Miss. Code. tit. 18, pt. 2, ch. 1, 18-2-1-IX, att. 18-2-1-IX-K
Adult Day Care
This program provides exercise, therapeutic, socialization, and recreational activities along with hot nutritious meals to meet the specialized needs of the chronically ill, Alzheimer's patient, frail elderly, or functionally impaired participant. Many of the AAAs support the operation of Adult Day Care Centers.
Adult Protective Services
The DAAS will fill six (6) vacant APS family protection worker positions, and one APS supervisor position with state funding, to add to the state's current twelve front line workers and two (2) supervisors. The new protection workers will be stationed in local offices to investigate reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation. The DAAS contract with Social Work p.r.n. will end August 15, 2010. The department's centralized intake unit, which became operational effective November 1, 2009, will continue to take vulnerable adult abuse, neglect and exploitation reports and forward the reports electronically to the appropriate APS supervisor for further handling. Information and public education will be produced in collaboration with the APS program and the Area Agencies on Aging. Participation in outreach and training opportunities will be afforded to APS professionals, law-enforcement, public safety, the Attorney General's Office and other appropriate agencies and organization, as well as vulnerable adults and caregivers. APS staff will make referrals and collaborate with agency stakeholders and other identified partners to facilitate convictions of crimes perpetrated against vulnerable adults. Intake reports and the investigation findings will be tracked electronically through the Mississippi Automatic Child Welfare Information System (MACWIS) and complied via calendar, state, and federal fiscal years for legislative review. The APS program will continue to be a regional-based operation, with the DAAS having administrative oversight. With the passage of the Elder Justice Act (EJA) in March 2010, federal funding was authorized for all states' APS programs, effective FFY 2011. Contingent upon the receipt of federal appropriations, DAAS/APS will hire additional frontline protection workers, supervisors, and clerical support staff at the regional level to be housed in county offices, state office staff to manage the fiscal and budgetary duties, training and technical support, and provide staff training to better serve vulnerable adult victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Aging and Disability Resource Center
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) grant program will stimulate the development of state systems that combine information and referral, benefits and options counseling services, as well as easing access to publicly and privately financed long term care services and benefits. The goal of the ADRC program is to empower older adults and adults with disabilities to make informed choices and to streamline access to long term support. DAAS is partnering with Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging (CMAAA) to develop the first ADRC pilot site in the state of Mississippi. The ADRC project will be highly visible and a single point of entry for access to public long term support programs and benefits. The project will assist individuals with current long term support needs and planning for future long term care needs. A single information and referral access coordinated system will enhance an individual's choice and support informed decision making. The pilot project in Central Mississippi AAA will expand to include statewide coverage.
Case Management
Case management promotes independence and brokers, coordinates, and monitors services to provide continuity of care for the frail elderly. Case managers identify the needs of frail elderly adults through a comprehensive assessment followed by the development of a care plan, with the input of family members. Guided by the care plan, appropriate services are delivered and monitored to ensure proper care. The service is available statewide. Case management services are supplemented through the Elderly and Disabled system funded by the state Medicaid agency. The Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Case Management system is legislatively linked to the Planning and Development Districts. In four AAAs the Medicaid Elderly and Disabled case management reports to the AAA Director. In six, the AAA is not involved with the Medicaid case management project.
Chore Maintenance or Household Repair
Many older Mississippians are unable to perform various tasks in and around their homes to keep them safe and comfortable. Chore maintenance workers perform household tasks, seasonal or heavy cleaning, lifting or moving furniture/appliances or other heavy household objects, and other essential tasks such as raking or mowing yards. Simple household repairs that do not require special tools, materials, skilled workmen or contractors are done for elders who are unable to perform the tasks in their homes due to impairment, frailty or disability. This service is provided by AAAs statewide as funds and programs are available.
Chronic Disease Self Management Program
The Mississippi CDSMP intervention provides a six-week course called "Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions" for an estimated 700 to 1,000 seniors sixty years or older who have at least one chronic disease. Participants learn how to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives through participation in this highly interactive evidence-based program facilitated by trained community lay and professional people who have chronic disease themselves.
Older Adult Nutrition Program
Adequate nutrition is essential in maintaining everyone=s overall health and it is a primary component in keeping older persons from premature institutionalization. The State=s Elderly Nutrition Program contributes to the basic health needs of seniors by providing one meal a day five days per week with each meal containing one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). The congregate and home-delivered meals are provided by a statewide food service vendor at a moderate cost.
Congregate Meals are well-balanced meals provided in a group setting in a centralized location five days a week, except for designated holidays or emergencies when the site may be closed. In addition to a healthful meal, participants receive the social benefit of peer contact, directed activities tailored to their needs/desires, and scheduled nutrition education.
Home-Delivered Meals are well-balanced meals provided to eligible homebound older persons in all eighty-two counties five days a week, including designated holidays and emergencies when congregate sites are closed. Participants enjoy a measure of socialization from their delivery person(s) and receive printed nutrition education material as scheduled and distributed by the AAA/service provider.
Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Prevention
Sometimes physical or mental impairments or lack of family support leave older persons at-risk of abuse or exploitation or of harming themselves through their own actions or self neglect. Each AAA sponsors an abuse awareness program which includes public education, outreach, reporting, and receiving complaints and referrals, and recognition of signs of elder abuse. The DAAS and AAAs coordinate efforts in Elder Abuse Prevention to implement the mandates in Title VII.
Emergency Response System
This technology is designed for the elderly and families who have concerns about an older person being alone in the event of a fall or other type of emergency. A personal Emergency Response System is installed in the home of the frail, elderly client for 24 hour use to signal for help. A small radio device transmits a code signal or message over existing telephone lines to a control station such at the local hospital or police station which has the elderly person's name, address, phone number, and emergency contact on file. Assistance is sent to the older person's home if he/she does not immediately respond to a phone call. Emergency response devices may be worn around the neck or wrist and can be activated in emergencies. This service is available in several AAAs.
Emergency Services
Accepting assistance is difficult for many older persons who are reluctant to rely on agencies and resources for a helping hand. Emergency services provide social, financial, and supportive assistance to help elderly individuals through a crisis such as a life-threatening or unexpected emergency situation which demands or requires immediate action or intervention. Emergency services can be temporary, short-term, or extended assistance designed to satisfy the unmet needs of elderly individuals. Emergency services can include food, clothing, medical supplies, equipment, and other items needed in a crisis situation. Emergency services are available throughout the ten PSAs.
Family Caregiver Assistance
The Family Caregiver Support Program is the only program that provides services to the caregiver. The caregiver is any individual caring for a person 60 years or older, or a grandparent or other relative caregiver, 60 years or older, caring for a child 18 years or younger. The services provided include: information about available services, assistance in gaining access to services, individual counseling, organization of support groups, caregiver training to assist the caregiver in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles; respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from caregiving responsibilities, and supplemental services, on a limited basis to complement the care provided by caregivers. An assortment of Family Caregiver services are provided by the AAAs.
Homemaker
This program gives elderly adults the option of having homemakers perform the housekeeping tasks they can no longer do or need assistance in doing. Homemaker services are available to help older people who need assistance with daily living tasks such as cooking, cleaning, mending, grocery shopping, doing laundry, providing safety and consumer education, bathing, dressing, and assisting with oral hygiene assistance. The amount of time spent in the home depends on the needs of the older adult and the availability of the homemaker service. This service is provided at no cost to the older person, although voluntary contributions are solicited to help expand the availability of the service. Homemaker services are available in all PSAs.
Information and Referral/Assistance
Information and referral/assistance is the entry point into the aging service delivery system for a majority of older Mississippians. This service is critical to elderly individuals and their caregivers in obtaining information and contributes towards maintaining older people in their communities by linking them with needed services. Closely linked to the Aging and Disability Resource Center concept, Information and Referral helps underserved individuals link to needed services and provides follow-up mechanisms to record that help was rendered and needs were met. A statewide toll-free telephone system enhances access to information.
A well-implemented information and referral/assistance system makes older people aware of services and opportunities, furnishes facts about the agencies and organizations which provide services, and identifies the services available to them. Additionally, a well-implemented information and referral/ assistance system assists individuals who cannot make their own contacts with service providers, who are unable to negotiate the receipt of services on their own, or who are unable to determine the best resource needed to address their problem. Every AAA has electronic information and referral/assistance services, thus every older Mississippian has access to information regarding local services.
Legal Assistance
Seniors may need specialized legal assistance regarding benefits which include Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, or related issues. The State Unit assists and works closely with the AAAs to reach out to elderly Mississippians and help them resolve their special legal needs. In addition to the legal services program providers, the DAAS encourages private practicing lawyers to finance and provide legal services and consultation to seniors. This program provides or secures legal assistance to ensure the rights and entitlements of older persons. The senior who needs assistance can contact a legal assistance program through their AAA by means of a phone call. There is no charge to seniors to whom services are provided. Title VII mandates are considered under legal assistance planning and funded through the IFF.
Mississippi State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP)
The Mississippi Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP) is funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and managed by DAAS' SHIP Coordinator through the AAAs. A system of volunteers guided by the designated AAA SHIP Coordinator provides counseling and information on Medicare and Medicaid for an individual needing assistance or having questions about health care coverage. The SHIP is the service leading implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act, including enrollment in new Medicare prescription medication programs. SHIP services are available at the state level and in each AAA.
Mississippi Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
The Mississippi Senior Medicare Patrol promotes the reduction of fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid through a system of trained volunteers who assist seniors to identify and report billing problems/errors. SMP is active statewide via subgrants to Central MS AAA (assisting the state office to serve 26 counties), Three Rivers AAA (serving 41 counties) and the Southern Mississippi AAA (serving 15 counties).
Ombudsman
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program's (LTCOP) mission is to seek resolution of problems and advocate for the rights of residents of long-term care facilities with the goal of enhancing the quality of life and care of residents. The LTCOP serves residents of licensed nursing homes, personal care homes, and assisted living facilities by investigating and working to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents.
Ombudsmen regularly visit long-term care facilities to be assessable to residents and monitor conditions. In addition, Ombudsmen provide education regarding long-term care issues, identify care concerns of residents, and advocate for needed change.
The Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman operates within the MDHS DAAS. Ombudsmen services are subgranted to AAAs to provide a full-time certified ombudsman responsible for program components. Title VII Ombudsman Program mandates are coordinated in the Ombudsman program by DAAS.
Outreach
Outreach involves seeking out people who need or may need a service and helping them obtain it. Many elderly have no knowledge of the resources or services available to them. After they are informed of the services, it is often difficult to get older persons to take advantage of available services. Outreach activities ensure that services are accessible in the PSA.
Program Development and Coordination
Program development and coordination activities of the AAAs relate to either the establishment of a new service(s), or the improvement, expansion, or integration of an existing service(s). The two major characteristics of program development and coordination activities are that they must be intended to achieve a specific service(s), goal(s), or objective(s) in the Area Plan and they must occur during a specifically defined and limited period of time rather than being cyclical or ongoing.
Program development/coordination activities can involve any number of administrative tasks, that include: identifying problems in the community; handling problems between agencies; overseeing the development of new services; obtaining funding for the program; maintaining liaison with the agencies involved; monitoring services for quality improvement; and recommending changes in services, policies, and procedures as needed.
Recreation
This service includes activities and events like sports, games (physical or mental activities), field trips, physical fitness, and other social activities in which an elderly person participates or attends as a spectator during his/her leisure time.
The State's mild climate, with an average temperature of 63 degrees and yearly rainfall of about 50 inches, facilitates outdoor recreation year-round. Mississippi has 17 state parks offering boating, camping, fishing, nature trails, and recreational facilities. Historic sites and arts and crafts shows and festivals, featuring everything from blues to watermelons, offer additional opportunities for Mississippians to relax and have fun. Fresh and salt water fishing provides another form of recreation, as does hunting small game, deer, and wild turkey. Persons age 65 and older may obtain a free hunting and fishing license from their Circuit Clerk's Office.
In order to assure opportunities for participation, most AAAs co-sponsor the Mississippi Senior Olympics, a statewide athletic event designed for this age group.
Residential Repair/Minor Home Modification
Minor modification and repair of elderly individuals' homes facilitate the ability of older persons to remain in their homes. Home maintenance services are available in a limited number of PSAs.
Residential Repair includes physical maintenance, replacing or reconstructing a dwelling owned by an older individual who is unable to perform the needed work. Repairs or renovations of a dwelling must be essential for the health and safety of the elderly occupant, such as repairing a roof.
Minor Home Modification includes alterations or improvements of a dwelling to make it more accessible and usable by physically disabled and frail older individuals. This involves adaptations to the interior of the dwelling by constructing grab-bars or rails to make it easier and safer to carry out activities such as bathing, cooking, walking and opening doors.
Respite
Caring for a frail person can be a highly stressful situation. As more family members and friends are keeping their frail loved ones at home, there is a critical need for time away from the situation for the caregiver. This service is designed to give primary caregivers a break from their regular care responsibilities. The time off can vary from a few hours to a week, enabling families to pursue other activities or even take a vacation. Family caregivers may also hire someone privately to provide respite care. Respite care provides much needed time off for the primary caregiver, thereby reducing stress, the risk of elder abuse, and burnout. This service is available statewide.
Senior Center
A Senior Center is a community focal point where older persons come together for services and activities that enhance socialization, support their independence, and encourage their involvement in and with the community. As part of a comprehensive community strategy to meet the needs of older persons, Senior Center programs take place within a facility. These programs consist of a variety of services and activities in such areas as education, creative arts, recreation, advocacy, leadership development, employment, health, nutrition, social work, and other supportive services. The Center also serves as a community resource for information on aging services, for training professional and lay leadership, and for developing new approaches to aging programs. Senior centers facilitate access to other services such as transportation, health and counseling, and sometimes meals and legal assistance.
Senior Centers serve communities as a social and recreational congregating place and a source of health and social service assistance. Senior Centers will become important "safe havens" for seniors during emergency situations. These Centers are located statewide.
Senior Community Services Employment Program (Title V)
Adults age 55 and older are working throughout the state through assistance from the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The program identifies employment opportunities for older persons whose incomes place them at or below the federal poverty level and who are unemployed, underemployed, or have difficulty finding a job. Adults in the program generally work an average of 20 hours a week, receiving at least minimum wage.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program, also known as the Title V program, provides low-income seniors a variety of job-supported services to help them enter or re-enter the job market. These include an annual physical examination, personal and job-related counseling, transportation, on the job training, and job referral. The Title V program promotes part-time community employment for low-income persons age 55 and older and assists in their transition to unsubsidized employment. Title V is available statewide.
Senior Discount
Adults age sixty and older are increasing their buying power through senior discount programs. The discount program encourages businesses and professionals to provide discounts on products and services purchased by senior consumers. AAAs may issue a directory of participating senior discount businesses. The discount program is available throughout the state.
Special Needs
There are times when Medicare does not cover the cost of needed medical supplies or equipment, the food stamps are not enough to last through the month, and meals are not delivered on weekends. In these times, the older person is faced with the dilemma of finding help for their special needs. Special Needs are necessities, demands, or wants desired by the older persons due to deprivation, poverty, cultural or social isolation, disabilities, or factors that threaten the elderly individual's capacity to live independently.
The purpose of Special Needs services is to:
- Improve the quality of life and care of elderly citizens;
- Prolong independence of elderly citizens;
- Prevent premature institutionalization; and,
- Provide intervention and assistance to the older person whose resources are not readily available, who cannot afford to pay, and whose need for help threatens independent living.
Telephone Reassurance
Telephone reassurance is an organized system of calling homebound elderly clients who have telephones, who live alone or are temporarily alone; who live in remote areas, or who are incapacitated. This service is usually staffed by volunteers who make phone calls to homebound or at-risk older people once a day to offer reassurance and support. In general, the service is provided by hospitals, senior centers, churches, and social service agencies. The TRIAD program has begun to provide telephone reassurance as an option of service in some AAAs.
The purpose of telephone reassurance is to alleviate loneliness and the feeling of isolation; to check on and determine the person=s health status, safety and well-being; and to determine the person=s need for emergency assistance. Telephone reassurance is available in a limited number of PSAs.
Transportation
Continued independence of older adults in the state is facilitated by transportation services offered in their communities. Nearly 300 vehicles-from vans to mini-buses-take older adults to dental and medical appointments, shopping areas, senior centers, recreational areas, food stamp offices, social security offices, and/or educational facilities.
Transportation is provided by local, civic or community groups or AAAs in coordination with programs funded by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. This program secures or provides transportation to older persons so they can access other essential services. Seniors may call their AAA to investigate the availability of different types of transportation in their community. AAAs coordinate with Medicaid for travel alternatives for eligible elders. Transportation is available in all the PSAs.
Special Programs
In addition to the many services funded through Title III Older Americans Act and other sources, the DAAS offers several specialized programs such as:
Senior Olympics
The Golden Games, Mississippi Senior Olympics, is a quality recreation experience for adults age 55 and over, and its purpose is to promote excellence and healthy lifestyles. The goals of the annual event are to educate the citizens of Mississippi of the importance and potential of experiencing good health throughout their lifetime; to provide quality, competitive athletic experiences for older adults; to improve the quantity and quality of health-related programs for older adults; to provide an opportunity for community organizations to work cooperatively in the provision of senior games; to establish a year-round educational program on health and wellness for older adults through clinics, workshops, written materials and supportive resources; and to establish a statewide network of local and state level senior games programs.
Jackson County Senior Companion Program
This program promotes the use of volunteers as companions to seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living. Through this grant older persons have assistance getting to the doctor's appointments, bill paying and daily home management tasks.
Volunteer Services
Volunteers have been an integral part of the aging service delivery system in Mississippi for many years. The Aging Network relies on volunteers to provide services that would not be available to seniors through other sources because of limited funding. Volunteers enhance the Aging Network's ability to serve as many elderly citizens as possible. Volunteer services available to seniors in the state include:
| Congregate Meals Service | Home-Delivered Meals Delivery |
| Friendly Visitor | Senior Center Activity Leadership |
| Telephone Assurance | Escort |
| Reading and Writing | Shopping Assistance |
| Senior Companion | Insurance Counseling |
| Visit Long-Term Care Facilities | Fraud and Abuse |
| Assist at Senior Events | Access to Benefits Coalition |
| SenioRxMS-Prescription Medication Support |
Additionally, the DAAS coordinates volunteer services through various volunteer agencies such as ACTION, RSVP, Foster Grandparents, Telephone Pioneers, AARP, Faith-based organizations, and others.
SeniorRx MS
In 2004 the Mississippi Legislature mandated the creation of a prescription medication program for seniors and indigents who have difficulty affording medications. The service that helps seniors unable to afford medications identify and locate free and deeply discounted drugs available from the manufacturer. The web-based service is available from any computer and adds to the resources available to the public, AAA staff, State Health Insurance Counselors, Case Managers, Access to Benefits Coalition Members, and other professionals in the Aging Network. A partnership with the national Prescription Assistance Program NOW provides a toll free access number to the SenioRxMS resource system. Annual reports to the Mississippi Legislature indicate considerable savings to low-income senior and indigent Mississippians. Every AAA participates in the program.
Americor Vista
In 2006, the DAAS applied for and received a grant from the National Corporation for Community Service to help restore services available through the AAA for seniors in areas affected by the nation's largest national disaster. The AmericorVista project will provide "volunteers" for special projects designed to help seniors in dire need to receive benefits due, understand Medicare changes, recover from the affects of major life disruption, seek alternative housing, and rebuild lifestyles.
Miss. Code. tit. 18, pt. 2, ch. 1, 18-2-1-IX, att. 18-2-1-IX-K