NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc.

Q. Who can help me with my concerns, legal and otherwise,
about Medicaid. If I have to go to a nursing home, will I be
subject to Medicaid Estate Recovery?

A. Florida Rural Legal Services may be able to assist you in
understanding the Medicaid program and address any
concerns. You may contact them at 1-800-277-7680. Additional
information concerning Medicare and Medicaid may also be
available by contacting he Elder Helpline at 1 (800)
96-ELDER/1 (800) 963-5337.

Q. I am over 65 and would like to retire, but I am having
difficulty living off of my Social Security check and I have very
little savings. Are there any programs or resources that can
help me?

A. Depending on your income and the amount of your
savings, you may qualify for several benefits programs. The
National Council on Aging (NCOA), has developed a web
based program, BenefitsCheckUp, designed to help identify
benefit programs for which you may qualify. To complete a
benefits screening, access the program at
www.benfitscheckup.org.

Q. I am a 56-year-old widow with low income. How can I find
some assistance in getting training and employment?

A. One program which may assist persons age 55 and older in
finding employment is the Senior Community Service
Employment Program (SCSEP).

The SCSEP is a community service and work based training
program for older workers. Through the SCSEP, low-income
persons age 55 or older can obtain subsidized, part-time,
community service work-based training. In Highlands county,
the local provider of the SCSEP is the AARP Foundation.

The SCSEP works with the local One-Stop Career Center to
provide training and access to a variety of employment
-related resources and opportunities. Program participants
work an average of 20 hours a week, and are paid the highest
of Federal, State or local minimum wage, or the prevailing
wage.

The One-Stop Career Center is located at
2726 US Highway 27 North
Sebring, FL 33870

The local SCSEP/AARP Foundation may be contacted by
calling (863) 385-3672.

Q. I live alone and don't have a car. How can I get
transportation?

A. Currently, there is no public bus system in Highlands
County. However, there are a few other forms of
transportation which may be able to assist. Taxis or private
-pay transportation providers are listed in the local telephone
directories or may be located through the Elder Helpline at 1
(800) 96-ELDER/1 (800) 963-5337.
For persons with limited financial resources and who lack
access to a vehicle/driver, Community Transportation may be
able to address medical transportation concerns. NU-HOPE
also has a limited transportation program for persons age 60
or older.

Additional transportation assisted may also be provided
through volunteer groups, often sponsored by local
churches, civic groups, and/or veteran's organization.
However, transportation assistance utilizing volunteers is
extremely limited. For more information concerning volunteer
transportation, contact the Retired Senior volunteer Program
at (863) 784-7189.

For information concerning community-based transportation
services and alternate resources, you may contact the Elder
Helpline at 1 (800) 96-ELDER/1 (800) 963-5337.

Q. I am 85 years old and have to use a walker to get around.
Can I get some help with my household chores?

A. Through NU-HOPE Elder Care ServicesInc., you may be
eligible to receive homemaking and other in-home services,
depending on your individual circumstances and needs. For
information concerning appropriate and/or available forms of
assistance, you may contact the Elder Helpline at 1 (800)
96-ELDER/1 (800) 963-5337.

Q. My husband recently died. I don't enjoy cooking and eating
alone, and I would like to meet new friends and be more
socially active. Can you help me?

A. NU-HOPE has congregate meal sites located throughout
the county. At these sites, participants can enjoy a hot,
nutritious meal, meet new friends, socialize, and engage in a
variety of activities. Transportation to the meal site may also
be available.

For more information, or to apply for this program, contact the
Elder Helpline at 1 (800) 96-ELDER/1 (800) 963-5337. You may
also stop by one of meal sites listed in under the "Meal Sites"
tab to discuss the program and complete an application.

Q. How do I go about getting a home-delivered meal?

A. NU-HOPE provides home delivered meals to qualified
individuals who live anywhere in Highlands County. For a full
list of qualifications, see �...

For more information, or to apply for home delivered meal
assistance through NU-HOPE, you may contact the Elder
Helpline at 1 (800) 96-ELDER or 1 (800) 963-5337.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the subsidized home
delivered meal programs to have a long waiting list. To
address this concern, NU-HOPE has a private pay program in
which complete and nutritionally balanced frozen meals may
be purchased. Delivery of these meals may be available at an
additional charge. The meals provided through this program
are specifically tailored to meet the needs of elders, are low in
fat and sodium, and contain at least 1/3 of the daily Dietary
Reference Intake. For more information on the private-pay
NU-HOPE Frozen Meal Program, contact NU-HOPE at (863)
382-2134.

Another organization, Meals on Wheels, also provides home
delivered meals for a fee. This organization delivers hot
noon-time meals to persons in need of meal assistance. This
program has a limited delivery area. Meals on Wheels typically
does not have a waiting list or a prioritized application
process. As a result, it is often able to implement services
without an extended delay. You may contact them at
402-1818.

Q. I believe that my 82-year-old neighbor is being physically
abused and taken advantage of financially by her daughter
and son-in-law. How can I get some help for her?

A. The Department of Children and Family Services has a
toll-free abuse hotline which you can call (1-800-96 ABUSE/ 1
(800) 962-2873) to report this.

Q. My mother is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. I
need to learn more about this disease, as well as get some
assistance in caring for her.

A. For information concerning support groups, organizations,
and services, you may contact the Elder Helpline at 1 (800)
96-ELDER/1 (800) 963-5337.

For additionally information concerning support groups,
educational materials, or requests for emergency respite, you
may also contact the national Alzheimer's Association at
1-800-491-2717 or the local chapter at 1 (863) 385-3444.

Q. I live in another state but wish to retire in Florida. How can I
get some information about what is available for retirees in
your beautiful state?

A. You can contact the Florida Department of Elder Affairs
online at www.elderaffairs.state.fl.us or you may call them at 1
(800) 963-5337.