Senior Services

The Area Agency on Aging Department (AAA) provides services to older adults throughout Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Wasco and Wheeler counties. The goal of the AAA is to assist older adults and people with disabilities to remain at home as long as possible. This is accomplished through a variety of programs:
  • Food & Nutrition: Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals, Nutrition Education
  • Transportation
  • Caregiver Services: Respite Care, Information, Referral, and Assistance (see below), Supplemental Services, supports for Relatives as Primary Providers (grandparents raising grandchildren)
  • Money Management
  • Legal Aid of Oregon Referrals
  • Oregon Project Independence: limited in-home assistance to help people remain living at home
  • Additional Services: No Wrong Door (Options Counseling), Elder Abuse Awareness, Case Management, Reassurance phone calls, Wellness Education, Public Outreach & Education (see below)

Caregiver Services

Family caregiver services support unpaid family caregivers who provide support to people age 60+, people living with Dementia, parents who are primary providers for adult children with disabilities, and older adult relative caregivers who are the primary providers for children under the age of 18. Case Managers provide family caregivers with information about services available within their communities and can help caregivers access those services, including access to respite care, referrals to support groups, and other supplemental services.

Caregiver Respite
This service offers temporary, substitute supports or living arrangements for care recipients in order to provide a brief period of relief or rest for unpaid caregivers served under the Family Caregiver Support Program.
Caregiver Support Groups
Referrals to [Peer groups that provide opportunities to discuss caregiver roles and experiences and which offer assistance to families in making decisions and solving problems related to their caregiving roles.

Caregiver Training
Training provided to caregivers and their families that supports and enhances the caregiving role.

Supplemental Services to Caregivers
These services provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and are provided on a limited basis to complement the care provided by caregivers.

For more information on these programs call 541-276-1926.

Additional Services

Public Outreach/Education
These activities are targeted to provide information to groups of current or potential clients and/or to aging network partners and other community partners regarding available services or benefits for the elderly who are defined in the Older Americans Act as a person age 60 or over.

Wellness Education
These services are health promotion programs relating to chronic disabling conditions (prevention and reduction of effects), alcohol and substance abuse reduction, smoking cessation, weight loss and control, stress management and providing information about the availability of benefits and appropriate use of other preventive health services or programs.
  • Tai Ji Quon: Moving for Better Balance- Moving for Better Balance- Instructor led class that helps participants reduce the likelihood of falling.
  • Powerful Tools for the Caregiver: Group facilitated by CAPECO staff that assist care providers in self-care to reduce burnout.
  • National Diabetes Prevention Program: Group facilitated by CAPECO staff in partnership with area agencies that assists individuals who have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes.

Elder Abuse Awareness
This includes activities that promote understanding and increase public awareness of elder abuse.  The Area Agency on Aging staff help to educate the public about elder abuse, the types of abuse (financial exploitation, physical abuse, sexual abuse, intimidation, etc.), what the signs are, and how and who to report it to.

Options Counseling
Trained Options Counselors work with older adults and their family members to identify a person’s long-term goals and help to create an action plan with specific goals to help achieve those goals.
Oregon Project Independence (OPI)
This service promotes independent living among adults 60+ who might otherwise not be able to remain safely in their own homes.  In this program, certified caregivers provide services and supports tailored to meet each participant’s unique needs, which may include help with meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and personal care assistance.

Oregon Project Independence PILOT PROJECT (OPI PP)
The OPI Pilot Project mirrors the Oregon Project Independence program but is available for adults with a disability who are ages 19-59. Certified caregivers provide services and supports tailored to meet each participant’s unique needs, which may include help with meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and personal care assistance.

Case Management
Assistance in either access or care coordination.  Includes assessing needs, developing care plans, arranging and coordinating provision of services with providers and providing follow-up and reassessment of care plans.

Reassurance
Visits or phone calls to physically, geographically or socially isolated persons to determine if they are safe and well.

Information & Assistance
Provides individuals with information on services available within the communities, links individuals to services and to the maximum extent practicable establishes adequate follow-up.

Legal Assistance
The Area Agency on Aging partners with Legal Aid Services of Oregon to provide legal assistance to persons 60 years of age and older on an as need basis. Persons are screened by Legal Aid Services of Oregon for eligibility. Please contact them in the Pendleton Regional Office at 541-276-6685 or 800-843-1115, or at the Central Administrative Office in Portland at 503-224-4086 or 800-228-6958.

Resources

Getting Your Affairs in Order - Louise's Story

Eighty-year-old Louise lives alone. One night, she fell in the kitchen and broke her hip. She spent a week in the hospital and 2 months in a rehabilitation nursing home. Even though her son lives across the country, he was able to pay her bills and handle her Medicare questions right away. That's because, several years ago, Louise and her son made a plan about what he should do in case Louise had a medical emergency.  Visit the National Institute on Aging website for more information on how you can do what Louise and her son did, by planning ahead, to make their situation easier.
Many people are unprepared to deal with the legal and financial consequences of a serious illness, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Legal and medical experts encourage people recently diagnosed with a serious illness — particularly one expected to cause mental and physical decline — to examine and update their financial and health care arrangements as soon as possible. Consider connecting with these professionals to assist with the advance care planning process:
  • Health care providers can discuss advance care planning decisions with patients and their families. It’s free through Medicare during the annual wellness visit and may be covered by private health insurance plans.
  • Elder law attorneys can help older adults and their families interpret state laws, plan how wishes will be carried out, understand financial options, and learn how to preserve financial assets.
  • Geriatric care managers can help families form a long-term care plan and find supportive services.
Learn how these professionals can support your legal and financial planning. This information is also available in Spanish.

Six Steps to Reduce Your Fall Risk

An older adult falls every second of every day and the result can be devastating. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by a fall. However, there are simple steps you or a loved one can take to reduce your risk. Stay safe with these tips!
  1. Find a good exercise program to build balance, strength and flexibility
    If you need help, start by working with a Physical Therapist.
    To learn more about Tai Chi and fall prevention classes check out your local community or senior center, Providence's Free Strong For Life, or     Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL). 
  2. Talk to your health care provider
    Share your worries about falling or if you have fallen. Ask for an evaluation of your fall risk.
  3. Regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist
    Certain drug side effects can increase your risk of falling. Even over the counter drugs, like Benadryl or Tylenol PM have been linked to falls. Take any medication only as prescribed.
  4. Take care of your ears and eyes
    Get your vision and hearing checked every 1-2 years and keep your eyeglass prescription current. Your eyes and ears help keep you balanced.
  5. Keep your home safe
    Now more important than ever, make sure to remove tripping hazards, such as throw rugs; increase lighting; make stairs safe; and install grab bars in key areas. You may qualify for a home safety assessment from an Occupational or Physical Therapist.
  6. Talk to your friends and family members
    Enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe. Falls are not just an issue for seniors.
National Council on Aging

17 Resources for Family Caregivers

Dementia Self-Care Planning for Care Daily Care
Family Caregiver Alliance 

Oregon Care Partners

Oregon Care Partners is a free, high-quality education resource. They help family and professional caregivers build the knowledge and skills needed to improve the quality of life of older adults and people living with Alzheimer’s in Oregon. Connect with them at OregonCarePartners.com

Helpful Links

Alzheimer Support - Wasco County
Getting Your Affairs in Order - National Institute on Aging
Oregon Care Partners
The Circle of Care Guidebook Series
Family Caregiver Alliance
National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center
Caregiver Blog
CAPECO's Area Agency on Aging Department works closely with Oregon's State Unit on Aging and Aging and People with Disabilities.

For more information about these programs, call 855-673-2372.

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) - a resource directory for Oregon families, caregivers and consumers seeking information about long-term supports and services.
855-ORE-ADRC (855-673-2372)
Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse
If you suspect abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an elderly person or and adult with physical disabilities, report abuse or neglect to the Oregon Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services (APS) office in your area - Call 855-503-SAFE (7233).