How does one go about getting assistance for an elderly person ?

[bearfan454]

Is there an income limit ? What agency or department would one contact ? Any information on where to go for answers will help. Anyone know ?

[Donnachaidh]

1. start with your county welfare offices

they can usually tell you how to go about setting up aide and possible homecare.

[sam sarrha]

15. see if there is a Community Action Councel.. they have people there that know all the ins and outs

of those sorts of things.. that is all they do..

[MichiganVote]

2. Yellow pages. Look up Agencies / Aging or similar

[Oleladylib]

3. Yellow Pages of Phone book is best bet..Or look under county

agencies in the White pages..Here there is an association called "Lifetime Assistance" which would help but-there are many avenues to pursue..Yes, there is an income limit to some services but not all. Good luck. Let us know.

[dflprincess]

4. What agency depends on what kind of assistance is needed

The United Way has a service called First Call for Help. I used them a few times years ago when I had clients that needed something the agency I worked at couldn't provide. At that time, they seemed pretty good at directing people to the right resources, I assume they still know what they're doing.

[mom cat]

5. What state? What kind of assistance? Medical. financial or both?

[bearfan454]

7. Medical in Texas

What is the limit if they are not not disabled ? She is elderly and lives alone.

[MiaCulpa]

8. elder care

bearfan, again depends on the need. If there's an emergency, no er can refuse care. Medication? There are several sources of help, starting with the person's primary care md, your local senior center, or the even the red cross will assist. Pharmacies also know of programs that they can suggest, and get started. Your local senior center will have no income guideline, they're for the entire community. It's also the best place to start, as they will know all the networks to hook up an elderly person in need with. If the person belongs to a church, or even in they live in the neighborhood of a church (I'm just saying membership isn't generally a requirement)they can also assist, and they do not ask financial info.

Good luck.

[bearfan454]

13. thanks for the information

We are looking for more detailed information than we have been given by physicians and social security office. We were told by the social service department that she had too much income to get even a part time care giver even though her doctor recommended it. We don't know much about this type of thing and are trying to make the right decisions for her. She is living month to month now and can't afford to hire a full time care giver herself. She wants to live her life in the comfort of her home...not a nursing home. We want to respect her wishes. We need to get her into the correct program...so far just a lot of empty promises from state departments and a LOT of red tape. She is not totally disabled, but has to walk with the aid of a walker and is unable to cook meals for herself. We hired a friend to help her with her bath, preparing meals, and some light housekeeping. Our friend can only help a few hours a day. We do not feel comfortable leaving her alone in her home for long periods of time. Any other thoughts you may have would be welcomed and appreciated.

[MiaCulpa]

16. Tough decision time

Go through your local networks via the local senior center, or call the hospital discharge planning office as was mentioned in another comment to start. Most everyone would prefer to stay in their own home with familiar surroundings in their old age, but if physical limitations prevent that it can't always be an option. Most communities have 'meals on wheels' that deliver one hot meal per day, which can be of some help, but perhaps finding out about some sort of assisted living for seniors might be more in line with her needs at this point. Keep in mind, that often when health deteriorates in the elderly, it can continue to do so rapidly. Good luck to all of you, and glad you're there for this person to help them through. Bless you.

[Anakin Skywalker]

6. First Question On Checklist: Are You In a Red State?

If yes, skip all other steps and see bottom line: Help is Denied!

CONpassionate CONservatism in action.

[ancient_nomad]

9. I live in PA

Do you have an Office of the Aging where you live? Here they are a great source of information and will assist people in obtaining help.

[Patchuli]

10. My sister works with aged people a lot

and says that local hospitals will have a department called Discharge Planning and they will have a list of all social services available in the community. They are pros!!!!

[MiaCulpa]

12. Discharge planning

I had forgotten that one, good idea. Usually RN's or Social workers (or they're both)take care of the discharge planning for the elderly, and it's their job to make sure every need will be addressed before an elderly patient is discharged, and they do know all the right sources.

I often find it sad that so few people actually know of all the available help (generally within a community, as fed and even state assist is minimal). I wish there were a better way for each town/city to have the information available for people.

[Patchuli]

20. I wish much more attention

was paid to elderly peoples' needs. I predict when we boomers really get there, there may be some changes to the system! There's too many of us to ignore! :-)

I wish the OP good luck in finding aid. Our elderly deserve nothing less!

[AlamoDemoc]

11. get a list of both your house reps...Dem & Rep...and make calls

daily...have few of your relatives make those calls too, both Washington and local offices (mention why your calling and who's that your calling for)...await response from reps chief of staff...keep names at hand...but keep on calling...Afterwards call your local welfare county office...mention to local officials that you have been spoken to Washington by mentioning names, and that your coming in tomorrow to see them...but before you go, find out who's the department head.

[ancient_nomad]

14. Texas Dept of Aging and Disability Services Link

http://www.dads.state.tx.us/contact/combined.cfm

There is a search to find your local DADS agency by City, County, or Zip Code. Updated Nov.21, 2006.

snip: from services section

Older Texans — DADS provides the following categories of services:

* Medicaid and state-funded medical and community-based services (nursing home care, home health services, adult day care, etc.)
* Older Americans Act services (benefits counseling, nutrition, transportation, senior centers, and information and referral)

Prescription drug assistance — The Texas Cares website is designed to help older Texans and people with disabilities get information about resources that may help them obtain their prescription drugs.

Find help in your home or community — The Quality Reporting System website allows users to locate adult day care centers and home health services in their communities.

Find your local Area Agencies on Aging — You can find one of the 28 affiliated Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) by calling toll-free 1-800-252-9240 or looking in our online directory. The AAAs provide benefits counseling, long-term care ombudsman services, and a variety of services funded through the Older Americans Act.

Yourtexasbenefits.com offers easy and secure online access to benefits including Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Children's Health Insurance, and nursing home care and other services for people who are elderly or have disabilities.

I hope this helps you!

[MiaCulpa]

17. THAT is perfect!

I hope this helps, Bearfan, it sounds like just what you need.

[nickyt]

18. bearfan, you hang in there and call whatever numbers you are given by whoever!

States will differ as to what programs they might offer and what assistance is available. In my area, we have a social worker at our little hospital who is a miracle worker! There are good people who can help, but it will take phone calls and waiting and you will most likely get really irate and aggravated (I sure as hell have!), so you hang in there as you claw your way through this process (promise?). Please let us know how it goes, and take of yourself during this terribly trying time. What you are doing here is really hard, so be kind to yourself as you do this!
There may be some message boards you could find that can give you some ideas, too.

[bearfan454]

19. I am going to do just that.

Thank you.