December 18, 2023
By Joanie Swanson, SWODA AAA Information and Assistance Specialist
The Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma is once again partnering with the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) Area Agency on Aging (AAA), along with other Area Agencies on Aging across the state, to assist with funding direct services for people 55 years of age and older in need of some type assistance not otherwise provided by other agencies.
Some of the types of services include minor home repairs, wheelchair ramps, air conditioner window units or space heaters, and/or air condition or heater repairs.
There is an application and funds will be used on a first come, first served basis until they are all utilized. Funding for each type of service will be limited. Those who have desperate or unique needs should file an application because those situations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Assistance will be available once per person every three years.
Counties covered by the SWODA AAA are Beckham, Custer, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills, and Washita. The SWODA Aging Services Information Assistant receives calls daily from older people and/or their caregivers with needs, and many are told nothing is available to help. This Masonic funding will enable AAA staff to assist many callers with resources that were not available previously.
This funding “will not only help Oklahoma’s older population but will also relieve some of the stress placed on caregivers whose older relatives are continually turned down because of the lack of resources for needed help,” said Anita Martinez, SWODA AAA director of Aging Services. Applications will be available January 2, 2024.
To learn more about this and other available services, call the SWODA Masonic Program Coordinator, Joanie Swanson, at 1-800-627-4882, or call the statewide toll-free Senior Info Line at 1-800-211-2116.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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