Harvest Moon Shines on Seniors

Information by State  Print version   A couple of parrots steal the show at the Harvest Moon Festival. Seniors enjoy the festival while learning about housing and other social issues.

Fall is a great time in North Louisiana for a Harvest Moon festival. The Caddo Council on Aging Myrtle B. Pickering Senior Center in Shreveport was filled with festive fall decorations and some very special guests: A pumpkin lady with a couple of feathered friends; a witch with information on HUD housing assistance programs and reverse mortgages; and a clown with home health information and trick or treat candy.

More than 150 seniors took advantage of free blood pressure screenings, door prizes, cupcakes, hot dogs, popcorn and a wealth of information on health care, housing, legal services, crime prevention and other social services.

Harry and Larry, two young Quaker parrots, seemed to know they were the star attraction. Denizens of a local nursing home, the birds were quite accustomed to being held, petted and fed by senior citizens. Their feathers were a little ruffled by the witch, but the giant pumpkin was clearly their old friend.

Seniors received free diabetes and blood pressure screenings, information on supportive housing for the elderly, prescription drug assistance programs and community crime prevention efforts.

Seniors munched on treats while learning some new tricks on health care, housing, nutrition, transportation and social services. What a great way to celebrate the fall season and give vital information to people who deserve the best a community has to offer, our senior citizens.