Council On Senior Services

Our History

Council on Senior Services was originally called Senior Health Care Coordinating Council and was organized organized in December 1988. Dr Robert Swint, the first president, had approached Nick Heiny and Diane Shappell about forming a geriatric council to deal with senior issues. Their goal was to improve access to quality health care for the senior citizens of Allen County. In July 1989, they received a $25,000 grant from Navistar, hired a secretary, purchased a computer and printer and were given office space at the Medical Society.

Some of their projects, as an identification, included Medicare Partners which issued ID cards to low-income seniors as a identification for physicians to accept assignment, Senior Connection, an annual health fair from 1990-1993, and an Intergenerational School Project with seniors talking to school classes about the 'olden-days' and sacrifices made by their predecessors. From 1992-1994 they distributed an Indigent Drug Booklet so low-income patients could receive free medications. A Senior Services Directory, a comprehensive directory of services, was distributed in 1993 and a newsletter was published quarterly.

Originally, a physician would attend each monthly meeting. On February 15, 1996, the Senior Health Care Coordinating Council became Council On Senior Services and transferred $5,169.00 to the COSS balance of $145.00.

To view a handwritten piece of our history, click here . Please note, to view a larger version click on the image.

Our Mission

The Mission of this Council is to promote the service and benefits of seniors in Northeast Indiana through a network of individuals and organizations providing some type of service to our maturing population.