OPT’s Serving Seniors Initiative
Ozarks Public Television is committed to serving our senior viewers by connecting you with local resources that help promote health and quality of life. OPT’s Serving Seniors initiative in Greene County is made possible in part by a grant from Greene County Senior Citizens’ Services Fund. The Serving Seniors initiative in Stone and Taney counties receives support from the Roy W. Slusher Foundation. Below is a list of organizations that serve seniors in our community.
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Senior 2024
Greene County Resources
Senior Centers
Senior centers offer friendship, fun, and educational opportunities for individuals aged 60 and over. Services include a variety of social and wellness activities, as well as meal programs.
1-800-497-0822
SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging
Provides a wide range of resources and information for seniors and their caregivers. Services include telephone reassurance, assistance with tax preparation, new to Medicare classes, patient companion program, meal programs, bilingual care coordination, and many more.
1-800-497-0822
Trained volunteers accompany seniors on medical appointments to help fill out paperwork, take notes, and facilitate better communication with their healthcare provider. Do you know someone who would enjoy serving as a patient companion? This program is also seeking volunteers.
417-862-0762
OATS Transit
Provides specialized transportation for citizens of all ages. Helpful for medical appointments, shopping trips, social excursions, or other errands. Their vehicles can accommodate walkers and wheelchairs, and services pets are welcome.
1-800-770-6287
Gillioz Theatre Midweek Matinee Series
On select Wednesdays of the month, Greene County and Christian County residents aged 60 or older receive free admission to see a classic film in the historic setting of the Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield. Admission includes free popcorn and non-alcoholic beverage.
417-863-9491
OACAC – Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program
Foster Grandparents serve as role-models in the classroom, helping teachers with tutoring, therapy, and other activities. Share your time, talents, and love with at-risk children in our community.
417-864-3420
Give 5
A “civic matchmaking” program that matches retirees and soon-to-be retirees with meaningful volunteer opportunities in our local community that best fit their skill sets and passions.
417-863-7700
Opportunities for seniors to serve their community by providing specialized volunteer support to local non-profit organizations or government agencies. Opportunities range from grant writing to community gardening programs.
417-868-9592
Council of Churches - Ombudsman Program
Ombudsman is a Swedish word, meaning “representative.” Volunteers with the Council of Churches’ Long-term Care Ombudsman Program ensure nursing home residents are informed of their rights and help resolve complaints between the resident and the facility.
417-862-3586
Springfield Greene County Library
Provides free home book deliveries, technology classes, large-print books, and much more.
417-882-0714
Jordan Valley Community Health Center – Dental Care
Provides dental services.
417- 831-0150
Springfield Greene County Health Department Shingles Vaccination Program
Provides no-cost shingles vaccinations to any Greene County resident age 60 years or older.
417-874-1220
Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Missouri
Provides services for individuals and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s, including support groups, educational sessions, online resources, and a 24-7 helpline with information and advice.
(Helpline: 1-800-272-3900) 417-886-2199
Salvation Army Food Pantry
Provides open food pantry on Wednesdays from 9:30am-3pm.
417-862-5509
CoxHealth Lifeline Medical Alert
Provides medical alert devices to aid individuals living independently.
1-800-749-6555
Crosslines – Homebound Shopper Program
Volunteers help shop for groceries and provide social support for seniors unable to shop for themselves.
417-869-0563
Crosslines – Senior Food Box Program
Eligible recipients can receive a Senior Food Box once per month.
417-869-0563
Council of Churches – Connections Handyman Service
Provides essential home repairs to help low-income seniors remain independent in their homes.
417-887-3586
Legal Services of Southern Missouri
Provides legal representation for seniors on a variety of civil matters, including healthcare directives, simple wills, estate planning, guardianships, divorces, tenant issues, and consumer fraud.
1-800-444-4863
Groupo Latinoamericano
Offers translation of legal and medical documents for Spanish-speaking families.
417-886-1348
Lost & Found Grief Center
Offers bi-weekly support groups for adults grieving the loss of a spouse.
417-865-9998
Stone & Taney County Resources
GENERAL:
Senior Centers
Services include a variety of social and wellness activities, as well as meal services.
1-800-497-0822
Seniorage Area Agency On Aging
Provides special programs, services and information for seniors and caregivers.
1-800-497-0822
Stone County Library
Programs include:
Books to Go –a service to individuals living in Stone County who are unable to visit the library due to temporary or permanent restrictions due to illness, injury, mobility issues, disability, or age.
Computer training classes – call for information
Various exercise classes – check website for times and locations
Assistance with Wolfner Talking Library and Braille services for visually impaired.
417-357-6410
Forsyth Library
The Forsyth Library depends heavily on volunteers, most of them seniors. They run the Forsyth Library Thrift Store to raise money to support the library. For more information about resources and volunteer opportunities contact them at:
(417) 546-5257
162 Main St
Forsyth, MO
HEALTH & SAFETY:
Alzheimer’s Association, Southwest Missouri Chapter
Provides services for individuals and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s, including support groups, online resources, and a 24/7 helpline.
Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
Springfield: 417-886-2199
Burrell Behavioral Health
Provides an array of services for adults ranging from individual and group therapy, to psychiatry, addiction recovery and case management.
Services for Adults | Burrell Behavioral Health (burrellcenter.com)
417-761-5271
Department Of Health and Senior Services
Report elder abuse and neglect
Report online: www.health.mo.gov/safety/abuse/
Hotline: 1-800-392-0210
Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Hollister – Dental Care
Provides adult medical care; behavioral health; chronic disease management; dental care; pain management; and substance use treatment
417-334-8300
Stone County Health Department
Smoking cessation, diabetes and exercise classes offered at Galena and Crane locations. Call for information.
Branson West – 417-272-0050
Galena – 417-357-6134
Taney County Health Department
Provides no cost adult immunizations; health screenings and tests; Show Me Healthy Women (early detection screening services for women ages 50-64); WISEWOMAN (heart disease prevention program for women ages 50-64)
Forsyth: 417-546-4725
Branson: 417-334-4544
TRANSPORTATION:
Oats Transit
Provides specialized transportation for citizens of all ages. Can accommodate walkers and wheelchairs and service pets are welcome.
Taney County – oatstransit.org/taney
Stone County – oatstransit.org/stone
417-887-9272
1-800-770-6287
HUNGER RELIEF:
Crane Food Bank (North Stone County Food Pantry)
215 Main Street
Crane, MO
417-723-5636
Salvation Army
Branson
Grocery and rent assistance; clothing, prescription drug and gas vouchers
Food pantry – Wednesdays only
417-339-4434
LEGAL AID:
Legal Services Of Southern Missouri
Elder law services that affect those 60 years of age and older, including counsel, advice or full representation to senior citizens in many areas of law. May also provide assistance with wills, and other simple estate planning, and some probate matters in limited situations. Simple estate planning may include beneficiary deeds, powers of attorney, and health care directives. They may also provide assistance with guardianships for those who need protections.
1-800-444-4863