The goal of the IR&A Program is to help our clients preserve their independence. For many callers, this is the first step to making informed decisions about the programs and services that fit their needs. The AAA gives thorough and unbiased information about community-wide resources and assists in determining the right avenues to explore.

The Benefits Counselors answers questions about programs such as Medicare, Prescription Drug Plans, Supplement Insurance, Social Security and more. A Web-based screening tool is provided which helps to find local, state and federal programs that can help many people with expenses such as prescription drugs, rent, heating bills, meals and more.

BenefitsCheckUp® is a service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a national non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. It’s simple. It’s fast. It’s free. And it’s private.

Hint: “Find More Benefits Programs” will give you the widest variety of programs for which you may be eligible. If you need assistance, please call us and ask for a Benefits Counselor. Our Benefits Counselor can help you complete the CheckUp.

Our Care Coordinator provides assistance for older adults (60 and over) who have recently been hospitalized or suffered a health care crisis and who are without the financial resources to pay for the total cost of needed care. The care coordinator assesses the client to determine the needs in order for them to continue to live at home. Care plans developed include (on a temporary, short-term basis) assistance ranging from light housecleaning to personal care.

The Agency’s Caregiver Support Program provides critical support needed by families to assist them in maintaining their caregiver roles. The services available for family caregivers include the following:

• Information about resources to help families in their caregiver roles
• Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to available services
• Caregiver counseling, training, and peer support to help families cope with the emotional and physical stress of dealing with the disabling effects of a family member’s chronic condition
• Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities
• Supplemental services, on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by caregivers

The ombudsman program provides advocates for individuals living in nursing and assisted living facilities. A long-term care ombudsman is specially trained and certified to advocate for quality care by developing positive relationships with facility residents and staff.

• Intervene on behalf of the residents in long-term-care facilities to assure quality of care
• Investigate, negotiate, mediate or initiate the resolution of complaints and concerns
• Improve communication between residents, family members and facility staff
• Provide general information and assistance regarding long-term care options, standards of practice and quality of care issues.

The Area Agency on Aging provides funding for the following additional services:

• Congregate Meals
• Home-delivered Meals
• Demand Response Transportation
• Evidence-based Disease Prevention Program
• Adult Day Care