Since 1973, the central hub of information and activities for older adults, their families and caregivers in St. Johns County has been the Council on Aging.
The COA operates six senior community centers, delivers more than 300 Meals on Wheels each day, offers five integrative memory enhancement programs and an adult day care center. It provides services and companionship for elder residents through its social services department.
And it maintains a full schedule of classes, presentations and activities.
What to know
The place to start is the agency’s website, coasjc.org. The main phone number is 904-209-3700. Individual centers maintain their own web pages. The centers are:
- COA Center at Flagler Health+ Village at Nocatee, 351 Town Plaza Ave, Ste. 205, Ponte Vedra. Phone: 904-819-3234. Or go to coasjc.org/center-at-nocatee.
- THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center, 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach. Phone: 904-209-3659. Or go to coasjc.org/ponte-vedra-center.
- Coastal Community Center, 180 Marine St., St. Augustine. Phone: 904-209-3636. Or go to coasjc.org/coastal-community-center-2.
- Hastings Senior Center, 6150 S. Main St., Hastings. Phone: 904-209-3694. Or go to coasjc.org/hastings-center.
- River House, 179 Marine St., St. Augustine. Phone: 904-209-3655. Or go to coasjc.org/river-house.
- Trout Creek Senior Center, 6795 Collier Road, Orangedale. Phone: 904-209-3658. Or go to coasjc.org/trout-creek-center.
Services
- Memory services: This important resource can be found at coasjc.org/memory-services.
- Meals on Wheels: Volunteers provide nutritious meals to homebound elders. For information, go to coasjc.org/mealson-wheels.
- Caregiver support: Being a caregiver for an ailing loved one can be overwhelming. The COA offers support. Go to coasjc.org/caregiver-support.
- Independent living services: Many elder people prefer to stay in their own homes. Both fee-based and subsidized community programs that facilitate at-home, independent living for older adults (age 60 and older) can be found at coasjc.org/independent-living.
- Care Connection: Life is sometimes very complicated, and making sure all our demands are met can be challenging. This volunteer-run program is here to help. For information, go to coasjc.org/care-connection.
- Transportation: Need to get somewhere? COA’s Transportation Department offers a variety of mobility options, including the Sunshine Bus, Paratransit and Coastal Transportation. To learn more, go to coasjc.org/transportation.
Other services
- Resource Center: Looking for a food bank? Want to get a library card? How about free medical and dental services for those with low financial means? This is a good place to find out what’s available. Go to coasjc.org/community-resource-center.
- COA Travel Club: Do you like travel? Seeing new things? This partnership with Bartimus Travel Group offers opportunities to get away from it all. Go to coasjc.org/coa-travel-club.
- Support groups: Links to several support groups can be found at coasjc.org/active-living.
Activities, classes and more
Each month, the centers announce upcoming activities, classes, presentations and more on their web pages. Ever wanted to learn to tap dance? How about painting or playing a musical instrument? Here, you’ll learn about lunches being served, geneaology, card games and other diversions, bingo, exercise classes and book discussions. There is information on nutrition and health. Get advice on life’s many issues. Attend a movie or a party. Learn a language.
There’s always a lot happening at the COA centers.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
