Shelby County offers many convenient programs to assist members of our communities who are in need, but traveling from office to office and filling out piles of confusing forms makes life even more difficult for the valued seniors and disabled citizens of our communities. However, a new program, the Aging and Disability Resource Center (or ADRC), will help make it easier starting June 1.

People 55 and older as well as those with disabilities will be able to come to the ADRC (located in Shelby Baptist Medical Center) to access services such as insurance counseling, medication assistance and applications for food stamps, hearing aids and more.

“Understanding which services are available in the community and how to complete the application process for services can be extremely difficult for someone who has never been in this situation before,” said Ashley McGee, ADRC coordinator.

The program is coordinated by the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A) through funding from the government in the form of grants to establish “one-stop shops” for assistance. Programs like the ADRC exist in all but 7 states.

“The ADRC is great because it can help people face-to-face, in one place and not just over the phone,” McGee said.

The ADRC for Shelby County will be open every Tuesday beginning June 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Individuals who would like assistance should call M4A toll free at 1-866-570-2998 to schedule an appointment.