Southwest 8 Senior Services will be the lead agency for a new agency that will provide services for senior citizens in 20 western Iowa Counties. The state of Iowa plans to consolidate the current 13 Area Agencies on Aging into 6 by July, 1st, 2013. The goal for all six agencies is that hopefully, the consolidation will not disrupt services to their clients.

Currently, Southwest 8 Senior Services covers 8 counties including Cass, Harrison, Pottawattamie and Shelby among others. With the new consolidation, Southwest 8 will represent the planning and service area Six which will add 12 more counties including Monona County and those farther north. The hub for area Six will still be in Council Bluffs but under the direction of Barb Morrison.

The goal is to have all 20 counties in each service area access to equal services. The current administrative offices are planning to stay open for at least the 1st year. The Iowa State Department of Aging states they are not looking at reducing the number of employees in senior service areas either. Senior citizens in Audubon and Crawford County, are being grouped in planning and service area One, along with Carroll County. Area 1 will run out of Elderbridge Area Agency on Aging in Mason City.

For more information on the consolidation of Senior Services throughout Iowa log on to www.iowaaging.gov., or www.southwest8.org.