CASSOPOLIS — Two local agencies designed to provide services to Cass County’s aging population had successful years in 2017, according to reports presented to the Cass County Board of Commissioners.

The Cass County Council on Aging and the Area Agency on Aging presented their annual fiscal year reports to the board of commissioners Thursday. According to the presentations, the agencies had successful years.

The Cass County COA presented first, sharing with the commissioners a breakdown of the agency’s 2017 financials and the services provided to the community.

“I appreciate this opportunity to share with you what we have done over the last year,” said Bob Cochrane, CEO of the COA.

In 2017, the COA had more than 200 active volunteers, with more than 26,000 volunteer hours between them, according to the report. With those volunteers, the COA has able to run seven different support groups, Cochrane said. The support groups included groups for caregivers, loss and a number of ailments.

“That’s one of the things we wanted to highlight in 2017,” he said. “All of those are actively attended and do a lot of good.”

Financially, the COA received 63 percent of its 2017 revenue from a millage, the rest coming from grants, donations, investments and program fees. The total revenue for 2017 was $2.8 million. That money went toward COA programs and services, Cochrane said.

“It’s been a busy year, an active year, and we hope a productive year for the 2,000 people involved in the COA in some way or another over the year,” Cochrane said.

Next, the Area Agency on Aging presented. Operating out of St Joseph, the AAA provides aging services to Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.

Representative Christine Van Landingham began her presentation by explaining the difference between the COA and the AAA.

“The Area Agency on Aging is a federal designation by the Older Americans Act, designated to be to be a planner and developer of coordinated services to meet the needs of an aging population.” Van Landingham said. “We don’t deliver direct service. That’s [the COA’s] job. Ours is to bring resources into the region, develop them in partnership with our providers and set that engine loose in the community. … We help connect people with resources and are advocates for older adults.”

In 2017, the AAA received more than 11,000 requests for service, and provided a number of programs including a senior employment program and companionship services, according to the report.

After both the COA and the AAA had presented their reports, the board of commissioners thanked the representatives for speaking and providing services to Cass County.

“We are here for the older adults in our communities,” Van Landingham said. “We want to provide for them and be advocates for them.”