Senior Center Spotlight — Scottsboro

Written on May 27, 2025. Posted in News, Senior Center Facilities, Stories.

Senior Center Spotlight — Scottsboro

May 23, 2025

A group of ladies participate in the Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) class at the Scottsboro Senior Center.

Ed Holcomb

Kylan and Ann Lewis

Marie Doss

Wilma Shortt

James Goolesby

Barbara Brune is the office manager at the Scottsboro Senior Center

Mary Lou Bell

Timothy Allen

A group of ladies participate in the Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) class at the Scottsboro Senior Center.

Putting puzzles together at the Scottsboro Senior Center are from left, Ed Holcomb, Eddy Justice, Wilma Shortt, and John Hazel

Playing games and enjoying each others company are from left, Marie Doss, Cynthia Clement, Jean Arnold and Mary Lou Bell

It’s 9:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, in a room overlooking the Tennessee River at the Scottsboro Senior Center. A group of ladies warm up and prepare to SAIL – Stay Active and Independent for Life.

SAIL is an evidence-based strength, balance and fitness program for adults 65 and older. Performing exercises that improve strength, balance and fitness are the single most important activity that adults can do to stay active and reduce their chances of falling, said Brenda Walls, the nutrition program manager and SAIL class leader.

She said the entire curriculum of activities in the SAIL Program can help improve strength and balance, if done regularly. At the Scottsboro Senior Center, the SAIL class is offered on Wednesdays and Fridays and has good attendance.

This year, Brenda and members of the class will be presenting a SAIL class to help fellow seniors from around the warm up before the 2025 TARCOG Senior Fun Fest in Huntsville.

“I wouldn’t do it if I was at home,” Teresa Riddle, 84, said of the exercises. It’s easier to do it with friends.

Delora Morgan, 85, said her cardiologist encouraged her to start doing balance exercises and that’s why she joined the class.

Mary Lou Bell, “Ms. Bell,” 96, recently hurt her leg and can’t lift it too high right now, but said she enjoys the class and continues to do the best she can.

Grace Sealy, (need AGE), said she loves the class.

“It’s easy to do and I enjoy coming to the Senior Center because it keeps me out of the recliner,” Grace said.

Linda Fleming, (need AGE), said she believes moving is important and that’s why she enjoys the class.

“It keeps me moving,” Linda said.

Marilyn Goosby said exercise has always been important to her.

“Since I retired last September, this is a good place” to participate.

Pattie Sharp, 80, soon to be 81, also enjoys the class.

“Brenda is great … she keeps me on my toes and that’s nice because I can do these exercises from my wheelchair and it’s exercise that I enjoy.”

In addition to the SAIL class, there’s games, puzzles, activities, lunch, and group outings available too.

The center also works to make sure special holidays are commemorated like Mother’s Day, celebrated in May. A special Father’s Day event will be held in June.

“We kept saying we would come and never did,” said Brenda Potter, 74, of she and her husband. “Then one day, about a year ago, we finally came, and I like the exercise classes and talking to different people.”

Bernie Arnold, 89, said he enjoys the atmosphere provided at the center.

“I like to associate with people and food here is OK. It’s a good place to get out and see friends,” Bernie said. “I don’t know everybody by name, but we all get along and have fun.”

After the exercise class, Ms. Bell and many of the others move to a large community room. Ms. Bell is chatting and playing a card game with Jean Arnold, Cynthia Clements and Mary Doss.

Ms. Bell has been coming to the center longer than anyone else. She’s known around the center for great memory her thoughtfulness in remembering everyone’s birthday with a greeting card.

“I like keeping up with everybody,” Ms. Bell said.

Jean said she starting coming to the senior center after her husband died to keep from being so lonesome, while Cynthia said games like Bingo are fun for her.

Mary said she’s been going to the center for 20 years.

“I enjoy the fellowship and food,” Mary said. “It’s a good clean place with a good bathroom, exercise, just everything about it is good.”

Brenda said the center actively holds yard sales and auctions to fund their field trips.

“This year we’ve a yard sale and two auctions and raised $541.50 to help fund a trip,”

One senior participant sure to be on the trip is Wilma Shortt, 87. She’s been going to the center “a long time” because she loves being with people.

“At my age and being a widow, I just can’t do without it,” Wilma said. “When it was closed during Covid, I missed it so much.”

When she tells friends about the center, she tells them by not going they “don’t know what they’re missing.”

Brenda said anyone wanting to learn more about the Scottsboro Senior Center can call 256-574-6733, or stop by between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The center is located at 146 Rita Williams Drive.

Jean Arnold

Mary Lou Bell gives Bernie Arnold a birthday card signed by friends at the Scottsboro Senior Center while Cynthia Clement looks on.

Scottsboro Senior Center Manager Brenda Walls

Billy Dunn

Jeanine Lawson

Staff and volunteers preparing lunch at the Scottsboro Senior Center

Linda Miller and Jerry Miller

There are many nice views at the Scottsboro Senior Center

Pathway connecting the Scottsboro and Jackson County Senior Center/Council on Aging office.

Construction Update – New office building

Written on May 22, 2025. Posted in News, Staff, Stories.

Construction Update: New office building

May 22, 2025

Construction on TARCOG’s new office building is moving along. On Thursday, May 22, board members and executive staff, along with DOSTER Construction and Fuqua and Partners Architects held a Top Off Celebration for the completion of the steel framework.

2025 Senior Fun Fest!

Written on May 14, 2025. Posted in Elder Care Facilities, News, Senior Center Facilities, Staff, Stories.

2025 Senior Fun Fest!

May 14, 2025

About 850 seniors from northeast Alabama turned out Tuesday, May 13, to celebrate Older Americans Month at TARCOG’s Annual Senior Fun Fest in Huntsville. People got there early to participate in line dancing and Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) classes before the day’s festivities got started

During the opening ceremony, TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Jordan talked briefly about how thankful TARCOG is for the funds that have always allowed the agency to provide services to the aging community through our Area Agency on Aging (AAA). She said with potential federal budget cuts on the table, she and AAA Vice President Lane Delaney involved attendees to record a video to send to federal legislators to let them know how important the services are in their daily lives.

Then, the fun continued with the western Rodeo Roundup theme. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center in Huntsville.

The 38^th Annual Senior Fun Fest featured a talent show with entries from DeKalb, Jackson, Madison and Marshall counties.

From a Western swing ballad, a country classic and a HEE-HAW blast from the past, everyone enjoyed the performers in the Western Showdown Talent Show as part of the 2025 Senior Fun Fest.

Thanks to contestants:

Mike Ball, who performed “Miles and miles of Texas,” representing the Huntsville-Madison County Council on Aging

Wilma Shortt, who sang “Hey, Good Lookin’ ” accompanied by Jimmy Ray Weatherby – representing the Jackson County Council on Aging- Alabama

Paying homage to the HEEHAW Gossip Girls was Deva Day, twins Sherry and Terri Landers and Sharon Culpepper from the Ider Senior Center representing DeKalb County Transportation and Council on Aging.

And the winners, the Guntersville Senior Center Zumba Gold Ladies representing the Marshall County Council on Aging.

There was BINGO, photo booths, music and live entertainment. Service providers from throughout the region set up in an Exhibition Area to provide information and giveaways. A Masters Games area was also available allowing attendees to play horseshoes, corn hole, Nerf ball throw, and basketball.

There was popcorn, cotton candy and lunch before the finale with door prizes. The annual is named Fun Fest for a reason, and according to several participants – it lived up to the name because it was used repeatedly to describe it.

This event would not be possible without the generous help of our sponsors AND this year’s event co-coordinators Emmitt Davis and Lydia Weeks. What an incredible job they did leading the TARCOG staff to put on this year’s Fun Fest.

Comments from Fun Fest attendees around the TARCOG Region:

Jackson County

Wilma Shortt, 87, of Scottsboro, sang a Hank Williams classic, “Hey, Good Lookin’ “

In the Western Showdown Talent Show. While she didn’t win, that didn’t bother her. She enjoyed representing Jackson County and the day to celebrate seniors.

“Just being amongst everybody has been fun,” Shortt said. “I love it.”

Mary Ruth Yon, 70, of Scottsboro, said she comes every year and loved “all of it!”

“It was very much fun. I enjoy coming to these and absolutely encourage others to come,” Yon said. “It gets you out of the house, you learn a lot of things, meet a lot of people, play games and it’s fun. It’s a lot of fun!”

Fun is also how Eddy Justice, 76, of Scottsboro, described the day.

“I enjoyed the shows and had a lot of fun,” Justice said.

DeKalb County

Patsy Griggs, 79, of Lookout Mountain, said she enjoyed everything at Senior Fun Fest.

“I really loved all of it,” Griggs said. “I came because I thought it would be a lot of fun and it was and we’re involved with Masters Games, so it was good to participate in that. Plus, she won a prize in Bingo.

It was the second time Denise Harris, 69, of Fort Payne in DeKalb County attended a Senior Fun Fest.

“We enjoy Masters Games a lot, so we got to practice our cornhole and nerf today and we played Bingo,” Harris said. “It has been a fun day.”

Lynn King, who is the manager of the Fort Payne Senior Center said it was good to see all of the seniors having a great time at the event.

Rickey Garner, 68, of Ider, said he liked seeing all the people, and walking around to see everything.

Sherry Landers, 42, of Ider, also enjoyed walking around and meeting new people. She also performed in the talent show with three others from the Ider Senior Center.

Madison County

Richard Garner, 71, of Madison County, said he enjoyed festivities fellowship and all of the excitement.

“I like the Tina Turner Show, what they done, really everything has been great. The staff has been so humble and shown a whole lot of courtesy, and I’ve enjoyed it from beginning to the end.”

Carolyn Jackson, 73, of Madison County, said she and her husband truly enjoyed it.

“This is an excellent setting, there’s room to move around,” Jackson said. “I got to visit with the vendors and play some games then got in here and got my Coke, walked around and then sat down. It’s been great, I look forward to next year.”

Former State Representative Mike Ball represented the Madison County Council on Aging in the Western Showdown Talent Show playing a guitar and singing a western ballad, “Miles and miles of Texas.”

“I always enjoy playing,” Ball said. “I would’ve loved to play more.”

Carolyn Wilson, 75, of Huntsville, said it was good to see so many people truly enjoying the day.

“I worked in the Bingo game and it was sensational – I brought some of Bingo cards with me because they were just fantastic,” Wilson said. “Before I went to the Bingo Room I went to booths and got all of the wonderful things they provided to let us read and do … This is a great event and I loved this for the seniors.”

Emma Pride, 78, of Madison County, attends Senior Fun Fest every year.

“I enjoyed it,” she said. “First of all, I won tons of prizes and got great information for seniors. Overall, it’s been a great experience.”

Arlene McDonald, 67-years-young, of Madison County said she loved it.

“TARCOG put on a great show, did a great job and I thank you,” she said.

Marshall County

Joyce Davis, 76, of Boaz, was a first-time attendee.

“It has been a wonderful day,” Davis said. “I’ve enjoyed it very much and all of the fellowshipping with different people. It’s just been a great day and I look forward to the next one.”

Be sure to check out the video here!

2025 TARCOG Senior Fun Fest Co-coordinators – Community Services Coordinator Emmitt Davis and Alabama Cares Coordinator Lydia Weeks.

TARCOG: 104 Strong

Written on May 14, 2025. Posted in News, Staff, Stories.

TARCOG: 104 Strong

May 14, 2025

TARCOG now has the largest staff in the agency’s 57-year history with 104 employees.

“The need for our services, especially within the Area Agency on Aging, has grown and is continuing to grow,” said Executive Director Michelle Gilliam Jordan. “We have close to 1,000 clients who receive Home and Community-Based Waiver Services (HCBS) through Medicaid Waivers.”

HCBS services are available to eligible Medicaid recipients who are at risk of needing care in a nursing home, hospital or other institution. Clients must meet financial, medical and program requirements and must be willing to receive services in their homes or communities. Waiver program enrollment is limited, and a waiting period may be necessary.

Michelle said TARCOG covers a large region that includes DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties with a total population of 753,418.

“With our increasing aging population, our AAA services are more important than ever,” Michelle said. “That’s why we’ve had to add to our workforce.”

Since January, TARCOG has hired 19 case managers, one nurse and two administrative assistants.

“We strategized this growth,” Michelle said. “With the help of our new Human Resources Manager Melonie Gurley, hired last fall, we’ve implemented new hiring procedures, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

Melonie said the hiring results stem from outreach with local universities and online job boards. With multiple positions open for Medicaid Waiver Case Managers, the TARCOG Invitational Career Fair was brainstormed as an opportunity to set aside a day to invite several pre-screened candidates to the office and let them have an opportunity to learn about TARCOG and its staff, while going through the interview process.

The day starts with a warm welcome from TARCOG leadership and program managers who provide an overview of what the agency does and briefly share their personal journey with TARCOG. From there, applicants get tours of the facility, learn more about the different agency programs, and participate in up to three interviews. If an applicant makes it to the third round of interviews, he or she is usually extended a contingent offer of employment the same day.

TARCOG has held two invitational hiring events, one in December 2024, and another in April 2025. Many of the new faces at TARCOG were hired as a result of an Invitational Career Fair. Some may not have been able to attend the actual event but submitted resumes and were screened for interviews at other times.

“We’ve found this to be a very beneficial process for us,” Melonie said. “Our staff gets excited about the process, and we are able to interview multiple candidates in one day.”

She said that not everyone who is invited to the agency’s career fair receives an offer, however, the process has helped the agency find the highly qualified candidates it needs.

Michelle said having the largest staff in the agency’s history wasn’t necessarily a goal but a byproduct of the area’s growth. Her goal, she said, is to retain a consistent team of highly engaged employees.

“Because of the work we do here, with our AAA and Economic Development and Planning, I want TARCOG to be a place that our employees are proud to work and never want to leave,” Michelle said. “Our team is committed to their roles and to improving the quality of life in our region, and we want to retain them for the long term.”

New TARCOG staff pictured from left, Jamerson Baker, Alaceia Barber, Imani Beal, Demetrius Chatfield, DaeLauren Harrison, Vashuna Jones, Brittany Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Brittany Kelley, Jamia Kirk, Aqui Lacy, Taliaha Ladd, Vickie Lockett, Keilondria Pollard, Sarah Proctor, Markia Richardson, Jelisa Simon, Kimuel Stevenson, Kira Tolver, Deja Williams, Tabitha Whitehead, and Lameisha Wright.

A new home for Mr. Kent

Written on May 7, 2025. Posted in Elder Care Facilities, News, Senior Center Facilities, Stories.

A new home for Mr. Kent

May 7, 2025

In late March, Donald Kent transitioned from a local skilled nursing facility to his own apartment in thanks to TARCOG’s Gateway to Community Living (GCL) Program.

“I’m very happy to be here,” Mr. Kent said as he was settling in a few days after the move from a nursing home where he lived the previous three years. The transition was made possible with the help of GCL Coordinator Alexis Baker.

She said the whole process starts with a person who can be deemed eligible to live independently with services available from Alabama’s Home and Community-based programs through TARCOG.

Mr. Kent agreed to an apartment off of Whitesburg Drive, which is close to medical services, restaurants and grocery stores.

Then, Alexis continued working on his transition by paying a utilities deposit and submitting the documentation to the apartment complex, purchasing furniture scheduled its delivery. She also met with Mr. Kent, and they worked together to develop his Person-Centered Care Plan.

Next, Alexis went shopping again. This time for basic supplies needed to set up the new home, which she also did once the furniture was delivered.

On Monday, March 31, she did some grocery shopping and put some last-minute touches on the apartment assembly so that when Mr. Kent walked in, he was set up with all of the basic necessities to live on his own again.

Mr. Kent was looking forward to having his own space and quieter surroundings.

The GCL is an initiative of the Alabama Medicaid Agency that helps Alabamians who are aging or have disabilities live at home in their own communities.

Alexis said the process starts with someone in a skilled nursing facility getting a referral to the GCL Program from the facility’s social worker.

“I then receive the referral from the facility and complete a Return to Community Assessment (RCA),” Alexis said. This requires medical records, speaking to the facility staff, family, friends and paid service providers.

“Once the RCA is completed it is sent to the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) for review. The ADSS nurse review will either deem the resident appropriate or not appropriate for the Gateway to Community Living program.

“If the resident is found appropriate for the program, I begin to assist with looking for housing within their preferred area, making deposit payments once housing is obtained, purchasing furniture, and accessories,” Alexis said. “Once the participant is transitioned from the skilled nursing facility into their own living space the resident then becomes a participant on the Alabama Community Transition Waiver (ACT).

Mr. Kent now has a TARCOG case manager who checks on him and makes sure he is thriving in his new home.

Who qualifies for the program? Someone who:

Currently lives in a nursing home or other qualified institution
The resident must have Medicaid for at least 100 days prior to transition
The resident must have some form of income

What services can a person get through GCL?

Gateway to Community Living lets eligible people who currently live in a skilled nursing facility enroll in one of Alabama’s Home and Community-based Waiver programs so they can still get the services and supports they need at home.

If you are interested in moving to the community, a trained transition coordinator, like Alexis, can help you find out if you are eligible and talk with you about the available services that would best suit your needs for safe and healthy community living.

Are there any other services that will help someone make a successful transition?

Yes. People who want to return to community living often have some extra needs, such as help with planning the move, obtaining housing or even just some one-time financial help to make utility deposits or purchase basic supplies for the home. At TARCOG, that person is Alexis.

Currently, Alexis is working with a client who will transition into a new home in Scottsboro at the end of May. The TARCOG Region includes DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties.

For more information, contact TARCOG at 256-830-0818.

From left, Donald Kent and Gateway to Community Living Transition Coordinator Alexis Baker at his new apartment.