COUNCIL ON AGING OF VOLUSIA COUNTY INC

Programs: Older americans act - under older americans act legislation, us residents over 60 years of age are eligible for services with priority given to the people with the most economic and social need. These services include congregate and home delivered meals, nutrition education, homemaker, personal care, material aid, transportation, in-home and in-facility respite, care giver training and support, information, referral, outreach, education and counseling. Community care for the elderly - the state of florida general revenue program provides in-home services for clients 60 and over who have been assessed functionally impaired by trained case managers. This program includes follow-up visits and provides links to other community services. The services include case management,homemaker, personal care, respite, adult day care, meals, emergency alert response, medical transportation, material aid and pest control. Medicare waiver project - this state funded program assists the most frail and financially challenged elders over the age of 65. Transferring appropriate clients to this program opens slots in the other grants, maximizing services available to the elders in volusia county. Services include case management, homemaker, personal care, respite, adult day care, meals, emergency alert response, material aid, pest control and medical transportation. Alzheimer's disease initiative - the state funded program provides respite care services, including in-home services, for the victims of alzheimer's disease and provides training for care givers of these victims. Home care for the elderly - the goal of the hce program is to encourage the provision of care for elders in family-type living arrangements in private homes as an alternative to institutional care. The program encourages care givers to provide, on a not-for-profit basis, basic support and maintenance as well as assistance in arranging specialized services for elderly relatives or non-relatives. Case management and subsidy payments are available to qualified care givers and/or vendors on behalf of eligible clients. Community care for disabled adults - this state of florida program, administered by the department of children and families, provides home-delivered meals and in home services to clients aged 18-59 with physical, mental, or other disabilities. Emergency home energy assistance program - this federally funded program provides assistance for low income elderly persons who are in danger of having their utilities turned off due to nonpayment. Fan purchases and airconditioner repair are part of the summer program and blanket and space heater purchases are part of the winter program.

public guardianship program - the council on aging is the public guardian for volusia county caring for the most indigent individuals as determined by the court to be unable to manage their own affairs. Guardianship may be for the person, or their property, or both. The council also acts as a professional guardian expanding the program to those that do not qualify under the public program.

senior centers - the council operates and maintains five full-time senior centers throuhout volusia county. Programs are focused on the areas of health, education, and recreation. Allotments from volusia county cities, contributions from the public and participants, membership dues and program fees offset the costs of operating the centers.

other community programs for the elderly and needy: caregiver respite - in the year 2003 the council developed a caregiver respite program, with initial funding provided by hospice of volusia/flagler. The program has grown to ten centers around the county, utilizing local church facilities and volunteers along with council staff. Each center operates one day per week, and provides eligible "carees" with a secure and stimulating environment while their caregivers are given time for well deserved relief. Caregivers also have the opportunity to participate in various educational and counseling programs to help them better cope with the demands of twenty-four hour seven day care. Private pay programs - this program provides for home-delivered meals and in-home services to clients that do not qualify for programs administered through a state or federal program.