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The mission of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is to provide necessary assistance and establish and affirm the importance and the distinction of older persons. The AAA is charged with making services and resources available and accessible in the community in which they reside. In order to accomplish this mission, the AAA has coordinated with community agencies also sensitive to the need of elderly persons. Service activities are provided under a variety of categories and mandated by the federal government. These categories include: Administrative, Home and Community Based Services, Medicaid Waiver Services and Employment Services. A breakdown of these categories can be found in the Resource Directory alond with contact information. Aging funds have been reduced by approximately $150,000. Efforts are in place to ensure that services are not compromised.
Administration
Activities include the development of an Annual Plan for the planning and service area based on uniform formats assigned by the funding sources. Additional activities include monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effective use of the funds. Adjustments are made as necessary. All duties required by the Act are performed under Administration, including contracting with agencies officially designated as community action agencies with a proven record of providing services to older individuals.
Supportive Services
The AAA contracts for the provision of the following services:
- Adult Day Care
- Case Management
- Congregate Meals
- Emergency Response
- Home Delivered Meals
- Homemaker Services
- Information and Assistance
- Legal Services
- Transportation
- MICAP
- Ombudsman
- Outreach
- Respite Care
- Home & Community Based Waiver for the Aged and Disabled
- Family Caregiver Support Program
- Telephone Reassurance
- Disaster Assistance
- Senior Community Service Employment Program
- Representative Payee Program
Adult Day Care
Adult Day Care provides day care services to eligible individuals in need of supervision and activities, during the day. This program assists working families who would otherwise be forced to leave older individuals home alone.
Case Management
A social worker and registered nurse team provides assessment to clients and prescribe and order services that make it possible for individuals to remain in their own homes. This service retards premature institutionalization at a lower cost to the government and is funded through the State Medicaid Office.
Congregate Meals
This program provides an opportunity for persons 60 years or older, and their spouse, to eat at least one hot, nutritious meal a day in a congregate setting. The seniors meet socially, as they live independently at home avoiding loneliness that may inevitably lead to depression.
Emergency Response
Emergency Response provides a personal electronic device that puts the elderly or disabled in immediate contact with Delta Regional Medical Center Emergency Room. There is no fee charged to the participants. Donations are used to purchase additional units so that more vulnerable persons can be accommodated. More than 250 units are currently in service.
Home Delivered Meals
At least five frozen meals are delivered to the eligible homebound elderly persons one time per week. The meals are easy to heat, either with a microwave or using a conventional oven. The senior citizen participants adopted this method, thereby reducing delivery time from five days to one, resulting in reduced costs.
Homemaker Services
Homemaker services can delay or prevent premature institutionalization. The service provides assistance in completing tasks that users are unable to manage alone. Services include assistance with personal hygiene, essential shopping, laundry, light housekeeping and light meal preparation.
Information and Assistance
Many older persons or their family members are not aware of the services that are available to them when assistance is needed. I/A provides information about services and opportunities that are available to those who need to know. It provides a solution to negotiating the complex maze of social and health services. It connects individuals with needed services for which they are eligible.
Legal Services
The elderly are confronted with all of the legal problems which the rest of the population encounters. They experience consumer and contract problems, or they may be denied health or other benefits. Additionally, they may not be aware of entitlements. Often times, they need negotiation representation. This required program provides modest legal representation.
MICAP
The Mississippi Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program is a counseling program designed to answer an elderly person's questions about health insurance. Staff and volunteers are trained to answer questions and assist with claims.
Ombudsman
The trained and designated Ombudsman, in accordance with policies and procedures, provides services to protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of nursing home residents. The Ombudsman identifies, investigates and resolves complaints made by, or on behalf of residents, that may adversely affect the welfare of the residents or their rights.
Outreach
Outreach provides access to information for residents aged 60 or over. Homebound, isolated, hard to reach elderly are recruited through the media, churches, word of mouth, fliers, etc... in an effort to locate clients and to assist them.
Respite Care
This program provides short term freedom to families assisting in breaking the cycle of routine care and the stress associated with constant care of a disabled person. Respite care assists in delaying or eliminating long term placement outside the home.
Transportation
no public transportation is available in the district. Minimally funded transportation is used to transport seniors to medical appointments, bill payment centers and nutrition service sites. No single funding source is in place in South Delta . The AAA participates in the transportation pool funded by a patchwork of federal, state and local funding sources and service providers.
Home & Community Based Water for the Aged and Disabled
Prevents unnecessary nursing home placement by providing case management and associated services that include Homemaker Services, Personal Care, Respite Care, Adult Day Care and Nutrition Services.
Family Caregiver Support Program
Provides Information and Assistance to family caregivers and in-home support that includes assistance with basic needs.
Telephone Reassurance
Provides volunteers who contact seniors daily. Senior citizens volunteer also.
Disaster Assistance
Relocated victims of the Katrina events were sought and offered assistance with relocation debt.
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Provides temporary wage subsidies, on-the-job training, counseling and permanent job placement opportunities to those 55 years of age or older who are eligible.
Representative Payee Program
Operated under contract on an individual basis with Social Security to provide financial supervision to those who are unable to manage because of physical or mental disability.
 
Seniors on a Social Outing Picnic in the Park
Department Contacts:
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