June 2017

SENIORS
Limited resources? Here’s help
Broward County senior citizens with
limited income and/or no nearby
family members have several
options if they need assistance with
basic living necessities.
The Broward County Elderly and Veteran
Services Division (BCEVSD) provides
a “well-defined, consumer centered
and integrated community support
system which continually provides an
environment where elders, veterans,
and their families can expand their
expectations, broaden their participation
and celebrate their independence and
diversity as valued members of the
community,” according to the division’s
website. “All services are open to
individuals with disabilities and special
accommodations are available to ensure
access to services.”
The Community Care for the Elderly
section offers services for functionally
impaired adults 60 and older “at
risk of premature nursing home
placement.” Those services include case
management, homemaking,
personal care, respite care,
emergency alert response,
adult day care, a monthly
caregiver stipend, as well as
consumables and medical
supplies. A sliding scale copayment
exists, determined
by income.
Meanwhile, BCEVSD’s
“Behavioral Health Section”
offers help for adults 55 and
older who have psychiatric
disabilities and/or substance
abuse disorders. Services
include case management
as well as outreach and
substance abuse outpatient
treatment. Again, the
amount a client co-pays is
determined by his or her
income.
The Veterans Services
section offers free help for
veterans, their surviving
spouses, dependents and
dependent survivors, regardless of age.
“Services are focused on attainment
and/or maintenance of self-sufficiency,”
according to the website. The services
include benefits and claims processing,
information, referral and linkage, as well
as outreach.
A list of services, referral agencies,
and how to reach them is listed at
www.broward.org/humanservices/-
administration/pages/FindAService.aspx.
You can also call the Human Services
Administration Governmental Center at
954-357-6385.
Senior Helpers is another outlet that
area senior citizens in need might look
to for help. Services include companion
care, personal care, and home health
care. The first step is an in-home-care
interview.
“Even when you are close to a senior
family member, it can be difficult to
know their specific needs,” according to
seniorhelpers.com. “And, in some cases,
they might be apprehensive to mention
by Aaron Krause
their more personal needs.”
The interview, which is free, is conducted
by a Senior Helpers consultant who will
survey your options. “Together, you can
discuss your loved one’s needs and
our services to determine what is best
for your entire family,” according to the
website.
The consultant will go over your family’s
specific goals, your loved one’s daily
plan design and schedule, pricing and
payment methods, implementation
process as well as ongoing
communication and a follow-up plan.
Companion care offers caring
companionship and conversation, help
with hobbies, general shopping, and
errands, transportation to appointments,
and help with housekeeping duties such
as laundry, ironing, vacuuming, dusting,
meal preparation, washing dishes,
as well as caring for pets and plants.
Personal care offers assistance with
more intimate, non-medical needs.
“Our experienced caregivers are
specifically trained to handle
these tasks and our care
managers will be closely
involved to conduct periodic
assessments to survey
your loved one’s care,” the
website states. Services
include elderly care,
Alzheimer’s in-home care,
dementia in-home care
and assisted living. Senior
Helpers, which is available
24/7, serves residents
in Coral Springs, Ft.
Lauderdale, Wilton Manors,
and surrounding areas.
To learn more about
available services or to
speak with a Senior Helpers
elder care expert about
you or your loved one’s
situation, call the service
at 954-707-5030, or
visit seniorhelpers.-com/
fortlauderdale/contact-us. P
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JUNE 2017