The guest speaker at the noon Lions Club meeting August 14 was Karen Guice, Outreach and Education Director for the Webster Parish Council on Aging (COA).
Guice, a Louisiana native, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Louisiana Tech University and her master’s in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lived and worked in Birmingham, Alabama, for 45 years before returning to her hometown of Minden in 2022.
“I’ve been working with seniors all of my life. Well, not quite all, it’s not over yet,” Guice said. “Aging has always been fascinating to me. It is greatly dreaded or it is welcomed, one or the other.”
Guice spoke about four key areas in aging: education about what to expect, planning for independent living or alternative care, developing healthy habits such as proper diet and exercise, and prioritizing socialization for mental health.
She also outlined the services COA provides. Funded by federal, state, and local sources, as well as donations, the voluntary council advocates for senior citizens, offers guidance on avoiding scams, assists with insurance and government programs, and meets community needs through programs such as the annual fan drive. The agency also provides respite services for caregivers, transportation to medical appointments, and resources for legal assistance.
Guice noted that donations are always welcome to extend and improve services.
Direct services include weekday meals at the center and deliveries to homebound residents, recreational activities such as bingo, parties, crafts, and trips, and homemaker services offering light housekeeping for those unable to manage on their own.
“They come to the center and they laugh, they cut up, they play, they enjoy each other, they have a wonderful meal, and the fellowship is amazing,” Guice said. “We have some of the greatest seniors anywhere. We have a wonderful Council on Aging. We are all committed and dedicated to our seniors. We want to see them have the best life they can have in their latter years.”
The Minden Lions Club meets at noon each Thursday at the American Legion Memorial Hall, 119 W. Pine Street.