Elders
The Chickasaw Nation continues to emphasize the importance of caring for
its elders.
A new assisted living program provides payment assistance, up to $2,500 per month, for elders to live in an assisted living facility. In FY 2008, the program was expanded to include Chickasaw elders living at-large resulting in twice as many participants. Because of this program, many elders are
now able to afford independent living with
the safety of living assistance.
Along the same lines, the Iti Apela (elder help) program was also added to help Chickasaw elders who remain in their home. This program provides an instant and direct link to an on-call response center 24-hours a day, seven days a week. This program offers peace of mind to the elders and their families by providing a system to alert the response center in case of emergency. By doing so, Chickasaw elders can continue to live independently in
their own homes.
Another program designed to offer some peace of mind is the burial supplement assistance program. The loss of a loved one is always a difficult time and the added financial stress can sometimes be overwhelming. Through this program, the Chickasaw Nation provides financial assistance to help alleviate some of that burden. In FY 2008, approximately $229,000 in burial assistance was provided to 124 families.
In January of 2008, the Chickasaw Nation opened the doors to its newest senior nutrition center in Duncan, Oklahoma. This center is the 11th of its kind and has more than 5,700 square feet which includes a dining area, kitchen, activity room, exercise area, computer lab, lounge area and offices.
Along with the Duncan senior nutrition center, the other 10 centers continued to serve meals and provide a place for fellowship and activities. With the goal of keeping elders healthy and active, the nutrition center staff find creative ways to engage elders in a variety of programs including games, fitness, computer classes, travel and more.
The enhance fitness program has continued to grow. Seven of the centers – Ada, Connerville, Duncan, Madill, Pauls Valley, Purcell and Tishomingo – now have weekly classes. The Oklahoma Department of Health and Human Services recognized the success of the program and invited Chickasaw elders to demonstrate the program at the 2008 Oklahoma State Fair during senior citizens’ day.
Another fun and creative fitness program includes the addition of Nintendo Wii play centers at each senior nutrition center. The games are beneficial to the elders and include games that promote movement, activity and exercise. In 2008, a Nintendo Wii bowling tournament was conducted at each center and a championship tournament took place in September. Many elders enjoyed the combination of fun and fitness and similar tournaments are planned for the future.
Other accomplishments:
- The over-the-counter medications program delivered more than 6,200 units to elders living within the Chickasaw Nation and almost 600 to elders living at-large.
- In 2008, the veterans jacket program provided 72 Chickasaw elders with a jacket recognizing them for their military service.
- The division on aging escorted 14 Chickasaw World War II veterans and their caregivers to Washington, D.C. during Memorial Day weekend.
- Computer classes were offered at all 11 senior nutrition centers serving 38 students who learned basic computer skills for the first time.
- The elderly energy assistance program provided services to almost 1,300 Chickasaw living within the Chickasaw Nation and more than 800 elders living at-large.