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AAA promotes well-being of older adults

6 min read
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Since 1985, the mission of Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Inc. has been to promote the well-being of older adults through a planned, coordinated and collaborative program of health and social services.

The Area Agency on Aging provides a comprehensive network of services for older adults residing in Washington, Fayette and Greene counties to help them remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

An affiliate of Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Inc., the Area Agency on Aging is governed by a board of directors comprised of community and business leaders, service participants, retired professionals and advocates.

The SWPA Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council was established to ensure consumers have ongoing and meaningful input into the planning, delivery and evaluation processes. The Advisory Council has subcommittees on long-term care, budget, nutrition issues and special activities. It meets regularly to exchange information, provide feedback on available programs and services, identify gaps in service and recommend enhancements.

The Senior Action Council advises the SWPA Area Agency on Aging on issues and concerns affecting the older minority community. Since its inception, the council has been a significant voice in assuring that the services provided meet the diversified and unique needs of all older minority adults residing in the service area, and it has proven successful in identifying and eliminating many service provisions barriers.

The Agency provides a full range of programs and services. Here is an overview of each of those services:

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

In this June photo, members of Center on the Hill march in the opening ceremony at the Senior Games, co-sponsored by Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging and Aging Services of Washington County.

  • Information and assistance:
  • Provides information, options counseling, receives referrals for aging services and conducts pre-screenings for the agency’s Assessment Unit. Referrals may be made to the Area Agency on Aging Information and Assistance Unit by calling 1-800-734-9603 or by email to referral@swpa-aaa.org.
  • Person-centered counseling:
  • Options counseling is a person-centered decision support process service where consumers, family members or their significant others are supported in helping to determine appropriate choices regarding the consumer’s needs, preferences and values.
  • Assessment:
  • Provides comprehensive, clinical eligibility determination of a consumer’s need for aging services to determine the most appropriate and effective means of meeting those needs.
  • Care management:
  • Coordinates the assessment, planning and delivery of all services to assure as much independence as possible within the community.
  • Community HealthChoices waiver:
  • Provides intensive in-home services for consumers found to be clinically and financially eligible for nursing home care, but who prefer to be cared for at home.
  • Nursing home transition:
  • Designed to assist residents of nursing facilities to return to the community if they choose to do so. Once they are back home, the AAA staff provides the necessary services and supports to help them maintain a healthy and productive life.
  • In-home services:
  • Provides periodic assistance with bathing, grooming and minor house maintenance choirs.
  • Caregiver support program:
  • Provides assistance to primary caregivers who care for older persons and assists older caregivers caring for younger relatives.
  • Domiciliary care:
  • Provides supervised alternative group home living arrangements for those unable to live alone due to physical or mental impairment.
  • Adult day care:
  • Provides group activities in a supportive environment for functionally challenged older adults.
  • Legal assistance:
  • Provides professional consultation and representation on various legal matters.
  • Older adult protective services:
  • Provides resources and supports to prevent, detect and reduce or eliminate abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults.
  • Ombudsman:
  • Investigates and resolves complaints made by, or on behalf of, older adults living in long-term care facilities or receiving long-term care services in their homes.
  • APPRISE (health insurance counseling):
  • Volunteer counselors help Medicare beneficiaries understand Medicare statements, assist in submitting claims or filing appeals and comparing policies.
  • Senior
  • employment:
  • Provides part- and full-time employment opportunities for those 55 years or age or older.
  • Health and wellness:
  • Provides disease prevention and health promotion services at senior centers, senior housing and other sites.
  • Senior Centers:
  • Operates 24 senior centers and 15 satellite centers, providing a hot and nutritious meal, recreation, socialization, education and volunteer opportunities.
  • In-home meals:
  • Provides meals to those assessed as having difficulty with preparing nutritious meals.
  • ”Senior Times” newspaper:
  • A monthly newspaper containing articles, schedules of events, senior center activities, and other news for older adults.

For more information on or assistance with any of the SWPA Area Agency on Aging programs, call 1-800-734-9603. For a more comprehensive view of SWPA Area Agency on Aging Inc., go to www.swpa-aaa.org.

Where: Washington Crown Center, 1500 W. Chestnut St.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20

What: Approximately 150 local, state and federal agencies, as well as businesses, all of which provide a range of programs and services for individuals 55 and over in mind.

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