AUSTIN - The Texas Association of Counties recognized today Tarrant County Precinct 3 Commissioner Gary Fickes and the innovative program he and his staff developed to provide direct assistance to seniors and aging baby boomers with health, transportation, financial and other issues.

The Association presented Fickes and his "Empowering Seniors" program with their "Best Practices Award for Innovation".

"As one of the fastest growing counties in Texas, Tarrant County is dealing with an explosion of retirees," Commissioner Fickes said. "Many Northeast Tarrant County seniors have modest means and forego life saving (and taxpayer saving) medical screenings. They also have many other significant needs."

Fickes worked with seniors having a hard time navigating the complex web of government agencies, health care organizations, and financial institutions. That's why Empowering Seniors was created.

"I set up a task force to see if we could directly address some of the issues our older generation is now facing," said Fickes. "We identified six major issues that we needed to focus on - isolation, transportation, health care, financial security, identity theft and employment."

"Empowering Seniors" is an annual, one-stop resource for Northeast Tarrant seniors and caregivers to meet their most pressing needs. Businesses sponsor this event so that no taxpayers' dollars are used, and it is free for all attendees.

The annual event brings together health care providers, financial institutions, transportation providers, employment resources, and other community partners and presents informational seminars, provides booths and exhibits, and conducts a variety of free on-site health screenings. With the Empowering Seniors program entering its fourth year, the event has grown from 300 to over 1300 participants.

"I even overheard a couple of seniors talking at one of our events saying that it was the only time during the year that they got health check ups." Fickes said. "Obviously the program is making a positive impact."

For more information contact: Gary Fickes
Phone: 817-581-3600