Kearns stepping down as chairman of the Harrison County Commission on Aging

After over five years as chairman of the Harrison County Commission on Aging board, Tommy Kearns is stepping down from that post.
Kearns will continue to serve on the board, however, he is turning his gavel over to Beth Laytart, who has assumed the chairman’s position. Kearns has served on the board for over 10 years.
The Commission on Aging is located in Community Service Center on Old Lair Road. It is a non-profit organization and operates on local, state and federal funds as well as through donations from the United Community Fund, program fees and other donations.
The Senior Citizens Center operates three programs under the guidance of the Commission on Aging, also with local, state and federal funding. Those programs are Title III, Home care and Adult Day Care.
Title III is a Monday, Wednesday, Friday program for Harrison residents who are 60 years old or older. There is no cost for those services, which include, advocacy, education, escort, health promotion, exercise, homemaking information and assistance, outreach, recreation/trips, meals at the center and home delivered, and transportation to and from the center.
The center offers exercise classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from
8:30 to 9:30 a.m. There is weekly bingo on Wednesdays, and monthly blood pressure checks and birthday celebrations.
Other activities are scheduled for groups and one-on-one interaction to promote development and friendships.
The home care program serves as a bridge between the elderly and the community resources needed to stay at home in a safe environment.
The services for the elderly are designed to help those who are at risk of going into the nursing home.
Costs for this is based on the clients ability to  pay. However, much of these services are provided at no cost.
They include assessment, case management, household chores, home-delivered meals, personal care and bathing.
The Adult Day Care is open  7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for those clients who do not require 24-hour care, but due to physical, mental or social impairments are not capable of full-time independent living.
The center provides health monitoring with a licensed nurse on staff to work with physicians in required cases.
The day care also has daily activities to engage the clients in hobbies and specials interests as well as activities that provide motivation, creative expression and increased self esteem. There is daily exercise and holiday and birthday parties.
For more information about any of the services offered through the Commission on Aging and the Community Service Center, call 859-234-5801.
Board members in addition to Laytart and Kearns are: Orville Fowler, co-chairman; John Schreiber, treasurer; Marilyn Wash, secretary; Mayor Steve Moses, Judge Alex Barnett, Melvin Henson, Karen Adams, Josh Sorrell and Lois McCauley.

TOMMY KEARNS