Dorothy
Scott will be 79 this year, and she is as spirited, gregarious, and outspoken
as she has always been! "Dot" is nothing if not an independent
thinker. And thinking is not the only way that she is independent. James, her
childhood sweetheart and husband for 59 years, died 3 years ago and Dot has
been living by herself ever since. "When dad died, we naturally thought
mom would move in with one of us," recalls Emma, the oldest of Dorothy's
four children. "Not surprisingly, we learned mom had her own ideas."
"I have close friends that I try to get together with at least once a week
and I'm pretty active in my church," explains Dorothy. "I appreciated
my children's concerns, but they all lived at least 700 miles away. I wasn't
ready to move away from my home and friends."
The
desire of older adults to continue living in their current homes is not
uncommon, but sometimes it poses challenges for caregivers and seniors
themselves. Fortunately, a friend told Emma about the Eldercare Locator, a
nationwide directory assistance service for aging Americans and caregivers administered
by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging (AoA). Emma called
the Eldercare Locator's toll-free number and was greeted by a kind, caring
information specialist. The specialist listened, asked questions, and
transferred Emma directly to the local agency servicing
her mother's community. With the agency's assistance, Emma was able to arrange
transportation to doctors' appointments, help with household chores, and even
an occasional social visit to ensure that everything was okay in Dot's home.
Thanks to the Eldercare Locator, everybody is happy. Dorothy and Emma can both
rest better.
Easier Than
Ever Before Making things "a little easier"
for older adults and their caregivers is at the heart of the Eldercare Locator
public service. Established in 1991, the Eldercare Locator is designed to help
older adults and their caregivers navigate their way through the maze of senior
services and identify trustworthy local support resources. The goal is to
provide users with the information they need to help aging Americans live
independently and safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
Whether it's home health care, meal delivery, or a well-deserved break from
caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator links those who need
assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community based
organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers. Gateway to a Wealth of Information The Eldercare Locator receives more than 10,000 calls a
month from older adults and caregivers looking for assistance. Home health and
financial issues are two of the most requested topics, with inquiries ranging
from help paying for prescription drugs and managing finances to hiring a home
health aide. Callers do not need to reside in the same area as the older person
who needs assistance. In fact, the Eldercare Locator is specifically designed
to assist caregivers who may live miles away. "As the older population
continues to grow in America
Andrew,
an ardent devotee of the Eldercare Locator whose father lives across the
country, agrees. "My father was having a problem with balance and I was
worried about him having an accident," he explains. "In just one
call, I was able to find a home modification program that installed assistive
devices throughout his home. Now, the Eldercare Locator is the first place I go
to take care of all my father's needs." Knowing what senior services exist
and how to use them is the first step in helping older Americans live out their
golden years with independence and
respect. Let the Eldercare Locator connect you to the timely and accurate
information you need. The Eldercare Locator service can be accessed toll-free
Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST, by calling
1–800–677–1116. An on-line version is also available at www.eldercare.gov.
