Types Of Services Available For Children, Adults, And Elderly
By: Gail R Mitchell

Whether you are caring for a child, a spouse or a parent, each 
will have very definite needs, which will need to be met. It is 
best to begin familiarizing yourself with the various forms of 
services that are available. Most individuals responsible for the 
care of another would prefer to keep them at home if they are 
a child or spouse, and a parent living comfortably in their own 
home and surroundings.

There is a broad range of care choices that permit you to keep 
your loved one at home, even if they are saddled with physical, 
mental or emotional limitations. Home care covers the range of 
supplying transportation to and from doctors, preparation of 
meals all the way to caring for those who are disabled, elderly 
and frail.

Assistance With Daily Living:

Nannies

Companion- A personal care attendant provides 
assistance with meal preparation, shopping, supervision, light 
housekeeping and companionship. Generally speaking, they do 
not provide any personal care such as bathing, dressing and 
grooming, and no medical care is administered.

Housekeepers- can provide assistance with meal 
preparation, shopping and transportation. No personal or medical 
care is given.

Home Maintenance, Repair And Chore Services
Community volunteers perform minor home repairs inside and out. 
Their job chores may include raking leaves, winterizing the home, 
mowing lawns, installing special handrails or guards, and removing 
snow. There usually are fees for major repairs and cosmetic 
renovations.

Emergency Response Systems- Electronic monitors 
which can be worn by an individual or placed in the home to 
provide an automatic response to medical or other emergencies.

Health Care Services:

Home Health Aide or Personal Care Attendant-Provides 
personal care such as bathing, dressing, grooming and feeding. 
This may also include light housekeeping services, the 
administration of medications and other light duties. 
Government and charities may offer these services for free 
or on a sliding scale or you can hire one through a health 
care agency.

Nursing Assistance, Occupational or Physical Therapy-
Licensed personal that may be provided by insurance if the 
patient's doctor prescribes their need or they can be hired 
on your own.

Hospice-Supportive medical and social programs for 
terminally ill patients, usually diagnosed with six months or 
less to live. Volunteers and support are provided for members 
of the patient's immediate family at home.

Community Involvement:

Case Management-Care Managers

Home maintenance, housekeeping, chores and services

Telephone reassurance- Volunteers will make daily 
phone calls to an elderly person living alone to provide contact 
and checkup on their well-being. Programs may be set up to 
remind them to take their medications, etc.

Friendly Visitors- Volunteers from civic organizations, 
church, senior center, or service organization will come and spend 
time with the individual. They may read, play cards, bring a video 
to watch, take them for a walk or whatever is needed. They are 
their to socially connect with the individual as well as offer 
support and monitor their well being.

Senior Centers- The centers act as a social gathering 
and networking place for seniors who are able to function on an 
independent basis. Social, cultural and recreational activities 
are usually offered. These may also include day trips, matinees 
at the theater, communal meals, health screenings, volunteer 
opportunities and even legal and financial services. Generally 
speaking services are free or available at a low nominal fee 
to all participants.

Childcare Centers- Centers with professional staffing 
to care for your children while you are at work or caring for a loved 
one. There are special centers for children with special needs as well.

Adult Day Centers-Community programs offering meals 
and structured activities. Transportation may or may not be provided 
as with health services. Most programs operate only during the 
week. Depending on the area you are in, attendance can be full 
or part time and there may be a wait list. They usually provide 
social and health care services for those who have special needs. 
Hospitals, private organizations, local governments, nursing homes 
and often religious groups offer these types of programs.           

Transportation-Some cities and communities provide 
special transportation for seniors and children. Volunteers may drive 
their own cars and assist in transporting them to doctors, 
treatments, supermarkets, senior centers, childcare centers, 
etc. Other services might be van pickups, sponsored by the City. 
One such example is “Access-A-Ride.” If the program is funded it 
may be offered free or for a small, nominal fee.

Meals- There are two types of programs available. 
Volunteers in programs such as “Meals on Wheels” can deliver 
meals. Upon delivery of the meal, the volunteer will also check 
on the well being of the recipient. The second form is communal 
or group meals for the elderly, usually served at a senior center. 
Recreational activities may be supplied as well. Depending on 
the situation the programs may be free or there may be a small 
nominal fee.

Legal And Consumer: Attorneys, ombudsmen, elderly 
abuse, child abuse

Financial Assistance: Paying bills, balancing checkbooks, 
submitting insurance forms, tax preparation

Medical Assistance, Sliding Fees, Subsidized Programs

Housing Options:

Rehabilitation Facilities- Facilities for short-term stays 
helping a patient to recover from an illness or accident where they 
receive treatment until they are ready to return home.

Senior Apartment Living- This type of living is usually 
government subsidized and adjustable accordingly to the senior's 
income. They usually are conveniently located to shopping and 
transportation. They may also serve meals

SHARED HOUSING-Elderly people who live together. Each 
has their own room and they share the common areas. 

Adult Foster Care-This method of care is starting to 
grow in different parts of the nation. A family provides custodial 
care to an elderly person or more than one person in exchange 
for a predetermined fee.

MOVING IN WITH A CHILD OR RELATIVE

Assisted Living- These are usually individual living units 
in senior housing situations. A kitchenette may be available; however, 
usually meals are served in a dining room with other members of 
the facility. Activities are provided throughout the day. A 24-hour 
staff is present. Nursing and housekeeping fees are usually 
provided for an additional fee.

Long-Term Care Facilities: 
Nursing Homes

Hospice- Supportive medical and social programs for 
terminally ill patients, usually diagnosed with six months or less to 
live. Volunteers and support are provided for members of the 
patient's immediate family at a Hospice facility.

Support for Caregivers:

Respite- Services provided to assist and relieve the 
caregiver from their role for a few hours to a week or more. Care 
may be provided at home or in a long-term care facility.

Support

Links corresponding to this article are:


American Self-Help Clearinghouse

Careguide.com - database of housing, etc.

Directory Of Aging Web Site Directories

Elderweb - ElderCare Sourcebook

HealthCare Financing Administration (HCFA)

Hospice Foundation Of America

National Association of Geriatric Care Managers

National Association Of Home Care

National Meals on Wheels Foundation - 1-800-999-6262

National Respite Locator Service

NCOA Aging And Advocacy Links

NCOA Addresses Vital Aging Issues

Nursing Home Care
The Health Care Financing Administration publishes a 
free booklet called “How To Select A Nursing Home” - Write 
to HCFA Publications Dept., 7500 Security Blvd., 
Room N1-26-25, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.


RosePlace.com

SeniorCitizens.com

Senior Housing Net
Click on logo links on this page


SeniorNet

State Index Aging Agencies and Programs

THE ELDERCARE LOCATOR - A wayy to find community services for Seniors.

The Wellspouse Foundation



To find out more about all of the services mentioned in 
this section and other options as well, order “Staying 
at Home: A guide to Long-Term Care & Housing” (D14986) 
from AARP Fulfillment, 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049.


We look forward to the opportunity of serving you. We 
welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions. Please 
feel free to contact us at: mailto:boomersint@aol.com or 
mailto:grm4love@care-givers.com







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