Interest in services for the older adults in Parker County dates back to 1971, when forums were held to discuss the needs of the expanding population. As a result, an elder council was formed in 1974.  This council approached the North Central Texas Council of Governments for funds to develop needed services within Parker County.  Although funds were not available at that time, Meals on Wheels began in 1975, prepared by and delivered from Campbell Memorial Hospital. This group was instrumental in forming the Parker County Committee on Aging.

On June 27, 1975, the first organizational meeting was held for the Committee and in July of 1 975, the Agency was incorporated as a non-profit organization. This voluntary association was formed for the purpose of identifying the needs of older citizens and planning new services or coordinating existing services to meet those needs. In February of 1976, the Committee received Title Ill funds for operation of a Senior Service Center, a transportation program, and other related programs. The temporary meeting place was the old Cherry Park Recreation Center; in May 1977, a permanent home was found at the old Weatherford Public Library. The nutrition program was added in November 1977, in order to provide a hot, nutritious congregate meal five days a week.

As the programs began to grow, the administration office remained at the Weatherford Public Library, but the nutrition service moved to Emmanuel Baptist Church, then to the Texas National
Guard building, then to the American Legion building, and finally into the new building at 1225
Holland Lake Road in December 1987. This building was paid for in 1990, strictly from local fund-raising efforts.

Needs for these same services became apparent in other areas of the county; therefore, satellite sites began to develop in the following areas in 1983: Tin Top, Millsap, Poolville, Springtown, and Aledo. In 1984, a satellite was opened at Lexington Square and subsequently combined with the new Center on Holland Lake Road.

In 1990, the North Central Texas Council of Governments asked the Parker County Committee on Aging (PCCA) to include Palo Pinto County in their services, and the Senior Center in Mineral Wells was reopened under PCCA administration. The City of Mineral Wells took over the operations of the Senior Center in 1993, with PCCOA still providing services.

In 1991, Case Management services began with local funding in Parker and Palo Pinto Counties.  State funding for this service became available in 1992, with services expanding to Hood and Wise Counties. In 1 993, Legal services funds were awarded to PCCA through a grant for seven counties (not extended past the initial six-month period) and a Central Kitchen was established in
Weatherford for a six-county Consortium. A Preventative Health program, funded through a grant, was established in 1 993, but was not extended past the initial six-month period.

PCCA continues to be open to opportunities that address current needs for older adults.  The following programs are provided to the over-60 frail elderly minorities and their spouses in our service area:

Congregate Meals Served five days a week in a congregate setting at the Senior Center in Weatherford.  These meals meet 1/3 RDA requirements.

Home-Delivered Meals - Delivered five days or more per week to homebound participants who are unable to prepare their own meals or who lack family, friends, or other community resources. These meals also meet 1/3 RDA requirements.

Case Management - Administered from the Weatherford Senior Center to participants in Parker County.  Provides individual assessment, arranging necessary care and service, follow-up, ongoing monitoring of clients status, and periodic revision of the overall service plan.

Transportation - Provides transportation five days a week, to include trips to pharmacies, grocers, doctors, and to the Senior Center for meals, daily activities and special events.

Residential Repair - Offered to those older adults who cannot properly maintain their homes and yards and who have no family close enough to perform these chores for them. Services include painting and clean-up inside and out, as well as other maintenance required to keep a home safe and livable.  Volunteer groups, primarily from local churches take on these projects throughout the year.

Senior Center - Open five days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Includes recreational, physical fitness, education in areas of nutrition, personal improvement and positive thinking, crafts, and periodic services such as immunizations sponsored by the Texas Department of Health and tax aide offered by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Emergency Food Pantry – Emergency groceries available to low-income senior citizens.

Liquid Nutritional Supplements – Ensure and Boost made available to senior citizens and cancer patients at reduced prices.

Information and Referral - An ongoing program providing concrete information to older adults, their advocates or providers, about public and voluntary services and resources available to them.

Telephone Reassurance - Daily calls from the Senior Center to those homebound to assure their safety and well being.