| Services to Enhance Independence |
| In addition to the services already listed in this section there are some additional programs and services about which you might like to have a little more information. The following is a list of services and a brief description of the service, along with contact information. |
| Community Options Program (COP): The Community Options Program is for individuals with long-term medical, physical or mental problems who meet financial eligibility requirements. The Community Options Program assesses the needs and matches those needs with services to help elderly and disabled individuals remain in the community. Services may include housekeeping, home health care, attendant and respite care, home maintenance and transportation. This program is available in every county in the state. In Oconto County, contact the Human Services Department at: (920) 834-7000. "Driving After 50" & "55 Alive": The "Driving After 50" Program is coordinated through the Department of Transportation. The "55 Alive" Program is coordinated through AARP. Both programs are designed to re-evaluate and update individual attitudes and habits of long-time drivers, without road tests or fear of losing their driver's license. Wisconsin Department of Transportation: 1-800-924-3570 Displaced Homemaker: The Displaced Homemaker Program is funded through the Wisconsin Board of Vocational, Technical and Adult Education with state and federal funds. Older women who are widowed or divorced, and who have not previously worked outside the home are eligible to receive counseling, job training and placement. The program is targeted to middle-aged and older women who are not eligible for either Aid to Families with Dependent Children or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Elder Abuse: Wisconsin law states that elder abuse has occurred when a person "60 years of age or older or who is suffering from the infirmities of aging" has been subjected to any of the following four categories of abuse: *Physical: Physical abuse is the willful infliction of pain, injury or unreasonable confinement of an elder. *Material: Material abuse is the misuse of an elder's property or financial resources. *Neglect: Neglect is significant danger presented to an elder's physical or mental health when the caretaker fails to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing or medical/dental care. *Self-Neglect: Self-neglect is significant danger to an elder's physical or mental health because the elder is responsible for his or her own care but is unable or unwilling to provide adquate food, shelter, clothing or medical/dental care. Referral to your local lead elder abuse agency is available by calling 1-800-991-5578. Within Oconto county: 1-800-649-6568 or (920) 834-7707. Fuel Assistance Program: The Fuel Assistance Program is for eligible families and individuals who are financially burdened by high-energy costs. This assistance is provided once a year during the heating season. (920) 834-7707 or 1-800-649-6568 in Oconto county. Grandparents raising Grandchildren: Grandparents are being called upon in escalating numbers to parent their grandchildren. It is an issue that knows no racial, economic or social barriers. Grandparents can be caught in the stress of coping with children at risk due to drug exposure, child abuse, health problems or emotional stress due to separation from parents who have dissappeared, been incarcerated or have died. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is working thoughout the state to set up support groups for these non-traditional families. Your county Aging Unit or children's division of Social Services can help you locate a support group. Guardianship Program: The Guardianship Program provides a volunteer legal guardian, appointed by the court, to act as an advocate for a person who has been found to be incompetent. Responsibilities include overseeing the individual's welfare, making personal decisions on their behalf and managing their assets. Home Equity conversion (Reverse Mortgage): This program could help elderly homeowners to draw down their equity through a mortgage that provides payments to the borrower with: 1) no repayment until the home is sold, the borrower leaves the home, transfer title or dies and 2) no restrictions on the use of the borrowed funds. Consult your local banking institution or the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Group's HUD-certified counselor at 1-800-366-2990. Ask for Carol Matoushek. Homestead Tax Credit Program: The Homestead Tax Credit Program is an income-based property tax credit program for homeowners and renters. You may request claim forms from: Homestead: Dept. of Revenue P.O. Box 8903 Madison, WI 53708 From January 1 until April 15 of each year, the form is available wherever other tax forms are distributed. You do not have to file an income tax return to qualify for Homestead. Forms can be filed up to four (4) years after the calendar year has ended. Call your county/tribal aging office and ask for the benefit specialist/advocate for more information. The Department of Revenue provides information on Property Tax Deferral loans to help pay property taxes for qualifying elderly homeowners. Home Health Care: The state of Wisconsin maintains a database of home health agencies and service providers. You can locate providers in your area, or seek references on someone you plan to hire. Home Health Care Hotline: 1-800-642-6552. Or, for a listing of providers in your locality, contact your county/tribe aging office. Your yellow pages may have a listing under "Home Health Services" as well. Home Improvement and Repair: Home Improvement and Repair is a program to help older residents obtain low interest loans and grants for home repairs and improvements. Some emergency funds are available for septic problems and other emergencies. Contact: Rural Housing, Inc. 4506 Regent Street Madison, WI 53705 or call: (608) 238-3448. Their housing specialist has up-to-date housing information from around the state. Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) and Housing & Neighborhood Conservation Program (HNCP): These programs allow low and moderate income homeowners to repair their properties and make energy conservation improvements. Details on these programs are available from: WHEDA P.O. Box 1728 Madison, WI 53701 Department of Energy 1-800-424-8590 (national). Home Respite Care: Respite services in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. For in-home and phone pal service call 1-920-846-3444, extension 1436. The Caring Tree Adult Day Center for adult day services: call 1-920-848-8885. A Caregiver's Support Group is run through the adult day center. Hospice Care: Hospice Care is a program for the terminally ill and their families. It emphasizes alleviation of pain rather than medical cure. The goal of hospice is to keep the individual as comfortable and pain-free as possible. The dying person and the family receive physical, psychological, social and spiritual care from a team of physicians, nurses, social workers, clergy and volunteers. While services may be provided in special facilities, most hospice care is provided in the individual's own home. Contact your local office on aging for information on hospice programs in your community, or the Hospice Organization of Wisconsin: (608) 233-7166, or the National Hospice Hotline 1-800-658-8898. Housing Information: Elder Net has six publication that are available through your local UW-Extension office. To aide in understanding appropriate housing options, one publication includes basic information. The others are specific to: apartments, CBRF's (Community Based Residential Facilties), Continuing Care Retirement Communities, housing alternatives and nursing homes. You may also contact your Chamber of Commerce, your local aging office or: National Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 (office hours are: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) Information and Referral Services: Information and Referral Services are a good place to begin to obtain information on services available in your community. This service will provide conacts to specific programs offered to the elderly and their families. It is important to remember that you may have to make more than one phone call to obtain all the information you need. When you call for information, have relevant data about the older person ready. National Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 (hours: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) Bay Area Agency on Aging: 1-800-991-5578 (hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) Insurance Information: Insurance information can be obtained through: Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) P.O. Box 7873 Madison, WI 53707-7873 For each request, please send a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope. Brochures Available: * List of Medicare Supplement policies sold in Wisconsin * List of Nursing Home policies sold in Wisconsin * Information sheet on cancer insurance * Health insurance advice for senior citizens Legislative Hotline: The Legislative Hotline is for information about state legislature and provides assistance in communicating with your legislators, call 1-800-362-9472 or fax: (608) 266-7038 to reach your state senator or representative. Some email address are available. Please click here for the State Representatives information. Loan Closets: The Oconto County Commission on Aging, Inc. has equipment such as wheelchairs, canes, walkers, shower chairs, hospital beds, lift chairs and durable medical equipment available on a temporary loan basis. These are items for those needing help to overcome physical changes and challenges due to aging and disability. Call (920) 834-7707 or 1-800-649-6568 (toll free in Wisconsin). Options for Independent Living has a loan closet in Green Bay (920-490-0500) and at an outreach office in Appleton (920-997-9999). Medical Assistance: Medical Assistance, also known as MA or Title XIX, is a health care program for low-income persons who live at home, in the community or in institutions, who cannot otherwise afford to pay medical bills. Home Health Care, Medicaid and Medical Assistance Hotline: 1-800-642-6552. Or, contact your county's Health and Human Services Department. Medicare: Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, regardless of their income, who qualify for Social Security benefits and for some eligible people under age 65 who are disabled. Medicare helps pay for many, but not all, health care expenses. Medicare has two parts: hospital insurance (referred to as Part A) and medical insurance (referred to as Part B). Social Security has a local office in Marinette at: (715) 735-0422 or call 1-800-633-4227 or 1-800-944-0051. For information regarding Medicare fraud and abuse, please click here. Medigap Hotline: The Medigap Hotline is a toll-free telephone line for the purpose of counseling an older person about the purchasing of supplemental Medicare insurance and long term care insurance. Call 1-800-242-1060 to leave a message for an insurance counselor or to order informational materials. National Family Caregiver Support Program: This program (started in 2001) is for the caregiver, not the person requiring care. Caregivers have special needs to avoid burnout and maintain their own health and well being. Each aging office provides several services that are strictly for the caregiver. Eligibility is based on situational needs not income. Parents and grandparents over the age of 60 may also qualify if caring for a child with special needs in their home, as well as spouses and children caring for someone over the age of 60. Information on support groups and other services can be obtained by clicking here. Nursing Home Patient Rights: All persons entering nursing homes or community-based residential facilities in Wisconsin have civil and property rights. The Ombudsman Program was established by the Wisconsin Legislature to investigate complaints from persons concerning improper treatment of aged or disabled persons receiving long-term care. Call 1-800-242-1060. The Ombudsman investigates and resolves problems or complaints about the care or services provided in long-term care facilities. Nutrition Program: The Nutrition Program has two parts. The congregate meal program is 'more than a meal'. In addition to a hot, nutritious meal, sites provide fellowship, information and referral, dietary counseling and exercise in a group setting within an easily accessible facility. Home Delivered Meals are taken to homebound elderly if they are unable to attend a center in their community. This program is to help older people remain self-sufficient in their own home. Special diet meals are available to homebound individuals requiring a restricted diet in most counties. Contact (920) 834-7707 or 1-800-649-6568 in Oconto county for more information. Partner Care: PartnerCare is a program to assist income-eligible older people age 65 or older to save out-of-pocket costs for doctor bills. Physicians participating in the program agree to accept the Medicare approved amount of services. SeniorCare: Prescription Drug Assistance Program: This program is a new Prescription Drug Assistance Program for Wisconsin residents who are 65 years of age or older and meet the eligibility criteria. The program is designed to help reduce the expense of prescription drugs for seniors. The program began September 1, 2002, with registration beginning July 1, 2002. This is an Annual enrollment program; the cost is $20 per person, per year. Program participants are subject to certain annual out-of-pocket expense requirements depending on their annual income. To see the table of requirements and income criteria, please click here. Peer Counseling Program: The Peer Counseling Program consists of trained volunteers who help individuals with grief, isolation, depression, life adjustment situations, or those who need help working through problems. The volunteers are professionally supervised and may make referrals to appropriate professional services if needed. This service is available in Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida Nation, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago counties. Property Tax Deferral Program: The Property Tax Deferral Program is for people 65 or older, who own their home and meet certain qualifications. They may apply to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority for a loan up to $2,500 to pay property taxes. Persons eligible for the loan must have a total household income of $20,000 or less per year. The loan does not have to be repaid until the person no longer lives in the home or ownership is transferred by sale, inheritance, or other means. The loan does not affect eligibility for Homestead Tax Credit Program. Respite Care: Respite care provides temporary relief for the primary caregiver. This service can be provided in the home of the dependent/caregiver or in a respite care center such as an Adult Day Care within a Senior Center. In the Oconto area call the Caring Tree at (920) 846-8885. Senior Centers: Senior Centers are a community focal point where older persons can access services and activities that enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage their involvement in the community. As a part of a comprehensive community strategy to meet the needs of older persons, senior center programs take place within and outside of their facility. There are a variety of services and activities such as education, creative arts, library materials, recreation, advocacy, leadership development, travel, computer use/skills, employment, health, nutrition, social work, volunteerism and other supportive services. Call the Senior Center in Oconto Falls at (920) 846-3031 for a list of their activities. Senior Employment (Title V): Senior Employment provides subsidized part-time employment for low-income older persons for a limited time. Public and private non-profit agencies provide work experience which assists individuals in developing the needed skills that will enable them to find unsubsidized employment. (920) 469-8858. Ask for the senior employment office. Social Security: Social Security (also known as Retirement, Survivors and Disability Health Insurance) is a universal entitlement program of the federal government. It provides monthly cash payments to workers who qualify on the basis of old age or disability, to dependents of qualified workers and to surviving dependents of deceased workers. Payments depend on the insured status of the worker rather than on financial need. For general information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-772-1213 or in Marinette: (715) 735-0422. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Supplemental Security Income is a federal program in partnership with the State of Wisconsin, which provides a supplement to individuals whose Social Security income is low. Individuals who qualify for SSI also qualify for Medical Assistance and Food Stamps. Call 1-800-772-1213 or in Marinette, (715) 735-0422 for eligibility requirements. Support Groups: Support groups may be offered in the areas such as the following: Visually Impaired Persons (VIP), Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH), Alzheimer's Family & Caregiver (AFCSP), Loss of Spouse (LOSS), Arthritis, Living with Cancer, Stroke, National Family Caregiver (NFCSP), Parkinson's, etc. Support groups are established based on local need and interest. For more information, please click here. Transportation: Transportation is an extremely important service for the elderly. All older adults, even those receiving services at home, need transportation to doctors, hospitals and to public agencies. Types of transportation in the Oconto area include bus service in some areas, and volunteer escort services. These services are vital in helping the older person maintain their independence. For information: call (920) 834-7707 or 1-800-649-6568. Veterans' Benefits: Veterans' Benefit information for veterans' services can be obtained by contacting your county Veterans' Serivce office. For more information call toll-free 1-800-827-1000; TDD (hearing impaired) 1-800-829-4833. For VA medical care questions 1-877-222-8387 (toll free). The veterans' home page can be found by clicking here. An additional web site is here. There is also an e-mail online bulletin board available at 1-800-871-8387. Volunteerism: Is the power of the people to make the many aging programs work. Volunteer opportunities available through various volunteer programs include: serving on advisory boards, helping at elderly nutrition centers, delivering meals to the homebound, providing transportation for elderly and handicapped persons, peer companions, health screening and clinic helpers, guardians, domestic abuse advocates and one-to-one volunteers, participating in support groups and one-time special events. Organized volunteer programs such as Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) also exist in some communities. Call the Oconto Commission on Aging office at (920) 834-7707 or 1-800-649-6568 if you'd like to be a volunteer. |