Southwest 8 Senior Services, Inc.

Care for dependent adults, provided in a supervised, protective, group setting during some portion of a twenty-four hour day. Typical services offered in adult day care settings include social and recreational activities, counseling, meals, rehabilitation, help with taking medications, and help with personal care. The services offered by adult day care centers vary, with some providing more hands-on care than others.

Providing formal or informal opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge, experiences, or skills. Education can be offered in a conference setting, University or community college, public library, health fair, hospital, or other formal or informal setting. Topics must be relevant to people age 60 and older or caregivers of people age 60 and over.

Action taken on behalf of an older person to secure rights and benefits, such as receiving, investigating, or working to resolve disputes or complaints. Other actions may be pro-active in nature, such as professionals working with legislators or other public officials to ensure that the rights and needs of older persons are taken into account when developing laws and public programs.

Apartments designed for people age 60 and over to live independently. Senior apartment complexes do not provide assistance with the activities of daily living.

Agencies who plan, coordinate and offer information about human services for older people and their caregivers, as directed by the Older Americans Act. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) help older adults remain in their home – if that is their preference – aided by services such as home delivered meals, home health care and whatever else it may take to make independent living a viable option. AAAs serve as portals to care, assessing needs, determining eligibility for assistance, purchasing home health and other services for income eligible seniors, and developing programs to respond to new needs as they arise. Many Area Agencies on Aging provide direct services such as senior centers and meal programs.

Provision of assistance, including escort if needed, to a person who has difficulties (physical or cognitive) using regular vehicular transportation. Assisted Transportation services usually require making reservations in advance. Drivers typically provide assistance for passengers to and from their front door to the bus or van when necessary.

(Also known as "Case Management") Through a home visit by a nurse or social worker, an assessment is conducted of an individual's health challenges, resulting in a "plan of care" for home-based services. Eligibility for financial assistance for services is also determined. This service is appropriate in circumstances where the older person and/or the caregiver are experiencing diminished functioning capacities, personal conditions or other conditions which require the provision of services by formal service providers.

Providing assistance to persons having difficulty with heavy housework, yard work, or sidewalk maintenance. (i.e. shoveling snow, lawn mowing, lawn raking, etc.)

Provision of a noon meal which complies with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans at a senior center or other group setting (restaurant, senior housing, etc.). Each meal must meet 1/3 of the current recommended dietary allowances and must be offered on a contribution basis rather than a set fee.

Retirement Communities designed for individuals to enter at an apartment level and progress through the levels as health conditions and concerns increase. (Stages may include Apartments, Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, etc.)

Counseling and/or intervention used to help individuals in crisis. Promotes effective coping that can lead to positive growth and change.

Medical products designed to promote independence with daily living (i.e. wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, grab bars, canes, commodes, transfer devices, and other medical equipment.)

Attorneys or other legal professionals who specialize in the rights of the elderly.

Provision of food during a crisis situation.

Job training and job placement services designed specifically for older workers. Age eligibility varies from program to program.

Classes for fun, enjoyment, personal growth, artistic hobbies, etc.

Coupons/vouchers used like cash to purchase most food items. Provided to low income households to improve their diets. (Must meet income guidelines for eligibility.)

Frozen (or canned) meals delivered to homebound people age 60 and over who are unable to cook for themselves. Frozen meals are most often provided for weekend use, when home delivered meal programs are not operating.

Sources of information on a variety of legal issues, concerns or questions.

Assistance with grocery shopping and the delivery of groceries for individuals who are physically unable to shop for their own groceries.

Preventative health services for older adults. Examples include programs that conduct health assessments, provide immunizations, perform simple procedures such as foot care, and teach people ways to maintain, restore, and improve their health as older adults. Services are often provided at a reduced rate and are provided in settings convenient for people age 60 and over.

Changes to the design or layout of one's home to improve convenience and independence due to physical limitations brought about by age or disability (i.e. ramps, moving appliances to a main floor, making the home handicapped accessible, installing showers, etc.).

Residential facilities for individuals and families who otherwise have no homes.

Health care and social services provided at home or in a homelike setting for people with terminal illness.

Income tax preparation and filing services provided by knowledgeable volunteers or for a low fee.

Education about legal issues of concern to seniors and their family members.

Insurance to provide for home based or institutional services (social, personal, and health care services) over a sustained period of time due to frailty or incapacity.

Aid in the form of cash, goods or material items (i.e. clothes, food, physical products, etc.).

Jewelry that depicts a medical condition or impairment. The jewelry can be in the form of bracelets or necklaces. (examples include: safe return information for Alzheimer's sufferers who wander, medication information, allergies, health conditions, etc.)

Services that help people with information about and access to the national social health care program for older people. All U.S. citizens aged 65 and older are eligible.

An organization providing information about memory loss to the general public. Also included are organizations that provide services to people with memory loss and/or their families.

Promoting better health through awareness of nutritional influences. Provided one on one or in a group by a dietitian or individual of comparable expertise.

Organizations providing information about other specific health conditions to the general public. Also included are organizations that provide services to people with other specific health conditions and/or their families.

Advise and assistance to resolve financial problems or to relieve temporary financial stresses. Includes financial counseling, checkbook balancing, check writing, etc.

Discount cards or programs to help pay for prescriptions.

Services offered by a psychiatrist that are specifically targeted to an older population and/or their caregivers. A psychiatrist makes specific diagnosis of mental disorders, prescribes medications, and provides counseling treatments. (Psychiatry may be offered in an out-patient or in-patient setting).

City bus services that provide discounts to senior citizens.

Relaxation services such as therapeutic massage and meditation that are provided specifically for older adults or are provided to older adults at a discount.

Provision of care for a dependent adult in the person's own home, so that their spouse, family member or other care provider can have some personal time.

Communities that are designed for senior citizens who are relatively healthy. Communities are in apartment, town house, or condominium settings. Provides minimal or no assistance with health care. Does not increase care as needs arise. Requires a buy-in or entrance fee.

Skilled Nursing services provides actual medical care in a person's home. Examples include medication assistance, wound care, IV therapy, etc.

Rental housing (apartments, houses, etc.) where the rent is reduced based on client's income. (i.e. Section 8 housing, low-income senior apartments, HUD housing.) Also includes housing authority offices where applications for subsidized housing are processed.

Insurance policies which provide coverage for services not covered by Medicare. Also, organizations that provide assistance understanding policies, medigap insurance, etc.

Meetings for supportive purposes for specialized conditions or situations to enhance the health, happiness or comfort of those people with said condition or situation or the families or friends of those individuals.

Provision of legal advice on rental property and rental contract issues.

Providers who modify vehicles to enable people with disabilities to continue driving. Also includes the installation of wheelchair lifts for transporting passengers in wheelchairs.

Provision of transportation to important health care appointments or for essential shopping by a volunteer in their private vehicle.