Services and Programs for the Aging Population

Many of the services mentioned on this page can be accessed through the Delaware Aging & Disability Resource Center at 1-800-223-9074 or www.DelawareADRC.com, your one-stop access point for information and resources.

Topics

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Abuse, Neglect or Financial Exploitation

Any abuse directed at those who are in nursing homes or any other long-term care facilities should be reported to the police as soon as possible. To report an incident or complaint of alleged abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and/or financial exploitation of a resident in a long-term care facility, contact the Complaint Incident Reporting 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-453-0012. For those living in the community, Adult Protective Services responds to cases of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults 18 or older with a physical or mental impairment.

Care Services for the Ill, Elderly, and People with Disabilities

Delaware has programs for those seeking care services for the Ill, Elderly, and People with Disabilities including:

• Personal Care services are provided for individuals who need help inside or outside of the home because of illness or disability. This service is designed to help individuals continue living independently. Specific activities may include assistance with personal hygiene, meal preparation, shopping, light housekeeping, and other services.
• Adult Day Services provide activities and assistance for people with physical and/or mental disabilities. This service is for people who cannot be left alone for long periods of time. For example, an individual may use adult day services while his or her primary caregiver (such as a family member) is at work. Adult day service centers are located in all three counties and are staffed by trained professionals.
• Emergency Response Systems are devices that allow individuals at high risk to get immediate help in the event of an emergency. The individual using the system wears a button that he or she can push if needed. The button connects electronically to the individual's phone, which is programmed to send a signal to a response center or other emergency contacts.
• Institutional or In-home Respite Care provide a break for caregivers who care for an older person, an adult with a physical disability, or a person with dementia. The service can be regularly-scheduled (for example, once a week) or can be given from time to time, as needed by the caregiver.

Caregiver Support

The state of Delaware has resources for caregivers of older individuals. This includes information about general care practices for taking care of the elderly as well as information about Alzheimer's and other diseases that affect older people.

Financial Coaching

$tand By Me 50+ provides information, resources and support to increase the economic stability of those 50 and older. Older Delawareans can receive free one-on-one financial coaching, benefits access, workshops and retirement planning.

Health Services and Medical Assistance

Delaware offers many health and medical programs for the older persons including Cancer Prevention and Screenings, Long Term Care and Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program

Information and Assistance/Case Coordination

Delaware has helped provide information on some programs for the elderly including the Delaware Money Management Program, the Delaware Senior Medicare Patrol Program, The Nursing Home Transition Program, and Delaware Kinship Navigator Program. Information on home and community services, case management, and food benefits is also provided.

Legal Assistance

This service helps provide legal advice from lawyers and paralegals in order to assist Delaware residents who are 60 years of age or older in matters related to the legal system including advice, negotiation, representation, and drafting and processing of legal documents.

Meal Programs

There are meal programs for the elderly provided through the state. These include:

• Congregate Meals are provided daily in group settings such as senior centers. Participants in the congregate meal program have the opportunity to socialize while enjoying nutritionally balanced meals. As part of the program, nutrition counseling and nutrition education are also made available.
• Food Benefits are provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which enables low-income families to buy food that is the basis for better nutrition. Benefits are issued electronically each month to the family's Delaware Food First card. SNAP recipients use this card at local grocery stores to buy their food.
• Home Delivered Meals Program provides nutritionally balanced, hot meals during the day to eligible seniors and adults with disabilities in their homes. Some people also receive cold, bagged meals so that they will have food available in the evening as well.

Nursing Home Transition

Led by the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), this program's individual case management helps to identify, inform and assist nursing home residents, especially those who are Medicaid-eligible, who want to move to a community-based setting.

Publications and Forms

Forms and publications on a variety of topics are available to seniors and their caregivers and are available in PDF format. Many also are available in Spanish. Older publications are also presented in text-only format for visitors who use accessibility devices.

Senior Community Service Employment Program

This program provides part-time employment opportunities for eligible individuals. Jobs available through the program take place at various locations and are subsidized (paid for by the program). The program also provides its participants with supportive services, training, and help with finding outside employment.

Specialized Equipment

Delaware provides specialized equipment that allows people with disabilities to function more independently. Some examples of these assistive devices include kitchen utensils with large grips, seats for the shower or bath, wheelchairs, and specialized computers. The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities has funds available for individuals with disabilities to buy or rent new or used assistive devices, with some restrictions.

Transportation

Delawareans 55 and older can serve as a role model, mentor or friend to at-risk students or young people with special needs through Foster Grandparents. Volunteer Delaware 50+ engages those 50 and older in volunteer service to meet critical community needs.