Contact Dianne at 770-345-7515.
- Volunteer Driver Program: Give a senior a ride to run errands. Trips typically run two to three hours, scheduled around the volunteer's availability. Contact Laura at 770-345-2675.
- Donations: The center accepts physical and financial donations. Find a full list on the Senior Services website. For financial donations, contact Terry at 770-345-2675. The center has a pantry with limited space for clothing and food donations.
Cherokee County Senior Services
1001 Univeter Road, Canton