By Taylor Boyd
The Southern Area Agency on Aging (SAAA) recently completed its move to its new home at 1075 Spruce Street in Martinsville.
Teresa Fontaine, executive director, said the organization decided to move because the new location better meets the needs of the older population it serves.
“This location provides us with a standalone building, and we believe that will make the organization more visible in the community. We were really impressed with the accessibility of this location in comparison with the location we had on Cleveland Avenue,” she said.
The new facility has “its own parking area. It does provide a much more accessible experience for the older adults that we serve,” Fontaine said.
Noting its target population is primarily individuals 60 years and older, Fontaine said the agency also administers programs and services to other age groups.
“We think the location and the accessibility of the building, the ease in parking, all of that will help us to reach those people that we’re intended to serve,” she said.
While there were no issues with the previous site where the SAAA was located at for 19 years, Fontaine said the proximity on the busy street had become problematic.
“So many of the interactions that we have with older adults probably do occur over the phone, however we have seen an increase in recent years in our foot traffic,” she said. “So again, that was something else we thought was important to take into consideration as we considered an alternative location for the agency.”
In addition to the new site meeting the organization’s office space needs, Fontaine said the new space could also provide opportunities onsite for program expansion.
While the physical part of the move has been completed, Fontaine said the group is now working to get records, client information, resources, and other materials into their proper places.
The move also came at an opportune time as the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is set to begin accepting applications May 4.
“Just like last year, the program is providing a $50 benefit that the qualifying older adult,” she said. “You have to be 60 years of age or older, and meet the income requirement. If the individual qualifies then they will receive a $50 benefit that provides them with the ability to use that benefit and shop at local farmers’ markets for Virginia-grown fruit, vegetables, and herbs.”
The Senior Cool Care program funded by Dominion Energy is also preparing to start.
Fontaine said qualifying adults who don’t have any cooling in their homes could receive a room-size air conditioner unit or fans during the summer months.
Fontaine added the SAAA’s phone and fax information remains the same.
For more information, go to www.southernaaa.org, Facebook.com/SouthernAreaAgencyonAging, or call 276-632-6442.
