Senior services are the range of supports available to seniors in all stages of life. These may include assistance with daily activities, transportation, or meals on wheels.
Senior Services offers programs and services that promote aging well, support independence and foster community inclusion. Learn more.
Most people prefer to receive long term care services in their own homes or in the homes of family and friends if possible. However, many people need more extensive assistance than can be provided in the home environment and would benefit from services offered in a community-based setting.
Millions of older adults and people with disabilities rely on long-term services and supports to help them live in the communities they call home. Providing these services in the community instead of at an institution like a nursing home is more cost-effective for both taxpayers and consumers. It is also more convenient and provides better quality of life for individuals who need it.
State Medicaid programs offer a wide range of community-based long-term care options through home and community-based services waivers, commonly known as HCBS. These HCBS programs serve a variety of targeted population groups, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or physical disabilities.
These programs can include residential services like home health and adult day health, habilitation (day and residential), case management, respite, and homemaker/personal care services. They are designed to offer a range of person-centered services that are flexible to meet individual needs and preferences.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has adopted a new rule that takes effect on March 17, 2014. Known as the Home and Community Based Settings rule, it requires HCBS to be delivered in settings that are truly home- and community-based. It also requires that service planning for HCBS be developed through a person-centered process. The goal is to ensure that HCBS are accessible to all people.
Home Health Care
Home health care, also called skilled care, provides nursing and therapy services at your home by qualified clinicians. It’s usually recommended by your doctor if you need help with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing, or if you’re recovering from surgery or illness. Home health care can prevent or delay admission to a hospital, rehabilitation facility or nursing home. It can also reduce the number of visits to your doctor, which saves you money.
Your doctor or your hospital discharge planner should be able to provide you with a list of Medicare-certified home health agencies. You can also find them by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or using the Eldercare Locator. The agency will evaluate your home health needs, create a plan of care and visit you every 60 days.
Nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, social workers and aides make up the home health care team, all of whom are overseen by your doctor. This team gives you one-on-one attention and tailors a treatment plan to meet your specific needs.
In addition to therapists and nurses, the home health care team may include other professionals such as dietitians, pharmacists and respiratory therapists. Some home health agencies also offer non-medical home care services, which are known as companionship services. These agencies are licensed and certified by your state’s survey agency. They can provide help with everyday tasks like grocery shopping, running errands and meal preparation. Their aides receive 40 hours of classroom training in household management and basic patient care.
Meals-On-Wheels
Many seniors face hunger, isolation and other challenges that impact their health and well-being. Meals-On-Wheels is a national network of local programs that delivers nutritious, well-balanced meals to seniors who cannot prepare their own. Each year, millions of seniors receive the daily meals and vital social connection they need to live independently in their own homes.
Program participants receive a complete mid-day meal delivered Monday through Friday by a friendly volunteer. Each meal is carefully planned by a nutritionist to provide recommended nutrients. In addition to the meals, volunteers deliver a daily check on participants. Studies show that the regular contact helps to reduce isolation and loneliness for homebound individuals.
The Borough of East Orange Division of Senior Services provides low cost ID cards, free File of Life cards and pre-screening for Food Stamps, energy assistance, prescription and health benefits as well as sponsoring an annual senior conference with representatives from various entitlement offices. They also provide information, transportation and socialization by providing periodic recreational and cultural trips and events for Borough seniors.
Meals on Wheels serves anyone who is unable to safely prepare or cook meals for themselves due to illness, frailty or disability. Eligibility is determined by your Area Agency on Aging.
Meals on Wheels is supported by a combination of local, federal and state funds. You can help support this important community service by donating or volunteering. Volunteering is a rewarding experience that helps you feel good about yourself, while making a difference in the lives of your neighbors. To learn more about how you can help, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. The Meals on Wheels program is available in Clark, Conway, Garland, Johnson, Montgomery, Perry, Pope and Pike counties in Arkansas.
Transportation
In many communities, older adults lose the ability to drive for a variety of reasons. This often leads to isolation, decreased health and quality of life for the elderly individual. Senior transportation services offer a safe and reliable solution to help seniors run errands, attend medical appointments, and other essential tasks.
Some senior living options include transportation services in their base fee, while others may charge additional fees for these services. When choosing a facility, it is important to understand how these services are provided and whether there are any extra charges for personal trips or trips beyond certain distances.
This program provides curb-to-curb transportation to medical and dental appointments, grocery shopping and a variety of pre-scheduled social programs. Arrangements can be made by calling the Center Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Transportation is available to those who cannot use, or have substantial difficulty using, the CDTA fixed-route bus service due to disability or impairment. Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance.
Transportation services are operated by Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. The organization is funded, in part, through contracts with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and Older Americans Act, grants, foundations and private contributions. The organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, sexual orientation or military status in any of its activities or operations.
Transportation to and from doctor visits and errands can be very challenging for people who no longer drive, especially if they live alone or have limited family nearby. Reliable help with these tasks can greatly improve the quality of life for seniors and their caregivers.
Home Repairs
Home repairs are necessary to maintain the functionality and safety of a home. They may involve fixing a broken item or addressing an issue that is growing in severity, like a leaky roof or rodent infestation. They also may include adding items to a senior’s living space, such as smoke detectors, grab bars, air conditioners, and crime prevention devices. Performing regular maintenance and making minor repairs can prevent the need for expensive repairs in the future.
The national landscape of home repair programs is complex and varied, with a wide range of private and public funding sources. Major federal programs like the Community Development Block Grant and the Weatherization Assistance Program are the largest public source of funds, with local governments relying on various funding streams to supplement their efforts. Additionally, national civil sector organizations like Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity have been active in this arena for decades.
Insufficiently maintained housing erodes economic opportunity and leads to health, mental and physical declines, resulting in a cycle of poverty and depopulation. In neighborhoods characterized by segregation and structural disinvestment, this cycle can amplify existing racial disparities in wealth and health.
The ecosystem of home repair programs is fragmented, with programs varying widely in eligibility criteria and types of repairs undertaken. The fragmented landscape contributes to service limitations and gaps for households that cannot be served by existing programs. Despite these challenges, home repair interventions produce positive social returns. For example, specific interventions such as lead hazard control and weatherization reduce health risks, improve indoor comfort and safety, and increase homeowner satisfaction. In addition, home repair programs help to stabilize communities by reducing depopulation and increasing property values.