Service Definitions

 

 

Below are definitions of services that might be found in a county. Local agencies that provide services for older adults and their caregivers may offer additional services.

Every county may not offer identical services. Each county evaluates what is most needed and chooses what services to offer based on need, funding, and requirements.

Please note that each state has the authority to determine how services are provided and which services are provided through government funding. Non-profit agencies will be able to offer other services if they choose to and if they have the available funding to do so. Many non-profit agencies offer both programs funded through government funding and programs funded through other means.

Services may be offered for a fee, on a sliding fee scale, or you may be asked to voluntarily contribute toward the cost of the service so that more people may make use of the service. How the service is funded determines the cost, if any, of the service. Services funded through the Older American's Act, require that providers of the service ask for a voluntary contribution. The services listed below may be offered in your area by using funding provided by the Older American's Act.

Please note that services listed here are representative of what may be available in your county and may not be a complete listing.

Contact the Council or Department on Aging in your county to find out what services are provided locally.

 

 

Adult Day Care

Provides an organized program of services during the day in a community group setting for the purpose of supporting the personal independence of older adults and promoting their social, physical, and emotional well-being. Services are provided in a home or center certified to meet State standards for Adult Day Care programs.

 

Adult Day Health

Provides an organized day program of services in a community group setting for the purpose of supporting older adults’ personal independence, and promoting social, physical, and emotional well-being. Services must include health care services and a variety of program activities designed to meet the individual needs and interests of the participants, and referral to and assistance in using appropriate community resources.

 

 

Care Management

Provides professional assistance for older adults with complex care needs and/or their families in accessing, arranging and coordinating the package of services needed to enable the older adult to remain at home.

 

Congregate Nutrition

The provision of a meal in a group setting that provides 1/3 of the Recommended Daily Dietary Allowance. Education on nutritional topics is provided and access to community services is available.

 

Group Respite

The provision of temporary relief to family members and other primary caregivers caring for an impaired individual at home. Group respite provides the opportunity for individuals needing care to engage in a short term program of meaningful social and recreational activities in a secure and supportive setting in order to maximize their cognitive and social abilities.

 

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

The provision of assessments, screenings, counseling, education, and other health related programs designed to enhance the health and wellness of older adults.

 

Health Screening

General medical testing, screening and referral for the purpose of promoting the early detection and prevention of health problems in older adults.

 

Home Delivered Meals

The provision of a home delivered meal that provides 1/3 of the Recommended Daily Dietary Allowance to a homebound older adult. Education on nutritional topics is provided and access to community services is available.

 

Home Health

Skilled health care prescribed by a physician which is provided in the home of an older adult in need of medical care. Allowable services include: skilled nursing care; physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy; medical social services and nutrition care.

 

Housing and Home Improvement

A service which assists older adults with obtaining or retaining adequate housing and basic furnishings. Types of assistance provided may include: providing information regarding housing/housing with services options available; methods of financing alternative housing/housing with services options; helping to improve landlord-tenant relations; identifying substandard housing; securing correction of housing code violations; assisting with finding and relocating to alternative housing; and providing labor and/or materials for minor renovations and/or repair of dwellings to remedy conditions which create a risk to the personal health and safety of older adults.

  

Information and Assistance

Assistance given to older adults, their families and others acting on behalf of older adults in their efforts to acquire information about programs and services. Advocacy help is also provided to older adults so they may obtain appropriate service to meet their needs.

 

In-Home Aide Services

Use of paraprofessional services which assist functionally impaired older adults and/or their families with essential home management, personal care and/or supervision necessary to enable the older adult to remain at home as long as possible.

 

Institutional Respite

Temporary placement of an individual who requires constant care out of his/her home to provide the unpaid caregiver relief from constant caregiving responsibilities.

 

Legal Services

Assistance with legal issues to protect and secure the rights, benefits, and entitlements of older adults.

 

Mental Health Counseling

A service to enhance the ability of persons who may be experiencing mental health problems, including dementia, to meet their mental health treatment needs.

 

Senior Center Operations

Operation of a Senior Center that serves community needs, assists other agencies in serving older adults, and provides opportunities for older adults to develop their potential as individuals within the context of the entire community. A Senior Center works toward the prevention of loneliness and premature institutionalization by promoting personal independence and wellness.

 

Senior Companion

A part-time stipend to provide volunteer opportunities for low-income persons 60 years of age or older to do community service. Senior Companions provide support, task assistance and/or companionship to adults with exceptional needs (i.e. developmental disabilities, functional impairments, or persons who have other special needs for companionship).

 

Senior Center Outreach

The identification of older adults in the community, informing them about available programs, services, and opportunities and soliciting their participation.

 

Telephone Reassurance

Daily phone calls are made to older adults living alone or who are at risk to check on their well-being.

 

Transportation

Provision of access to needed services and activities for older adults.

 

 

Locating Services

Remember, local aging agencies are designed to work with older adults and their caregivers. They can help with finding services, even those not offered by their agency, and with accessing the services. If you like, they will also follow-up with you to ensure that you got the services you needed and that you were satisfied with the assistance. To find your local aging agency, contact your Area Agency on Aging.

 

 

Another resource for finding local services and assistance is the government Eldercare Locator Service. The toll-free number for this service is 1-800-677-1116. Remember, however, that a service like this is only as good as the updates that it receives. Local Area Agencies on Aging should have the latest updated information.

 

 

2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with community services and volunteer opportunities. The implementation of 2-1-1 is being spearheaded by United Ways and information and referral agencies in states and local communities.

 

 

Does your family member have Alzheimer's? If so, there is another option to help you locate appropriate services. Try the Alzheimer's Association CareFinder.

 

 

 

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