Elder Friendly Program Certifies Business that are Sensitive to Older Customer Needs

The elder population represents a large and growing consumer group with the 50+ population controlling over 77% of the nation’s assets. It is projected that in the year 2010, one in three Americans will be over age 50.

Due to its size and spending power, the elderly population is a large and growing market for businesses and organizations. Improving the quality of service for older consumers will establish a loyal customer base. Older consumers will help business partners understand the mature market, so it can be better served.

Sponsored by East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging (ECKAAA), Elder Friendly Business Certification is the equivalent of the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Local businesses or organizations request an assessment; then training and consultation is available to assist in qualifying for and maintaining ‘Elder Friendly’ Certification. Certification is awarded following surveys that are conducted by trained volunteers who evaluate organizations and businesses based on telephone access, physical access, layout of the site and customer service. The Elder Friendly Business Certification logo is then displayed in certified businesses, alerting senior consumers that this business is sensitive to the changing needs of this loyal and growing customer base.  Here's what Jeanny Sharp, Editor and Publisher of The Ottawa Herald, shared with us after utilizing The Elder Friendly Program..."The Elder Friendly program provided us with useful information on how senior citizens viewed our facility and customer service practices.  It is always helpful to gain additional feedback on how customers - especially in this important demographic group - percieve our products, services and facility."

ECKAAA sponsors The Elder Friendly Program within the six county area served by the agency. ECKAAA is dedicated to coordinating and providing varied programs and services to older persons and caregivers in order to improve the quality of life and celebrate the independence, health and dignity of all older Kansans.

Here is a listing of the current businesses that have earned the Elder Friendly Business Certificaton in Miami and Franklin County.  Come visit them and see how they care about the needs of their older adult customers.  These businesses promote  independent living by enabling their older adult customers to do business with ease and by providing  them with exceptional customer service.  They even provide extras to make your experience with them more enjoyable!  ECKAAA recognizes in Osawatomie:           

           Coachlight Women’s Apparel – Joyce Schrader 

           545 Main Street  Osawatomie, Kansas  66064  (913) 755-2514          

           Osawatomie City Hall – Bret Glendening 

           5th Street and Main Street  Osawatomie, Kansas 66064  (913) 755-2146

           Osawatomie Library – Janice Barker

            527 Brown Ave.  Osawatomie, Kansas  660064  (913) 755-2136           

           Osawatomie Museum – Ted Hunter 

            628 Main Street  Osawatomie, Kansas  66064  (913) 755-6781          

           Osawatomie Senior Center – Linda Hale 

           816 6th Street  Osawatomie, Kansas  66064  (913) 755-4786

In Ottawa:

           East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging – Elizabeth Maxwell

           132 South Main Street  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-7200

           City Hall – Scott Bird

           101 South Hickory  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 229-3600

           Ottawa Chiropractic Clinic --

           Dr. Larry Matney, Dr. Cheri Jung and Dr. Mike Hiatt

           1501 South Main Street  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-4100

           Ottawa Family Physicians  Chartered - Ed Coulter

           1418 South Main Suite 5 Ottawa, Kansas (785) 242-1620

           Ottawa Herald – Jeanny Sharp

           104 South Cedar  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-4700

           Ottawa Public Library – Jeff Corely

           105 South Hickory  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-3080

           Ottawa Retirement Village Manor - Kendra Shepherd

           1100 West 15th Street  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-5399

           Ottawa Senior Center – Florene Hart

           130 South Main  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-7440

           Peoples Main Bank – Margie Hinderliter

           434 South Main Street  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-2900

           Peoples South Bank – Juanita McIntosh

           1506 South Main Street  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-7900

           Solutions Bank - Ed York

           119 East 3rd Street  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-2420

           Sutton’s Jewelry – Cathy Sutton

           207 South Main Street  Ottawa, Kansas 6607  (785) 242-3723 

           Team Bank - Blake Jorgensen

           2040 South Princeton  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-1400

           A Cut & A Clip - Marie Harris, Owner

          134 W. 15th Street  Ottawa, Kansas 66067  (785) 242-4299    

In Louisburg:

           Louisburg Senior Citizen's Center - Beverly Steger

           504 S. Metcalf  Louisburg, KS.  66053  (913) 837-5113

           First National Bank of Louisburg - Robert L. Nauman

           1201 West Amity  Louisburg, KS.  66053  (913) 837-5191

           Middle Creek Theatre - Bill and Brenda Harris

           33565 Metcalf  Louisburg, KS.  66053 (866) 888-6779

For more information about having your business or organization evaluated, please contact ECKAAA at 785-242-7200 or 1-800-633-5621.