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Cass County Council on Aging
The Cass County Council of Aging (COA) began in 1971 with four core services, which are still being provided today: Meals on Wheels, Medical Transportation, Senior Health Clinics, and Community Outreach. Cass County voters approved the first Senior Millage in 1976, providing stable funding for the array of programs and services offered by the COA. Cass County residents have renewed this same millage every four years, most recently in 2020.
Throughout the next 47 years, the COA expanded programs and services, adding the county's only Adult Day Service and Front Street Crossing in Dowagiac. Front Street Crossing's opening in 2012 has contributed to more than doubling COA services, programs, and activities provided to the county's older adults. The COA’s goal is to be the leader in programs and services that help Cass County adults live longer, fuller lives.
The Cass County COA is seeking funds to develop a new recreational space for health and wellness, the Campus for Actively Aging (CAA), adjacent to their existing facility. This capital project will include a fitness center, fitness classrooms, locker rooms, office space, and a community conference room, along with a remodel of the existing facility in Cassopolis and enhancement of the paved outdoor walking trail. This new facility will allow the COA to expand on their mission to provide services and programs to assist individuals to age and live well with dignity and independence and live longer, fuller lives.
Building the Campus for Actively Aging fitness facility in the heart of Cass County will create positive impacts for many businesses and residents. Their residents will have access to first-rate fitness classes, equipment, and certified instructors without traveling to neighboring counties and into Indiana for these services. Incorporating fitness, nutrition, and socialization into the daily routines of the area's older adults will help Cass County individuals age and live well with dignity and independence.
The addition of the Campus for Actively Aging building will combat the adverse effects of the pandemic by creating community awareness and opportunities for healthier lifestyles, nutrition, exercise, and socialization for our local seniors. The COA will partner with local agencies and schools to provide extended programming for the youth and older adults. Cass County residents rank as one of the lowest counties in the state for poor mental health days, poor physical health days, food insecurity, healthcare access, and exercise opportunities. This facility will provide fitness classes, private fitness evaluations with certified trainers, physical education training seminars, lifelong learning programs, community gathering space, and much more to support healthy lifestyles for local participants of all ages.
There are four significant components to Aging Well: Exercise and staying physically active, staying mentally active, eating well/ nutrition, and staying socially connected. The COA's mission is to provide programs and services to assist individuals to age and live well with dignity and independence. With this mission in mind, the COA has created programming and services that touch on all four components of aging well. With the addition of the Campus for Actively Aging, the Cass County COA will be able to expand all programs and services and extend their outreach to distant parts of their county. The Council on Aging has fitness centers at our Lowe Center in Cassopolis and Front Street Crossing in Dowagiac. Each center offers a variety of cardiovascular fitness machines and weight training equipment. Both fitness centers are led by trained instructors who provide personal guidance to help improve and achieve the different fitness goals of the county’s residents. The Lowe Center in Cassopolis also has a paved outdoor trail for walking or running. The trail's location is ideal for its open setting and is safe and easily accessible from the COA parking lot. The 7/10-mile paved trail has benches, landscaping, and wheelchair-accessible exercise and wellness stations. The outdoor track is accessible to the public and designed to encourage Cass County residents of all ages and backgrounds to join together and lead healthy lives. The COA also provides several fitness classes every weekday. The COA's Fitness Centers and classes allow seniors to maintain or improve their fitness level in a safe and encouraging environment with trained instructors. The new Campus for Actively Aging will expand these services and allow them to create additional fitness programming.
The Cass County COA provides a daily congregate donation-based hot meal for Cass County residents 60+ and delivers Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors. These meals offer much-needed nutrition and socialization for the local seniors. Currently, the COA serves over 1,000 meals per week between three congregate meal sites and home-delivered meals. This nutrition and socialization is vital for their rural senior residents. The donation-based, hot, nutritious lunch allows seniors to spend time with neighbors, friends, and family in a safe and joyful environment.
Due to its rural location, Cass County residents have limited access to fitness centers and nutrition options. Access is even more limited for Cass County older adults who have limited mobility, cannot drive, or are on a limited budget and cannot afford to travel. Cass County is a rural community that spans over 508 miles with a population of 51,589. More than 15,000 Cass County residents are over 60, and there are projected to be nearly 23,000 Cass County seniors by 2035. The capital project to develop the Campus for Actively Aging will allow the COA to expand on all the programs and services we provide to Cass County's older adults. In 2022, it provided over 100,000 programs and services to over 3,500 people. We aim to double the number of people participating in COA activities while expanding services to our County's outer-lying parts. There are over 15,000 adults in Cass County over 60 years of age, and the COA aims to provide programs and services to each of them.
Building the Campus for Actively Aging fitness facility in the heart of Cass County will create positive impacts for many businesses and residents. Their residents will have access to first-rate fitness classes, equipment, and certified instructors without traveling to neighboring counties and into Indiana for these services. Incorporating fitness, nutrition, and socialization into the daily routines of the area's older adults will help Cass County individuals age and live well with dignity and independence.