(Spencer)– A local agency that serves the region’s older population is about to reach a special milestone.
The Spencer-based Northwest Aging Association will celebrate its 35th anniversary Tuesday, July 13th beginning at 9:30 a.m. with a visit from the Spencer Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. Ro Foege, Director of the Iowa Department of Aging, will also be on hand.
The regular meeting of the association’s board of directors will follow.
Northwest Aging Association was designated as an area agency on aging in 1975 as authorized by the Older Americans Act. It was originally sponsored by Iowa Lakes Community College. In 1979 the Iowa Lakes Area Agency on Aging was granted independence from ILCC and became a free standing non-for-profit corporation. In 1987 the agency’s name was changed to the Northwest Aging Association.
The agency serves Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto and Sioux counties.
The association employs 40 part and full-time people. That consists of case managers, advocates, nutrition site personnel, elder abuse prevention and administrative staff. They’re assisted by a large number of volunteers throughout the nine-county area.
While its home office is in Spencer, Northwest Aging Assocation also operates a satellite office in Sibley to accomodate case management programs on the western side of its service area.
The association is governed by a volunteer nine-member board of directors consisting of one director elected in each count. An advisory council, also consisting of nine members from each of the counties, approves and recommends priorities for the agency and contracts with service providers.
The Northwest Aging Association also oversees the local Dinner Date program, which was founded by lakes area resident June Goldman.
