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Haywood County senior center reports rising participation and prescription savings
Summary
Senior Resource Center manager John Chicoine told commissioners the center serves about 275 congregate meals daily, has 655 active members (223 new this year), a waiting list for in‑home services, and saved seniors roughly $751,000 in prescription costs last year through SHIP services.
John Chicoine, senior resource center manager, presented the center’s FY23–24 activity report to the board, calling attention to measurable service levels. "Our seniors, there's 275, that receive our congregate meals a day," Chicoine said; he told commissioners the three county sites served more than 8,800 meals in the reporting period and that the in‑home program serves about 60 people per month while carrying a waiting list of roughly 62 people.
Chicoine highlighted other program metrics: about 655 people are in the center’s database, with 223 new signups this year; 32% of participants are over 85 and 77% are female. He also noted the SHIP program assisted roughly 500 people and achieved about $751,000 in prescription‑cost savings last year. Commissioners praised staff and volunteers, discussed continuity of services (including volunteer tax‑help challenges) and approved related consent items without modification.
Chicoine additionally described a small operational change—relabeling six visitor spaces as 30‑minute parking to improve turnover for short visits—and urged continued outreach to underserved seniors. The board did not take a separate funding vote at the meeting; the report provided the board with performance measures and operational updates.
