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Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services (OSCS) is one of the 13 Area Agencies on Aging in Alabama and it serves as the umbrella agency for all activities undertaken on behalf of the elderly in Jefferson County. OSCS was organized in 1977 under the auspices of the
Jefferson County Commission. The county had earlier, in 1975, assumed a major coordinating role when it established ElderGarden, a multipurpose senior citizens center, which offered a variety of services. The Aging NetworkSERVICE PROVIDERSThe Aging Network is a term used to describe a system defined by federal law to assure quality of life for the nations older citizens. Brought into existence by Congress with the enactment of the Older Americans Act of 1965, the system includes the Administration on Aging in Washington, state units on Aging and Area Agencies and their local service providers. The Administration on AgingThe Older Americans Act of 1965 established a range of programs that provide services and opportunities for older Americans, particularly those at risk of losing their independence. The Act also established the Administration on Aging (AoA), headed by an Assistant Secretary for Aging appointed by the President. The Administration on Aging administers a number of programs at the federal level, which help a diverse and growing number of vulnerable older persons maintain their independence and remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Some of the programs offer opportunities for older Americans to improve their health. Others offer the opportunity to actively participate in the lives of their families, communities, and country through volunteer and employment programs. AoA is the official federal agency dedicated to policy and program development, planning, and the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older persons and their caregivers. Through information, referral, and outreach efforts at the community level, AoA seeks to educate older people and their caregivers about the benefits and services available to help them and the critical steps for living longer, healthier, and better-quality lives. AoA’s PartnersAoA works in partnership with its nationwide network of 57 State Units on Aging, 655 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), 225 federally recognized tribal organizations and two Native Hawaiian tribes and thousands of service providers. These organizations plan, coordinate, and develop community-level systems of services that meet the unique needs of individual older persons and their caregivers. The AoA collaborates with federal agencies, the Congress, national aging organization, the business community and the media to ensure that, whenever possible, their programs and resources are targeted to older persons most in need and are closely coordinated with those in the aging network. Older Americans Act ProgramsThrough the Older Americans Act, AoA provides funding to state and area agencies on aging and tribal organizations to support a variety of activities. These include congregate and home-delivered meals and supportive services such as in-home and community-based services, which provide; for example:
Alabama Department on AgingThe Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) distributes federal and state funds to 13 Area Agencies on Aging, which reallocate the money to community-based social service agencies and projects that directly serve older people. Services range from information and assistance, transportation, legal services to counseling, recreation, education, health screening, and wellness programs offered through local senior garden centers. ADSS recognizes that the number of Alabama residents who are 65 years old or over will almost double in the next 30 years, growing from 580,000 to more than one million. By 2025, more than one of every four Alabama residents will be 65 or older. Moreover, the fastest growing part of this population will be those over the age of 85.
The Office of Senior Citizens Services is a Department of The Jefferson County Commission
The Area Agency on AgingArea Agencies on Aging were defined and mandated by the U.S. Congress in 1973 in amendments to the Older Americans Act. There are thirteen Area Agencies on Aging in Alabama, designated by the governor. The Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services was organized in 1977 when the governor gave the Jefferson County Commission responsibility for local Area Agency on Aging activities. The Office of Senior Citizens Services has a leadership role in determining the needs of the elderly, especially the economically and socially deprived. Duties of the Agency are to plan, coordinate, develop new programs, and serve as an advocate for older citizens. While it is the Office of Senior Citizens Services goal to provide services to fill unmet needs, it is also the Agencys goal to help older persons to maintain the highest level of independence. Planning and Program DevelopmentIdentifying needed services and planning for their development is an important aspect of the Area Agency role. The Jefferson County Area Agency conducts public hearings, holds roundtable discussions and utilizes a variety of means to assess needs of older people. The results of these activities are written as the Area Plan. Normally for a three or four-year cycle, the Area Plan is prepared in a format prescribed by the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS). Annual goals are defined by the Area Agency and objectives are implemented for the area. The plan is reviewed by the Jefferson County Commission. If the needs assessment indicates gaps in services or unavailability of services, the Area Agency works with local agencies to develop needed programs. In Jefferson County, the Area Agency developed the Meals on Wheels Program, Homemaker and Personal Care Services, Intergenerational Program, and Respite Care as a result of identified needs. CoordinationBringing together the varied agencies who serve the elderly in the community is a responsibility of the Area Agency. A number of mechanisms have been used to accomplish greater coordination. Information and Referral provides assistance to seniors as the one stop focal point for all services in Jefferson County. The Area Agency on Aging contracts with various social agencies and organizations to provide services for senior citizens in Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Coordinating Council (JCCC) brings professionals who work with the elderly together. Sharing information and joining together in advocacy efforts are two benefits of the effort. JCCC has been initiated in an effort to bring together agencies and groups providing the same programs, to maximize services and conserve resources through close coordination. AdvocacyIdentification and study of issues relating to older people is a responsibility designated to Area Agencies by the Older Americans Act. Advocacy involves studying issues, taking positions and assisting the elderly to express concerns about matters affecting them. The Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging has participated in the effort to assure legislation resulting in the Adult Protective Services Act, the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, the Generic Drug Substitution Act and the Long - Term Care Ombudsman Act. Agency representatives have testified before both the Senate Special Committee on Aging and the House Select Committee on aging regarding long term care issues. The Area Agency instigated the organization of Advocacy Coalition for the Elderly (ACE) which brings together individuals from a variety of service and support organizations to address concerns. The Area Agency provides a Long-Term Care Ombudsman to mediate when there are concerns about care in a long term care facility (nursing home, assisted living facility, or boarding home.) In addition, the AAA has compiled a handbook of information about both nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Jefferson County. ContractingContracts are negotiated with local agencies to fund needed programs. The Area Agency holds over $5 million in contracts with 52 community agencies, municipalities and organizations. Over 8,500 older adults or people receive services purchased through the contracts. Eldercare LocatorThis nationwide service helps families and friends easily access information about community services for older people anywhere in the U.S. and its territories. Call 1-800-677-1116 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (CST). Advisory CouncilThe Area Agency on Aging receives information, technical assistance and guidance from its advisory council. Made up of older people representing groups from across the county, the advisory council also serves as a medium for dissemination of information back to the community. Following are the advisory committee members :
The Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services (OSCS) offers the following programs and services: MISSION STATEMENT: The goal of the Office of Senior Citizens Services is to support senior citizens in their quest for wellness and self-sufficiency.SERVICES:Adult Day Health Care is designed for people who can no longer be left alone because of dementia or medical disabilities. This service also offers respite for caregivers by providing a place to leave family members in a structured, supervised environment. Alabama Cares of Jefferson County is a program designed to support family caregivers by providing training, assistance and resources to help them take care of their aging loved ones and themselves. Caregivers receive respite through homemaker and personal care and adult day health care. Alzheimer’s Caregiver Education Support Program (ACES) addresses some of the special needs of individuals and families dealing with Alzheimers. The program provides for training, public education & community based support services for individuals with Alzheimers and their caregiver. Congregate Meals in Senior Garden Centers throughout Jefferson County offer a nutritious noontime meal. Participants also enjoy an array of activities including arts and crafts, informative speakers, ceramics, art, and physical fitness classes, recreational activities, shopping trips and other outings. Employment opportunities are available through the Senior AIDES Program. This job-training is designed for people aged 55 and older who meet certain income requirements. Gabriel Program assists individuals with managing their monthly Social Security, S.S. I. checks as well as other income. Geriatric Care Management program helps seniors get the services they need. Social workers are trained to assess situations, identify available services and quickly match them to individuals needs. A financial management program assists seniors at risk for financial exploitation as well as assisting seniors who can no longer manage their financial affairs because of physical or mental disabilities. Home Fix-It assists senior citizens with heavy chores, yard work or minor home repairs. Homemaker Service provides light housekeeping, grocery shopping and light meal preparation. Information and Assistance on all kinds of age-related topics is available through OSCS. The agency is an information and resource clearinghouse. Intergenerational Program is a service-learning program to foster positive images of older people to school age children by involving both groups in various activities. Senior citizens from senior gardens as well as the general population serve as mentors, tutors, oral historians, and participants in show and tell adventures, while students share their skills, talents and ideas with senior citizens. Legal Services are available for people who are 60 years of age and older and are economically disadvantaged. Medicaid Waiver Services provide Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients in-home services if they meet the medical eligibility for nursing home placement. Ombudsman Program serves as an advocate for people residing in long-term care facilities. Services can include the investigation of complaints in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and boarding homes. They also can include mediation and in-service training for staff/employee in these facilities. Personal Care Service assists individuals who need help with personal care and grooming. Recreation Services such as ceramics, art, and Elderdance classes are available. A senior citizen theater group is also available for those interested in theater production and/or reading. SENIORx is prescription drug assistance for qualified low income senior citizens. SENIORx Partnership for Medication Access can be reached at 1-800-AGE-LINE and (205) 325-1416. Volunteerism opportunities are available for individuals willing to help by delivering meals to shut-in senior citizens, making home visits, making reassuring telephone calls and other duties that will help senior citizens remain in their homes. |
