NORTHWEST
Phone: 660-726-3800
~ Fax: 660-726-4113
Website: www.nwmoaaa.org ~ email:
nwmoaaa@nwmoaaa.org
Serving as Your Trusted Source for Unbiased
Information and Services Since 1973
SUPPORT SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION
Subsidized transportation is available in several forms depending on need and location:
1. We contract with OATS to provide bused transportation in most communities for essential shopping, nutrition, medical appointments, etc.
2. We have a volunteer driver system called P.A.R. (Provide a Ride) available in some areas, in which we provide trained volunteer drivers to take the client to their non-emergency medical appointments.
3. If there is no volunteer driver available, we offer a client reimbursement for those clients who have a non-family member to drive them, but feel the need to reimburse the driver and do not have the means to do so themselves.
4. Senior
Express is available in
Eligibility: A person at least 60 years of age who has been assessed and shows an adequate need
Cost: None – Voluntary Contribution Accepted
LEGAL
We contract with Legal Aid Services to provide legal services to our client group.
Eligibility: At least 60 years of age
Cost: None – Voluntary Contribution Accepted
We are also partnering with DSDS, Legal Aid and the Missouri Bar Association to initiate a legal help line and website. Through the help line and the Area Agencies on Aging, people will receive simple information and assistance, as well as referrals to participating attorneys.
Eligibility: At least 60 year of age
Cost: Private pay, program-funded or pro bono, depending on financial situation
GRANDPARENTS
RAISING GRANDCHILDREN
We are currently publishing a resource guide for grandparents to access information, resources and services they may need.
Eligibility: Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren full time
Cost: None – voluntary contribution
We are also partnering with ParentLink on their Grandfamilies program, particularly related to their support groups and WarmLine.
Eligibility: Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren full time
Cost: None
CURRENT AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE
CENTER SERVICES
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
This is a service in which information and/or education is provided to the public about available services and programs. It may also include training, exhibits, publications, etc. Speakers and printed materials are available upon request for many topics affecting seniors.
Eligibility: None
Cost: None – Voluntary Contribution Accepted
INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
This service provides current information about services and opportunities available within a community to a client or caregiver. It may include an assessment of the individual’s problems and capacities, linking the person to available services and follow up if needed. We can help you find services, even if we do not provide or sponsor them.
Eligibility: Must be at least 60 years of age, their family and/or caregiver or age 18-59 with disabilities.
Cost: None – Voluntary Contribution Accepted
ENHANCED I & A (Aging Consultation, Benefits
Counseling)
This is a service in which a staff person can sit down with you and/or your family, caregivers, etc., to answer questions regarding specific problems, such as Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, personal assistance or mediation with a specific problem.
Eligibility: At least 60 years of age, their family and/or caregiver or age 18-59 with disabilities
Cost: None – voluntary contribution
COMING SOON
OPTIONS COUNSELING
This service will provide comprehensive, objective, up-to-date,
user-friendly information about the full range of available immediate and
long-range options, helping individuals understand available community support
options, assessing their needs and resources, and assisting them in developing
and implementing their long-term support choices.
Eligibility: At least 60 years of age, their family and/or caregiver or age18-59 with disabilities
Cost: None – Voluntary Contribution Accepted
ADVOCACY
NURSING HOME OMBUDSMAN
The word “Ombudsman” is a Swedish word which means “One who speaks on behalf of another.”
Unlike most of our services which focus on people living in the community, this service is directed specifically to nursing facility residents and their families. With highly trained staff, as well as trained volunteers, we provide support and assistance with any problems or complaints. The program also seeks to diminish the sense of isolation experienced by residents, especially those without family. The ombudsman can assist the resident and their families in knowing their rights, exercising those rights and thereby maintain their quality of life.
SILVER HAIRED LEGISLATURE
The Silver Haired Legislature (SHL)
is a formally elected body of citizens 60 year of age and older that promotes
conscientious legislative advocacy for seniors.
All members are unpaid volunteers.
Their mission is to ascertain the needs of seniors, draw up bills and
resolutions, and present them at the statewide conference. The SHL meets for three days each fall to
conduct a model legislative session. At
that time members present, debate and vote on a pre-approved docket of bills
and resolutions that concern legislation which affects the lives of not only
elderly, but all
docket, five bills having the highest priority are selected as the main focus in the Missouri General Assembly for the upcoming year.
MO SMP
MO SMP Specialists are staff and retired professionals who attend a three-day training. They receive training on Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance and health care fraud and abuse. These volunteers offer counseling and assistance free of charge.
GENERAL
ADVOCACY
The Board of Directors, staff and the entire network of the Northwest Missouri Area Agency onAging take an active role in advocating for senior issues, whether they are federal, state or local issues. These issues also vary greatly from funding and legislation to local ordinances, codes, projects and services. We take our role of being the voice of seniors very seriously, but we are also very proactive in informing and enabling seniors and their caregivers to speak for themselves.
OTHER THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
The Agency is actively involved in
working with local groups as well as individuals to prepare for disasters
through programs, literature, supplies and education. In conjunction with our disaster planning, we
also offer 72-hour survival kits. The
kits are designed to ensure the survival of one individual for up to 72 hours
while awaiting rescue. The kits include
a 5-in-1 whistle, two 12-hour light sticks, 9 water packets, six 2400-Calorie
Emergency Food packets (non-thirst producing), 1 Poncho, 1 blanket, 1-N95
Particulate Respirator mask, and 9 Purell Sanitizing
Wipes. We also recommend adding a pair
of rounded-tip scissors to the kit and including copies of important documents,
sealed in plastic bags.
STEADY
AS YOU GO (FALLS PREVENTION)
Steady as You Go is a falls prevention initiative sponsored
by the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging in partnership with
Show-Me Falls Free Missouri Coalition.
In addition to ADRC and direct staff, we partner with local
organizations to provide information and education, as well as an in-home
assessment.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Using the “Aging in Place” model to
work toward “livable communities,” the Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging
is conducting a pilot project in
GOLDEN
YEARS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ASSISTANCE
In partnership with the Missouri State Fraternal Order of Eagles, this program allows us to help individuals who have no other recourse to pay for their prescription drugs. The individual must be at least 60 years of age or 18 – 59 with disabilities, with a demonstrated need for assistance. Although income and assets will not be a deciding factor for assistance, the client is asked to pay a portion of the cost based on what he can afford. The maximum assistance per person is $500. Evan though the program officially ends June 30, 2010, the Agency expects to have some funds remaining and will continue to help people until the funds have been exhausted.
FEDERAL AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER
GRANT
Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging was selected as the pilot project by the Department of Health and Senior Services for a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)/Administration on Aging (AOA) grant. The purpose of the grant is to develop a single, coordinated system of information and access for all persons seeking long-term support. The intent of the project is to minimize confusion, enhance individual choice, support informed decision-making, increase the cost effectiveness of long-term support systems and reduce the number of “hoops that must be jumped through” by consumers in order to receive services.
The Northwest Missouri Area Agency
on Aging is a primary partner with the Department of Health and Senior Services
and