Inspiration, Preparation & Celebration at the Council on Aging!

Dear Friends,

Welcome to a new issue of our Connections newsletter.

In this issue, we’re sharing details about our upcoming Hurricane Preparedness Expo, celebrating a generous gift from Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, and highlighting some truly heartwarming moments from our Adult Day Club and Navigator Program.

As always, we’re here for you. The Council on Aging Martin County remains your trusted Hub for Senior Resources, offering support, guidance, and community for older adults and their families.

Gratefully,

Karen Ripper, President and CEO

“We have to remember and never forget.” Even though the memories are painful, Mary Eckstein willingly tells her story to help audiences understand one of the most painful periods in modern history, the Holocaust.

Mary Eckstein is herself a survivor, and her tales of how she and her mother escaped death many times during the dark years of concentration camps are harrowing. She tells her stories, she says, as a way to encourage people to let go of hate, because hate can destroy us.

Join us at the Kane Center on Wednesday, June 18 at 11 a.m. to hear Mary’s stories. The program is sponsored by Senior Helpers and is open to the public at no cost. RSVP to 772-223-7800.

No matter how many times you’ve been through a hurricane season, it’s always good to have a refresher on how to get ready.

The Council on Aging Martin County is holding our annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo session on June 3 starting at Noon at the Kane Center.

Will Ulrich, Warning Coordinator Meteorologist from the National Weather Forecast Office in Melbourne will share his knowledge with us. One lucky participant will win a Hurricane Preparedness Kit, and everyone in attendance will gain useful and important knowledge.

RSVP through our website, www.coamartin.org/hurricane-preparedness-expo.

While you’re stocking up on your own hurricane preparedness supplies, you might want to toss in a few extra items and donate them to the Council on Aging. Some of our seniors have a hard time simply meeting their usual monthly expenses, and the extra cost of stocking up pre-hurricane becomes a real financial burden. Please help us help them.

Cleveland Clinic Martin Health has generously donated a blood pressure machine to the Council on Aging Martin County. It has been placed in the Town Center for use by all clients and visitors, free of charge. 

Kellie Hensley, Senior Director of Community Relations for Cleveland Clinic Florida, described the importance of this gift: “Regular blood pressure screenings play a vital role in maintaining overall health and preventing serious complications. Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is proud to sponsor the new blood pressure monitoring station at the Council on Aging, support individuals in assessing whether their blood pressure falls within a healthy range or indicates potential concerns such as hypertension or hypotension.”

We value our strong partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and their generosity toward many of our programs, including the Meals on Wheels program, the Elder Care Mobile Outreach Bus, and the Indiantown Meal site. 

During the pandemic, the Council on Aging Martin County began training incoming certified nursing assistants at Cleveland Clinic Martin in the Martin County HUGS program (Health, Understanding, Guidance and Safety), and the partnership continues today to make Martin County a dementia-friendly community.

Each weekday a team of volunteers from the Council on Aging Martin County delivers close to 500 meals freshly made in the Kane Center’s kitchen to the homes of Martin County seniors.

Delivery from these caring volunteers means a friendly, kind person checking in on seniors on a regular basis, offering a smile, plus friendship and a wellness check. More than a vital nutritious meal, this program offers a lifeline for many seniors who live alone.

Our Senior Dining Centers are located throughout Martin County for senior who like to get together with friends over lunch. The meals are free, and the interaction with other seniors is priceless. Dining Centers are in East Stuart, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown.

Getting hungry just thinking about these delicious meals? Our Kane Cuisine menu offers home-delivered hot meals at a minimal cost. For more information, contact our Meals on Wheels department at 772-223-7800 or visit our website at www.coamartin.org.

Meet Mr. Albert Cooper, a remarkable 93-year-old and cherished member of our Adult Day Club. A devoted family man and community trailblazer, Mr. Cooper has lived a life defined by service, leadership, and love.

He was married to his late wife, Atline, for 52 beautiful years and has been a widower for 19. Together, they raised twelve children, building a legacy rooted in family and resilience.

Mr. Cooper, a proud African American and trailblazer in his community, holds numerous notable “firsts” in Martin County. Beginning in the 1950s, he became one of the first African American contractors in the area. He was also the first locally licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Florida and served as a Lieutenant in the Volunteer Rescue Squad.

His dedication extended to military and civic service. Mr. Cooper was an active member of the American Legion and held leadership roles including National Commander District State Vice Commissioner for Florida’s Eastern area. In recognition of his service, he was flown to Chicago in 1982 to receive Military High Honors.

When Mr. Cooper was diagnosed with dementia, his children were committed to preserving his dignity and quality of life. That commitment led them to discover the Adult Day Club.

Today, Mr. Cooper thrives in the enriching environment of the Adult Day Club, where he participates in meaningful social activities, specialized therapies, memory care programs, and brain fitness exercises. In a heartwarming twist, he even reconnected with a fellow veteran from the Korean War—another Club member.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Adult Day Club’s support for individuals living with Dementia or Alzheimer’s, or if a caregiver needs Respite, don’t wait—call 772-223-7800. It truly makes a difference.

Finding Her Voice: How the Council on Aging Helped Margaret Reclaim Her Dignity

Imagine being 84 years old, living with a hearing and speech impairment, and discovering questionable charges on your credit card. Now imagine trying to resolve that issue over the phone—unable to understand the person on the other end, and struggling to make yourself heard.

For Margaret, it wasn’t just frustrating—it was infuriating. She felt invisible, dismissed, and helpless.

Fortunately, Margaret visited the Council on Aging Martin County, where one of our dedicated Navigators met with her face-to-face. The Navigator served as her advocate, joining her on a phone call to the credit card company, interpreting her needs clearly, and helping resolve the issue quickly and respectfully.

What the Navigator heard from Margaret afterward was deeply troubling, but sadly, not uncommon.

Margaret recounted being detained by Customs upon returning from a trip to Curaçao—simply because a border agent couldn’t understand her speech and wrongly assumed she was involved in drug trafficking. On another occasion, her ride to a medical appointment was abruptly canceled because the scheduler couldn’t understand her when confirming the trip.

These experiences left Margaret feeling isolated and wronged—but also determined. Thanks to the support of the Council on Aging, she no longer feels alone.

With the help of her Navigator, Margaret didn’t just solve a problem—she found an ally. She left that meeting with renewed confidence and the peace of mind that comes from knowing she now has a support system she can count on.

At the Council on Aging, we believe every senior deserves to live with dignity, regardless of ability or circumstance.

If you or someone you know needs help navigating similar challenges, we’re here for you.

Scammers are increasingly targeting seniors with convincing tactics that can lead to devastating financial loss. Join us at the Kane Center on June 3 to learn how to outsmart these scams and protect yourself and your loved ones—before it’s too late.

Read more about senior scams in Karen's most recent Friends and Neighbors column by clicking here.

There’s always something happening at the Kane Center!

Check our website www.coamartin.org for details and join us.

The generous contributions you make to the Council on Aging Martin County directly support our Mission. When you make a gift to benefit our programs, you help seniors reduce loneliness, anxiety and depression. By supporting our work you help build a sense of purpose and social connection for our community's seniors.

You can make a gift today or plan for the future. Please contact Michele Leigh Jacobs, Chief Philanthropic Officer, to discuss opportunities that best suit you, your philanthropic priorities and your passion for our senior community.

Email: mjacobs@coamartin.org
Direct: 772.223.7803
Secured Online Giving: www.coamartin.org

About the Council on Aging Martin County

For seniors, their families, and caregivers, the Council on Aging Martin County is their trusted and comprehensive hub for the resources they need for a safer, healthier, and happier life. 

From services like the Adult Day Club and Day Primary Care Center to exercise classes, games to improve memory, concerts and social events, the 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 home each day, or Senior Dining Centers at locations throughout the county in East Stuart, Jensen Beach, Indiantown and Hobe Sound, offering a healthy lunch and socialization through exceptional programming. The Elder Care Mobile Outreach Bus, the newest member of our family of care management services, brings knowledgeable and compassionate staff directly to seniors in local neighborhoods. 

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. 

We invite you to visit us in person, explore our website at coamartin.org, or connect with us on social media to learn more about the wide range of services offered by the Council on Aging Martin County. Our staff and volunteers are ready and eager to help.