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(772) 223-7800

900 SE Salerno Road,
Stuart, FL 34997

Woman and Man

Who We Are

Your Trusted Hub for Senior Care in Martin County

For seniors, their families, and caregivers, the Council on Aging Martin County is their trusted and comprehensive hub for senior resources. We work with the community to reduce anxiety, depression, loneliness, and hunger. Together, we help seniors live a safer, healthier, and happier life.

From our Adult Day Club, Day Primary Care Center, case management, and memory enhancement programming, to our nutrition and exercise classes, games to improve memory, concerts and social events, the Council on Aging's Kane Center on Salerno Road is a beehive of activities. Services also take to the road - like Meals on Wheels, providing a hot meal and a warm smile to more than 500 homebound and needy Martin County senior residents in their homes each day, or Senior Dining Centers at locations throughout the county in Stuart, Jensen Beach, Indiantown and Hobe Sound. The Elder Care Mobile Outreach Bus brings knowledgeable and compassionate staff directly to seniors in local neighborhoods.

Helping Seniors Thrive for Over Five Decades

For 51 years, the Council on Aging Martin County has been working tirelessly to inspire a community that embraces, uplifts and encourages seniors to maintain lives of quality and purpose. Stay healthy. Be active. Eat well. Get help when you need it from the Council on Aging Martin County. Please visit us in person or on social media and learn more about the many services of the Council on Aging Martin County. Our staff and volunteers are ready and eager to help.

Woman helping elderly write

Our Mission and Vision

Serving Seniors with Excellence

Our mission is to be the unparalleled resource of expertise, programming and support for seniors in Martin County.

Our vision is to inspire a community that embraces, uplifts and encourages seniors to maintain lives of quality and purpose. We provide programs in support of this mission, including Meals on Wheels; an adult day program; senior-focused primary medical care; care management; caregiver support; and a robust offering of educational, cultural and wellness programs specifically designed for seniors.

Our History

How It All Began

More than 50 years ago, several concerned Martin County residents put a small ad in the local newspaper, announcing a meeting to discuss forming an organization to help seniors in need. Over 200 people packed the tiny meeting hall. Their consensus regarding the needs of the elder community: feed the homebound, transport the frail and disabled, and cut through the red tape seniors and their families face when trying to find assistance. The consensus of needs in the community and commitment to meet those needs resulted in the formation of the Council on Aging, which was incorporated in 1974. Since its founding, the Council on Aging Martin County has consistently grown and excelled in the senior service area.

Our Founding
1974

Our Founding

The Council on Aging of Martin County founded.

Meals on Wheels
1976

Meals on Wheels

The Council launches the first Meals on Wheels program in Martin County, delivering 20 meals daily. Today, over 500 meals are delivered Monday through Friday county-wide. Nutritional services have also been expanded to include Senior Dining Centers and monthly grocery options.

Lead Agency
1979

Lead Agency

The Council is designated as "Lead Agency” for Martin County under the Community Care for the Elderly Act.

First Adult Day Care Center
1987

First Adult Day Care Center

The Council creates the first licensed adult day care center in Martin County, which has grown from 12 seniors per day to the capacity to serve 90 seniors per day.

Prestigious Award
2003

Prestigious Award

The Council's Nutrition Services/Meals on Wheels program is awarded National Certification through the Meals on Wheels Association of America. The program is one of only four in the state of Florida and 46 nationwide to earn this recognition.

Initial Funding for Kane Center
2006

Initial Funding for Kane Center

The Council receives a $5 million appropriation from the State of Florida to be used toward the creation of a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose senior center, kicking off a $15 million public/private capital campaign to build the Charles and Rae Kane Senior Center.

Moving Day
May 2011

Moving Day

The Council officially moves its operations to the Kane Center, which opens its doors in May 2011.

Kane Clinic Open for Business
February 2012

Kane Clinic Open for Business

The Kane Clinic begins operation in the Kane Center, offering primary geriatric specialty medical care in a medical environment designed to address the multiple health care needs of the elderly.

Cooks in the Kitchen
April 2012

Cooks in the Kitchen

For the first time in its history, the Council begins to produce Meals on Wheels in-house, in its state-of-the-art commercial kitchen. Meals are distributed immediately after preparation, using fresh ingredients, freshly prepared.

Health Care Champions Award
September 2012

Health Care Champions Award

The Kane Clinic is recognized by Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, winning a Health Care Champions Award for Innovation in Health Care.

First Annual Sage Awards
February 2016

First Annual Sage Awards

The Council holds the first annual Sage Awards, the first and only awards ceremony honoring the wisdom and worth of our area's seniors, recognizing their contributions to the world in which we live.

Joseph C. & Ann S. Day Medical Center Open
April 2017

Joseph C. & Ann S. Day Medical Center Open

The state-of-the-art Joseph C. & Ann S. Day Medical Center opens at the Kane Center.

Elder Mobile Outreach Program Award
April 2023

Elder Mobile Outreach Program Award

Impact100 Martin, the Wong Foundation, Cleveland Clinic, and the Community Foundation of Martin-St. Lucie award program grants to establish the Elder Mobile Outreach Program.

50 Years!
Spring 2024

50 Years!

Council on Aging Martin County celebrates 50 years of service with a refreshed brand and a continuing commitment to Service.

GUIDE Program Award
Fall 2024

GUIDE Program Award

Council on Aging Martin County is awarded the GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Program contract by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The Council on Aging of Martin County believes in the following core values

Stewardship

We make ethical and prudent decisions about our organizational and community resources. We believe long-term financial stewardship ensures that our organization can meet the growing demands for services over the years to come.

Quality

We continue to deliver quality services and maintain the highest standards through continuous monitoring and improvement of outcomes.

Dignity

We believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect with those we serve and those who support our work. We value wisdom and a life well lived.

Core Values

Compassion

We believe in the power of compassion and honor the unique needs and gifts of all members of our community.

Community

We value members of our community who we serve, those who help us serve, and those who provide the resources for us to serve. We believe in developing strong partnerships within the community and creating a caring network.

Make Memories, Make a Difference

Meet the Heart of
Council On Aging Martin County

Administration

Karen Ripper
President & CEO
Michele Leigh Jacobs
Chief Philanthropic Officer
CArmen Wallace
Chief Financial Officer
Adam Levenson
Director of Operations Infrastructure
Katie Diamond
Clinical Director & Nurse Practitioner

Operations

Annette Lopez
Director of Case Management & Meal Services
772-223-7848
Phyllis Brown
Director of Adult Day Health Services
772-223-7843
Lisa Bharath
Membership and Events Coordinator
772-223-7807

Board of Directors

  • Chair Neil Boland, MD
  • Vice Chair Gregory R. Nuttall
  • Secretary Heidi Lahti
  • Treasurer Hilbert Giscombe
  • Immediate Past Chair Nicki Schoonover

Directors

  • Jill Ball
  • Charles R. Cleaver
  • Allen Herskowitz
  • Pastor Gary Merritt
  • James Simoneau
  • Stephen McGovern
  • Liane LaBouef
  • Nancy Goethel

Our Partners

Empowering Senior Programs Together

The Council on Aging Martin County Corporate Partnership Program gives businesses the opportunity to invest in best-in-class programming for seniors. Through our Corporate Partnerships, we are able to offer high-quality live entertainment, free world-class caregiver education, dynamic educational lecture series, free monthly movies, produce fundraising events that support our charitable programs for frail seniors, and much more. In short, we could not offer the wide array of programs at the Kane Center without the support of our Corporate Partners.

Contact us to learn more about this exciting program!

Contact Us

Community-Backed Care

Our Trusted Corporate Partners Across Services & Support

  • All
  • Assisted Living
  • Private-Duty Home Health
  • Consulting
  • Funeral Homes
  • Health Insurance

Discovery Village at Stuart

Chasity Stapleton, Executive Director
Tracy Boles, Sales Counselor

Visit Website

Senior Helpers

Ron Radcliffe

Visit Website

VIP America Home Health Referrals

TenderCare Services

Acorn Elder Care

Denise Dublin

Elder Home Care Services

Christine Rigg

Elite Premier Nursing Services

Senior Care Authority

John Daly

Certified Senior Advisor

Visit Website

N. Schoonover & Associates, Inc.

Nicki Schoonover

The Estate, Trust & Elder Law Firm, P.L.

Victoria Hilton

Aycock Funeral Homes/Dignity Memorial

Laura Barbone

Visit Website

Humana

Emmanuel Andarsio

United Healthcare

Nearing & Dallas Wealth Management Group RBC Wealth Management

Gordon R. Nearing, CFP, CIMA, CPWA

The Saelzer | Atlas Wealth Management Group of Raymond James

Gerry Saelzer

Visit Website
Angelica Day - HR Manager

Careers

Make a
Meaningful Impact

Welcome to The Council on Aging of Martin County, where we pride ourselves in helping serve our community through our exceptional care and services and our abundant resources. Each member of our staff serves a special purpose, making valuable contributions to the success of our organization every single day.

By joining our team, you will be fulfilling our mission of being “the unparalleled resource of expertise, programming and support for seniors in Martin County.” We all want to feel good about where we work, and we all want to see the results of our work have a lasting impact. Here at The Council on Aging of Martin County, you will be doing just that!

Benefits

Our benefits package for all full-time team members include:

  • Paid Time Off
  • Performance Based Compensation
  • Comprehensive Medical Insurance
  • Employer-Paid Life Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Vision Insurance
  • 403(b) Savings Plan with Employer Match
  • Extended Illness Bank
  • Recognition Events
  • Discounts on Kane Center Entertainment
  • Kane Bistro for On-site Meals

Current Job Opportunities

Explore Careers That Make a Difference

We invite you to explore our available career opportunities, then apply online for the position that best suits your interests and qualifications. We look forward to learning more about you—thank you for expressing your interest in the Council on Aging of Martin County.

Request Application

EEOC Statement

The Council on Aging of Martin County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our organization fosters an inclusive and diverse workplace. In accordance with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, we strictly prohibit the discrimination or harassment of job candidates or employees based on characteristics such as: race, age, disability, socioeconomic class, sex, religion, national origin, medical or genetic.