Local Aging Nonprofits Unite to Form Mountain Aging Partners
May 14, 2025 03:13PM ● By Emma Castleberry
Two trusted nonprofit organizations serving older adults—Council on Aging for Henderson County (COAHC) and MountainCare—have announced their merger to form Mountain Aging Partners (MAP), a strategic step designed to strengthen support for the region’s rapidly growing aging population. This merger is the culmination of a long-planned effort to proactively address the shifting realities of nonprofit aging services. Leaders from both agencies began exploring alignment more than two years ago, recognizing the need for innovation, increased efficiency, and a unified voice in a time of increasing demand and flat funding support.
“Council on Aging for Henderson County has earned a stellar reputation over many years of dedicated service to our aging population and the community at large, and MAP is a natural evolutionary expansion of that legacy,” said Elizabeth Williams, the merged agency’s Executive Director. “Our vision is to honor and build upon that foundation of trust through more efficient operations and forward-thinking service delivery.”
“This is not a response to crisis—it’s a reflection of foresight,” Williams added. “We began planning this merger well before recent federal funding uncertainties emerged. But we now see even more clearly how essential it is to be proactive, collaborative, and innovative. Mountain Aging Partners is already proving the value of that approach.”
The timing of the merger is particularly significant. The Older Americans Act (OAA)—a foundational source of funding for senior services nationwide—remains stalled in the federal reauthorization process. Meanwhile, demographic pressures are accelerating. In Western North Carolina, one in four adults is over the age of 65, outpacing state and national averages. By consolidating operations, MAP not only enhances financial sustainability but also improves access for clients.
Mountain Aging Partners will offer:
• Meals on Wheels and Congregate Dining in Henderson County
• Caregiver Support and Respite Programs
• Adult Day Services in Buncombe and Henderson Counties
• Information and Referral Services for seniors and caregivers
The organization’s name—Mountain Aging Partners—was chosen to reflect its mission of guiding older adults and their families through aging with dignity, connection, and community. The acronym MAP also signals the agency’s role in helping people navigate aging with clarity and purpose.
“Our vision is that no one ages alone,” Williams said. “MAP is more than just a merger—it’s a new model for collaboration and care in aging services. It’s a statement that we can meet the future together, with strength and purpose.”
Mountain Aging Partners will be headquartered in Henderson County and will serve communities across both Henderson and Buncombe counties.
Source: Mountain Aging Partners.
“Council on Aging for Henderson County has earned a stellar reputation over many years of dedicated service to our aging population and the community at large, and MAP is a natural evolutionary expansion of that legacy,” said Elizabeth Williams, the merged agency’s Executive Director. “Our vision is to honor and build upon that foundation of trust through more efficient operations and forward-thinking service delivery.”
“This is not a response to crisis—it’s a reflection of foresight,” Williams added. “We began planning this merger well before recent federal funding uncertainties emerged. But we now see even more clearly how essential it is to be proactive, collaborative, and innovative. Mountain Aging Partners is already proving the value of that approach.”
The timing of the merger is particularly significant. The Older Americans Act (OAA)—a foundational source of funding for senior services nationwide—remains stalled in the federal reauthorization process. Meanwhile, demographic pressures are accelerating. In Western North Carolina, one in four adults is over the age of 65, outpacing state and national averages. By consolidating operations, MAP not only enhances financial sustainability but also improves access for clients.
Mountain Aging Partners will offer:
• Meals on Wheels and Congregate Dining in Henderson County
• Caregiver Support and Respite Programs
• Adult Day Services in Buncombe and Henderson Counties
• Information and Referral Services for seniors and caregivers
The organization’s name—Mountain Aging Partners—was chosen to reflect its mission of guiding older adults and their families through aging with dignity, connection, and community. The acronym MAP also signals the agency’s role in helping people navigate aging with clarity and purpose.
“Our vision is that no one ages alone,” Williams said. “MAP is more than just a merger—it’s a new model for collaboration and care in aging services. It’s a statement that we can meet the future together, with strength and purpose.”
Mountain Aging Partners will be headquartered in Henderson County and will serve communities across both Henderson and Buncombe counties.
Source: Mountain Aging Partners.