Nowhere in the history of mankind have
we experienced the challenges of an aging population as we are now
and will in the twenty-first century. Life expectancies have greatly
increased due to medical advances and greater health awareness.
Two-thirds of all people who have lived to the age of 65 are living
with us today. Additionally, one of fastest growing segments of the
population is that of the 85 years and older. While there is no
question that the majority (96%) of the elder population remains
outside the care of long term care institutions such as nursing
homes, there is a higher correlation for the need of some type of
long term care with that of advanced years. With the growth in the
older population, states are now facing a significant increase in
costs associated with caring for those individuals residing in a
nursing home setting. These costs (Medicaid reimbursed nursing home
care) are often the single largest portion of any state?s budget. As
a result, more attention has been focused on developing a wider
array of options that will allow elders to remain in a less costly
environment. This preferred choice has empowered the older person to
remain independent within their own, or a family member?s home.
Contrary to popular belief, America is a responsible nation and does care for its elderly. Eighty percent of all long term care needs of the elderly are delivered by family members. However, care giving is presenting new challenges as families face the limitless stresses associated with raising their own children and caring for their parents at the same time. This is often exacerbated by the need for dual incomes in the family. attempts to meet some of the demands experienced by families by developing and funding an array of community based, or The Area Agency on Aging in-home, services. Below is a listing of those services with a brief description. While funding is limited, individuals who may benefit from these services are encouraged to contact the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida at (239) 332-4233.
Case Management: assistance in accessing and coordinating needed medical, educational and other services. Adult Day Care: therapeutic social and health activities and services provided to adults who have functional impairments, in a protective environment.
Caregiver Training/support: caregiver training/support service is designed to encourage the provision of day to day care for the client by the persons in his/her family and social circle.
Chore: performance of house or yard tasks including such jobs as seasonal cleaning, essential errands, yard work, lifting and moving, simple household repairs, pest control, and household maintenance.
Companionship: relieving loneliness and providing continuing social contact with the community by casual conversation, providing assistance with reading, writing letters, or entertaining games.
Congregate Meals: provision of a meal to an eligible client or other eligible participant, at a congregate meal site. Consumable Medical Supplies: supplies used by the client, caregiver, or service staff, which are essential to adequately care for the needs of the client.
Counseling: advising and enabling the older person and/or his/her family to resolve problems. Education/Training: providing formal or informal opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge, experience or skills. Includes individual or group events designed to increase awareness in such areas as nutrition, crime or accident prevention; promote personal enrichment.
Emergency Alert Response: a community based electronic surveillance service which monitors the frail homebound elderly by means of an electronic communication link with a response center.
Environmental Modifications: a physical adaptation made to a home to ensure the health and safety of the client and enable optimal functioning for independence.
Escort: personal accompaniment of individuals to or from service providers. Escorts may also provide language interpretation to people who have hearing/speech impairments or speak a foreign language.
Health Support: activities to assist persons to secure and utilize necessary medical treatment as well as preventive, emergency and health maintenance services.
Home Delivered Meals: provision of a meal to an eligible, functionally impaired homebound participant. Homemaker Services: the accomplishment of specific home management duties including housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, shopping assistance, and routine household activities by a trained homemaker.
Housing Improvement/Emergency Home Repair: providing home repairs or alterations to the client's home in instances where there are housing code violations or dangers that would prohibit the client from staying in their own home.
Information and Referral: designed to provide resource information regarding community resource with respect to elder care issues. Personal Care: services to assist the functionally impaired elderly with bathing, dressing, ambulation, housekeeping, supervision, emotional security, eating, and assistance with securing health care from appropriate sources.
Respite Care: relief or rest from the constant/continued supervision, companionship, therapeutic and/or personal care, of a functionally impaired older person for a specified period of time.
Risk Reduction: risk reduction combines either hands-on care or guidance to the caregiver and client to promote wellness and prevent premature institutionalization.
Transportation: travel to or from service providers or community resources.
Contrary to popular belief, America is a responsible nation and does care for its elderly. Eighty percent of all long term care needs of the elderly are delivered by family members. However, care giving is presenting new challenges as families face the limitless stresses associated with raising their own children and caring for their parents at the same time. This is often exacerbated by the need for dual incomes in the family. attempts to meet some of the demands experienced by families by developing and funding an array of community based, or The Area Agency on Aging in-home, services. Below is a listing of those services with a brief description. While funding is limited, individuals who may benefit from these services are encouraged to contact the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida at (239) 332-4233.
Case Management: assistance in accessing and coordinating needed medical, educational and other services. Adult Day Care: therapeutic social and health activities and services provided to adults who have functional impairments, in a protective environment.
Caregiver Training/support: caregiver training/support service is designed to encourage the provision of day to day care for the client by the persons in his/her family and social circle.
Chore: performance of house or yard tasks including such jobs as seasonal cleaning, essential errands, yard work, lifting and moving, simple household repairs, pest control, and household maintenance.
Companionship: relieving loneliness and providing continuing social contact with the community by casual conversation, providing assistance with reading, writing letters, or entertaining games.
Congregate Meals: provision of a meal to an eligible client or other eligible participant, at a congregate meal site. Consumable Medical Supplies: supplies used by the client, caregiver, or service staff, which are essential to adequately care for the needs of the client.
Counseling: advising and enabling the older person and/or his/her family to resolve problems. Education/Training: providing formal or informal opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge, experience or skills. Includes individual or group events designed to increase awareness in such areas as nutrition, crime or accident prevention; promote personal enrichment.
Emergency Alert Response: a community based electronic surveillance service which monitors the frail homebound elderly by means of an electronic communication link with a response center.
Environmental Modifications: a physical adaptation made to a home to ensure the health and safety of the client and enable optimal functioning for independence.
Escort: personal accompaniment of individuals to or from service providers. Escorts may also provide language interpretation to people who have hearing/speech impairments or speak a foreign language.
Health Support: activities to assist persons to secure and utilize necessary medical treatment as well as preventive, emergency and health maintenance services.
Home Delivered Meals: provision of a meal to an eligible, functionally impaired homebound participant. Homemaker Services: the accomplishment of specific home management duties including housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, shopping assistance, and routine household activities by a trained homemaker.
Housing Improvement/Emergency Home Repair: providing home repairs or alterations to the client's home in instances where there are housing code violations or dangers that would prohibit the client from staying in their own home.
Information and Referral: designed to provide resource information regarding community resource with respect to elder care issues. Personal Care: services to assist the functionally impaired elderly with bathing, dressing, ambulation, housekeeping, supervision, emotional security, eating, and assistance with securing health care from appropriate sources.
Respite Care: relief or rest from the constant/continued supervision, companionship, therapeutic and/or personal care, of a functionally impaired older person for a specified period of time.
Risk Reduction: risk reduction combines either hands-on care or guidance to the caregiver and client to promote wellness and prevent premature institutionalization.
Transportation: travel to or from service providers or community resources.