New Orleans Council on Aging

The NOLA Elder Law Boot Camp took place on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Milne Recreation Center, hosted by the New Orleans Council on Aging (NOCOA) and the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs. This free educational seminar was designed to provide valuable legal information to seniors, their caregivers, loved ones, and professionals. The event saw an impressive turnout, with over 300 seniors in attendance, eager to learn about estate planning, public benefits, and legal protections. Attendees were also treated to meals provided by Oak Street Health, which sponsored breakfast, and Trio Community Meals, which provided lunch.

Throughout the event, participants engaged in sessions covering crucial estate planning topics, including healthcare and financial power of attorney, living wills, and successions. Seniors also learned about community and separate property laws and the legal implications of passing away without a will. In addition, there was a strong emphasis on senior scams and interdiction, equipping attendees with the knowledge to protect themselves from fraudulent schemes and understand legal procedures for guardianship when necessary. The Elder Law Task Force and volunteer attorneys played a key role in delivering these informative sessions, ensuring that seniors left with a clearer understanding of their rights and legal options.

The New Orleans Council on Aging and the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs extend their gratitude to the New Orleans Recreation Department for providing the venue, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson for providing transportation to the event for the senior centers, and all the organizations and legal professionals who contributed to the success of this event. Their collective efforts helped make the NOLA Elder Law Boot Camp an enriching experience for all participants, fostering legal awareness and empowerment within the senior community. The event was a testament to the ongoing commitment to serving and educating New Orleans' aging population, ensuring they have the tools to navigate legal challenges with confidence.

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The New Orleans Council on Aging is released it's report on the State of Seniors living in New Orleans in 2024 on April 17, 2024.   Upon review for the year 2025, we have found that the facts discussed in the 2024 report for the most part remain the same.   You can download a copy of the report at https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5eaac35cfbbd83e68cc67b31/6671d3f66612fe3c3c9edbcc_State%20of%20Seniors%20Report%202024%20Final%20Eprint%20version.pdf  

Among the findings  of the 2024 report are:

The metropolitan area of New Orleans is number one in the nation for the largest number of Older Americans who are either food insecure, or have very low food security.

10,667 elders are food insecure, meaning they do not have access to healthy food on a regular basis.

4,174 seniors have very low food security, meaning they are skipping meals to cover other basic needs such as medicine and / or housing.

New Orleans has the highest population of seniors in the nation that is living in poverty.

34,828 households in New Orleans have a senior living in poverty residing in them.

30,920 seniors live in a household where they are living above the poverty line, but are only able to afford the basics needed forsurvival.

55,731 elderly households in New Orleans either live in poverty, or live in a situation where one emergency can lead them into poverty.

The report highlights the problems of social isolation in the senior population of New Orleans, among other additions items..

"This report only highlights areas where the New Orleans Council on Aging's services helps to resolve," states Martin Huber, Director ofCommunity Services.   "The near future will see the populationof those 60 and older grow to encompass 30% of New Orleans population.  This report is only the tip of the ice berg that is heading our way." 

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JOIN US FOR AN UPLIFTING GOSPEL EXPERIENCE!

The New Orleans Council on Aging (NOCOA) proudly presents its Community Choir, a dynamic group of over 70 talented seniors from NOCOA-supported senior centers across the city. Join us for an unforgettable FREE concert as part of the Johnny Jackson Jr. Gospel Is Alive! Celebration on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at the historic Old Franklin Avenue Baptist Church.

This year, the NOCOA Community Choir will open for the renowned Jessica Harvey and The Difference, a powerhouse gospel group dedicated to spreading love, faith, and worship through music. Prepare to be inspired by soul-stirring harmonies, uplifting messages, and an atmosphere filled with joy and praise!

Admission is FREE and open to the public—all ages are welcome! Come and celebrate the rich heritage of gospel music, honor the legacy of Johnny Jackson Jr., and experience the power of faith and community through song.

📍 Location: Old Franklin Avenue Baptist Church
📅 Date: Monday, April 28, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

For reservations, please call LaQuan Fields at (504) 821-4121, ext. 111, or email at quannie13@yahoo.com

For more information, contact the New Orleans Council on Aging. We can’t wait to worship with you!

#NOCOACommunityChoir #GospelIsAlive #JessicaHarveyAndTheDifference #FreeConcert #NOLAGospelMusic #CommunityThroughMusic

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The New Orleans Council on Aging is proud to present its Community Choir, composed of seniors from various senior centers across the city. Through the vision of Howard L. Rodgers III, the Executive Director of the New Orleans Council on Aging, the choir came into existence in 2010. With the assistance of Rhea Dokes, Wendell J. Bloodworth, Sr., Gloria Stewart, Gwendolyn Guice, Donnisha Dawson, Elise Hamilton, and the Senior Center Directors, the choir has grown to more than 70 members ranging in age from 60 to 98.

This talented group of individuals will have the honor of singing at the Gospel Tent at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Friday, May 2, 2025. The New Orleans Council on Aging Community Choir consists of older adults from the 12th Ward Save Our Community, Carrollton Hollygrove Senior Center, Kinship Center, Lower 9th Ward Senior Center, Mercy Endeavors Senior Center, Pontchartrain Park Community Center, and Treme Community Education Program. We encourage everyone to come out and support these incredible elders as they share their voices and talents on this special stage. Their performance is a testament to the vibrant spirit and creativity of our senior community.

Join us at the Gospel Tent to celebrate their dedication, joy, and the power of music to bring people together. The New Orleans Council on Aging Community Choir proves that you are never too old to ‘Rock and Roll.’ We invite you to join us on this journey as we uplift and inspire through music. We look forward to seeing you there!

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