Adult Day Centers

Designed to prevent premature and unnecessary institutionalization of adults with physical and/or psychological challenges who require daily living assistance due to conditions such as stroke, arthritis, vision loss, multiple sclerosis, depression and Alzheimer's. The adult day center is a place where a frail older adult can go during the day, enabling the caregiver to have some "down" time.

Adult Protection

Professionals act on behalf of an older person to protect them from neglect, exploitation, or abuse.

Advocacy / Education / Information & Referral

Receiving, researching, or working to resolve complaints or problems on behalf of an older person in regard to securing rights and/or benefits, as well as changing or supporting current policies related to aging and/or disabilities. / An occasion to acquire knowledge on various subjects. / Services designed to help people find service resources and how to access them.

Alzheimer's / Dementia Memory Loss

An organization providing information about Alzheimer’s Disease to the general public. Also included are organizations that provide information and assistance, education, or other services specifically targeted to Alzheimer’s Disease sufferers and their families.

Assisted Living

The provision of housing with services (which may include health-related care, personal care, assistance with instrumental activities of daily living) to three or more tenants in a physical structure providing a homelike environment. Includes encouragement of family involvement, tenant self-direction, and tenant participation in decisions that emphasize choice, dignity, privacy, individuality, shared risk, and independence. Includes the provisions of housing and assistance with instrumental activities of daily living only if personal care or health-related care is also included. For suggestions on selecting an assisted living program, you can read AARP's article How to Choose the Best Care and Housing Provider here. For reports on state inspection of assisted living facilities in Johnson County, click here.

Assistive Technology

Advances in technology that allow people to live on their own longer.

Caregiver Education and Support

Caregiver Education:  Providing formal or informal opportunities for caregivers to acquire knowledge, experience, or skills. Education can be offered in a conference setting, university or community college, public library, health fair, hospital, an individual’s home, other formal or informal setting, or through the internet. Topics must be relevant to caregivers of people age 60 and over or to grandparents who are raising grandchildren.

Caregiver Support Group: Support groups that offer information on caregiving to help family members, friends and other interested persons learn how to meet the challenges they might face while providing care for an older person.

Companion Services

Provides the healthy social interaction and activity that is vital for seniors in retaining cognitive abilities and physical health, and also relieves stress and worry for family caregivers.

Continuing Care Retirement Community

Retirement Communities planned and operated to provide a continuum of care from independent living through skilled nursing.  The facilities allow individuals to live within the same community as their needs progress through the spectrum of care (stages may include Apartments, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, etc.).

Counseling / Mental Health

Individual, family, or group counseling that resolves problems (concrete or emotional) to relieve temporary stresses. / A state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Though the symptoms of mental illness can range from mild to severe, a person with an untreated mental illness often is unable to cope with life's daily routines and demands.

Employment Services

Programs that help 60+ people to identify and secure paid or subsidized employment opportunities that match their aptitude, qualifications, experience and interests.

End of Life / Palliative Hospice

End of Life: Programs/providers that allow an individual to formally indicate their preferences on health care and final arrangements. Palliative Care is the medical specialty focused on the relief of pain, stress, and other debilitating symptoms of serious illness with a goal to relieve suffering and provide the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care is not dependent on prognosis and can be delivered at the same time as treatment that is meant to cure. Hospice Care: Programs that provide a full range of supportive services for the terminally ill in the final stages of their illness and their families. Services may include medical care, pain and symptom management, home nurse visitation, care management, counseling and bereavement services.  Hospice providers are required to be licensed through the Department of Inspections and Appeals.

Financial Support

Resources pertaining to money and credit issues to aid in making sound fiscal decisions which help people stay in their homes.

Geriatric Care Management

Geriatric Assessment: Programs that evaluate the medical and/or psychosocial functioning of an elderly person, arrives at a diagnosis and identifies possible treatment.

Hospitals/Clinics

Hospitals available to the general public. Hospitals are required to be licensed through the Department of Inspections and Appeals.

Housing for Independent Living

Senior apartment complexes designed for people over 60 to live independently. These complexes do not provide assistance with daily living activities, but each individual can contract for needed services. See our page on What is available to help me stay in my home?

In-Home Services Medical Care

 In-home medical care is often referred to as home health care or formal care. These services help adults, seniors, and pediatric clients who are recovering after a hospital or facility stay, or need additional support to remain safely at home and avoid unnecessary hospitalization. These services may include short-term nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, and assistive home health care. This care is provided by registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), speech language pathologists (SLPs), home health aides (HHAs) and medical social workers (MSWs).

In-Home Services   Non-Medical Care (Chores)

Programs that provide assistance with home-related activities such as housekeeping, yard work, meal preparation, laundry, errands, home maintenance, and minor repairs.

Insurance Counseling

Programs that provide health insurance information, counseling and assistance for older adults and their families when they need help understanding Medicare, Medicaid, medical bills, claims, correspondence, supplemental insurance or long-term care insurance.

Legal Assistance

Programs that are staffed by attorneys who offer advice and guidance regarding legal matters such as: will preparation; execution of living wills, durable powers of attorney for health care, or a financial powers of attorney; assistance for people who need to settle a problem regarding a contract; assistance with filing appeals for people who have applied for or who are receiving services through Medicaid, Medicare or food stamps and believe they have been wrongly denied or terminated or discriminated against; assistance with resolving landlord/tenant disputes; and other legal matters. Services may be provided free or at a reduced cost.

Nursing Homes

A residential facility that provides extended health care, skilled nursing care, and intermediate care for people who are unable to care for themselves and lack in home care.

Nutrition / Food

Proper nutrition is imperative to our health. Congregate and home-delivered meal programs provide a nutritious meal and are offered on a voluntary contribution basis. Home-delivered meals are available for those who cannot come to a congregate setting, where there is the added benefit of being able to visit with others. Some grocery stores will make home deliveries.

Respite - In Home

Provision of temporary substitute care and/or supports for an older person in the person's own home, so that caregivers are provided a brief period of relief or rest.

Respite - Out of Home

Provision of temporary substitute care, supports or living arrangements for an older person in an out-of-home setting, so that caregivers are provided a brief period of relief or rest.

Support Groups

Johnson County offers a variety of support groups designed to help persons cope with various health and personal problems.

Transportation

Johnson County has multiple governmental transportation programs (all buses are handicap accessible) as well as many other organizations to assist with transportation needs. In addition, Livable Community has put together a Transportation Guide for Seniors.

Veterans Services

Service that provides answers to questions about veteran insurance and other benefits provided to veterans.

Volunteer Opportunities

Organizations that coordinate volunteers and/or provide information about agencies, programs, or events where volunteers are needed, either on a one-time or on-going basis.

Wellness / Leisure

Settings that provide equipment or activities to promote mobility, health, and flexibility. Relaxation and wellness services such as therapeutic massage or yoga that are specifically for older adults or are provided to older adults at a discount.