January 6, 2022
By News Director Jared Atha
The Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma has partnered with the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) Area Agency on Aging, along with other Area Agencies on Aging across the state, to assist with funding direct services for people 55 years of age and older in need of some type assistance not otherwise provided by other agencies.
In a press release provided by SWODA it stated that some of the types of services include minor home repairs, wheelchair ramps, air conditioner window units or space heaters, and/or air condition or heater repairs.
SWODA says there is an application and funds will be used on a first come, first served basis until they are all utilized. Funding for each type of service will be limited. Those who have desperate or unique needs should file an application because those situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Assistance will be available once per person every three years.
The press release stated that the SWODA Aging Services Information Assistant receives calls daily from older people and/or their caregivers with needs, and many are told nothing is available to help. This Masonic funding enables AAA staff to assist many callers with resources not available previously.
SWODA director of Aging Services Anita Martinez says the funding “will not only help Oklahoma’s older population, but will also relieve some of the stress placed on caregivers whose older relatives are continually turned down because of the lack of resources for needed help,”.
Counties covered by the SWODA AAA are Beckham, Custer, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills and Washita.
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