2005 Ernest B. Messer Award Presented to
Franklin County and the Franklin County Department of Aging
RALEIGH: The 2005 Ernest B. Messer Award was presented to Franklin
County and the Franklin County Department of Aging at the North Carolina
Conference on Aging held in New Bern on Oct. 19.
“Franklin County and its Department of Aging have gone way beyond
what is normally expected of an agency funded by the limited state,
federal, and local dollars through the Older Americans Act,” said
Karen Gottovi, director of the Division of Aging and Adult Services. “This
is a small, rural county that truly cares about its citizens, and wants
to be sure that they are well cared for. The Franklin County Department
of Aging has taken its charge to care for seniors to the maximum.”
Gottovi in presenting the award, commended Franklin County for their
efforts at making the county senior-friendly through collaborating
with local and state partners to ensure that seniors are safe from
scams and telemarketing scams. “They are now actively working
on funding a fraud and scam telephone alert network,” she said.
Both the Senior Centers in Franklin County are Centers of Excellence,
meaning that they have extensive programming, and are open every day,
with evening and weekend activities as well. They also sponsor trips
and dances. Both centers have knowledgeable staff to assist senior
citizens with any questions or concerns they may have, according to
Gottovi. The centers are equipped with commercial grade fitness equipment,
a computer lab, a lending library, and meeting rooms. Others may rent
the facilities for other community purposes. In addition, Franklin
County offers many other home and community care services, wellness
activities, recreation programs, and medication assistance that other
areas choose not to provide, and has given funds significantly over
the match requirement to ensure that these services are available.
The Messer Award recognizes a community in the state that has excelled
in addressing the needs of its older citizens.
The Messer Award is one of three awards presented each year to individuals,
organizations or communities that have excelled in meeting the needs
of older citizens in the state. Given by the Division of Aging and
Adult Services in the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the
awards are the Dr. George L. Maddox Award and the Edwald W. Busse Award
along with the Messer Award. Drs. Busse and Maddox, and Mr. Messer
were three pioneers in the field of aging in North Carolina.
The Honorable Ernest B. Messer served ten terms in the NC House of
Representatives from Haywood County, and as director of the Division
of Aging in the early 1980’s.
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