The Senior Report is sponsored by A&B Counseling Services, LLC. Their mission is to promote emotional wellness and independence through individual counseling and advocacy. With their assistance, they aim to help their clients cope with the challenges that they are facing in life and find healthy ways to cope with them.

A&B Counseling Services LLC has been offering in-home services for seniors for the past 20 years. We are expert in helping seniors cope with loss, grief, anxiety and other life’s challenges.

Hill Country Community Action

Hill Country Community Action is a private, non-profit corporation chartered under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act. Application to the Office of Economic Opportunity to form a Community Action Agency comprising of San Saba, Mills, Llano, and Mason Counties was submitted in July 1965. On April 21, 1966 the application was approved to establish this agency. In May 1975, Hill Country Community Action was also granted recognition as the Community Action Agency to serve the additional counties of Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas and Milam. In addition to providing services within this designated area, Head Start serves Bosque, Limestone, Freestone and Hill Counties; and Weatherization serves Erath, Somervell, Williamson and Burnet counties. The total area served includes seventeen counties and encompasses approximately 17,000 square miles.

HCCAA provides many services through its 10 Multi-Service Senior Centers. Through these doors, thousands of elderly and other persons needing assistance come to us for help. It takes multiple grants and donations to keep the doors open, including Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Nutrition funding for the elderly, County and City contributions, United Way and other local donations.

These Centers serve as outreach centers for:

• Case Management
• Energy Assistance
• Weatherization
• Budget Counseling
• Job Referrals
• Health Screenings
• Assistance in applying for various State Services
• Form filling assistance
• Volunteer opportunities through RSVP
• Area Agency on Aging of Central Texas
• Elder Care Locator

Area Agency on Aging of Central Texas

Enjoy a less stressful life. They help anyone 60 years and older and their caregivers to navigate through complicated decisions on finances, health care, benefits, housing, and everyday life.

They offer free health and wellness programs for seniors within Central Texas. Benefits counselors provide guidance for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and legal assistance. They’ll help you find the care services you need after suffering a health crisis. Caregiver support, respite care, and companion services are also offered.

Eldercare Locator

Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families. You can also reach them at 1-800-677-1116.

The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Since 1991, the Eldercare Locator has been linking those who need assistance with state and local agencies on aging, as well as community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers. Whether help is needed with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver needs training and education or a well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator is there to point that person in the right direction.

The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Please select from the topics below to learn more:

• Searchable Database
• Outreach Materials
• Contact Information
• Aging Network
• Eldercare Locator Data

Care Finder

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the charge in Alzheimer’s care, support, research and advocacy. The Association is committed to providing all communities with resources and education. They maintain their independence and safeguard against outside influence while working with ethical companies, organizations and individuals that share their mission.

Seniors Living Smarter

The Seniors Living Smarter Team is sensitive to the needs of seniors and their loved ones as they transition. We understand that making a move can often feel both complicated and stressful.  That is exactly why we work with you to develop a plan of action to ease you from your current home to your next home. 

Starting with your end goal of where you are moving, we can coordinate all the services you might need and provide resources to achieve solutions.  Our relationships with our clients begin much earlier in the moving process – often months and an important part of our commitment with you is full access to our vetted team of professionals. 

Whether you’re looking for a little help to get started, or you want to delegate every detail of your move, we are here to help simplify your transition with Care, Courtesy, and Understanding.

Texas A&M Central Texas Hosting Benefits Expo for Veterans

The Military and Veterans Services office at Texas A&M University–Central Texas is hosting a Veterans Benefits Expo from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Vendors offering military-affiliated benefits will be set up in the Bill Yowell Conference Center in Warrior Hall.

The Benefits Expo is free and open to all veterans. Military and Veteran Services Assistant Director Joshua Jones said the goal is to help veterans take advantage of the support that is available to them.

“Our objective is to foster connections between veterans and essential community organizations,” Jones said. “We are devoted to honoring, supporting and furnishing valuable resources not only to our student veterans, but also to veterans from across the community.”

Vendors for the event include:

• VA Patient Advocacy
• Heart of Texas Goodwill
• Lone Star Legal Services
• Veterans Center
• State Farm
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Veteran Readiness and Employment
• Warrior Center for Student Success
• United Service Organizations (USO)
• T-Mobile
• American Red Cross
• Veterans Benefits Administration
• Texas Veterans Commission
• A&M–Central Texas Career and Professional Development

“Our mission is to provide insights into the vast array of benefits, services and opportunities accessible to our veteran community,” Jones said.

For more information on the expo or other services offered through A&M–Central Texas, contact the Military and Veteran Services office at 254-519-5423 or by email at va@tamuct.edu.

Free Meals and Discounts for Veterans on November 11th

• The Carlson Law Firm, 100 E. Central Texas Expressway in Killeen, will host its Seventh Annual Veterans Food Truck Rally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9. There will be free lunch and dessert from local food trucks and restaurants, prizes, giveaways, and more available for active-duty military and veterans with a valid ID.
• All Texas locations of Bombshells Restaurant and Bar will offer free entrees, in addition to other discounted items, for veterans Nov. 11. Active-duty service members and their accompanying families will receive a 20% discount on entrees and other items, excluding alcoholic beverages.
• Applebee’s Grill and Bar will offer a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu for veterans and active-duty military with a valid ID.
• BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse will provide a free entree and Dr Pepper beverage to active-duty military and veterans for dine-in only Nov. 11.
• Killeen Bubba’s 33, 3701 E. Central Texas Expressway, will welcome veterans and active-duty military for a free lunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. A choice of one of six entrees and a drink is available. For those unable to attend the day of, raincheck vouchers will be made available to redeem through May 30, 2024.
• Buffalo Wild Wings will offer a free small wings and fries for active-duty military and veterans Nov. 11 with valid ID.
• California Pizza Kitchen will give veterans and active-duty military a free non-alcoholic beverage and entree from a prix fixed menu Nov. 11. Those who dine in will also receive a voucher to use between Nov. 12 to 21 for a buy one, get one free pizza, pasta or a salad.
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill will offer a free appetizer or dessert with a soft drink for veterans and active-duty military with valid ID Nov. 11. Dine-in only.
• Charley’s Philly Steaks at AAFES locations will offer veterans and active-duty military a free side of gourmet fries with a purchase of a cheesesteak and drink Nov. 11.
• Chili’s will offer active-duty military and veterans a free meal from a select menu Nov. 11. The offer is available for dine-in only.
• Cicis Pizza will offer all veterans and active-duty military personnel a free buffet Nov. 11 for dine-in only.
• Cracker Barrell will provide a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake with purchase for veterans and active-duty members Nov. 11.
• Denny’s will offer current and former military members a free “Build Your Own Grand Slam” breakfast Nov. 11 with valid ID.
• Veterans and active-duty members that visit Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers on Nov. 11 will receive a free combo meal card that can be redeemed through Nov. 30.
• Hooters will offer a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu for veterans and active-duty military with a purchase of a beverage.
• IHOP will provide a free breakfast from a set menu to veterans and active-duty military from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 11.
• Krispy Kreme will offer a free donut and small coffee to veterans and active-duty service members Nov. 11.
• Mighty Fine Burger will offer a buy one, get one free sandwich or burger for veterans and active-duty members Nov. 11. Dine-in only.
• Olive Garden will offer a free entree from a special menu to veterans and active-duty military with proof of ID Nov. 11. The entree will include unlimited soup or salad, and breadsticks.
• Pilot Flying J will offer service members and their families a free meal from Nov. 10 to 12 with a special offer available in the app.
• Pluckers Wing Bar will offer a free entree, side, and soft drink to active-duty personnel and veterans for dine-in only Nov. 11.
• Red Lobster will offer veterans, active-duty military, and reservists a free meal vouchers for shrimp and chips if they visit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. The voucher can be redeemed from Nov. 13 to Dec. 10 for dine-in only.
• Red Robin is offering veterans and active-duty military a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger and side of endless steak fries Nov. 11. This offer is for dine-in only.
• Smoothie King will provide a free shake from a special selection to veterans and active-duty military Nov. 11 with a valid ID.
• Starbucks will provide a free 12-ounce hot or cold-brewed coffee for veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses Nov. 11.
• Texas Roadhouse will offer a free meal voucher to use at a future date for veterans and active-duty military who dine in Nov. 11. Vouchers apply to a select menu only.
• Golden Corral will host its Military Appreciation Night from 5 p.m. to close Nov. 13. A free meal for veterans and active-duty service members will be available for dine-in only.

Wreaths for Vets

The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery opened in 2005 after more than a decade of work and planning. It now serves as the honorable resting place for approximately 8,300 veterans and family members.

In support of this tremendous asset, a group of citizens has organized the Friends of the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery to support projects at the cemetery beginning with laying a holiday wreath at each grave each year. Wreaths are prepared the Saturday before Thanksgiving and wreaths are laid on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year and we hope you will join us.

Laying holiday wreaths actually began in 2007 when the Wreaths Across America organization sent six wreaths to our cemetery and every other veterans cemetery in the United States to be laid in honor of each military service branch and POW/MIA. An individual believed that there should be a wreath laid at each grave and within three days, she had gathered enough wreaths and volunteers to make it happen.