Department of Health and
Human Services
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Activities
of Daily Living (ADLs) Adult Day Care Adult Day Care Centers offer social, recreational and health-related services to individuals in a protective setting who cannot be left alone during the day because of health care and social need, confusion or disability. Area Agency on Aging Under the Older Americans Act, the Administration on Aging distributes
funds for various aging programs through state agencies on aging with
in turn fund local area agencies on aging. Area Agencies on Aging address
the concerns of older Americans at the local level. They play an important
role in identifying community and social service needs and assuring
that social and nutritional supports are made available to older people
in communities where they live. In most cases, Area Agencies on Aging
do not provide direct services. Instead, they subcontract with other
organizations to facilitate the provision of a full range of services
for older people. A facility that provides a combination of housing and personalized
health care in a professionally managed group-setting designed to respond
to the individual needs of persons who require assistance with activities
of daily living. The facility provides care to residents who cannot
live independently, but who do not require 24 hour nursing care. Terminology
varies from state to state, and a facility that is called an Assisted
Living Facility in one state might be called other things in other
states, i.e. a Residential Care Facility (RCF), Board and Care Home,
a Domiciliary Care Facility, an Adult Care Home, or a Community-Based
Care Facility. Assistive technology is any service or tool that helps the elderly or disabled do the activities they have always done but must now do differently. These tools are also sometimes called “adaptive devices.” Such technology may be something as simple as a walker to make moving around easier or an amplification device to make sounds easier to hear (for talking on the telephone or watching television, for instance).
Care or Case Management Case managers work with family members and older adults to assess,
arrange and evaluate supportive efforts of seniors and their families
to remain independent. A generic term referring to a person, either paid or voluntary, who
helps an older person with the activities of daily living, health care,
financial matters, guidance, companionship and social interaction.
A caregiver can provide more than one aspect of care. Most often the
term refers to a family member or friend who aids the older person. Chore service is available to persons who are physically unable to perform tasks, such as heavy cleaning, minor repair or yard work, and unable to secure assistance from family or friends nor have the means to pay privately. Congregate Meals These meal programs provide older individuals with free or low cost , nutritionally sound meals served five days a week in easily accessible locations. Besides promoting better health through improved nutrition, meal programs provide daily activities and socialization for participants which help reduce the isolation of old age.
Elder Abuse Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent
act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious
risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies
from state to state, but broadly defined, abuse may be physical, emotional,
sexual, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of senior citizens
are investigated by highly trained protective service specialists.
Intervention is provided in instances of substantiated elder abuse,
neglect or exploitation. These programs can provide low-income elderly homeowners and renters with funds to help pay home utility and heating costs. Eligibility requirements may vary from state to state.
Friendly Visitors and Telephone Reassurance These programs, which have different titles in different communities, provide regular personal or telephone contact for older persons who are homebound or live alone. Usually a volunteer provides the service. Besides developing friendships, perhaps a more important aspect of these programs is the volunteer's ability to identify needs of the individual as they occur and notify those who can help.
Geriatric
Care Managers
Home and Community-Based Services A variety of supportive services delivered in community settings or
in an older person’s home are designed to help older persons
remain living at home and avoid institutionalization. Sometimes referred to as “meals on wheels,” home delivered meals are hot and nutritious meals delivered to homebound persons who are unable to prepare their own meals and have no outside assistance. Home Health Care Home health care is recognized as an increasingly important alternative
to hospitalization or care in a nursing home for patients who do not
need 24?hour day professional supervision. Many people find it possible
to remain at home for the entire duration of their illness or at least
to shorten their hospital stay. In many cases readmission to the hospital
can be prevented or delayed. A variety of health services are provided
in a home health care program in the patient's home, under the direction
of a physician. Adaptation and/or renovation to the living environment intended to
increase ease of use, safety, security and independence. There are
some local, state, Federal and volunteer programs that provide special
grants, loans and other assistance for home remodeling, repair and
modification. Usually a combination of at-home and hospital care of the terminally ill that combines medical and social services. It is designed to help both the patient and the family. Hospice care emphasizes pain control, symptom management, and emotional support rather than life-sustaining equipment.
Information and Referral Information Specialists are available to provide assistance and linkage to available services and resources.
Legal Assistance Legal advice and representation is available to persons aged 60 and
over for certain types of legal matters including government program
benefits, tenant rights, and consumer problems. A general term that describes a range of medical, nursing, custodial,
social, and community services designed to help people with chronic
health impairments or forms of dementia. This type of insurance policy is designed to cover long term care
expenses in a facility or at home. Long term care ombudsmen, state and local, work cooperatively with nursing homes and board and care facilities to improve the quality of life for residents. They serve as patient's rights advocates, investigating and negotiating resolutions to concerns voiced by residents in matters of resident services and care.
Medicaid Medicaid is a health benefit program administered by States for people
with low incomes who meet other eligibility requirements. The health
insurance program is financed by the federal and state governments.
Medicaid may also pay for nursing home care if the individual’s
income and assets are within certain limits. The national health insurance program for eligible people 65 and older
and some disabled individuals. Part A covers hospital costs. Part B
covers doctor bills and other medical costs. Medigap is designed specifically to supplement and complement Medicare’s benefits by filling in some of the gaps of Medicare coverage. Medigap insurance policies are non-group policies that may pay for Medicare deductibles, prescription drugs, or other services not covered by Medicare.
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Respite Care The provision of short-term relief (respite) to families caring for their frail elders offers tremendous potential for maintaining dependent persons in the least restrictive environment. Respite services encompass traditional home?based care, as well as adult day health, skilled nursing, home health aide and short term institutional care. Respite can vary in time from part of a day to several weeks.
Senior Centers A vital link in the service delivery network which older persons may
avail themselves of, senior centers are functioning as meal sites,
screening clinics, recreational centers, social service agency branch
offices, mental health counseling clinics, older worker employment
agencies, volunteer coordinating centers, and community meeting halls.
The significance of senior centers cannot be underestimated for they
provide a sense of belonging, offer the opportunity to meet old acquaintances
and make new friends, and encourage individuals to pursue activities
of personal interest and involvement in the community. The Older Americans Act mandates that each state have a state agency
on aging which is part of state government. The State Agency on Aging
is the designated focal point within the state government responsible
for administering a complex service system designed to complement and
support other human service systems in meeting the needs of the elderly.
Transportation Programs that provide door-to-door transportation for people who may be elderly or disabled, who do not have private transportation and who are unable to utilize public transportation to meet their needs.
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