SENIOR SERVICES

The Meeting Place Senior Center

75 Carmel Lane, Columbus, NC 28722

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

828-894-0001, polkcountymeetingplace.com

Sponsored by the Polk County Council on Aging, The Meeting Place provides daily recreation, art, music, language and social activities. Lunch is served every weekday from 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. with to-go plates available. Home-delivered meals are available for seniors who are unable to travel. Seniors may also obtain assistance regarding Medicare and Medicare Supplement insurance policies and claim forms through the Senior Health Insurance Information Program at the Meeting Place.

The Meeting Place II (Saluda Senior Center)

64 Greenville St., Saluda, NC 28773

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

828-749-9245

The Saluda Senior Center offers a variety of programs to enhance the quality of life for senior residents of Polk County, including home delivered and congregate meals.

Senior Health Insurance Information Program

75 Carmel Lane, Columbus NC 28722

828-894-7962

Counselors answer Medicare beneficiaries questions about Medicare. Appointment required.

Saluda Living in Place (SLIP)

PO Box 322, Saluda, NC 828-749-1975

Offers a variety of services for seniors including support services, home safety and accessibility and social activities.

Med-Assist

75 Carmel Lane, Columbus, NC 28722

828-894-0001

Med-Assist is a resource for seniors that assists with access to life-saving prescription medications each month. Appointment required.

Community Alternatives Program (CAP)

48 Hospital Dr. Ste. 3, Columbus, NC 28722

828-894-0564, stlukesnc.org

A program that allows elderly and disabled adults ages 18 and up to receive support services in their own home, as an alternative to nursing home placement.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program

111 W. Court St, Rutherfordton, NC 28139

828-287-2281

If you are 55 years or older and economically disadvantaged, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is available to you through the Division of Aging and Adult Services and other agencies in North Carolina. The Senior Community Service Employment Program, funded through Title V of the Older Americans Act, places individuals 55 and older who are economically disadvantaged into useful part-time community service programs while helping them transition into unsubsidized employment.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

R-U-OK Program

164 Government Complex Dr, Columbus, NC 28722

828-894-3001 ext. 303 (nonemergency), polksheriffnc.com

The R-U-OK program is an automated phone system that calls residents of Polk County on a daily basis at a time specified by the user. The recipient of the call presses a specific button to acknowledge receipt of the call. If there is no answer or the recipient fails to properly acknowledge the call, an alert is sent and a PCSO officer responds to the residence to check on the resident.

Polk County Transportation Authority

County Annex, Gibson and Ward St., Columbus, NC 28722

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 828-894-8203, polknc.org/ transportation

Polk County Transportation Authority has proudly served the public transportation needs of citizens since 1985, offering safe, reliable travel to and from a wide range of destinations including around the county, or to Hendersonville, Asheville, Forest City, Shelby, Spartanburg and Greenville. The well-maintained fleet includes lift-equipped vans and child safety seats. Call to arrange trips to work, college, shopping, personal care appointments, medical appointments, airports and more. Free for those over 60. Donations encouraged. Call by 10 a.m. to schedule a trip for the next day. Out-of-county trips require three-day advance notice.

Well Rooted Mercantile, Columbus