From providing hot meals and exercise programs at senior centers to helping people understand and maximize their Medicare benefits, the United Way Area Agency on Aging (AAA) of Jefferson County is here to make life easier and more fulfilling for seniors and those with disabilities.
As a program of United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) since 2016, in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Senior Services, AAA provides a wide range of innovative services to qualified residents of Jefferson County at no cost. Last year alone, the program answered the needs of more than 11,500 individuals.
Solutions to those needs most often begin with a call to AAA’s Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-AGE-LINE. This is the access point for client intake, information on services and referrals to specialists who can help with specific needs. The ADRC call center is staffed with professionals who personally discuss the caller’s concerns to ascertain the type of service needed to help. If the issue happens to fall outside the scope of AAA’s capabilities, ADRC can usually point the caller to other appropriate resources.
“Our goal is always to help people,” said AAA Director Laysea Chasteen, “so making good referrals is an important part of what we do. But most of the time, we can connect callers with one of our own services that solves their problem or answers their need. In fact, sometimes people will call about one thing and then find out we can help them in several other ways. That’s what happens when you have someone on the other end of the line who really listens and cares.”
So, what are all these services that AAA provides? Here’s a list and a brief description of each. For more detailed information, visit uwaaa.org/services.
Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC): Call center for information on, and referrals to, assistance programs for seniors and persons with disabilities. Call 1-800-AGE-LINE.
Alabama Cares: Services and support for primary family caregivers of aging relatives and those with disabilities.
Homemaker & Personal Care Program: Temporary in-home assistance with household tasks and personal needs.
Legal Assistance: Legal advice and representation in civil matters, such as government benefits, elder abuse, financial affairs and housing.
Nutrition Counseling: Consultation with our registered dietitian for better health and help achieving personal goals.
Older Relative Caregiver Program: Support for grandparents and other older relatives raising young children.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Serves to advocate for the rights of long-term care residents and their families.
Preventive Health: Health and fitness programs designed to improve seniors’ ability to remain physically active.
Senior Medicare Patrol: An outreach and advocacy program teaching seniors how to recognize and prevent Medicare fraud.
Senior Nutrition: Nutritious meals and social interaction offered through a network of area Senior Centers.
SenioRx: An assistance program for qualified individuals, offering free or reduced-cost medication for chronic conditions.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Unbiased, personalized help in navigating Medicare and choosing the benefits that best suit the individual’s needs.
Among the many thousands of people who were helped by AAA last year, the most frequent requests were for assistance at home, such as caregiving or homemaking, and help with Medicare benefits.
“Open Enrollment for Medicare just ended in December and that’s always a very busy time for us,” said Laysea. “Our Medicare counselors are booked with appointments weeks in advance and help so many people, not only by explaining the ins and outs of their benefits, but also by objectively showing them options for what may be a better plan for their individual circumstances. That may even save them money.”
Through ongoing research and needs assessment, AAA constantly reviews and refines its programs and services to adapt to an ever-changing, dynamic environment. The goal is always continuous improvement by finding new and better ways to help, inform and empower seniors and people with disabilities to stay healthy and independent.
Learn more at uwaaa.org or follow AAA on Facebook by clicking here.
