ETOWAH COUNTY RESOURCES
Look below for aging and disability resources in Calhoun County. Click on the blue links for more information.
- AIDB (Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind): AIDB has a strong commitment to helping all Alabamians with sensory impairments regardless of age. Contact them for more information at (256) 761-3740.
- Benefits Counseling: Contact our Agency to find out if any Aging and Disability Resources in our area could benefit you. Below is a list of some of the programs. Contact us at 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463), info@EastAlabamaAging.org, or click on resources below for more information.
- Assistance Transitioning from a Long-Term Care Facility to a Home or Community Based Setting
- Caregiver Assistance Program
- Food Assistance
- Long-Term Care Services in Home and Community Based Settings
- Senior Medicare Patrol: This program helps Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.
- State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIP): SHIP provides free, unbiased health insurance counseling for people with Medicare.
- Elder Abuse
- Exercise Opportunities
- Senior Activity Centers
- Masters Games of Alabama: This is competition for Alabama residents age 50 and older. Competition is divided into Male and Female divisions in 9 age groups. Events include a 5K Run/Walk, Basketball Free Throw, Billards, Bowling, Checkers, Domino Doubles, Domino Singles, Golf Singles, Golf Doubles, Horseshoes (30′ male or female, 40′ male), Nerf Throw, Frisbee Throw, Rook, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, Table Tennis, and 9 Swimming Events. Click here for more information.
- FREE Legal Services for Low-income Alabama Residents
- Age 60 and older: Call 1-800-243-5463 or email info@EastAlabamaAging.org.
- Under Age 60: Call 1-866-456-4995.
- FREE Tax Aid
- Prescription Assistance
- Transportation Services
More details about some of the above programs can be found in the below section.
- Food Assistance (Call 1-800-AGE-LINE or 1-800-243-5463)
- EAC Senior Centers Meals (in the center and delivered to eligible Homebound)
- Farmers Market Coupons: The goal of this program is to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from Alabama Farmers Market Authority eligible farmers markets and roadside stands to low-income seniors and nutritionally at risk women and children. Go to this website for more information or to apply: http://www.fma.alabama.gov/VoucherPrograms.aspx.
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): This Food Assistance Program’s purpose is to end hunger and improve nutrition by providing monthly benefits to eligible low income households to help them buy the food they need for good health.
- Prescription Assistance:
- Prescription Assistance through SenioRx: This program provides assistance with Medications, Liquid Supplements, and Diabetic Supplies approved by the physician. Contact Interfaith Ministries’ Kathy Gaines at 235-237-8355.
- FREE Prescription Savings Card from United Way – call 1-866-810-3784
- FREE Discount Prescription Card – call 1-800-931-8872 or go to www.coast2coastrx.com
- Senior Activity Centers: These centers provide activities, fun, fellowship, volunteer opportunities, and access to health and nutritional information. For those that qualify, there are a limited number of lunches at the center and delivered to homebound clients.
Attalla
Attalla Senior Center
256-570-0202
102 Case Ave. S.E.
Attalla, AL 35954
Elliott
Elliott Senior Center
256-549-4735
2829 W. Meighan Blvd.
Gadsden, AL
Gadsden
Gadsden Carver Senior Center
256-549-4767
1030 Tuscaloosa Ave.
Gadsden, AL
Glencoe
George Wallace Senior Center
256-492-4911
07 Hollingsworth Park Lane
Glencoe, AL
Hokes Bluff
Hokes Bluff Senior Center
256-492-2511
5981 Gilliland Street
Hokes Bluff, AL
Sardis City
Sardis City Senior Center
256-593-6432
296 Parkway Dr.
Boaz, AL 35956
- Transportation Services
- Medicaid Recipients: The Alabama Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) Program helps eligible recipients pay for rides to dental and doctor offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities when the service is also covered by Medicaid. Recipients with special ride needs for dialysis, radiation, or other treatments should contact the NET program at 256-549-7702.
- DART:
- Qualifications: Anyone can use DART. Service is open to the general public. Children 5 years or younger must use child restraint seats furnished by the passenger.
- Contact:Call 256-543-3278, preferably 24 hours in advance of your desired trip.
- Transportation Area:
- Gadsden City Limits: Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Attalla: Tuesday’s and Thursday’s a bus operates within Attalla city limits by taking passengers to Attalla and picking up Attalla passengers for transport to Gadsden.
- Rainbow City: On Thursday’s a bus operates within the Rainbow City limits by taking passengers to Rainbow City and picking up Rainbow City passengers for transport to Gadsden.
- Cost:
- The exact fare is due at the time of boarding the bus or the driver may refuse service. Drivers do not make change. Bonus tickets are available in books of 12 for $7.50.
- Regular Fare: $1.50 each time you board the bus. Passengers with a fare of $1.50 are required to pay 2 tickets each time they board the bus.
- 60 years and older, passengers with a disability, and passengers on Medicare: $0.75 each time they board the bus.
- Gadsden Trolley Company:
- Contact: 256-543-3278 or 256-549-4519.
- Website: http://www.gadsdendot.com/trolley%20services.html
- Cost: $0.50 cents Regular Fare. Age over 60, the Disabled, and those on Medicare pay a $0.25 cent fare.
- Hours of Operation:
- 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
- 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday
- Closed on Holidays
- Severe Weather: Gadsden Trolley Company services are suspended during severe weather . Listening to your radio will keep you informed about service stoppages.
- Gadsden Trolley Company:
- Etowah County Rural Transportation:
- Contact: 256-547-1014
- Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Call 24 Hours in advance. If you must cancel, please call at least two hours in advance of your scheduled pick-up.
- Who Can Ride:
- Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Children 13 and over may travel alone on a case-by-case basis.
- A car seat of booster seat must be used for any child under six years of age and must be provided by the rider. It is the responsibility of the rider to install the car seat. Bus drivers are not allowed to install car seats.
- Riders may travel with a service animal, but pets will not be transported.
- Riders may only carry packages that they can handle alone. Packages must not occupy a seat or create a safety hazard. Drivers can only assist with carrying packages on and off of the vehicle.
- Services Provided:
- Curb-to-curb demand-response service. It is the responsibility of the rider to arrange for assistance from curb to door, if needed.
- All vehicles are equipped with lifts which meet specifidcations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. They will accomodate mobility devices up to 48″ x 30″ with a maximum weight of 600 pounds when occupied.
- Cost: Fares will be collected by the driver at the beginning of the trip. Correct fare must be provided to the driver. Drivers do not make change.
- Fare is $6 per round trip.
- Additional stops can be made for an additional fee of $2 per stop
- Children age five and under may ride free.
- If a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is needed to assist the rider with mobility, the PCA will be allowed to ride without charge when accompanying the eligible individual to or from the same origin and destination.
- Etowah County Rural Transportation:
