Insurance counseling can help you weigh options, Page 4
care services a vital part of PACE, Page 6
Guardianship Program explained, Page 10
Winter can bring economic hardships to the elderly but assistance is available.
Free insurance counseling can help Medicare beneficiaries weigh options for 2023.
Program helps those struggling to pay for prescriptions.
Personal care services at center and home are a vital part of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Heating assistance program began Nov. 1; assistance requests expected
Program director shares some frequently asked
A November gala honored the memory of long-time Children's Services Director Janie Dockery.
Training assists older workers who want to enter or reenter the workforce.
Besides a healthy meal, the Congregate Nutrition Program provides an important part of overall wellbeing — socialization.
The Leigh Ann Bolinskey 5K Walk/Run raised more than $20,000 for the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center.
MEOC
coordinators and a community health worker.
A
The MEOC staff, board of directors and advisory council are saddened by loss of longtime aging activist.
Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. was organized in 1974 and is designated as the area agency on aging and public transit provider for Wise, Lee and Scott counties and the City of Norton in southwestern Virginia.
In addition, MEOC directs Mountain Empire PACE, the Southwest Virginia Children’s Advocacy Center, Healthy Families for Southwest Virginia and the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Michael K. Wampler
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephanie R. Sprinkle CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A.J. Hatmaker, Chair, Lee County
Ethel Daniels, Vice-Chair, City of Norton
Nancy Bailey, Wise County
Eleanor S. Cantrell, M.D., Wise County
Pamela Collie-Price, Wise County
Gretchen Cope, Scott County
Steve Garrett, Lee County
Kim Dorton, Scott County
MEOC Board of Directors meets the third Tuesday of February, April, June, Aug ust, October and December at 10 a.m. at MEOC’s administrative office building, 1501 3rd Ave. E, Big Stone Gap, Va.
MEOC Advisory Council meets quarterly on the second Thursday of March, June, September and December at 10:30 a.m. at MEOC’s administrative office building.
HOW TO REACH US
Main office
Physical address: 1501 Third Ave. E. Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 Phone: 276-523-4202
Mountain Empire PACE
Physical address: 1508 Third Ave. E. Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 Phone: 276-523-0599
MEOC Transit
Physical address: 1503 Third Ave. E. Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Phone: 276-523-7433
DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Winter can bring economic hardships for the elderly
It’s hard to believe winter is right around the corner. While the holidays bring joy, warmth and family, they also usher in colder temperatures. Many of our friends and neighbors have a difficult time with heating and other costs during the winter.
Fortunately, we live in a community that supports its older citizens, including through MEOC's Emergency Fuel Fund. The fuel fund has for 47 years assisted with heating expenses, our cost now annually exceeding $200,000.
DIRECTOR
In addition, many have difficulty paying for medications year round. The Pharmacy Connect Program of Southwest Virginia provides free or low-cost medication for many individuals of all ages, including some who have insurance that may not pay adequately on their medications. In fact, the Pharmacy Connect Program has provided over $270 million in wholesale medications since its beginning in the year 2000.
Instructions for applying for assistance are outlined in this issue.
On another note, we will begin featuring archives from MEOC’s original newspaper, The Mountain Empire News (MEN). MEN began in 1976, just two years after MEOC was founded. While much has changed over the last 48 years, MEOC continues to provide services through the Older Americans Act and has expanded its services to include Public Transit, Children’s Services, Guardianship, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (Mountain Empire PACE) and many more. A big thank you to everyone who has helped MEOC grow and serve over the years! Happy holidays and we look forward to working together in the coming year to make our community a great place to live for the young and old.
MICHAEL WAMPLER EXECUTIVE
Medicare Open Enrollment ends Dec. 7
Free insurance counseling can help you weigh options
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is that time each year when people currently covered by Medicare can review their coverage and make changes if they feel there are better options. During open enrollment, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, you can change from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, from a Medicare Advantage Plan to original Medicare, from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another, or from one Medicare drug plan to another. You can also enroll in a Medicare drug plan if you don’t have one.
To assist you in making these decisions, MEOC operates a Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), which provides Medicare beneficiaries with free, unbiased, confidential and personal assistance to help them make more informed decisions on topics that include
MEDICARE 2022 OPEN ENROLLMENT
October 15 - December 7
Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap and Medicaid.
VICAP counselors can assist in filing claims and appeals. They can also help you determine if you may be eligible for low-income subsidies to help with the cost of Medicare.
Virginia has programs that can save you money: the Extra Help Program and Medicare Savings Programs. You may qualify to get help paying for the Part D premium and/or your Part B premium if:
1. Your monthly income for 2022 is at or below $1,719 for a single person or $2,309 for a married couple.
2. Your resources are at or below $15,510 for a single person or $30,950 for a married couple. Resources don’t include your home, car, household items, burial plot or life insurance policies.
For information or assistance in making decisions about your Medicare coverage, call 276-523-4202 and ask for a VICAP counselor.
Need help to review your Medicare plan and better understand your options?
Get in touch with MEOC’s trained Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) counselor. The service is FREE and confidential.
Call 276-523-4202 and ask to speak to a VICAP counselor.
DATES TO REMEMBER
You might qualify for help paying for prescriptions
Daris McConnell says that without assistance from Pharmacy Connect of Southwest Virginia, he would have a tough time paying for the prescription medications he needs to control Type 2 diabetes.
A coverage gap in his Medicare Part D prescription drug plan meant McConnell, 70, of Coeburn, would have to pay out of pocket for two vital medications to treat diabetes. The cost would have been about $4,300 per month. So, McConnell sought assistance from Pharmacy Connect at Mountain Empire Older Citizens. He says the program, which was able to provide his medication for free, “has been such a blessing” to him.
McConnell, who works full-time at a company he’s been with for 39 years, is among thousands
of individuals who receive free or low-cost prescriptions through Pharmacy Connect each year. The program serves the counties of Lee, Wise, Scott, Dickenson, Buchanan, Tazewell and Russell and the City of Norton. Pharmacy Connect helps people of all ages who are uninsured or under insured, have high co-pays or may have been prescribed medication their insurance does not cover.
“It has helped me tremendously. I don’t know what I would do without it,” said McConnell about Pharmacy Connect.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Anyone struggling to pay for prescriptions or faced with choosing between paying for medications and other needs should contact MEOC to see whether they are eligible for assistance through Pharmacy Connect.
Medication assistance caseworkers can access the free Indigent Patient Assistance Programs of more than 250 national pharmaceutical companies. Each pharmaceutical company has different eligibility guidelines, so all medications may not be available. It is not unusual for someone to have different prescriptions from different pharmaceutical companies.
For an individual to enroll in Pharmacy Connect, their physician must agree to participate.
The medication assistance caseworker helps complete applications and other necessary paperwork. Participants must provide income verifications for each household member.
Medications are shipped to the participant’s home or physician’s office.
Pharmacy Connect of Southwest Virginia is a partnership including Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc., Clinch River Health Services, Inc., Junction Center for Independent Living, LENOWISCO Health District, Stone Mountain Health Services, Inc., The Health Wagon, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and Virginia Health Care Foundation. MEOC is the partnership's administrator and fiscal agent.
Ready to apply or want more information? Call MEOC Pharmacy Connect Assistant Coordinator Amber Dingus at 276-523-4202.
Daris McConnell of Coeburn says he would have a tough time paying for his diabetes medication without help from Pharmacy Connect.
Certified Nursing Assistant Jasmine Collins checks PACE participant Amey Bray's vital signs. Aides help ensure participants receive individualized care at the center and in the home.
Personal care services a vital part of PACE
Seniors seeking assistance with daily activities or caregivers seeking an alternative to nursing home placement for their loved ones could benefit from services at Mountain Empire Program of AllInclusive Care for the Elderly.
PACE aims to help seniors live safely in their own homes. The program accomplishes that through a broad range of services and individualized care, including medical, wellness, social and support services.
During the week, participants can choose to attend the PACE Center located in Big Stone Gap. The center is a one-stop shop for
participants – a large building with sections to facilitate the services of medical providers, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians and more.
The adult day health center is at the heart of the PACE building. Many participants enjoy attending PACE for meals, games, celebrations and socialization, all of which take place in the ADHC and none of which would be possible without the help of PACE personal care aides.
Upon arrival at PACE, the first face anyone is likely to see is that of a personal care aide as they assist participants into
PACE Eligibility
• at least age 55
• eligible for nursing facility level of care
• able to live safely at home with support
• live in Lee, Scott or Wise counties or the City of Norton
Must meet financial & medical requirements
the building. The aides help participants to their seats and ensure they have a snack and drink if desired.
Other aides can be spotted assisting with preparation of the day's lunch, preparing to transport participants to outside appointments or gathering supplies for the day's crafts and games.
For those participants who may need additional assistance with activities of daily living, the aides are there to assist with tasks such as feeding, toileting and showering. An individual's needs determine the level of assistance provided by the aides, and care is delivered with a tender touch and a gentle smile.
When the day's activities are over, the aides will ensure participants are loaded safely on the bus for their return trip home.
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Continued from Page 6
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE
PACE INCLUDES
Coordinated healthcare, including primary care, hospitalization and emergency care
In-home assistance including personal care, homemaker services and respite care
Specialty care including dental, vision and hearing
Prescription medications and management
Physical, occupational and speech therapies
Transportation to and from the center and medical appointments
Social engagement, group activities, crafts and more
Meals and dietary counseling
For those participants who require extra assistance in the home, PACE, in conjunction with MEOC's Personal Care Services, will provide an aide to assist there, as well. While in the home, aides assist with the same activities of daily living as one might receive at PACE. However, home care aides can also help with light housekeeping tasks such as cleaning, laundry and cooking. These services may be provided in the morning, evening or both depending on the participant's needs as determined by PACE's team of professionals.
Truly, the work of a personal care aide is immeasurable in value! From the home to the PACE Center, the aides help ensure participants receive the individualized care they need to remain safely in their own homes for as long as possible.
Fuel fund program runs through March
Mountain Empire Older Citizens is now accepting applications for heating assistance through its Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly.
The program helps pay winter heating expenses for those at least age 60 in Lee, Wise and Scott counties and the City of Norton, whose income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. The fund can help pay electric bills or assist with the purchase of wood, coal, propane or heating oil
The program will run through March 31. To apply, call MEOC at 276-523-4202.
MORE ABOUT THE EMERGENCY FUEL FUND
MEOC has operated the fuel fund since 1975 relying entirely on donations from businesses,
EMERGENCY FUEL FUND FOR THE ELDERLY
WHO IT HELPS: Those at least age 60 in Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the City of Norton whose income is at or below 150 percent of federal poverty level who have emergency heating needs.
WHAT IT DOES: Pays electric bills or for wood, coal, propane or heating oil.
HOW TO APPLY: Call MEOC at 276-523-4202.
individuals, churches, and civic and community groups. The agency hosts an annual fundraiser
for the program, the MEOC Walkathon, which this year raised slightly more than its $165,000 goal.
No money from the fund is ever used for administrative costs. One hundred percent goes directly to pay for heating expenses for an older person in our communities.
Last winter, the program provided emergency heating assistance to 931 older adults at the cost of $207,655. Looking ahead to the coming winter, MEOC Emergency Services Director Marsha Craiger anticipates an increase in requests for assistance from last year.
“With the rising costs of everyday expenses, we expect that more people will have difficulty paying heating expenses. Those who are served by the Emergency Fuel Fund are among our area’s most vulnerable residents. They often struggle to make ends meet, so when an unexpected need arises, they must decide what necessities to do without. We don’t want anyone to have to choose between paying for heat on bitter cold days and doing without other things like food or medicine,” said Craiger.
Donations to the Emergency Fuel Fund are welcome yearround. Mail checks to MEOC, P.O. Box 888, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219. Please designate your contribution for the EFF/Walkathon. You may also visit MEOC’s website www. meoc.org to donate.
Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc.
Public Guardianship Program FAQs
MEOC's Public Guardianship Program serves indigent adults whom the court has determined to be unable to make important decisions for themselves but have no one to help them. A judge appoints a guardian to make the person's medical, financial and daily living decisions. The guardian representative provides advocacy through supervision of medical care, oversight of residential care and monitoring of benefits and financial activities. Daily living decision-making is based on the individual's wishes and values. The ultimate goal is to safely maintain the person in the most comfortable and least restrictive environment available.
Referrals are made directly to the program, except in cases of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, when the referral should come from the local community services board. Following are some frequently asked questions and answers about public guardianship shared by MEOC Guardianship Program Director Angela Peters.
Q Q
How does someone get approved for the guardianship program?
Guardianship should be pursued as a last resort when no other options are available or working. Because establishing guardianship may remove considerable rights from an individual, it should only be considered after alternatives have proven ineffective or are unavailable. Alternatives to guardianship may include:
• Supported decision-making networks
• Living wills or trusts
• Durable powers of attorney for health care or property
• Representative or substitute payee
• Case/care management
• Community advocacy systems
• Health care surrogacy
• Joint checking accounts
• Community agencies/services
How does guardianship differ from power of attorney (POA)?
A POA is given by an individual who still has capacity and is of sound decision making to another capable person or persons. A judge awards guardianship after an individual has been determined to lack capacity. Both POA and guardianship can be specific or limited to certain duties, whether for medical/health
A
Q A A
care decisions or residential placement. A POA can also be specific for financial powers, but a guardian must be named as either guardian of the estate or conservator to exercise financial powers or file separately to become a representative payee with the individual's income provider. A POA can be revoked by the individual who issued it, but a guardian must be replaced through a court process.
When is a person's capacity questioned?
Children younger than 18 are considered minors; those 18 and older are considered adults. Capacity is automatically assumed at the adult age until proven otherwise. Children with an intellectual or developmental disability or mental health issue can undergo an evaluation at age 18 to determine their skills and abilities and if a guardian would be appropriate. The same process happens for adults who may decompensate physically and mentally with age due to a traumatic occurrence like a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or cerebral deterioration like dementia, Alzheimer's, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). When people can no longer make or communicate safe or sound decisions about themselves or their property or have become susceptible to fraud or undue influence,
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their capacity is compromised. Evaluations regarding capacity can come from physicians, mental health evaluators, psychiatrists or psychologists, but only a judge can declare someone incapacitated.
Guardianship needs to be pursued. Now what?
Q Q Q Q A A A A
Guardianship is a legal process, so many steps are required. Anyone may petition the individual's local circuit court alleging that an incapacitated resident needs to have a guardian or conservator appointed to manage some or all of his or her affairs. The legal process involves the removal of an individual's rights, so considerable due process protection exists. The petitioner hires an attorney to file with the courts. Notice of proceedings is sent to the individual. The court assigns a guardian ad litem (GAL) to the individual. This GAL represents the individual's interests and helps ensure protection. The GAL attends hearings and court proceedings for or with the individual and presents evidence to support or oppose the proceedings.
What individual rights are affected?
The guiding principle in all guardianship is that of least intrusive or least restrictive measures to assure as much autonomy as
possible. The court defines the guardian's authority, and the guardian may not operate outside that authority. The court removes only those rights that the individual under guardianship is incapable of handling. These may include the right to:
• Possess a driver's license
• Marry
• Vote
• Consent to medical treatment
• Manage, buy, or sell property
• Determine residence
• Make end-of-life decisions
• Contract or file lawsuits
• Own or possess a firearm or weapon
What are the different types of guardian appointments?
A guardian may be a family member, friend or a public or private entity appointed by the court. A public guardian can only serve in this role for incapacitated individuals who are at least 18, indigent and have no one else willing or able to serve. All guardians have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the incapacitated individual, but in Virginia, a public guardian is regulated and held to additional standards. A public or private guardian does not take the place of a family member but is an advocate and acts on behalf of the incapacitated individual only to the extent of the court order.
How long does guardianship last?
A guardianship over an adult ends when the incapacitated person dies or the court determines the person has regained the ability to care for himself or herself. However, most things that lead the individual to be incapacitated are irreversible.
To learn more about MEOC's Public Guardianship Program, call 276-523-4202.
Gala benefits Children's Advocacy Center
Event renamed to honor the late Janie Dockery
A November event benefitting the Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center honored longtime MEOC Children's Services Director Janie Dockery.
The Janie Dockery Memorial Gala Benefitting the Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center was Saturday, Nov. 12, from 6-11 p.m. at Lonesome Pine Country Club.
This year's theme was A Night in Old Hollywood. The evening included dinner, raffles, a silent auction, a cash bar and guest speakers. The night finished with dancing and fun to the sounds of DJ Nate.
Located at MEOC in Big Stone Gap, the CAC serves Lee, Scott, Wise and Dickenson counties and the City of Norton. The CAC allows a multidisciplinary team to work together to handle child abuse cases in the region.
The CAC hosted four previous galas annually from 20162019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the fundraiser for the past two years. The gala returned this year with a new name that honors Dockery, who passed away suddenly in January 2022. She had worked at MEOC since 2003.
CAC Director LaDonna Hall said event organizers wanted to honor Dockery's memory and fierce
The late Janie Dockery at a previous gala to benefit the Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center.
devotion as an advocate for abuse victims of all ages.
"Janie impacted the lives of so many people, both directly and indirectly, through her advocacy, unwavering strength, guidance and unyielding determination. It is only fitting that the gala be named in her honor. The impact of her loss had a ripple effect that was not only felt in the CAC and MEOC but also statewide and beyond," said Hall.
"Janie was a fierce advocate for child abuse victims, crime victims, domestic violence victims and the homeless. She was a pioneer in the Children's
Advocacy Center movement in Virginia, even before she came to work at MEOC," Hall continued. When Dockery was hired as children's services director, the CAC staff consisted of a therapist and a part-time assistant with offices that included only one therapy room, a forensic interview room, and an observation room. Because of Dockery's advocacy and perseverance, the CAC has grown exponentially and currently has three therapists, three family advocates, three forensic interviewers and a full-time assistant and fills an entire wing at MEOC.
Dockery also worked diligently to grow the Healthy Families for Southwest Program at MEOC. You can learn more about the Southwest Virginia Children's Advocacy Center at www.meoc.org.
'Janie impacted the lives of so many people, both directly and indirectly, through her advocacy, unwavering strength, guidance and unyielding determination. It is only fitting that the gala be named in her honor.'
— CAC Director LaDonna Hall
Empire Older Citizens, Inc.
Worried about falling?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in people 65 and older. But falling is not a normal part of aging. MEOC offers three FREE programs to help you manage your fall risk.
A Matter of Balance: Eight-week workshop emphasizing practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. You will learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home and exercise to increase strength and balance.
Bingocize®: Ten-week program combining a bingo-like game with exercise and health education. Overall goals are to help older adults improve and maintain mobility and independence, learn and use health information focused on falls reduction and other health-related behaviors, and socially engage with other older adults.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention: Eight-week program to improve movement, balance, strength, flexibility, immunity and relaxation while decreasing pain.
Mountain
Luncheon celebrates older workers
MEOC’s Title V Senior Community Service Employment Program hosted an older worker luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 27, to honor program enrollees and all agency employees age 55 and older.
The luncheon, held at Natural Tunnel State Park’s Cove Ridge Center, is held during National Employ Older Workers Week, which showcases SCSEP and recognizes the vital role of older workers in the workforce.
Waiting for the luncheon to begin, left to right, are Karen Hamilton, Betty King and Buena Evans. Debbie Adams is in the background.
MEOC values older employees, their experience and skills and is committed to hiring older workers whenever possible.
This year’s luncheon focused on the importance of physical and emotional wellness, especially in the
Morgan
and Virginia Vance prepare for a game of Bingocize, one of MEOC's falls prevention programs.
Mary
(left)
Older worker luncheon guests and MEOC employees who attended the event pose for a group photo.
Pound Senior Site participants enjoyed a day of shopping in Kingsport, Tenn. Standing left to right are site manager Debbie Adams, Lotus Vanover, Linda Stidham, Eletta Cantrell and Mountain Empire Transit Mobility Manager Nicky Fleenor. Seated is Cheryl Stallard.
Doris Jonas of Nickelsville and MEOC Executive Director Michael Wampler pose for an autumn-themed photo during Fall Fun Day for all congregate participants at MEOC.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
Not able to visit a congregate site in person? MEOC also offers virtual programming that allows seniors from different communities to connect and share experiences. Seniors can stay in touch with family using video chat services or share a meal virtually when they cannot be together in person. Virtual programming is a great way to help alleviate loneliness and isolation. Call 276-523-4202 or email carrie.stallard@meoc.org to learn more.
SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
Are you age 55 or older and looking for a parttime job but need training to enter or re-enter the workforce? MEOC's Senior Community Service Employment Program prepares eligible workers for unsubsidized jobs through training in community-based organizations.
SCSEP focuses on the needs of mature workers, the community and employers. Participants are paid a stipend while receiving training, classroom experience, job search support and other individualized supportive services. Participants must also meet income requirements.
Call 276-523-4202 to learn more.
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wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many older adults became more isolated and less active.
MEOC Nutrition Services and SCSEP Director Carrie Stallard discussed the importance of being active and controlling stress. Attendees participated in a meditation practice and enjoyed several rounds of Bingocize ®, one of MEOC’s falls prevention programs.
Technology training can help older adults in job market
Older workers who want to enter or reenter the workforce but lack the technology skills needed to compete in the job market may find help through MEOC's Senior Technology Career Support.
The STCS program provides technology training for incomeeligible adults at least age 55 who are seeking employment.
Working with community partners at the Regional Adult & Career Education Center and Virginia Career Works, participants attend classes to help develop work-ready computer skills. Training is available in person and virtually. Participants may also receive a laptop computer and accessories designed to help make technology more accessible.
Please call 276-523-4202 or visit the ‘careers’ section at
www.meoc.org to apply for the STCS program.
SCSEP is administered through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. To see information about federal and non-federal percentages and funding, please visit www.dars.virginia.gov and go to the DARS@Work section.
MET needs volunteers
Mountain Empire Transit is looking for people to join its volunteer programs.
The Bus Buddies program pairs volunteers with passengers on trips to Kingsport or Johnson City, Tenn. Bus Buddies provide socialization and help riders feel more at ease during their travels.
Volunteer drivers are also needed to provide transportation to individuals who cannot find a ride elsewhere. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and undergo background checks and drug testing. MET will provide the necessary training and vehicles.
If interested in either opportunity, please call MET Mobility Manager Nicky Fleenor at 276-523-7433.
Sharing a meal and more
Besides providing a healthy meal to people aged 60 and older, MEOC's Congregate Nutrition Program offers another vital component of overall well-being — socialization. The program serves meals to older adults in group settings and provides nutrition education, screening and counseling.
Beyond nutrition, however, seniors participate in various activities, games, crafts and community outings. Here are a few scenes from recent congregate activities.
Pennington Gap site participants enjoy the view from the High Knob Observation Tower above Norton. Standing left to right are Eugene Mooneyhan, Jeanette Mooneyhan, Dorothy Hilton, site assistant Ray Francis and site manager Kathy Rogers. Seated is Cindy Ridings.
Forming friendships is a favorite part of the congregate nutrition program. Playing Bingo at the VirginiaKentucky District Fair in Wise this past summer are, left to right, Lotus Vanover, Joan Mullins and Linda Stidham.
5K benefits Mountain Laurel Center
ABOVE: Runners in the Leigh Ann Bolinskey 5K Run/Walk take off from the start line on the morning of Oct. 15 in Big Stone Gap. The event raised more than $20,000 for MEOC's Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center. Leigh Ann directed the center from 2004 until 2014, when she died of leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer. Every cent raised at the 5K provides direct help with unexpected cancer-related needs of patients of all ages.
AT RIGHT: Gary Kennedy, father of Leigh Ann Bolinskey, and Mountain Laurel Center Coordinator Tiffany Jacobs.
CURB-TO-CURB TRANSIT SERVICE
Trips are arranged at least 24 hours in advance on an individual basis. No fixed routes or designated bus stops.
Service area: Lee, Scott and Wise Counties and the City of Norton.
Hours: 7 am-5 pm.
Plan a trip: Call 276-523-7433.
Riders schedule on-demand trips using a smartphone app. Service area: In and around the Town of Wise and City of Norton.
Hours: 7 am-7 pm.
Plan a trip: Download the MetGo smartphone app from Google Play or the App Store.
METLINK
Connector route to Kingsport, Tenn.
Service area: Lee, Scott and Wise Counties and the City of Norton.
Hours: 7 am-5 pm.
Plan a trip: Call 276-523-7433.
Care coordination welcomes new staff members
MEOC’s Care Coordination Department has seen several staff changes recently.
Kayla Dotson came to MEOC in June from Lee Health & Rehab, where she was the social work director. She works with individuals in Scott County, the area previously served for more than 40 years by recently retired care coordinator Irma Snodgrass.
Also in June, Amber Dingus, MEOC’s Pharmacy Connect Assistant, added care coordination to her list of duties.
In August, MEOC hired a community health worker. Alyssa Dickenson, who came to us from Ballad Health, will work to improve health incomes by providing culturally appropriate health education and information and helping people get the care they need.
These new employees will join Jody Hay and Tera Grimes, care coordinators serving Wise and Lee counties, respectively.
An MEOC care coordinator is the gateway to service at MEOC. They are familiar with all MEOC services and have a good grasp of what’s available elsewhere in the community. They provide information about what’s available and, working with the individual needing service, develop an action plan that includes referrals to and applications for the services the individual wants to pursue.
Mountain Empire Older Citizens is looking for caring, compassionate people to help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes and at Mountain Empire PACE.
If you or someone you know needs an MEOC service or information about other community services, call 276-523-4202 and ask for a care coordinator.
ELIGIBILITY
•
•
•
• Meals and dietary counseling
• In-home assistance
•
•
• Transportation
at least age 55 eligible for nursing facility level of care able to live safely at home with support live in Lee, Scott or Wise counties or the City of Norton
(Must meet certain financial and medical requirements)
Golf tournament benefits Mountain Laurel Center
The 11th Annual Harold Lester Memorial Golf Tournament raised $12,500 to assist local cancer patients and their families
Nineteen teams participated in the June 17 tournament. The event, held at Lonesome Pine Country Club in Big Stone Gap, benefits the Harold Lester Memorial Fund of the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center. The center is operated by Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc., the local Area Agency on Aging serving Lee, Scott, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.
The tournament proceeds will go directly to the Harold Lester Memorial Fund to meet many unexpected needs of cancer patients of all ages not addressed by other cancer resources, said
MLCC Coordinator Tiffany Jacobs.
“We are grateful to everyone who has supported this cause. The money raised will help cancer patients right here in our community," said Jacobs.
"Facing a cancer diagnosis can come with financial hardships. The Harold Lester Fund can help with expenses such as cancerrelated travel costs or liquid nutrition, so vital in helping cancer patients receive adequate nutrition and maintain weight and strength during treatment,” she added.
The Harold Lester Memorial Fund was established in 2011 by MEOC and Mr. Lester’s family to honor his legacy of giving after he lost his battle with cancer. Those who knew Mr. Lester remember a man with a strong
Christian faith and a belief that one needs to take care of family, neighbors, friends and those in need. Mr. Lester was devoted to assisting thousands of people during his lifetime. He spent much of his life working with children and their families through the Wise County School System, where he was a teacher, coach and administrator for over three decades. He was director of secondary education at the time of his retirement.
Donations of any amount to the Harold Lester Memorial Fund are always appreciated. Make an online contribution at www. meoc.org or mail your donation to P.O. Box 888, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219.
Contact Jacobs at 276-5234202 to learn more about MLCC.
Gilley remembered as activist for the aging
The staff, board and advisory council of Mountain Empire Older Citizens are very saddened by the recent loss of longtime MEOC supporter and aging activist Thelma Gilley of Big Stone Gap. Thelma passed away on Aug. 7, 2022.
Thelma served on MEOC’s advisory council for many years. She was a past member of Virginia’s Commonwealth Council on Aging, which advises the Governor and General Assembly on aging issues and aging policy. She was instrumental in the formation of services for cancer patients at MEOC, having worked with CHALIC (Central Highlands Appalachia Leadership Initiative on Cancer). MEOC’s Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center grew
out of its work with CHALIC. Thelma was a tireless volunteer and was in attendance when the Mountain Laurel Center won the prestigious HOPE Award in 2004 at the Intercultural Cancer Council Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved, and Cancer in Washington, D.C. Thelma was a member of the Big Stone Gap chapter of AARP and a state AARP volunteer for Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the City of Norton. She will be sorely missed by everyone who ever had the pleasure to know or work with this energetic woman who worked so diligently to make life better for older persons in our little corner of Virginia.
The late Thelma Gilley
Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc.
PO Box 888
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
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Mountain Empire Older Citizens
Non-Profit Organization
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Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
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Every fourth Wednesday, 2 pm, at Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Big Stone Gap. Virtual participation offered.
Hosted by the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center, these free meetings offer emotional support and resources to those who are coping with or who have survived any type of cancer. You’ll hear from others facing similar challenges and be able to share your own story.
Contact Tiffany Jacobs at 276-523-4202 or tiffany.jacobs@meoc.org for more information.
