Area Agency on Aging
Our Mission
The mission of the Region A Area Agency on Aging is to assure that every older person in the region has the opportunity to live life to the fullest in the least restrictive setting possible.
Our Purpose
The Area Agency on Aging ( AAA) works on behalf of older adults and their caregivers in the seven southwestern counties of North Carolina. The Southwestern Commission Area Agency on Aging was established in 1980 as mandated by the 1977 Amendments of the Older Americans Act in order for a Planning and Service Area (PSA) to receive funds from the Act.
The AAA prepares a four year work plan, the latest covering the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024. The AAA assists counties as they study the needs of older adults and plan to meet those needs. The goal of all these plans is to enable older adults to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
View the statewide aging services response to COVID-19.
View the 2022 Aging Conference Recordings
Our Service Area
Our region covers southwestern N.C including the counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Direct Services
THE FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM
The goal of the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) is to provide caregivers with the needed support to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress and enable them to provide care longer, thereby avoiding or delaying the need for costly institutional care. Click for more information.
Family Caregiver Resource Coordinator
Kellie Dula
828.565.1826
[email protected].
THE LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
The Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman works closely with Community Advisory Committees for Long Term Care to serve as a link between the local communities and the long-term health care facilities in each county. Click for more information.
Long Term Care Ombudsman
Anna Rogers
828.586.1962 ex. 223
[email protected].
SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL PROGRAM
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a preventive educational program whose goal is to reduce Medicare error, fraud, and abuse. Click for more information.
Family Caregiver Resource Coordinator
Kellie Dula
828.565.1826
[email protected].
THE HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM
The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs provide adults with evidence-based techniques and strategies to delay and/or manage chronic health conditions and include activities that promote: improved nutrition, emotional and social well-being, physical fitness and fall prevention to help older adults and their caregivers better manage their health. Click for more information.
THE LEGAL PROGRAM
The Legal Program provides vouchers to eligible seniors age 60 and over, which are valid for the preparation of either a durable Power of Attorney or a simple Last Will & Testament. Click for more information.
Aging Programs Assistant
Pat Baker
828-586-1962, ext. 209
[email protected].
SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM
SHIIP counsels Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers on the following topics: Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Long-term Care Insurance.
*For more information about any of the services listed contact the Region A Area Agency on Aging at 828.586.1962
Contracted Services
By law, the AAA contracts out most of the actual operation of the services to Human Service Agencies in the area. The major portion of the services provided to meet the goal of keeping seniors independent and in their own homes are funded through the Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG). This Block Grant consists of approximately 60% Federal Older Americans Act Funds and 40% State appropriated funds. Below is a list of HCCBG providers contracted with the Area Agency on Aging and the services they provide.
Cherokee County Senior Services
Nutrition Services: Congregate and Home Delivered Meals; Housing and Home Improvement
Denise Cross, Director
[email protected]
828.837.2467
Cherokee County Transit
Transportation
Jennifer West, Director
[email protected]
828.837.1789
Cherokee County DSS
In-Home Aide – Level I
Daunita Maennle, Adult Services Supervisor
[email protected]
828.837.7455
Clay County Senior Center
Nutrition Services: Congregate and Home Delivered Meals; Supplemental Meals
Becky Grindstaff, Director
[email protected]
828.389.9271
Clay County Transportation
General Transportation
Marie Gunther, Director
[email protected]
828.389.0644
Clay County DSS
In-Home Aide – Level I
Deborah Mauney, Director
[email protected]
828.389.6301
Graham County Senior Center
Nutrition Services: Congregate and Home Delivered Meals
Wanda Hill, Director
[email protected]
828.479.7977
Haywood County Health & Human Services
Nutrition Services: Home Delivered Meals; Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health
828.452.6620
Mountain Projects, Inc.
Information, Assistance, and Options Counseling; Housing and Home Improvement; General Transportation; In-Home Aide Level I; Senior Companion; Nutrition Services; Congregate Meals
Patsy Davis, Director
[email protected]
828.452.1447
Jackson County Department on Aging
Nutrition Services: Congregate and Home Delivered Meals; Supplemental Meals; Housing and Home Improvement; Adult Day Care; Information, Assistance, and Options Counseling
Eddie Wells, Director
[email protected]
828.586.5494
Jackson County Transit
General Transportation
Norma Taylor, Director
[email protected]
828.586.0233
Harris Home Health
In Home Aide, Level I & II
Taylor McClure, Director
[email protected]
828.586.7881
Macon County Senior Services
Nutrition Services: Congregate and Home Delivered Meals; Adult Day Care; Information, Assistance, and Options Counseling
Jennifer Hollifield, Senior Services Director
[email protected]
828.349.2058
Macon County Transit
General Transportation
Kim Angel, Director
[email protected]
828.349.2222
State of Franklin Services to Senior Citizens
Nutrition Services: Congregate and Home Delivered Meals; General Transportation
Marlene Vinson, Director
[email protected]
828.488.3047
Swain County Health Department
In-Home Aide Level I & II
Suzanne Howard
[email protected]
828.488.3198