Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services

Meals on Wheels

Meals for Homebound Seniors Meals on Wheels nutritious midday meals are delivered to frail and isolated older adults Monday through Friday (weekend meals are delivered Thursday and Friday). Special diets (cut meat, mechanical soft, pureed, no nut, no pork and no seafood) are available. All meals are low-sodium, low-calorie and low-fat.

Each Meals on Wheels applicant is evaluated for program eligibility and additional services needed to assist in living as independently as possible.

Donate to Meals on Wheels online or send your contributions to:

Meals on Wheels 2001 S. State Street, STE S1-600

PO Box 144575 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4575

Your tax deductible donation helps ensure the ongoing success of the Meals on Wheels program.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive meals you must be:

• 60 years of age or older
• Homebound
• A resident of Salt Lake County
• Unable to prepare your own meals
• Without family or other resources to help with meal preparation

AAAs Serve Communities

One of the OAA’s (Older Americans Act) foundational principles is that the programs and services created to help support consumers in their homes and communities are customized to meet their individual needs. There’s nothing one-size-fits-all about AAAs or the services they offer their clients!

Roles of all AAAs: Assess community needs and develop and fund programs that respond to those needs; educate and provide direct assistance to consumers about available community resources for long-term services and supports; serve as portals to care by assessing multiple service needs, determining eligibility, authorizing or purchasing services and monitoring the appropriateness and cost effectiveness of services; and demonstrate responsible fiscal stewardship by maximizing use of public and private funding to serve as many consumers as possible.

All AAAs offer five core services under the OAA:

ELDER RIGHTS includes abuse prevention and long-term care ombudsman programs

CAREGIVERS

NUTRITION

HEALTH & WELLNESS

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Services Provided by the Salt Lake Aging & Adult Services include:

• Our Outreach Program answers questions on issues related to aging, will help you enroll in our services, provides referrals to other service providers, and assists with Medicare & Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) enrollment, questions, and problem resolution.
• Meals on Wheels delivers hot midday meals to frail and isolated adults age 60 and older.
• Foster Grandparents volunteer with at-risk children in a variety of settings in Salt Lake County.
• The Community Care Transitions program provides in-home services to individuals who wish to age in place.
• The Caregiver Support program provides information & assistance, free classes, events, support groups, and consultations to all family and informal community caregivers. Unpaid caregivers may also apply for short term respite services.
• The Aging & Adult Services Ombudsman supports and protects the rights of people living in long-term care facilities.
• The Rides for Wellness program provides rides for adults age 60 or older with no other means of transportation to vital medical appointments including dialysis, chemotherapy, and others.
• The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) works with adults age 55 or older to strengthen communities by volunteering with community organizations.
• Salt Lake County Senior Centers offer opportunities for learning, socializing, volunteering, community engagement, and wellness for participants. Senior Centers are open to people age 60 or older.
• The Senior Companion Program works with volunteers to help frail and isolated older adults age at home rather than in long term care.
• Aging & Adult Services contracts with Utah Legal Services’ Senior Citizen Law Center for legal assistance to seniors age 60 and older who live in Salt Lake County. Call (801) 328 - 8891 for assistance.
• Volunteer Opportunities provide people of all ages the chance to make a difference in our community. Support a Senior Center, deliver Meals on Wheels, offer friendship to an isolated senior, and more. Health Promotion & Education offers evidence based classes to empower participants to stay physically active, manage their chronic conditions, avoid falls, and remain socially connected.
• Veteran Directed Home & Community Based Services assists veterans who want to remain in their home, but need skilled home care services, case management, and assistance with activities of daily living.

Caregivers are faced with a host of new responsibilities many of which are unfamiliar and intimidating and can ultimately create caregiver burnout. As a result, the Caregiver Support Program is a short term program that provides assistance and support to these caregivers.

Support Resources Available:

• Respite Services (based on eligibility requirements)
• Brief period of relief for the caregiver
• Homemaking, home health aide, adult day care, short term stay in a nursing home
• Supplemental Services (based on eligibility requirements)
• Supplies or equipment
• Information and Assistance
• Provide caregivers with services and information available within the community
• Monthly newsletters, caregiver website, caregiver academy and other available training
• Support Groups
• Monthly meetings with caregivers to discuss an assigned topic for that month pertaining to care giving as well as a forum to meet with peers in similar circumstances and learn from one another
• Consultations
• Consult with the caregiver or families to help plan the care giving process and what to expect

Health promotion and education at senior centers

Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services’ Active Aging Program provides many evidence-based classes and workshops that educate older adults on the importance of staying healthy while offering individuals the opportunity to engage in physical activity.

These classes and workshops are provided through a network of 16 County-operated senior centers throughout Salt Lake County.

Programs

• Enhance Fitness
• Aging Mastery Program
• Living Well with Chronic Conditions
• Living Well with Diabetes
• Stepping On (Fall Prevention)
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes
• Walk With Ease
• Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program

Eligibility

To participate in most Health Promotion Classes:

• You must be 60 years of age or older
• Or you must be the spouse of someone 60 years of age or older
• Caregiver for someone 60 and older

Other requirements vary depending on the specific activity.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels nutritious midday meals are delivered to frail and isolated older adults Monday through Friday (weekend meals are delivered Thursday and Friday). Special diets (cut meat, mechanical soft, pureed, no nut, no pork and no seafood) are available. All meals are low-sodium, low-calorie and low-fat. Each Meals on Wheels applicant is evaluated for program eligibility and additional services needed to assist in living as independently as possible.

Donate to Meals on Wheels online or send your contributions to:

Meals on Wheels 2001 S. State Street, STE S1-600

PO Box 144575 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4575

Your tax deductible donation helps ensure the ongoing success of the Meals on Wheels program.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive meals you must be:

• 60 years of age or older
• Homebound
• A resident of Salt Lake County
• Unable to prepare your own meals
• Without family or other resources to help with meal preparation

Have you or someone you know served in the Military? You may be eligible to receive Veteran Benefits.

Possible Benefits Include:

• Veterans Caregiver Support Help Line 1-855-260-3274
• Enrollment in the Veterans Medical System
• Veterans assistance with nursing home, assisted living, home care costs
• Free assistance with filing a claim with the Veterans administration
• Pensions for low-income war time Veterans
• Home modifications
• Veterans disability claims... It’s never too late to make a claim
• Special compensation for spouses if the Veteran died of a service connected disability (DIC)
• Utah State Veterans nursing homes (Ogden, Salt Lake City, Payson & Ivins)
• Veterans burial and memorial benefits
• Utah State Veterans benefits that are unique to Utah
• Resources/Help for homeless Veterans 1-877-424-3838

To get detailed information on Veterans benefits and services contact:

Stephanie Herrig 385-468-3234 Bobbie Jo Yorbrough 385-468-3248

Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors

Mature adults giving time and service

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) recruits mature volunteers, age 55 or older, to share their time, wisdom, life-experiences, and skills, to strengthen local communities.

Regardless of one’s skills, experience, education, trade, or profession, RSVP provides volunteer opportunities that are flexible and based on the volunteer’s interests and time commitments. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring and tutoring children, delivering Meals on Wheels, providing transportation to critical medical appointments and much more.

RSVP is a project of the Corporation for National and Community Service and is sponsored by Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services.

Learn more about this program

Job Training and Placement for Older Adults

Job skill development and work training program

The Senior Employment Program offers two services to older adults who are looking for work. The Community Services component offers resume assistance, job search assistance, and other job-related help.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) component is a Federally funded work training program for limited-income Salt Lake County residents, 55 years of age or older, who meet eligibility requirements.

This program provides individualized support to participants from employment specialists and places eligible applicants at host sites where they learn job skills. Participants work 20 hours a week and receive training wages of $7.25 an hour. Participants may receive computer training (if appropriate), free job search and resume assistance, and interview coaching.

Learn more about this program

Foster Grandparents - Supporting at-risk and special needs children

Mentor and tutor special needs children

The Foster Grandparent Program provides an opportunity for limited income seniors to earn a small, tax-free stipend of $2.65 per hour while working with high-risk children in 26 settings. Foster Grandparents serve 20 hours per week working in hospitals, schools, substance abuse treatment programs, and day care centers. They provide mentoring, tutoring and emotional support to high-risk and special needs children.

The Foster Grandparent program is made possible by a federal grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service and is sponsored by Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services.

Learn more about this program

Advocating for the rights of individuals receiving long-term care The Ombudsman Program advocates for residents who reside in facility based care centers such as nursing homes and assisted living. Ombudsmen investigate complaints and work with other agencies to resolve problems. Ombudsmen also educate staff, family members, the community and residents regarding long-term care issues.

Services include:

Information on selecting a nursing home or assisted living facility for a loved one Investigate issues which affect a resident’s quality of life and care Work with residents, their families and facilities staff to resolve problems Provide information about residents rights and available resources

Senior Transportation

The Rides for Wellness Program provides rides for older adults, 60 years of age or older, with no other means of transportation to vital medical appointments such as dialysis, chemotherapy, and physical therapy.

The program utilizes Priuses and wheelchair accessible mini-vans for most transportation with larger vans available as needed.

Rides are provided between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; and on Thursday between 9:30 am and 4:00 pm. Priority is given to those who schedule in advance. It is recommended that you call one week in advance to schedule a ride. The office sends out monthly donation statements where a $2.00 donation is suggested for each trip.

To begin receiving rides:

• You must be 60 years of age or older
• Be a resident of Salt Lake County
• Lack other transportation options

Priority given to low income individuals. Eligibility screening is done over the phone.