From the Desk of Michel Claudet, Executive Director
After 31 years of Council of Aging leadership by Ms. Diana Edmonson we are beginning a new chapter of supervision. The board of directors graciously selected me, Michel Claudet, to lead this organization into the future. We presently have many challenges including remnants of Hurricane Ida, inflation, an economy that is declining both locally and nationally and a different workforce environment than we have ever had in recent memory. Despite these challenges it will be my responsibility, along with the great employees we have, to lead us into the future.
The top of our priority list at the Council on Aging is to expand services for our clients. This will include, but not be limited to, congregant meals, home delivered meals, personal care services, material aid and participation at our Centers. We were dealt a severe blow by the pandemic and Hurricane Ida. As you know we serve the elderly and with the pandemic our clientele did not want to be exposed to possible infection at our centers or by our employees or contractors visiting their homes. When the pandemic was beginning to normalize we were hit by Hurricane Ida which meant many of our clients had no time to worry about participation at our Centers or with our activities. Many of our clients were and still are currently rebuilding and refurbishing their homes. That is their top priority. Our activities and events are further down their list. We are working to get them back to our Centers to socialize and increase their participation in our activities.
We had our own damage to our facilities as a result of Hurricane Ida and we continue repairing as soon as our contractors are able to do so. We are almost there. In addition we are struggling with the current economic environment with insurance and wage rates escalating as well as rising rates for the cost of fuel and meals.
We at the Terrebonne Council on Aging (TCOA) will all work diligently to make the TCOA an agency that will represent Terrebonne Parish in a manner that will make you proud to be from Terrebonne Parish.
Thank you for the great honor of leading (TCOA) and I look forward to serving you.