A New Year of Care, Community, and Connection

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!

At Council on Aging, our year is off to a great start! Renovations to our Adult Day Club and Memory Enhancement areas are nearing completion, the Kane Center has a full calendar of events, Meals on Wheels volunteers continue to eagerly pack their cars with hot meals for our clients throughout the county, and our Pep Rally Gala teams are all fired up for our fundraising event on February 28.

If you’ve made resolutions to stay healthy, be active, and eat well, check out the offerings of the Council on Aging. And please always remember that if you or a family member or neighbor needs help, our compassionate and knowledgeable staff is always ready to assist you in finding the resources you need.

Gratefully,

Karen Ripper, President and CEO

Every day, seniors are targeted by scammers, often online and often without warning. These criminals prey on kindness, generosity, and trust, taking not only hard-earned money but also the sense of security everyone deserves to feel.

To help protect our community, the Council on Aging Martin County and Seacoast Bank are partnering to present a free educational program, Protecting Yourself From Fraud. This informative session will be held on Friday, February 13, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Kane Center.

Join us to learn how to recognize common fraud schemes, spot red flags early, and understand what steps to take if you or a loved one becomes a victim. Knowledge is one of the strongest tools we have in preventing fraud.

Space is limited. Please call 772-223-7800 to register.

Lance and Caroline Merker are proud members of the Meals on Wheels family. At the Poinsettia Power Luncheon in December to benefit the program, Lance and Caroline told this beautiful story.

Every single day, clients tell us how much they appreciate their wonderful meals from the Kane Center.

We hear all sorts of stories. Sometimes, a client will tell us, with a sparkle in their eye, about the times they volunteered “back in the day.” For others, these meals the only hot cooked meal they can get. We hear from widowers who never learned to cook, and widows who desperately miss cooking but simply can’t any more due to mobility challenges or eyesight.

One of our favorite clients is Maddie. She's now completely blind and can no longer cook for herself. For her, and for so many others who live alone, a Meals on Wheels delivery is truly something they look forward to most each day. It’s a hot meal for the body, and a warm smile for the soul. 

Right now, more than 10,000 seniors in Martin County are living at or below the poverty level. As benefits are reduced or cut altogether, many homebound neighbors are left facing difficult days alone.

A gift to Meals on Wheels does more than provide a nutritious meal. It delivers reassurance, dignity, and a friendly face at the door. For many seniors, it may be the only human connection they have all day.

Your generosity today can make a meaningful difference. Please consider supporting Meals on Wheels by making a gift at www.coamartin.org/foundation/donate-today.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming, confusing, and emotionally exhausting. No one should have to navigate that journey alone. The Council on Aging Martin County is committed to supporting caregivers and families every step of the way.

This February, we’re partnering with Senior Helpers of the Treasure Coast to offer a free, three-part educational workshop focused on understanding dementia-related disorders and learning practical strategies for providing care, support, and compassion.

This series is designed to provide guidance, reassurance, and helpful tools you can use right away. The flyer below includes full details on how to participate.

Creative cuisine, cheerleading stunt work, game-changer cocktails, a danceable playlist of live music, and a fiercely-contested team challenge that will better the lives of local seniors for years to come – that’s the promise of this year’s Pep Rally Gala to benefit the Council on Aging Martin County.

The event on Saturday, February 28, begins at 6 p.m. at the Kane Center. Chef’s Table will provide an amazing spread, the band Girlfriend Material will play lively, get-up-out-of-your-seat-and-dance music, and there will be surprises throughout the evening starting with a Progressive Cocktail Tour.

Last year, teams competed for bragging rights and raised significant funds to benefit Council on Aging programs. This year, they have their sights set on a very specific goal: $80,000 to purchase a meal delivery vehicle to support the Meals on Wheels program.

Our 2026 Teams: Lotus Loft, Council on Aging Martin Board of Directors, Team Certified Payroll Advisors, Team COA Staff, Closets by Design, Orange Theory Fitness, New Home Dream Team.

It’s not too late for you to form a team, join a team, or purchase tickets to a fun-filled evening with a meaningful purpose.

Check on team status, buy tickets, and stay in the know at www.coamartin.org, or get more information from Amber Ducote at 772-223-3007.

While we don’t experience snow and cold during winters in Florida, there are still some good health practices that will help you stay well during this season.

Get Vaccinated
It’s not too late to get your flu vaccine. Winter is peak season for flu even in Florida, so protect yourself with vaccines and reduce your risk of severe illness and hospitalization.

Stay Hydrated
On the golf course or tennis courts or even indoors, your body needs hydration. Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Eat Right
Good nutrition is essential, and the rules are easy: focus on fruits and vegetables, get adequate amounts of protein, and limit carbohydrates and sugars.

Exercise Safely
Whether you’re working out at a gym, cycling, playing sports, or walking at a good pace, you need to wear the right shoes, monitor how your body feels during and after exercise (pain is definitely not the sign of a good workout!), and be aware of any hazards around you. Safety first!

Wash Your Hands
Viruses spread easily. Wash your hands often, disinfect high-touch surfaces, and avoid close contact if you’re sick.

Day Primary Care, located at the Kane Center, is now accepting new patients ages 18 and older. While many people associate the Kane Center with services for older adults, Day Primary Care is a full-service primary care practice for adults of all ages, focused on prevention, wellness, and personalized care.

Our compassionate, highly skilled providers take the time to listen, understand your health goals, and partner with you on your journey to optimal health and well-being. Whether you are managing a chronic condition or simply looking for a trusted primary care provider, we are here for you.

To learn more or become a patient, call 772-223-7864 or sign up online at www.dayprimarycare.org, where you can read about our exceptional care team.

Our Kane Center on Salerno Road is a bustling hub of activity every day, with exercise classes, game days, book clubs, special events, and so much more.

Here are a few of the events you can look forward to:

Tour the Everglades Edudome on January 8

Sing Along with the Atlantic City Boys on February 14

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 www.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.