Funded through Title III of the Older Americans Act and Catawba County, the Catawba County Council on Aging works to promote and improve the welfare of its senior citizens. It brings to public attention the needs of the aging in the County and actively promotes programs of benefit to them.

The Department of Social Services provides transportation to medical and community resources for persons 60 or over who have no means of transportation. Other services provided to senior citizens include nutritional meals for the elderly, Meals on Wheels for the homebound, services to assist disabled and senior adults to remain in their own homes, general in-home services, homemaker services, protective services to adults, rest home licensing, nursing home and rest home placement, alternatives to nursing and rest home placement, counseling, etc. Financial services may include assistance with medical costs, food stamps, etc.

The Sheriff's Department, through its "Are You OK?" and "Elderwatch" programs, provide telephone checkups and visits by on-duty officers to older adults (upon request).

Adult Abuse/Neglect   (After 5:00 p.m. and weekends):	695-5609 324-9111 or 464-3112
Adult Services	695-5609
Food Stamps	695-5693
In-Home Aide Services	695-5610
Meals on Wheels	695-5639
Medicaid	695-5692
Nursing Homes/Rest Homes	695-5609
Services for Visually Impaired	695-5605
Transportation	695-5608

For further information contact the Council on Aging at 328-2269, or visit the Council at 400 17th Street, SW, in Hickory, The Department of Social Services may be reached at 695-5600 and is located off Fairgrove Church Road, SE, in Hickory behind Catawba Valley Medical Center. The Sheriff's Department can be reached at 464-5241 or 465-8301.