News & Events

Connections Area Agency on Aging’s Sioux City office and Mercy Medical Center’s Older Adult Services co-host First Friday Coffee: Welcome to Medicare. This unbiased, informative seminar for new Medicare beneficiaries is held the first Friday of every month. The seminars are from 1:30 to 4:00 at Connections Area Agency on Aging, 2301 Pierce Street, Sioux City. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. There is no cost to attend.

Assisting new beneficiaries to increase their understanding of Medicare is a combined effort of SHIIP programs (Senior Health Insurance Information Program), sponsored by both Mercy Medical Center and Connections Area Agency on Aging. Discussion topics will include who is eligible for benefits and timeframes for applying, understanding Medicare’s benefits and options, supplements, Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans and protecting their Medicare benefits. There will be ample time for questions. To pre-register, or for more information, contact Connections Area Agency on Aging at 712-279-6900 or 800-432-9209.

A Welcome to Medicare Seminar, especially geared for those considering retirement or just beginning Medicare benefits. It will also be helpful for caregivers, professional who work with medicare, or those just wanting to expand their knowledge about Medicare benefits. Topics to be covered include eligibility and how to sign up, how to avoid penalties, benefits of Parts A & C, how to select a supplement and drug plan, difference between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, and how to protect your Medicare benefits. This is a 2.5 hour information-packed seminar and recommended for those who will be scheduling their first SHIIP appointment. This presentation is co-sponsored by SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program), Connections Area Agency on Aging, and WITCC Life Long Learning program. The SHIIP presenters do not sell insurance, and give unbiased, free information. SHIIP counselors are located at several sites throughout Sioux City and the state.

Parking Lot 4, Entrance 14. Preregister by May 29 by calling 712.274.6404 or 800.352.4649

Farmers Market vouchers will again be available for Siouxland seniors beginning June 7. Each senior meeting eligibility guidelines will receive 10 vouchers for a total value of $30 to be used to purchase fresh, Iowa-grown produce and honey. There is a limited supply of vouchers, available on a first come-first serve basis. Connections Area Agency on Aging will distribute the Farmer’s Market vouchers, which are a program of the United States Department of Agriculture that sets the guidelines.

To be eligible for the checks, seniors must be:
• Age 60 or older on the day they pick up vouchers.
• Have a gross yearly household income of no more than $22,311 ($1,859.25/month) for an individual or $30,044 ($2,503.66/month) for a married couple.
• Live in Ida, Cherokee, Monona, Plymouth or Woodbury counties.
• Applications are limited to one per person or married couple. No copies of applications will be accepted.

In Sioux City, vouchers will then be distributed at the Siouxland Center for Active Generations, 313 Cook Street, on June 7,8, and 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Applications can be completed on-site that day.

At rural congregate meal sites/senior centers, applications and vouchers will be available from site managers beginning June 7 at times determined by each site manager.

Vouchers can be redeemed at local Farmer’s Markets with vendors who accept these checks. Checks cannot be pre-signed, as seniors must sign checks when the purchase is made.

If a senior is physically unable to pick up or use Farmer’s Market checks, proxy rules must be followed. For details or more information, contact Connections Area Agency on Aging, 2301 Pierce Street, Sioux City, 800-432-9209.

Farmers Market vouchers will again be available for Siouxland seniors beginning June 7. Each senior meeting eligibility guidelines will receive 10 vouchers for a total value of $30 to be used to purchase fresh, Iowa-grown produce and honey. There is a limited supply of vouchers, available on a first come-first serve basis. Connections Area Agency on Aging will distribute the Farmer’s Market vouchers, which are a program of the United States Department of Agriculture that sets the guidelines.

To be eligible for the checks, seniors must be:
• Age 60 or older on the day they pick up vouchers.
• Have a gross yearly household income of no more than $22,311 ($1,859.25/month) for an individual or $30,044 ($2,503.66/month) for a married couple.
• Live in Ida, Cherokee, Monona, Plymouth or Woodbury counties.
• Applications are limited to one per person or married couple. No copies of applications will be accepted.

In Sioux City, vouchers will then be distributed at the Siouxland Center for Active Generations, 313 Cook Street, on June 7,8, and 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Applications can be completed on-site that day.

At rural congregate meal sites/senior centers, applications and vouchers will be available from site managers beginning June 7 at times determined by each site manager.

Vouchers can be redeemed at local Farmer’s Markets with vendors who accept these checks. Checks cannot be pre-signed, as seniors must sign checks when the purchase is made.

If a senior is physically unable to pick up or use Farmer’s Market checks, proxy rules must be followed. For details or more information, contact Connections Area Agency on Aging, 2301 Pierce Street, Sioux City, 800-432-9209.

Farmers Market vouchers will again be available for Siouxland seniors beginning June 7. Each senior meeting eligibility guidelines will receive 10 vouchers for a total value of $30 to be used to purchase fresh, Iowa-grown produce and honey. There is a limited supply of vouchers, available on a first come-first serve basis. Connections Area Agency on Aging will distribute the Farmer’s Market vouchers, which are a program of the United States Department of Agriculture that sets the guidelines.

To be eligible for the checks, seniors must be:
• Age 60 or older on the day they pick up vouchers.
• Have a gross yearly household income of no more than $22,311 ($1,859.25/month) for an individual or $30,044 ($2,503.66/month) for a married couple.
• Live in Ida, Cherokee, Monona, Plymouth or Woodbury counties.
• Applications are limited to one per person or married couple. No copies of applications will be accepted.

In Sioux City, vouchers will then be distributed at the Siouxland Center for Active Generations, 313 Cook Street, on June 7,8, and 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Applications can be completed on-site that day.

At rural congregate meal sites/senior centers, applications and vouchers will be available from site managers beginning June 7 at times determined by each site manager.

Vouchers can be redeemed at local Farmer’s Markets with vendors who accept these checks. Checks cannot be pre-signed, as seniors must sign checks when the purchase is made.

If a senior is physically unable to pick up or use Farmer’s Market checks, proxy rules must be followed. For details or more information, contact Connections Area Agency on Aging, 2301 Pierce Street, Sioux City, 800-432-9209.

Come say hello to us at our booth. Terri will be available to answer questions.

Each year, an estimated 5 million older persons are abused, neglected, and exploited. In addition, elders throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation, funds that could be used for basic needs such as housing, food and medical care. Unfortunately no one is immune to abuse, neglect or exploitation. It occurs in every demographic, even in Siouxland, and can happen to anyone - a family member, a neighbor, or even you. Yet it is estimated that only one in five of those crimes are ever discovered. (Excerpted ACL website 2017)

Our goal for this conference is to increase the awareness of Elder Abuse, to recognize the signs of its occurrence, and to further develop the coalition of collaborative resources to address these needs of the older member within our communities. We envision each participant, whether a professional, family member, or caring neighbor, of this year's Elder Rights Symposium walking away with a better understanding of the legal and technical aspects of Elder Abuse. The Symposium will empower us with a sense of purpose, relevancy, and common cause as we educate, recognize and alleviate the suffering caused by Elder Abuse within Siouxland.

Networking group of local non-profits from Pottawattamie county.

Come say hello to us at our booth at the Veteran's Appreciation Event. Pick up some helpful info and ask those questions about how to stay independent within your community. We understand the traveling Vietnam Wall memorial will also be at this event!

Come join us for a speaker from Mercy Home Health before lunch! Both the speaker and lunch are open to the public! Reservations for the meal must be by 10:00 on the day prior. Lunch is on a donation basis with a suggested donation of $3.25-6.50. Menu can be found below!

Come join us for a speaker from Mercy Home Health before lunch! Both the speaker and lunch are open to the public! Reservations for the meal must be by 10:00 on the day prior. Lunch is on a donation basis with a suggested donation of $3.25-6.50. Menu can be found below!

To Drive or Not to Drive, that is the question… …And we have some answers. Join us for a panel discussion that will explore aspects of transportation as an older adult. Learn about the AARP’s Safe Driver’s course that may extend the time you can safely drive, and listen to representatives from DOT, Sioux City Police, Sioux City Transit, and Siouxland Regional Transit System discussing signs that may indicate when it’s time to relinquish a license or convince a loved one to do so. We’ll also look at options that are available after including assistance from Connections Area Agency on Aging’s Transportation program to help you keep your independence. Climb aboard and tour various city and rural transportation options including a city bus, SRTS minibus, and para-transit, where you can sit back in comfort and let them drive!

This program is part of WITCC LifeLong Learning. To register, please call 712.274.6404 or 800.352.4649
Rides on the different transport types will be offered as an optional activity at the end of the panel discussion.

To Drive or Not to Drive, that is the question… …And we have some answers. Join us for a panel discussion that will explore aspects of transportation as an older adult. Learn about the AARP’s Safe Driver’s course that may extend the time you can safely drive, and listen to representatives from DOT, Sioux City Police, Sioux City Transit, and Siouxland Regional Transit System discussing signs that may indicate when it’s time to relinquish a license or convince a loved one to do so. We’ll also look at options that are available after including assistance from Connections Area Agency on Aging’s Transportation program to help you keep your independence. Climb aboard and tour various city and rural transportation options including a city bus, SRTS minibus, and para-transit, where you can sit back in comfort and let them drive! Optional rides on different transportation types available at end of session.

This is part of WITCC's LifeLong Learning Program. Call WITCC to preregister at 712.274.6404 or 800.352.4649

Hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. For more details see attached brochure.

You are invited to our Open House at our Council Bluffs Office commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the work we do to prevent Elder Abuse. Come for appetizers and drinks and engaging conversation. We'll have staff available to answer you questions and abundant information about the services we provide, highlighting those that prevent, advocate and care for victims of Elder Abuse.

Join us for a cup of joe and stimulating conversation!