CENTREVILLE – The St. Joseph County Commission has accepted the Commission On Aging's annual report.

During the Commission's Executive Session October 14, COA Executive Director Tim Stoll presented the report. Stoll says the biggest accomplishment in 2019 for the COA was the opening of the new senior center and senior apartments in Three Rivers. One week after they were open the apartments were at 100 percent occupancy.

Stoll says they also increased the number of programs they offer at the Sturgis Center, especially the exercise groups. He says the COA's over arching goal is to create a healthy senior community and the focus has been to increase the exercise programs. Stoll says there has been more people participating in the programs at both centers.

Stoll says the COA also shifted to a person-centered approach in 2019, to make sure they shifted their programs to provide as much choice to the clients as possible.

That was not only for programs in the centers, but also for home meal deliveries. Stoll says the Senior Advisory Council was a big help in moving in this direction.

The County Commission officially accepted the report during their meeting on Tuesday.