Agency Type: Non-Profit Blair Senior Services, Inc. is the County Area Agency on Aging. It provides, either directly or through subcontract, a wide array of services to county residents who are sixty years of age or older. (Other criteria may apply for specific services). A priority setting process is utilized to provide services to persons with the greatest social and economic needs. PROGRAMS: ADULT DAY ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
Provides a sheltered environment in a protective non-residential setting for impaired older adults who require supervision and assistance during the day. Socialization, therapeutic activities, field trips and a nutrition program are available. Occupational, physical & speech therapy and podiatry services provided as needed. Lab work and escorts to medical appointments available also as needed. Beautician available once a week. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident: determination of need. APPRISE (HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING & HOTLINE)
APPRISE counselors answer questions about benefits, provide easy-to-understand information, help with confusing forms and refer clients to appropriate government agencies. Volunteers have been trained to help with Medicare, Medicaid, and private policies like Long Term Care and Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Blair Senior Services is one of seven sites in the state designated as a regional telecenter. Callers using the new statewide APPRAISE (Health Insurance Counseling & Hotline 1-800-783-7067) on Thursdays will be connected to a volunteer in Altoona. PERSONAL ASSISTANCE Provides in-home support for the chronically disabled older individual who needs daily hands-on care and help with activities of daily living. The assistance differs from that of personal care in that it is more intensive, client-directed which may include multiple daily visits at odd hours. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident; determination of need. CARE MANAGEMENT Assists persons with complex, multiple problems which require a combination of several services. A Care Manager will help clients and their families develop a plan tailored to supply the necessary care and support that is needed. Particular activities include in-home assessment, care-plan, development, monitoring, reassessment, and ongoing case recording. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident; determination of need. CONGREGATE MEALS PROGRAM Offers group dining, socialization, and recreational activities at the following senior centers throughout Blair County:
Eligibility: 60+ and spouses of 60+ Blair County Residents. DOMICILIARY CARE This service is a protected living arrangement in the community which includes room and board plus personal care services for adults who cannot live independently because of their social and economic situations, yet who do not require 24-hour institutional or nursing care. Domiciliary Care Placement services are provided to low income, marginally socially adjusted adult 18 years or older who have mental, physical or visual impairments. Domiciliary Care provider applications are available by calling the agency at 946-1235. Eligibility: 18+ requires appropriate level of care based on assessment. FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM Provides supportive care management services, benefits, counseling, and financial reimbursement to caregivers who quality. The older person 60+, or an adult 18-59 with a chronic dementia.
Eligibility: Family members who are primary caregivers of physically or mentally impaired older persons.
Provides meaningful part-time volunteer opportunities to low income older persons who render supportive, person-to-person services to children with special needs in designated volunteer stations or to children whose family has been referred by an agency for assignment of a Foster Grandparent Home Visitor. Foster Grandparents work 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, and receive a $2.55/hour stipend to defray the cost of volunteering. Eligibility: 60+ Blair or Huntingdon County resident; must meet income guidelines. HOME DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM Provides for a daily hot noon meal, and when appropriate, a breakfast meal and/or cold evening meal to eligible older persons who are unable to prepare meals, have inadequate resources and are homebound. Therapeutic diets are also available. Volunteer opportunities are available to those interested in delivering meals to the homebound. Assignments generally involve two hours a day from 10:00AM to 12:00PM Monday-Friday in Altoona and rural areas of Blair County. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County Residents; determination of need. ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS Focuses on the removal of health and safety hazards in the older person's home. It also provides for the adaptation of the home for persons with disabilities. HOME SUPPORT Provides help with household tasks such as cleaning, laundry and shopping. Also offers in-home caregiver relief on a regularly-scheduled or occasional basis. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County Residents; determination of need. HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM(HAP) Provides such services as rent, utilities, security deposits, and counseling services for income eligible clients meeting specific eligibility circumstances. Case Management services are a series of coordinated activities to determine with the clients what services are needed and to coordinate their timely provision. The agency is also designated as the administering agency for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds. (Emergency food and housing) Eligibility: Blair county residents; HAP - must meet income guidelines; FEMA (emergency food and shelter) - legitimate need. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL The receipt and answering of a request for information from an older person, family member or significant other. Also, at this level a screening is done to determine when a need may exist for Care Management. Program staff also maintains home helper listing for private pay, prepare tax/rent rebates and PACE application. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident. LEGAL SERVICES Provides for the preparation of wills and powers of attorney by an attorney. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident; determination of need. PRE-ADMISSION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM Provides for determination of level of care on individuals applying for admission to a nursing facility under Medical Assistance (Medicaid). Care options are recommended as an outcome of the assessment process and, if appropriate, a care plan may be developed for community care. Under OBRA requirements, this also provides for pre-admission screening of persons applying to a nursing facility and further evaluation of those in a target group. Eligibility: 18+ applying for nursing home bed under M. A. or applying for Personal Care/ Domiciliary Care Supplement. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM Provides transportation assistance for Medical Assistance cardholders attending eligible medical appointments. Assistance includes AMTRAN tickets, van transportation, and mileage reimbursement for travel within Blair County. Interested persons must complete a service eligibility interview before assistance is rendered. Eligibility: Blair County residents or temporary residents - M. A. cardholders attending eligible appt.; service eligibility interview. Nursing Home Transition Program Identifies individuals residing in nursing homes that could live at home with community-based services and support. Provides assistance to those that wish to transition. Eligibility: 60+, Blair County residents, determination of need.
Investigates and resolves complaints related to the health, safety or rights of older individuals who are consumers of long term care services. The program further provides ongoing outreach and educational efforts for long-term care facility residents as well as to potential residents and their families. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident. OUTREACH Visits isolated or withdrawn older persons who may be unaware of aging services or who are unable to contact the agency directly. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County residents. PERSONAL CARE Provides help with personal care activities such as bathing, grooming, toileting, ambulation, dressing, and respite care to informal caregivers from such tasks. It also includes housekeeping and homemaker tasks when required along with personal care. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County residents; determination of need. PLACEMENT SERVICES Assists eligible older persons in the voluntary placement into more appropriate living situation when they can no longer live independently. A worker will assess the older individual's functional abilities and assist in the selection of the least restrictive living arrangement. Eligibility: Must be 60+. PROTECTIVE SERVICES Provides crisis intervention services to protect incapacitated older adults who may be victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After hours call (814) 949-4850. Collect calls will be accepted between the hours of 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident; determination of need. RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Offers persons 55 years of age or older the opportunity to share a lifetime of experience by donating their time to non-profit organizations throughout the county. Volunteers are given the opportunity to serve four or more hours a week in an area that they select. Volunteers are paid for out-of-pocket expenses. Eligibility: 60+ Blair or Huntingdon Counties residents. SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM This program trains low-income persons 60 years of age and older to help other older persons remain independent in their own homes. Senior Companions work 4 hours a day, 5 days a week assisting 2 or 3 elderly clients a week. They receive a $2.55/hour tax-free stipend to help defray the cost of volunteering. There is no fee for clients receiving the service, but certain qualifications must be met to receive a companion. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident; must meet income guidelines. PERS. CARE HOME/DOMICILIARY CARE SUPPLEMENT ASSESSMENT
Determines the level of care needed for a client who is to reside or currently resides in a personal care or domiciliary care home. This medical/psychosocial assessment is done to determine the overall eligibility for the supplemental income. Eligibility: Must be a resident of or considering admission to personal care or domiciliary care home.
Accessible transportation is available throughout Blair County, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Agency drivers offer door-to-door assistance to all passengers. The vehicles are lift-equipped and can safely accommodate and secure an individual that uses a walker or standard size manual or electric wheelchair. Reservations are required for all trips. All individual trip requests must be received, at a minimum, one weekday in advance by 3:00 p.m. Reservations are accepted and encouraged up to 30 days in advance for all trips. This service is open to the general public at full fare. Certain day and time restrictions may apply. Call for registrations and information. DEPARTMENT OF AGING WAIVER PROGRAM Provides community based long term care services as an alternative to nursing home care. Consumers must meet medical and financial eligibility requirements. A wide variety of services is available, including traditional in-home services and skilled care services. Eligibility: 60+ Blair County resident; must meet income guidelines. PRIMETIME HEALTH Eligibility: 60+ Blair County Resident; determination of need. MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT Eligibility: 60+ Blair County Resident; determination of need. REP PAYEE / POWER OF ATTORNEY/ AND GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES Eligibility: 60+ Blair County Resident; determination of need.
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