AN ARRAY OF SERVICES OFFERED

As a central statutory duty under the Older Americans Act, the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging d/b/a Elder Options develops and maintains comprehensive and coordinated service delivery systems throughout its planning and service area. The following services are representative of services made available through the service delivery system. It is important to note that not all of these services are available in every part of our planning and service areas. Each county within the planning and service area has an array of services that is tailored to the highest priority service needs in that respective county.

Provides services designed to increase awareness of elder abuse and prevention, and to meet the needs of elders who may be vulnerable to abuse. Services include training, companionship, and caregiver assistance. ( back to top )

Therapeutic social and health activities and services provided to adults who have functional impairments, in a protective environment as non-institutional as possible. ( back to top )

Services furnished four or more hours per day on a regularly scheduled basis, for one or more days per week, in an outpatient setting, encompassing both health and social services needed to ensure the optimal functioning of the individual. ( back to top )

A group of services provided to an Assisted Living for the Elderly Waiver client to delay or prevent admission to a nursing home. ( back to top )

A fixed sum cash payment made to an eligible caregiver each month to reimburse some of their expenses of caring for the client. A basic subsidy is provided for support and maintenance of the care recipient, including medical costs not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or any other insurance. ( back to top )

Training of caregivers, individually or in group settings, to: reduce stress, increase coping skills, provide strategies for effective management of caregiving tasks, and enable them to provide high quality care to recipients within the home. Caregiver training and support may be provided through forums which include community workshops, seminars, and other organized local, regional, or statewide events. Support may also be provided to caregivers through telecommunications media. ( back to top )

A client centered service that assists individuals in identifying physical and emotional needs and problems through an interview and assessment process; discussing and developing a plan for services which addresses these needs; arranging and coordinating agreed-upon services; and monitoring the quality and effectiveness of the services. Case Management is a service for actively enrolled clients that provides continuing support and addresses the changing needs of clients. ( back to top )

The performance of routine house or yard tasks including such jobs as seasonal cleaning; yard work; lifting and moving furniture, appliances, or heavy objects; household repairs which do not require a permit or specialist; and household maintenance. Pest control may be included when not performed as a distinct activity. Companionship Visiting a client who is socially and/or of relieving loneliness and providing continuing social contact with the community by casual conversation, providing assistance with reading, writing letters, entertaining games, escorting a client to a doctor’s appointment, and diversional activities such as going to the movies, the mall, the library, or grocery shopping. ( back to top )

The provision of a meal at a congregate meal site which complies with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and provides 1/3 daily RDA for individuals 51 years or older as established by Food and Nutrition Board of National Academy of Sciences. ( back to top )

Conducts assessments for congregate meal applicants or recipients, with referral and follow-up as needed. ( back to top )

Uses the casework mode of relating to a client (via interview, discussion or lending a sympathetic ear) to advise and enable the older person and/or their family to resolve problems (concrete or emotional) or to relieve temporary stresses encountered by them. Through counseling, persons are helped to maximize the use of available resources to assure physical and emotional well being.( back to top )

Services focus on the unique treatment of psychiatric disorders and rehabilitation for impairments for persons suffering from a mental illness, including depression and anxiety. These services include specialized individual, group, and family therapy provided to individuals using techniques appropriate to this population. ( back to top )

Providing information to individuals, families, caregivers, and the general public about chronic conditions and diseases; prevention measures and services, treatment, rehabilitation, and coping strategies for those factors which cannot change. This can be done on a one-on-one or group basis.( back to top )

(1) Speaking to groups or distributing materials to individuals at public gatherings about services and opportunities available to them within their communities; (2) Providing formal or informal opportunities for individuals or groups to acquire knowledge, experience or skills; to increase awareness in such areas as crime or accident prevention; promoting personal enrichment; and to increase or gain skills in a specific craft, trade, job or occupation. Training individuals or groups in guardianship proceedings of older individuals if other adequate representation is unavailable can also be done; and, (3) Training conducted by Alzheimer's Disease Initiative Memory ( back to top )

A community-based electronic surveillance service which monitors the frail homebound elder by means of an electronic communication link with a response center.( back to top )

Provides critically-needed home repairs, modifications, and alterations.( back to top )

Provides low-income persons age 55 and older who have poor employment prospects with paid work experience in community-service agencies followed by placement in unsubsidized jobs.

( back to top )

Personal accompaniment and assistance to a person who has difficulties (physical or cognitive) using regular vehicular transportation. The accompaniment and assistance is provided to individuals to or from service providers, medical appointments, or other destinations needed by the client. Escort is essential during travel to provide safety, security, and support. ( back to top )

Offers individual and/or group sessions that assist participants to understand how lifestyle impacts physical and mental health and to develop personal practices that enhance total well-being. Services are provided at multipurpose senior centers, congregate meal sites and other appropriate places that target elders that are low income, minorities, or medically under served. Services related to health promotion include, health risk assessments, routine health screenings, home injury control services, mental health screenings for prevention and diagnosis, medication management screening and education, gerontological counseling, and the distribution of information concerning diagnosis, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation of aged related diseases and chronic disabling conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. ( back to top )

An assessment utilizing one or a combination of tools to test older persons for certain risk factors that are known to be associated with a disease or condition. Many factors are modifiable, including diet, risk-taking behaviors, coping styles, and lifestyle choices (such as smoking and overeating), and can be measured or identified through risk appraisal questionnaires. The Health Risk Assessment helps the individual to determine the addictive nature of many factors in an individual's life. This can be done on a one-on-one or group basis. ( back to top )

Utilizes diagnostic tools to screen large groups of people or individuals for the presence of a particular disease or condition. This service is designed for early intervention and detection. Referral is required when screening results indicate professional services are needed or a request is made by the individual being served. Health Risk Screening procedures screen for disease and ailments such as hypertension, glaucoma, cholesterol, cancer, vision, hearing, diabetes, osteoporosis, and nutrition deficiencies. Health Support Assists persons to secure and utilize necessary medical treatment as well as preventive, emergency and health maintenance services. ( back to top )

Provision of a home delivered meal which complies with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and provide 1/3 daily RDA for individuals 51 years or older as established by Food and Nutrition Board of National Academy of Sciences. ( back to top )

The provision of hands-on personal care services, the performance of simple procedures as an extension of therapy or nursing services, assistance in ambulation or exercises, and assistance with self-administered medication as defined by Chapter 400.488, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 59A-8.020, Florida Administrative Code. Services are performed by a trained home-health aide or certified nursing assistant to an individual in the home as assigned by, and under the supervision of registered nurse or licensed therapist. Types of assistance provided with activities of daily living include: bathing, dressing, eating, personal hygiene, toileting, assistance with physical transfer, and other responsibilities as outlined in Chapter 59A-8, Florida Administrative Code. ( back to top )

The accomplishment of specific home management duties including housekeeping, laundry, cleaning refrigerators, clothing repair, minor home repairs, assistance with budgeting and paying bills, client transportation, meal planning and preparation, shopping assistance, and routine household activities by a trained homemaker. ( back to top )

Provides home repairs, environmental modifications, adaptative alterations, installing security devices, or payments for households experiencing a home energy emergency. ( back to top )

Assists low-income households experiencing a home energy emergency. ( back to top )

Responds to an inquiry from a person, or on behalf of a person, regarding public and private resources and available services. ( back to top )

Administers standard intake and screening instruments for the purpose of gathering information about an applicant for services. ( back to top )

Legal advice and representation by an attorney (including, to the extent feasible, counseling or other appropriate assistance by a paralegal or law student under the supervision of an attorney), and includes counseling or representation by a non-lawyer when permitted by law, to older individuals with economic or social needs. Legal Assistance protects against the loss of basic civil rights and ensures the autonomy and independence of older persons. ( back to top )

Aid in the form of: (1) Goods or food such as the direct distribution of commodities, surplus food, clothing, smoke detectors, eyeglasses, hearing aids, security devices, etc.; (2) Food item(s) necessary for the health, safety, or welfare. This may include condiments or paper products necessary for food consumption and delivery charges. Alcohol, drug, and tobacco products are excluded; (3) The repair, purchase, delivery, and installation of any household appliance necessary to maintain a home or assist with household tasks necessary for the health, safety, or welfare of the person; (4) The purchase of materials necessary to perform Chore or Enhanced Chore (refer to Chore and Enhanced Chore services); and (5) The purchase of construction materials necessary to perform housing improvements, alterations, and repairs (refer to Housing Improvement service). ( back to top )

The Department makes local purchases of meals for use during an emergency situation, such as a hurricane. ( back to top )

Transports clients to and from medical care. ( back to top )

Screening, education, identification and counseling regarding the medication regime that individuals are using, including prescription and over the counter medications, vitamins and home remedies. These services also help to identify any dietary factors that may interact with the medication regime. The combination of alcohol or tobacco with various medications and diets, along with the effects on specific conditions would ideally be included in this service. This can be done on a one on one or group basis. ( back to top )

Provides technical assistance and educational services to culturally diverse and non-English speaking elders regarding awareness, detection, and reporting of Medicare fraud, error, and abuse. ( back to top )

Includes information gathering and assessment, diagnosis, and development of a treatment plan in coordination with the client's care plan. ( back to top )

Therapeutic, social and health activities specific to clients with memory disorders. Services and activities include but are not limited to, active and quiet games, reminiscence, validation therapy, pet therapy, water therapy and other failure free activities appropriate to the client's level of functioning. Model Day Care Centers shall also provide training for health care and social service personnel in the care of persons having Alzheimer's Disease or related memory disorders. ( back to top )

Provides low-income elders living in and around Alachua County with coupons that can be exchanged for locally grown, fresh produce at area farmers' markets. ( back to top )

Provides individualized advice and guidance to persons, at nutritional risk because of their poor health, nutritional history, current dietary intake, medications use or chronic illnesses. Nutritional Counseling includes options and methods for improving an individuals' nutritional status. The service may be provided individually or in small groups. ( back to top )

Promotes better health by providing accurate, scientifically sound, practical and culturally sensitive nutrition information and instruction to participants and caregivers in a group or individual setting consistent with their needs and food resources. Nutrition education is the process by which individuals gain the understanding, skills and motivation necessary to promote and protect their nutritional well-being through their food choices and food preparation methods. ( back to top )

A miscellaneous category for goods or services not defined elsewhere, necessary for the health, safety, or welfare of the person. ( back to top )

Assistance with eating, dressing, personal hygiene, and other activities of daily living. This service may include assistance with meal preparation, housekeeping chores such as bed making, dusting, and vacuuming incidental to the care furnished or essential to the health and welfare of the individual. ( back to top )

Helps rid the environment of insects and other potential carriers of disease and enhances safety, sanitation, and cleanliness for recipients. ( back to top )

Physical therapy is a service prescribed by a physician that is necessary to produce specific functional outcomes in ambulation, muscle control and postural development, and prevent or reduce further physical disability. ( back to top )

Provides services to meet the needs of the most vulnerable persons who lack the capacity to make decisions on their own behalf and in their own best interest. Guardians protect the property and personal rights of incapacitated individuals. ( back to top )

Participation in or attendance at planned leisure events such as, games, sports, arts and crafts, theater, trips, and other relaxing social activities. ( back to top )

An activity provided via telephone or one on one in person. Information is obtained about a person's needs, needs are assessed, and persons are directed to the appropriate resources most capable of meeting the need. Contact with the resource is made for the person as needed. Follow-up is a mandatory part of Referral/Assistance and is conducted with the referred person and/or the resource to determine the outcome of the Referral/Assistance. ( back to top )

Relief or rest for a primary caregiver from the constant/continued supervision, companionship, therapeutic and/or personal care, of a functionally impaired older person for a specified period of time. ( back to top )

Assessment and guidance provided for the recipient and/or caregiver regarding the planning and preparation of nutritionally appropriate meals to promote recipient health through better nutrition habits. ( back to top )

Assessment and guidance provided for the recipient and/or caregiver regarding specific exercises to promote physical strength, dexterity and endurance to perform activities of daily living. ( back to top )

Administering standard assessment instruments for the purpose of gathering information about and prioritizing clients at the time of active enrollment or to reassess currently active clients to determine need and eligibility for services. ( back to top )

Provides day care for frail elders through elder companions, to allow clients to live independently in their own homes. ( back to top )

Provides companionship services for frail elders through elder companions, to allow clients to live independently in their own homes. ( back to top )

Provides respite services for caregivers of frail elders through elder companions. ( back to top )

Assisting a client in getting to and from stores or shopping on behalf of a client; and includes the proper selection of items to purchase. The service also includes storing purchased items upon return to the client's home. An individual Shopping Aide may assist more than one client during a shopping trip. ( back to top )

Provides respite sitter services to minor children residing with an elder grandparent or elder caregiver. ( back to top )

Services include: (1) Adaptive devices, controls, appliances or services which enable individuals to increase their ability to perform activities of daily living. This service also includes repair of such items as well as replacement parts; (2) Dentures, walkers, reachers, bedside commodes, telephone amplifiers, touch lamps, adaptive eating equipment, glasses, hearing aids, and other mechanical or non-mechanical, electronic, and non-electronic adaptive devices; (3) Supplies such as adult briefs, bed pads, oxygen or nutritional supplements; (4) Medical services paying for doctor or dental visits; and (5) Pharmaceutical services paying for needed prescriptions. ( back to top )

Communicating with designated clients by telephone on a mutually agreed schedule to determine their safety and to provide psychological reassurance, or to implement special or emergency assistance. ( back to top )

Travel to or from community services and resources, health and medical care, shopping, social activities, or other life sustaining activities. ( back to top )

Engages volunteers in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment, including respite, home modification and repair, chore services, disaster preparedness and community outreach to elders, caregivers and families. ( back to top )

Provides training to individuals interested in assisting caregivers with respite services. ( back to top )