Senior/Elderly Services for Age 65 and Over

Yellow Medicine County is dedicated to helping all seniors live in the setting of their choice with support services. The first step in deciding what services are needed and what services are available is to have a Long Term Care Consultation (LTCC) by a case manager from Yellow Medicine County.

 

Long Term Care Consultation (LTCC):

A Long Term Care Consultation (LTCC) is a meeting between the case manager and the consumer who is being assessed. During the meeting a number of questions are asked to help the case manager learn about the abilities of the consumer as well as areas in which they may need assistance. There are questions about health status and independence in areas of daily living. The case manager is able to describe services that are available as well as give names of providers of those services. Information is shared about public programs that can fund services and the eligibility requirements. There may be a pre-admission screening for nursing home placement for long term stays or short term recovery placement. Case managers can also assist with people who are able to and want to leave the nursing home to return to more independent living.

 

Funding programs, based on eligibility, to help with services in the community include:

  • Alternative Care (AC) Program
  • Elderly Waiver (EW)
  • Home Care Services
  • Community Services
  • Personal Care Assistance (PCA)

 

Alternative Care (AC) Program:

This program is for a person who is age 65 or older, meets financial requirements, and is eligible for services. The person may need to pay a monthly premium. Services available include:

  • Adult Day Services
  • Assistance with housing options
  • Home-delivered meals
  • Home Health Aide
  • Homemaker
  • Lifeline
  • Personal care
  • Respite Care
  • Services Coordination
  • Skilled Nursing
  • Special supplies and equipment

 

Elderly Waiver (EW):

This program is for a person who is age 65 or older, is a current Medical Assistance (MA) recipient, and is eligible for support services. Services available include:

  • Adult Day Services
  • Assistance with housing options
  • Home-delivered meals
  • Home Health Aide
  • Homemaker
  • Lifeline
  • Personal care
  • Respite Care
  • Services Coordination
  • Skilled Nursing
  • Special supplies and equipment

 

Home Care Services:

These services are for persons with a disability and special health care needs who qualify for Medical Assistance (MA), and some recipients of Minnesota Care may also qualify. Services available include:

  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy and other services
  • Professional Nursing Services

 

Community Services:

  • Adult Day Services
    • This service provides a range of activities, including assistance with personal care and health monitoring, outings, social events, meals, or snacks. Usually provided Monday through Friday, with options to attend full or partial days.
  • Chore Services
    • This service includes heavy household chores, such as washing floors or windows, moving heavy items, and seasonal yard work.
  • Emergency Call Systems
    • Devices that can be worn by persons to access help in an emergency situation.
  • Home Delivered Meals
    • This service provides meals to persons who are not able to prepare their own meals.
  • Homemaking
    • Assistance with meal preparation, household chores, laundry, shopping, and errands.
  • Nursing and Care Therapies
    • Services that are ordered by your physician.
  • Personal Care
    • Assistance with hygiene, dressing, and eating.
  • Respite Care
    • This service provides a break for caregivers for a few hours or overnight.
  • Supplies and Equipment
    • Examples of items range from canes, walker, grab bars, wheelchairs, and life chairs to incontinence supplies.
  • Transportation
    • Transportation to access community services and events, excluding transportation to medical appointments.

 

Housing Options:

  • Adult Foster Homes
    • These homes have staff 24 hours a day to assist the residents as needed. Usually residents have their own room and use common areas with the other residents for meals.
  • Assisted Living
    • These apartment buildings have private apartments with housekeeping and meal options. Additional services based on need for personal care of nursing services are available.
  • Independent Living Options
    • Seniors can continue to live in their own homes or an apartment. Services can be provided as needed to allow the individual to remain living in their home.
  • Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
    • Long term care facilities that offer nursing care to residents. They provide nursing, personal care, dietary, therapeutic, social, spiritual, and recreational services.

 

To make a referral for services, call 320-564-2211 and ask to speak to the intake worker for Social Services.