Aleeda and Michael Share Their Story for OAM
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • May 6, 2021
We have a pool that we open on Memorial Day and close on Labor Day that keeps the grands entertained during the summer months and keeps us busy too with its upkeep.
When you realize that 68 is not
the 'new 40,' your mind plays tricks on you and makes you think you can do more and be more active than you can be. The older I get, the harder it is to stay active, especially since COVID-19. However, I keep in touch with family and friends on the computer and have been blessed to continue working from home.
I have found that setting goals to complete during the week helps me to stay active. I take walks around the yard or even around the house, load the dishwasher, put on a load of clothes to break up the monotony, and keep circulation moving. Also, completing chores around the house - cooking, grocery shopping, filling up the gas tank, washing clothes, vacuuming, and mopping keeps me active. My husband keeps busy by doing yard work and working with our small vegetable garden.
I have also been blessed to have my dad (92-years-old) still stay at home by himself and be in pretty good health. Since he uses a walker and is not very active, he has a caregiver to help with his household chores three days a week. Although we live about 40 minutes away, I continue to visit with him by phone several times a week, buy his groceries, run errands, pick up meds, cook him some meals for the week, and help him with other chores as needed.
Since COVID-19, we continue to improve our home, which is sometimes fun and then sometimes very trying. At our ages 68 (Aleeda) and 71 (Michael), we quickly realize we are not young anymore, and it takes more planning and time to accomplish tasks. The snow that hit East Texas for a week killed all of our azaleas and gardenias, so we are landscaping and replacing them as time permits. You soon realize how out of shape you are from doing yard work.
We also try to have some of the grandkids over on the weekends and during the summer. We have a pool that we open on Memorial Day and close on Labor Day that keeps the grands entertained during the summer months and keeps us busy too with its upkeep. My husband and I also try to take the grands to different festivals throughout the year and on vacation during the summer months. They also keep us busy throughout the year attending their sporting events and encouraging them from the sideline.
Also, during the summer, when vegetables are ready to be harvested, we try to can jalapeno relish, pick peas, and fill up the freezer with fresh vegetables. We also like to visit orchards for fresh watermelons and fruit for jams and jellies.
Aleeda and Michael Age
Working with our local seniors, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will celebrate Older Americans Month by encouraging East Texas seniors to share their experiences. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.
Share Your Story!
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the important contributions of older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to focus on the steps they can take to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while highlighting the resources and community connections that help people age well. In recognition of Older Americans Month, AAA will host three special events at community locations across East Texas to celebrate older adults and share information about programs and services available to seniors and caregivers. Throughout the month of May, the Area Agency on Aging will also participate in additional events that promote the mental and physical health of our communities and recognize the many contributions older Americans have made, and continue to make, across the country. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, Older Americans Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on the generations of older adults whose service, leadership, and life experiences have helped shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. “Older Americans Month is an important time to recognize the lasting contributions of older adults and the many ways they strengthen our communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. “This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, reminds us of the importance of supporting healthy aging by connecting older East Texans with resources, services, and opportunities that help them live well and remain engaged.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public and will feature information on services and supports available to East Texas seniors: Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Christian Church 1920 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, Texas 75766 Wednesday, May 20 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marshall Convention Center 2501 E. End Blvd S. Marshall, Texas 75672 Thursday, May 21 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First Methodist Church of Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751 The AAA is the region’s leader in advocacy and services for older adults, providing support such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and the Ombudsman program for people living in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For questions about the events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500.
The East Texas Area Agency on Aging (ETAAA), a program of the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), is inviting the public to review and comment on our 2027 to 2029 Area Plan. ETAAA serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Service Area 4, a fourteen-county region in East Texas. The Area Plan outlines our strategy to strengthen the Aging Services Network and address the needs of people age 60 and older, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. It also guides how we plan, coordinate, and oversee services supported by the Older Americans Act and other state and local initiatives. Our mission is to serve as the region’s leader in advocating for and delivering services that enable older adults to live independently, with dignity and purpose, in their homes and communities. Our vision, “Age Well, Live Well, ” reflects a person-centered approach focused on better choices, improved health, and access to nutritious food. We call it “Serving One Senior at a Time.” The 2027–2029 Area Plan is guided by a needs assessment incorporating data, service trends, and stakeholder input. Key priority needs include access to home- and community-based services, caregiver support, transportation, nutrition and food security, social isolation, healthcare access and chronic disease management, and improved service coordination and system navigation. How to share your input Public comments will be accepted through April 26, 2026 . Submit comments by mail or email: Mail: Area Agency on Aging, 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, TX 75662 Email: Colleen.Halliburton@etcog.org
