 What Options are Available to Help Seniors Stay Active
as They Age?
By Jack Etzel
As we grow older, it’s important to stay active for both physical
and mental well-being. But how does one find out about what options
are available for low- or no cost? One phone call to the SeniorLine
can possibly get you the help you need to enjoy a better quality of
life. We checked with the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), part of the
Allegheny County Department of Human Services, to learn what it does
for seniors in our community. Since 2000, Mildred E. Morrison has
served as the agency’s director. She is a graduate of Chatham College
and holds a master’s degree in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon
University. She was a banker for 22 years before bringing her
knowledge and compassion to AAA to serve our older population. North
Hills Monthly Magazine (NHMM): Can you sum up what advice the Area
Agency on Aging has these days for seniors? Mildred E. Morrison: As
we age, we should stay connected in our community however we can; for
example, enroll in such things as art classes and wellness programs.
Depending on your physical ability, either keep playing or learn to
bowl or play billiards, attend cultural events, and take some time to
enjoy a lunch occasionally with your peers. We use a great number of
volunteers in this agency, so we are very aware that older volunteers
have a lot to offer. For that reason, many senior citizens should be
thinking about volunteering for the many charities and other
organizations that might be convenient to where they live. NHMM: How
many people does AAA help? Morrison: The Area Agency on Aging
functions across the county serving about 43,000 people annually,
mostly those who are age 60 and well above. In this county, there are
about 280,000 people of that age. NHMM: What do you offer?
Morrison: A lot of people, including caregivers, ask about the
agency’s activities. Some ask about using supplemental transportation
to get them to medical, or even nonmedical, appointments. Others
require home-delivered meals for either a short time or an extended
time, depending on their health conditions. But our bottom line is to
always get older residents the help they need to enjoy the highest
possible quality of life. There are approximately 7,000 people we
provide with social work and in-home support. Many don’t even have
family or friends caring for them. Some might need help with bathing
or medications; others need bill paying and check writing help. Some
simply need to see a friendly visitor. NHMM: Obviously, this is a
busy place… Morrison: We answer about 100,000 phone calls a year,
which involve almost any question you can imagine. Your readers should
know that many of these calls fall in the category of staying social
and active, from ‘Where can I get a free CPR class?’ to ‘What’s for
lunch today at the Senior Center?’ to ‘I think my neighbor’s in
trouble and needs some assistance.’ We also hear, ‘My daughter says
that I should call you about getting into a wellness class. How and
where can I do that?’ NHMM: All businesses run on the balance of
supply and demand. The supply of the elderly seems a given, but how
much can you afford to give away for free?
Morrison: Well, the oldest among us are continuing to grow in
numbers, and every one of us is getting there quickly. Any older adult
interested in health and recreational activities, or wanting to know
and understand how our transportation system works for seniors, is
never charged for information or most other services. Social services
are available in-home and even then, many times there is no cost. But
let’s say someone needs help with bathing or needs some housecleaning
performed. If it’s essential and they are unable to do it, whether or
not there is any cost depends on income, but that’s on a sliding
scale. NHMM: Aren’t many of the people that this agency helps
already residing in either short- or long-term care settings?
Morrison: That’s true. One of our many roles is to serve as advocates
for those residing in nursing homes or personal care homes. We have a
group of specially trained volunteers who are advocates and who work
in partnership with our social work staff. There’s another group of
volunteers who specialize in medical insurance consulting. Think about
ever-changing and complicated medical insurance options; they are
confusing at any age, much less when you’re 70 or 80-something. We
provide one-on-one advice or advice through social groups or clubs.
Seniors won’t be told what to do, but they’ll learn enough to make
better choices on their own. And see what happens? Getting involved in
social gatherings often allows older people to learn important things
that are not even related to the reasons they joined. NHMM: In spite
of a large volunteer force, providing all of these services costs a
lot of money. Does all of that come from taxes? Morrison: We have
the joy of all joys—the lottery. Our agency has an annual budget of
more than $50 million dollars. Seventy percent of that doesn’t come
from taxes, but from the state lottery. Listen to that tag line when
they announce the lottery results: it says the lottery benefits senior
citizens. It helps seniors in many ways: it pays for our social
workers, for the senior centers, for the transportation of seniors and
so much more. When it comes to loving the lottery for helping our
seniors enjoy more active, healthier and happier lifestyles than they
could otherwise have, I’m shameless! For more information and/or
printed material:
Phone the SeniorLine: 412-350-5460 or 1-800-344-4319
(TTY line is 412-350-2727)
Email SeniorLine@AlleghenyCounty.us
Visit the website at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx. |
