At their weekly luncheon, the members of the New Martinsville Rotary were treated to hearing Mary Ash of the Wetzel County Seniors Citizens Services Executive Director speak on their mission. Mary and her staff of five manage the county’s committee on aging.

Their organization is funded by the West Virginia Bureau of Seniors services, AAA, and Wetzel County Commission along with donations by those who receive services from the agency. The center is a place where Seniors can go and find answers for a variety of questions on resources and services available for themselves or family members. The center’s goal is to be there at a time in life when a need arises for help with an aging family member beyond their home.

The center’s staff can help with Medicare enrollment and Medicare Personal Care programs. These services find help with in-home care for seniors who are medical or financially eligible.

Mary explained they can provide help with transporting of elderly who are 60+. They can help to get seniors to appointments and shopping. This not only gives seniors the ability to obtain service for themselves, but gets them out into the public, helping to prevent isolation.

For seniors who are Veterans the center can help them with contact with the Veterans Administration.

Mary explained that the agency is becoming more needed as the senior population is increasing, and access to programs and help is being restricted. Mary and her team are willing to try and find different resources to help serve the county’s elderly.

Throughout the year, the senior center arranges trips to locations and activities that would not be available to many seniors. They also, with a staff of six, prepare and serve on senior day at the annual Town & Country Days event. They serve luncheon for several hundred seniors and provide entertainment and door prizes. The meal is funded entirely by donations with support from local agencies.

The Wetzel County Senior Center is a vital service to all residents of the county. Often people struggle with finding help, and the good people at the center can help answer that need.

The Center staff were warmly welcomed by the members of the Rotary. They are grateful for their help and assistance providing for the elderly population in the community.

For answers to questions concerning aging, please contact 304-455-3220. Wetzel County Committee on Aging.