|  | Information & Referral: This agency provides information to persons over the age of sixty regarding opportunities for independence and to make referrals to other agencies. |
| | Outreach: The agency seeks out and identifies hard to reach older persons in order to inform them of the available options and to assist them in gaining access to needed services. Particular emphasis is placed in reaching the low income, the vulnerable, the minority and rural component of the senior population.
x |
| | Legal Services: Legal assistance is provided by agency staff for persons over the age of sixty who could not otherwise access this service. Legal problems arising out of entitlement programs such as medicare, medicaid, food stamps, and other areas of law and legislation are evaluated and sometimes referred to an attorney.
x |
| | Home Energy Assistance: (HEAP) provides financial assistance with heating for households which qualify under NYS eligibility levels. Persons who have received this benefit in the past, automatically receive an application during the period from Oct. 1 to March 30. New requests should be made to the Office for the Aging by phone.
x |
| | Pharmaceutical Programs: (EPIC) Applicants are available in the office, as well as information on eligibility for Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC), the prescription drug insurance program for persons 65 and over in New York State. (Link to EPIC eligibility info for liberalized eligibility levels and EPIC Hotline)
x |
| | | Medicare and Insurance Counseling: Information on filing and appealing claims and on availability of Medicare supplement policies and their premiums. Also information on Long Term Care policies for nursing home costs. Additionally, the Medicare Buy-in program is made available, providing eligible persons with return to their Social Security check of the Medicare deduction, and in some cases, the equivalent of a free Plan C Medicare Supplement Policy.
x |
x |
| | | Long Term Care Ombudsman Program: Volunteer ombudsmen are recruited and trained to advocate on behalf of residents and their families in nursing and adult homes. They receive complaints, investigate, and help resolve problems to assure quality of life for long term care residents. New volunteers are sought and trained regularly.
x |
| | Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program: (EISEP) is a comprehensive program of in-home services for functionally impaired persons over the age of sixty. Services include case management, in-home services (housekeeping and personal care), in-home respite, and ancillary services. The office has information about qualifications and eligibility levels for this non-medical homecare program.
x |
| | Weatherization, Referral and Packaging Program: (WRAP) Funds are available to improve or repair eligible homes and apartments to make them more energy efficient. Eligibility for HEAP usually gives automatic eligibility for weatherization. Every referral is considered with the goal of making it possible for persons to remain in their homes as long as possible. Applicants for this program are considered for all available services and assisted with obtaining them.
x |
| | Nutrition Services: Approximately 500 meals are provided each day at 12 meal sites throughout the County; including those delivered to the homebound elderly. Participants of the meal program have the opportunity to contribute toward the cost of the meal, but no one is refused a meal because of inability to pay. Home delivered meals are available throughout the County for persons who are confined to their homes and have difficulty in preparing their own food. Nutrition education and counseling is provided by a registered dietitian.
x |
| | Jefferson County Office For The Aging Nutrition Program: The Nutrition Program is pleased to provide hot, nutritious noontime meals at each of the 12 meal sites in Jefferson County. All individuals aged 60 and over or married to someone 60 or over are welcome to participate. |
| Lunch Program
785-3191 |