Your TARCOG E-Newsletter for August

ALABAMA SENIOR CITIZENS. HALL OF FAME 2025 Induction and Awards Ceremony honors several from TARCOG Region

Five outstanding senior adults from Madison, Jackson and DeKalb counties were honored on Aug. 10, at the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame 2025 Induction and Awards Ceremony in Prattville. Two of 10 permanent state inductees into the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame includedDr. Zaheer Khan, of Huntsville and Betty D. Moore, of Grant. Several other seniors from North Alabama were recognized with a Special Award for contributions and service to their communities including: DiAnne Callahan of Fort Payne, who works for the DeKalb County Council on Aging was honored with an Area Agency on Aging Special Award for her outstanding achievements.
Two of the 26 people honored for being 100 years or older were from Madison County, including Nell Lane Bradford and Howard Polin. “This is the one major event in Alabama each year where individuals are formally honored and recognized for their selfless advocacy and dedication to serving older adults in their community,” said Jean Brown, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Senior Services. “We are proud to celebrate the achievements of the Alabamians selected for the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame awards.”Read more

Helping People: Protect against fraud

About 175 people turned out to learn about the most common scams and how to outsmart fraudsters today at the TARCOG Fraud & Scam Summit. Held at the Sandridge Ballroom at Athens State University on Aug. 20, attendees learned How to recognize and avoid common scamsIdentity theft prevention tipsThe role of caregivers in spotting and reporting fraudSteps to take when you suspect financial abuseKey contacts and reporting agencies for immediate help

Attendees at TARCOG’s Fraud & Scam Summit 2025 responding by raising their hands to say they learned something valuable at the Aug. 20 event.

Let’s talk about: SenioRX

At TARCOG, we believe that access to life-saving medications should never be out of reach, especially for those in need.
Like one 67-year-old man from Madison County who needed medications that cost $15,000 a month. After he called SenioRx for help and worked with a program coordinator, now, his medications are free.
There are similar stories throughout the TARCOG Region of DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties. Last year combined, the TARCOG Region SenioRx coordinators saves residents more than $9 million. “Prescription costs can be overwhelming, especially for those with limited income or no insurance,” said Emmitt Davis, community services coordinator. “But help is available through our SenioRx prescription medication assistance program.”

SenioRx Coordinators Kenyatta Bynum and Lina Barnett from Madison County meet with TARCOG Community Services Coordinator Emmitt Davis.

Senior Center Spotlight: Fyffe

Senior adults who spend time at the Fyffe Senior Center say it makes their day better.
“When I don’t come, I miss everybody,” said Janet Bowman, 76.
“Me too,” added Ann McNemar, 71.
It’s a sentiment shared among the participants attending on a recent August morning.
We have a good time here,” shared Janet Hood, 78. “I lost my husband a few years ago and I had do to something. Those four walls were closing in on me and my sister was coming here at the time and invited me to come.”
Her sister is unable to attend now due to health issues, but she’d be there if she could. And Janet said she’s found that she would rather eat a meal with other people than alone.
“The food is better when someone is eating with you,” said Ann Troxtel, 71. “I suffer with depression and it’s good for me to be with other people and I enjoy coming here.”Read more

Lunch is served at the Fyffe Senior Center in DeKalb County.

Employee of the Month: Ashley Johnson

Ashley Johnson has been at TARCOG three years this month and has worked her way from being a case manager to case manager supervisor.
She says she changed her mind a lot growing up about what kind of career she wanted, but she always knew she wanted to help others. In the near future, she’s hoping to go back to school to complete two classes to earn her master’s in social work.
One of the best pieces of advice she ever received was don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. “It reminded me that progress matters more than perfection, and that waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment or outcome can often hold us back from achieving great things,” Ashley said.Read more

TARCOG Medicaid Waiver Case Manager Supervisor Ashley Johnson.

MORE NEWS

TARCOG AREA AGENCY ON AGING’S Area Plan for FY 2026-2029 is available for review and comment until Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. Review the planTARCOG WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION TARCOG is being recognized nationally for efforts to make it safer to travel throughout northeast Alabama with a new Regional Safety Action Plan for area roads. Read more