Author: oscs

VOLUNTEERISM: Offers opportunities for individuals who are interested in assisting with a variety of programs such as delivering meals to homebound older adults, making friendly visits to nursing homes, providing telephone coverage, and other duties that will help older adults remain in their homes.

The Office of Senior Citizens Services (OSCS), Aging & Disability Resource Center has a leadership role in determining needs of senior adults, especially the economically and socially deprived, while helping the maintain the highest level of independence. Duties of the Office of Senior Citizens are:

Planning and Program Development
Coordination
Advocacy
Establishing and maintaining Senior Centers
Providing Programs and Services

2601 Highland Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35205

Contact: Office of Senior Citizens Services Aging & Disability Resource Center

(205)325-1416
WWW.JEFFCONLINE.JCCAL.ORG

Sandra Little Brown Neal G. Morrison Jefferson County Commissioner Alabama Dept. of Senior Services
Tony Peletos
Jefferson County Manager

www.AlabamaAgeline.gov 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463)

Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services The Area Agency on Aging

MISSION STATEMENT
The goal of the Office of Senior Citizens Services is to plan, coordinate, and offer services to help support older adults in their quest for wellness and self-sufficiency,

Executive Director: Derry R. Johnson BSN, MPH,CQRMS,NHA,JD

SERVING SENIOR ADULTS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

Programs and Services

ALABAMA CARES OF JEFFERSON COUNTY: Supports family caregivers by providing training, assistance, and resources to help caregivers take care of their aging loved ones through respite, homemaker, personal care services and supplemental supplies.
CAREGIVER EDUCATION/SUPPORT GROUPS: Offers training, education, information, and assistance for caregivers including grandparents and relatives raising kids and those with Alzheimer's Disease or other illnesses.
COMMUNITY SERVICE/EMPLOYMENT TRAINING: Provides employment and training assistance to adults age 55 or older who are actively seeking employment. Participants are placed in a temporary training position at a host agency (nonprofit or public agency) for 20 hours per week and are paid minimum wage. Participants help community organizations extend their reach & capabilities, while developing their own job skills and self-confidence.
CONSUMING EDUCATION/FRAUD PREVENTION: Provides seniors with the knowledge to protect themselves from economic and health-related consequences of Medicare and Medicaid fraud, error and abuse. Works with beneficiaries to resolve complaints of potential fraud in partnership with state and national fraud control/consumer protection entities.
COORDINATING COUNCIL MEETING: Provides a forum for professionals in the field of aging to network, combine advocacy efforts as needed, and work together to maximize services and resources for seniors through coordination of efforts. The Council meets at the Office of Senior Citizens Services monthly.
ELDER CONNECT ALABAMA: Provides a comprehensive list of services available to older adults and their families through www.ageline.net
GABRIEL PROGRAM: Assists older adults with managing their monthly income and preventing financial exploitation.

HOME FIX-IT: Assists senior citizens with minor home repairs.
HOMEMAKER/PERSONAL CARE: Assists older adults with activities of daily living such as bathing, hygiene, grooming, meal preparation, light cleaning, light laundry, and home safety.
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL: Serves as the “information and resource clearinghouse” for services available to older adults and their caregivers throughout Jefferson County.
INSURANCE COUNSELING: Through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), certified counselors and volunteers are committed to helping Medicare beneficiaries make information choices regarding health benefits. Counselors and volunteers are not affiliated with any insurance company and will not attempt to sell Medicare beneficiaries Insurance.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE: Provides legal assistance for older adults who are 60 years of age or older.
LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN: Provides advocates that ensure that residents in long term care settings receive all services; legal, financial, social, and rehabilitative, through investigation of complaints, evaluations of facilities through visitation, medications and resolutions, and education to residents, family, staff and community organizations. The Ombudsman program is committed to resident-centered, life affirming, relationship building that will advocate for residents and transform long term care.
MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM: Provides services for elderly and disabled low-income people who, without assistance, might have to be cared for in a nursing home. The program provides case management, respite care, homemaker services, adult day care, personal care services, companion services, and home delivered frozen meals.
MEALS ON WHEELS: Provides hot, nutritious noon meals to homebound older adults in Jefferson County who are not able to prepare a well-balanced meal for themselves each day.
MS. SENIOR JEFFERSON COUNTY PAGEANT: Offers women 60 years or older an opportunity to share their experiences, talents, interests, and wisdom with others through a pageant competition. Ms. Senior Jefferson County is designed to enrich the lives of senior women in Jefferson County.
SENIOR CENTERS: OSCS Centers are located throughout Jefferson County offer an array of services, recreational activities and a nutritious noon meal five days a week to County residents age 60 and older, including their spouse regardless of age. These activities vary from center to center. Many of the recreational activities include shopping, quilting, arts and crafts, ceramics, dine-around, one day and overnight trips and much, much, more.
SENIORx WELLNESS PROGRAM: Assists seniors with obtaining free prescription medications, free nutritional supplements (such as Ensure and Glucerna), and free diabetic supplies. Clients must be at least 55 years of age and meet income requirements. Persons who are under 55 may qualify if they have been deemed disabled by Social Security and are in their 2-year waiting period for benefits.
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP): Designed to assist seniors, 60 years of age and older who are not currently receiving food assistance. Seniors cannot have earned income in the month of application.
TRANSPORTATION: Provides essential transportation round-trip services to seniors centers for qualified seniors.
HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION: Community-based Wellness Program designed to implement prevention health measures that can help decrease illnesses by providing health screenings, exercise and education to senior citizens throughout Jefferson County.