Seniors in Mower County will be able to directly communicate their needs and concerns with the Mower County Board, thanks to an Elderly Services Advisory Council which will discuss senior issues with the board.

The program, started by Lois McCarron, of McCarron and Associates of Spring Lake Park, was approved Tuesday by the Mower County Board.

County Coordinator Craig Oscarson explained, "the intent of the board is to create groups of citizens to give the board insight to the services of the elderly."

McCarron added, "the idea is to have the advisory council review services throughout the county and advise them on where they could improve."

McCarron said the advisory council would consist of 15 consumers, ideally broken up into two groups: 10 to 11 seniors and four to five of their adult children.

The advisory council would oversee two other entities: several different community development groups established by seniors and their adult children within the different communities in order to promote senior involvement in educational, planning and development activities within their communities and task forces.

According to McCarron, the task forces would be divided into a health services task force, a residential services task force and a transportation services task force.

Each task force would consist of three or four members of the advisory council and other seniors and would review and advise on the development and coordination of health services, residential services and transportation services.

Both the task forces and the community development groups would make recommendations to the advisory council, which would then make those recommendations to the county board.

Oscarson said the advisory council is budgeted for three years only, but there is the possibility it would continue after that.

The advisory council will be expected to meet every other month, beginning with an organizational meeting in August. The task forces and the community development groups will meet every other month, in months alternating the advisory council meetings.

Those interested in being involved with the advisory council, a community development group or a task force should contact their county commissioner for more information.

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com