Senior and elderly assistance programs.
Older Americans, the elderly, and seniors can receive help from a number of assistance programs that specialize in meeting their needs. Resources are offered by the federal government, your state, Area Agency on Aging offices, and other non-profits and social service organizations. With the population of the country continuing to age and more individuals reaching the so called senior “status”, the demand for assistance, information, and advice continues to increase.
The exact type of resources and programs will vary by state, county, and agency. Examples of some of the programs offered for senior citizens and the elderly include government benefit programs, Medicare, senior centers, home care programs, employment resources, meal sites, and much more.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a federal government funded program that is administered by many agency on aging offices. Individuals who are unemployed, 55 or older, and who are looking for a new job can look into and sign up for the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
Assessments will be completed by case managers, and they will try to obtain information about the participant’s current skills and interests, employment history, physical capabilities, need for supportive services, potential for transition to a regular job and help them participate in community service assignments.
Enrollees in the SCSEP program will be offered free physical examination and job training opportunities. They will be placed into part time jobs, in which they will gain an income, learn new skills, and have the opportunity to transition into full time employment.Click here for more information.
Senior food programs
Congregate meals are offered in all states. Individuals can choose from meal sites including churches, senior centers, religious facilities, area on aging offices, and housing facilities. Not only can a senior citizen get a free, nutritious hot meal or lunch, but they can also have the opportunity to socialize, attend workshops, and get support from the community.
People who can’t make it to a meal site and who are homebound can look into home delivered meals. Clients will need to be unable to shop for food or prepare meals on their own, and they need to be home bound. The home delivered meal programs are also commonly referred to as Meals on Wheels. Volunteers will bring food and meals to homebound seniors, which can help them to remain in their homes for as long as possible. In addition to receiving food and access to the nutrition services, seniors are offered daily contact with staff or program volunteers. They will provide seniors a link to additional services in their communities. Read more Meals on Wheels.
Free food is offered to seniors over 60 years of age from the federal government funded Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Healthy meals and groceries are offered in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and your state. Additional nutrition information is also provided in order to help facilitate good health. Click here.
For seniors struggling to feed their pets, free dog or cat food may be available too. Some Meals on Wheels services now provide this for low income elderly and the homebound. It is not yet offered nationwide, but an increasing number of providers are implementing this program. The free food for a clients pet will free up their often fixed income salaries for other basic needs. In addition, having a healthy pet can really help a senior citizen or disabled person by providing companionship and other benefits. More.
Medical bills and insurance
Seniors have options when it comes to health insurance, such as Medicare and government programs that can help people pay their medical bills. Information and resources are offered to help the elderly deal with escalating medical costs.
Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)can help seniors understand their health insurance benefits, plans that are available, medical bills and rights. This program supports Medicare beneficiaries, including people who are under 65 years old.
The SHIP program provides clients access to trained staff and volunteers who usually operate from area on aging offices. The counselors will provide those who need information with both in-person and telephone assistance and information. Get help with the following.
Medicare program, including details and help applying for benefits such as Prescription Drug Coverage Program (Medicare Part D) and any state Medicare supplements.Assistance with health insurance denials, appeals and grievances.Disabled Medicare beneficiaries, even those under 65, receive information, help with health care needs, and support.Learn about Long Term Care Insurance as well as Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs, preferred provider organizations).Medical bill assistance programs as well as additional resources may be offered for low-income beneficiaries.Other services are offered from the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program.
The federal government Medicare service is a national social insurance program. It was created and is administered by the U.S. federal government, and it has been in operation since 1965. The program guarantees access to health insurance for seniors and Americans ages 65 and older. Younger people can also benefit from Medicare, and the program can help individuals with disabilities as well as people with end stage renal disease.
In general, the Medicare program pays for about 50 percent of the medical bills and health care costs for enrollees. The participant will need to pay the balance of the costs. Any out-of-pocket costs that the individual needs to pay will vary depending on the exact amount of health care a Medicare enrollee needs. This might include uncovered services, which can be vision care, long-term, hearing, and dental, and it may also include supplemental insurance. There are several main components to this medical bill assistance program.
Part A can pay for helps bills incurred while at a hospital or some skilled nursing facility expenses.Part B of Medicare helps pay for outpatient services such as physical therapy as well as regular doctor’s visits. Seniors will need to usually pay some form of premium in order to receive this coverage; however the government can subsidize it.Extra help is not a very well known component, and this is available for prescription drugs as well. The government will subsidize any premiums or expenses that seniors need to pay for Part D. See more below.Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries, or QMB, is a more general assistance program that helps people who are signed up for Medicare pay their co-pays and monthly premiums.
Seniors can get help with prescriptions from Medicare Part D. This is a patient assistance program that was created by the federal government and which is offered through pharmaceutical companies that provide prescription drugs. The medications will be offered to qualified senior citizens for free or at a reduced cost.
Another benefit provided from Medicare Part D include prescription savings discount cards or publicly funded programs, information on generic medications to save on prescription costs, websites for price comparisons, and access to mail order pharmacies.
Many seniors and disabled who receive Medicaid, SSI or Medicare can receive additional financial assistance and savings from a federal government program known as Extra Help. A focus is on providing funds and discounts for prescription medications and medical bills, with emphasis on seniors who are enrolled in Medicare Part B and D. Learn more Extra Help.
Health Insurance Counseling is offered in many states at senior centers and area on aging offices. This is similar to SHIP (see above) is that certified health insurance counselors can be made to answer questions on supplemental insurance, Medicare, long-term care insurance, and other related medical questions. All services and information is generally offered at no cost.
While not quite as common, oftentimes Medical Transportation can be arranged. Some senior centers can provide transportation to health care and doctor appointments for persons 60 years old and older. It is usually offered at a minimal cost, but some locations may offer the rides for free.
Medicaid Waiver for Older Adults is a program that will enable individuals who are aged 50 and over who require long-term care services to remain in a community setting. Resources are offered to individuals even though their advanced age or a disability they may have would warrant placement in a long term care facility.
Free health care for the needs of senior needs - While older adults have many of the same medical conditions of people of any age, some of the more common requests include for hearing aids, prescription medications, and basic check ups. There are a few government programs and non-profits that offer assistance that senior citizens may find very useful for their needs. Read free medical and health care programs.
Attendant Services is to help those who are disabled, including seniors. The main objective is to support qualified persons with disabilities who need ongoing health and medical assistance. The attendant services program helps to maintain independence by allowing clients to complete their education, work in a job, and to generally avoid living in a special health care home or highly supervised setting. The services and resources will be provided to qualified people based on the client’s abilities, lifestyle, and preferences.
Durable Medical Equipment, or DME, as well as other devices are provided by both government agencies and private organizations. Senior citizens can receive a wide variety of items, ranging from wheelchairs to walkers or assistive technology items for their home. The terms will variy, and the equipment may be available for free, loaned out or sold at a reduced price. Click Assistive technology and durable equipment assistance programs.
Additional programs for seniors
While many state, federal, and local programs and resources focus on medical and nutritional issues, there are a number of other services available.
Information and Assistance targeted at seniors is available in many states, and is usually administered by area agency on aging offices or a service called Eldercare Locator. The programs provide a single point of information and entry into the aging network. Seniors citizens, elderly, and older adults can gain a single place for access, or phone number to call, for information on services and government benefits. Information is also available for families and caregivers. Some of what can be provided includes information on income and financial aid, transportation, senior citizens centers, pharmacy assistance, daily meals, housing/rent assistance, and food pantries. Read more on Eldercare Locator, or find a local agency on aging office below.
Senior Legal Assistance can offer free or low cost legal advice, counseling and representation to older Americans. Your local Area Agencies on Aging office may vary well contract with local attorneys in order to offer this service. Priority for legal advice and support is given to issues involving the following issues, including government disability benefits, income maintenance, and health care.
Congregate Housing Services Program can provide state subsidies and other support services to eligible residents of low and moderate income senior housing who, due to chronic health conditions or advanced age, need daily help with activities such as personal services, meals, and housekeeping.
Senior Centers operate in many towns, cities, and counties. Various resources and programs are administered from the centers. For example, they can provide free and low-cost health screenings. Examples may include checks and health care for issues such as vision testing, blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, depression, glucose (for diabetes), hearing, stroke, osteoporosis, foot and screenings for several types of cancer. Additionally, pharmacists often offer their time and services at the centers. They will frequently provide consultations to discuss prescription medications, nutritionists will assist with a personal nutrition plan, and nurses provide individual guidance and discuss specific health concerns. Flu or pneumonia shots are often given during the fall months to keep seniors well. Also, health education seminars and disease prevention are offered throughout the year.
Not only can medical needs be met, but Senior Centers also offer other services. This can include a place for people to stop by to get a meal or pick up an emergency food box or lunch. It is a place to go for social activities and companionship. Also, many centers will hold workshops and provide seminars on issues such as low cost housing, medical bill programs like Medicare, and budgeting classes.
Get financial advice and bill paying assistance. These programs are normally cosponsored by the AARP Foundation as well as Aging and Adults. Services will often include money management assistance to help low-income senior citizens and adults with physical disabilities that have difficulty paying routine bills, budgeting and keeping track of financial matters. The goal of this resource is to also promote independent living for individuals and senior citizens who are at risk of losing their independence due to inability to pay their bills on time and in general manage their financial affairs. The program uses a combination of credit counselors and volunteers to assist individuals who may not have relatives or friends who are willing to help.
Sadly, many older Americans are the targets of scams or fraud, even when it comes to medical bills, health care, and prescriptions. A free service known asSenior Medical Patrol (SMP) was created by a group of specialists that help individuals detect billing errors and fraud, even when it comes to Medicare. Most of the counselors operate out of agency on agency offices in towns and cities across the nation. More.
Oftentimes individuals can learn about financial assistance programs, such as rent or energy assistance. For example, the federal government Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists low-income households. Priority is usually given to people who are most at risk such as seniors or the disabled. Assistance can be offered for households who are experiencing a home energy emergency.
A crisis can be addressed too. This may result from an unpaid utility or heating bill, the receipt of a shut off notice, or lack of fuel or wood. Payments from LIHEAP are for home cooling and heating and other emergency energy-related costs during the cooling (April-September) and heating (October-March) seasons. In general, qualified households may be provided a onetime cash benefit per season, up to $600 per heating or cooling season. Payments will be made directly to the vendor or utility company.
Another example is housing. Rent assistance vouchers can be provided to seniors and the elderly from programs such as Section 202 or 8. Both are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but are administered by public housing agencies. You are of aging office can often provide details on housing resources, such as Section 202 housing vouchers.
Transportation can be provided to seniors for appointments, shopping trips, and other needs. Many agency on aging centers, non-profits such as the Salvation Army, and maybe even churches offer this service either for free or a reduced price. A number of needs can be fulfilled by these services. The most common reason will be for a doctor appointment or shopping trip for groceries, however rides can be provided for other reasons as well. Individuals with mobility issues can also access these programs and drivers will usually be able to help them get into and out of the vehicle that is being used. Learn more ontransportation services for seniors.
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