Health & Human Services - Aging/Long Term Care Unit

This program provides funding for services needed by the caregiver or family members of the Alzheimer's patient. Services could include respite for the caregiver, assistance with housekeeping, adult day care, information and referral, special adaptive equipment and transportation reimbursement. A physician's diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or one of 9 other dementias is necessary for eligibility for this program. Funding of services is based on income and expenses incurred by the Alzheimer's patient. Call the ADRC for more information.

The Benefit Specialists provide direct services and representation to individuals on all state, federal and county benefit programs and acts as an advocate on their behalf with information and assistance. This service, provided through county and tribal ADRC's is supported by legal back-up through avrious state advocacy organizations withou any charge to the senior citizen.

Family Care

 

What is Family Care?

Family Care is a program that provides a full range of long-term care services, all through one flexible benefit program. Long term care is any service or support that a person may need as a result of a disability, getting older, or having a chronic illness that limits the ability to do the things that people need to do throughout the course of the day.  There are a variety of services and supports available in Family Care that can help people do these things independently or with the support of some else.

                                                                                                   

What is a Managed Care Organization?

 When a person decides to enroll in Family Care, they become a member of a managed care organization (MCO), which manages and delivers the Family Care Benefit.  The Family Care benefit combines funding and services from a variety or existing programs into one flexible long-term care benefit, tailored to each individual’s needs, circumstances and preferences.

 

How does Family Care Work?

When you are a participate in a Family Care program, a team of people con together to help you identify what sort of assistance you might need and work with you to arrange your long-term care services.  You are an active participant on the team that also includes, at a minimum, a care-manager and a registered nurse.  You can choose to include family members or loved ones on your team.

 

• People participate in determining the service they receive.
• People chose services providers from a comprehensive network.
• People receive the services they need through one benefit.
• People receive services that best achieve the results they desire.

 

Who is Eligible?

The Family Care benefit is available through Managed Care Organization (MCO).  MCO’s serve people in three primary target groups who have long-term care condition expected to last for more than 90 days and are medical assistance. The three Family Care target groups are

1. Frail Older Adults (65 years or older)
2. People with Physical Disabilities (17 years, 9 months or older)
3. People with Development Disabilities (17 years, 9 months or older)

 

Application Process:

There are three steps to determining eligibility and enrolling in Family Care. The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will be able to assist applicants with these steps.  Please call your local office to speak with an Options Counselor, 1-877-883-5378.

 

Elder Abuse/Vulnerable Adult Abuse Reporting Abuse can be physical, financial, neglect by a caretaker/other or self-neglect. Abuse servcies include confidential phone counseling on abuse issues, which include: crisis intervention, linkage of services, in-home assessments, community education, guardianships and advocacy.

The Family Caregiver Support Progarm (FCSP) provides funding and services to aid caregivers in theri caregiver role. In order to be eligiblt for financial assistance for services, you must either be the grandparent or older relative caregiver age 60 or older who has legal custody or guardianship of a child age 18 or younger or you must be an adult family member or another individual who is an informal or unpaid provider of in-home and/or community care to an individual age 60 or older. This FCSP provides assistance to caregivers in gaining access to supportive services such as supportive home care, transportation, respite care and/or adult day care. A support group is held monthly and is open to all family caregivers. The Aging/Long-Term Care Unit also has a loan library filled wiht resource materials such as videos and books on caregiving and other related topics. Contact the ADRC for more information.

Families are eligible for services if they have a child with a severe disability, under the age of 21, and living at home. A severe disability is a physical, mental or emotional limitation which seriously restricts the child's ability to carry out basic daily living skills such as self-care, learning, communications, mobility, and self-direction. Although family living income is not a basis for eligibility, cost-sharing may be required on a sliding fee scale. Family Support is a state-funded program. Because each county has limited funding for the program, eligibility does not guarantee a famiy will receive services. Agencies may have waiting lists for services and assessments. Administering agencies may make the final decision on who is served and approve each family's service plan. The contact person at the county is the DD/LTS Coordinator. State #1(800)642-7837

The Adult Protective Service Worker petitions the courts for guardianships on behalf of elderly and developmentally disabled adult. In some cases friends and family members serve as guardians for a loved one in need. In other cases, the person in need of a guardian does not have any family or friends to serve as guardian. In these instances, we need the assistance of a volunteer guardian. The Adult Protective Services Worker keeps a list of current volunteer guardians. At this time, there is a tremendous shortage of volunteers. We have more people in need of a guardian and not enough people willing to serve as guardians. Volunteer guardians play an important role in the lives of those they serve. This is a great opportunity to volunteer your services to the community without a tremendous amount of time committed to being a guardian. If you would like more information or an application, please feel free to call the Adult Protective Services Worker, Monday through Friday 8:00-4:30.

All areas of Green Lake County are provided with "response to call-in", door-to-door transportation services to any person 55 years of age and older or any handicapped person. The priority areas of the programs are to provide transportation to medical appointments, congregate meal sites, and other personal appointments necessary for daily living.

The services are available five days a week, Monday through Friday. The transportation director should be called two days before a local ride is needed and one week before medical appointments in larger cities.

In Green Lake [(920)294-6912] and Princeton [(920)295-3956], transportation is done by volunteer drivers using private vehicles.
In Berlin [(920)361-5422 and Southern Green Lake County [(920)394-3008], transportation is done by a van this is equipped with a wheelchair lift for the handicapped.

One of the keystones to the American way of life is volunteering to help others for the reward of giving back to the community. Volunteerism provides an outlet for your interests and concerns, and gives you a good feeling knowing that you have made a positive difference in someone else's quality of life. Volunteers play a vital role in area nursing homes, senior centers and hospitals. Volunteers also play a major role in many of the programs and services administered by the Green Lake County Aging & Long Term Care Unit. Individuals can volunteer their time with various Aging & Long Term Care Unit programs such as the county food pantry, the Senior Dining and Home-Delivered Meal Programs, as a Peer Counselor, or as a Volunteer Guardian to name a few.

If interested in volunteering for the Aging & Long Term Care Unit, please contact Human Services at 920-294-4070. To find out more information or to volunteer for the Berlin Memorial Hospital, please contact Volunteer Services at 920-361-5522.