Senior Services
From LoveToKnow Seniors
There are many senior services available to help off-set some of the costs associated with growing older. Whether you are a senior citizen yourself or the loved one or caregiver of a senior, knowledge of these services can save you time, money, and frustration.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels provides food to low-income seniors and others in need. Food is offered on a sliding scale basis, with most people paying a couple of dollars or less per meal. Meals are delivered directly to your door, providing an additional benefit to those of limited mobility. For more information, visit the website.
Medicare
Established in the 1940s, Medicare is one of America's oldest, most established senior services. It is a national insurance plan for senior citizens, offering low cost prescription plans, health treatments, and doctor's visits. The myriad of options can be difficult to navigate, but, in general, you are eligible as soon as you reach 65. If you are disabled, you are likely eligible at an even younger age. While the many different Medicare plans are confusing, the savings make it well worth the effort. Visit the website or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find out which plan is right for you.
Senior Services: Housing
Seniors now have many housing options. If living in your longtime home is no longer practical or desirable, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement communities, and independent facilities are all viable options. As this is a life-changing decision, it is not one to be taken lightly. Discuss your options with family, friends, and your attorney. The following sites can also help:
- Senior Outlook provides a searchable database of senior housing locations in America. The site also offers informative articles on what costs may be covered by Medicare and private insurance and which you will likely be expected to pay.
Law-Related Senior Services
Unfortunately, there are unsavory individuals who prey on the weak, ill, or vulnerable. Many of these folks have set their sights on the elderly. From telephone scams to nursing home abuse, seniors fall victims to abuse on a daily basis. Luckily, there is a whole host of services designed to protect senior citizens from dishonest or abusive people. If you or a loved one has been the target of fraud or abuse, visit the following websites:
- The National Center on Elder Abuse provides information, articles, and statistics about senior abuse. The site also offers a hotline you can call if you suspect abuse. To find your state-specific hotline, visit this page.
- The National Long Term Care Ombudsmen Resource Center advocates for the rights of nursing home and assisted living facilities.
- AARP provides informative articles about protecting yourself against fraud, scams, and identity theft.
- Administration on Aging is a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides links to free legal hotlines for people over age 60.
- Senior Sites features listings of nonprofit senior housing facilities in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The site also provides links to state-specific nonprofit housing organizations.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides low-cost housing options and financial options for those who qualify. The site also offers articles about modifying your existing home to make it more appropriate for your changing needs. If you still decide to move, the site offers many articles about retirement living and senior apartments.
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