Area Agency on Aging

Business Hours:   8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday

Toll-free number: 800-368-1066

     Although the Agency receives no "disaster" funding, the Agency feels it is prepared to provide to those disaster victims who are age 60 and over those services among its normal complement of services which may be of particular need to senior flood victims.  Most services will require that the appllicant be assessed via home visitation, and may require a co-payment on the part of the consumer.  Services are to be provided as a "last-resort alternative".  (Some minor delays in service provision might occur due to need for subcontractors to make available needed staff, etc.)

SERVICES/DEFINITIONS

"Clean-up Assistance" - technically called "HOME SUPPORT" - provides unskilled workers who can assist with "with "heavy housework" which can include moving furniture.  (A reasonable expectation might be that the Agency would authorize one worker for two full days of service.)

• To apply for Home Support, applicants must be assessed via home visitation by a care manager dispatched from the Agency.
• To qualify for Home Support, applicants must be at least 60 years of age, unable to complete the work themselves and have no one else available/willing to assist.
• Consumers whose monthly incomes are over about $935/mo. are responsible for copays on the cost of services received.

Medical Transportation - is available from all locations in Armstrong County to all physicians' offices/medical facilities located in Armstrong County, as well as to some locations outside of Armstrong County.  Transportation to some locations may be restricted to certain designated days.

• To apply for Medical Transportation, applicants are briefly assessed via telephone contact
• To qualify for Medical Transportation, applicants must be at least 6- years of age.  Services to thos between the ages of 60 and 65 is limited to veterans and those for whom provision of medical transportation is considered life-sustaining.  Applicants must also be unable to transport themselves, and have no one available/willing to assist.  Additionally, those applicants who have an MA card are ineligible and are referred to Armstrong County Community Action for assistance.
• Consumers may donate toward costs of  transportation provided.

Emergency Housing consists of temporary placement in a personal care home or, if medically necessary, a nursing home.

• To apply for Emergency Housing, applicants may make requests via telephone to the Agency on Aging
• To qualify for Emergency Housing to be funded through the Agency, applicants must be at least 60 years of age, have no responsible caretaker, and be at imminent risk (which can be justified by flood damage).  (Those applicants who have "responsible caregivers" who are unable to provide alternate housing would be found ineligible.)  Applicants would be required to participate in an assessment.
• For those who cannot afford to pay, the Agency can fund housing as long as it can justify the need.  Recipients can donate toward costs.  If applicants can afford emergency housing costs and are only requesting assistance in locating available facilities, the Agency can, without cost, assist with placement location.

Legal Services provides authorization for free legal consultation/action for a limited range of legal issues through the Agenc's contracted attorney.

• To apply, persons can phone the Agency and a brief application is taken over the telephone.
• To qualify, applicants must have no other source of free legal services, and their legal concern must appear on a limited list of issues that the program covers.  (Concerning those issues which do not appear on the list of covered issues, the Agency can authorize a one-time consult.)
• Legal services are given without cost; however, recipients may donate toward the cost of services received.

Family Caregiver Support Program provides reimbursement for services/supplies to caregivers who are providing care for a functionally dependent older person.  During this disaster, the Agency feels it can excellerate the response time for these applications.

• To apply, persons must be assessed via home visitation by an Agency care manager.
• To qualify, the carereceiver must be functionally impaired and dependent on a primary caregiver.  Income guidelines apply.
• Reimbursement can be given for services/supplies which the consumer purchases.  Additiionally, services may be made available through the Agency with possible applicable co-pays.

Case Management provides care managers who can do Home Visitation to assist with applications, etc. or who can comprehensively assess needs.

Care Management services will be provided when required as application for an Agency on Aging-funded service, or upon request to assist with applications for flood assistance, etc. that the applicant may have if he is unable to visit our office.  Care management assistance is available to residents age 60 and over.