Jefferson County Offers Many Senior Citizens Services

The Office of Senior Citizens Services has a leadership role in determining the needs of the elderly, especially the economically and socially deprived. Duties of the Agency are to plan, coordinate, develop new programs and serve as an advocate for older citizens. While it is the Office of Senior Citizens Services' goal to provide services to fill unmet needs, it is also the Agency's goal to help older persons to maintain the highest level of independence.

The Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services (OSCS) offers the following services:

Alabama Cares of Jefferson County is a program designed to support family caregivers by providing training, assistance and resources to help them take care of their aging loved ones and themselves. Caregivers receive respite through homemaker and personal care and adult health care.

Alzheimer's Caregiver Education Support Program (ACES) The program provides for training, public education and community based support services for individuals with Alzheimer's and their care-givers.

Adult Day Health Care is designed for people who can no longer be left alone because of dementia or medical disabilities. This service also offers respite for caregivers by providing a place to leave family members in a structured, supervised environment

Congregate Meals In Senior Garden Centers throughout Jefferson County offer a nutritious noontime meal and an array of activities including arts and crafts, informative speakers, ceramics, art, and physical fitness classes, recreational activities, shopping trips and other outings.

Employment opportunities are available through the Senior AIDES Program This job-training is designed for people aged 55 and older who meet certain income requirements.

Gabriel Program assists individuals with managing their Social Security, SSI checks as well as other income.

Home Fix-It assists senior citizens with heavy chores, yard work or minor home repairs.

Homemaker Services provides light housekeeping, grocery shopping and light meal preparation.

Geriatric Care Management Services help seniors get the services they need. Soda! workers are trained to access situation, identify available services and quickly match them to individuals needs.

Information and Assistance on all kinds of age-related topics is available through OSCS The agency is an information and resource clearinghouse

Intergenerational Program
is a service-learning program to foster positive images of older people to school age children by involving both groups in various activities.

Legal Services are available for people who are 60 years of age and older and are economically disadvantaged.

Medicaid Waiver Services provide Supplemental Security income (SSI)
recipient's in-home services if they meet the medical eligibility for nursing home placement

Ombudsman Program serves as an advocate for people residing in long-term care facilities. Services can include the investigation of complaints in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and boarding homes. They also can include mediation and in-service training for staff/employee in these facilities.

Personal Care Service assists individuals who need help with personal care and grooming.

Recreation Services such as ceramics, art, and Elder-dance classes are available. A senior citizen theater group is also available for those interested in theater production and/or reading.

SENIORx is prescription drug assistance for qualified low income senior citizens. SENIORx Partnership for Medication Access can be reached at 1-800-AGE-LINE and (205) 325-1416.

Volunteerism opportunities are available for individuals willing to help by delivering meals to shut-in senior citizens, making home visits, making reassuring telephone calls and other duties that will help senior citizens remain in their homes.

If you are interested in any of the above services, please call 325-1416 and ask for information and referral. You will then be referred to the appropriate services.