Solutions for Seniors Elder Care Services

WHO WE ARE The mission of Elder Care Services (ECS) is to improve the quality of life for seniors in Leon and the surrounding counties, allowing them to remain at home with dignity. ECS has provided services to over 12,000 elders and their families for the last 40 years. ECS focuses on providing direct services to those seniors in need, as well as, providing volunteer opportunities to those seniors still wanting to give back to their community. ECS is a designated agency for the United Way of the Big Bend.

WHAT WE DO Information & Referral In-Home Services Nutrition Services Elder Day Stay Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors

INFORMATION & REFERRAL Responding to the inquiries of elder, caregivers, family and hospital discharge planners. Durable Medical Equipment (new or gently used) Wheelchairs, Walkers, Canes, Bedside Commodes, Shower Chairs available upon request. Energy Assistance Program Provides low-income elders with fans or space heaters, as well as, financial assistance for utility bills up to twice a year. Emergency Food Pantry Stocked with non-perishable food items and personal care products to assist seniors who have an unexpected loss of income, or need to make choices between medicine and food.

INFORMATION & REFERRAL Liaison for Community Resources Access to partners like Area Agency on Aging, Medicaid & Food Stamps, ECHO, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, AARP and Tallahassee Senior Center. Elder Call Free telephone check-in program that provides regularly scheduled calls to elders who are in need of someone to touch base with to ensure their well-being and/or to have a friendly conversation. It is NOT a medical alert service or a telemedicine provider.

IN-HOME SERVICES Offering direct care assistance to aid individuals and their caregivers in the home. Care Management Plan Case Managers assess the needs of elder and coordinate appropriate services. In-Home Services Light housekeeping including vacuuming, dusting, dishes, laundry and changing linens. Personal care provided by trained staff to assist disabled or functionally impaired seniors with bathing, dressing and grooming. Alzheimer’s and general Respite Care Workers provide relief to caregivers. Solutions Offering seniors with the financial means, the opportunity to purchase in-home services.

NUTRITION SERVICES Providing nutritious meals to elders in their homes and out in the community. Meals on Wheels Delivery of a hot meal to home-bound individuals, sixty years of age and older, five days a week. The meal helps to meet nutritional requirements, and can accommodate both a low- salt and diabetic diet. Volunteers whom deliver meals also perform safety checks regarding homebound senior. Senior Lunch Bunch Participants gather at a convenient site to eat prepared meals and engage in social activities. Transportation Transportation to meal sites and other related travel can be provided by ECS.

ELDER DAY STAY For seniors who can no longer be left alone due to physical or mental disabilities, Elder Day Stay offers a safe, nurturing environment that respects their dignity and encourages independence. Elder Day Stay provides many educational, recreational, social and intergenerational activities. Licensed Practical Nurse on staff to monitor attendees and for dispensing medication. Breakfast, lunch, and snack provided daily.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS Enabling seniors, 55 years of age and older to aid other elders in the community. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Provides assistance in a variety of settings, matching the interests and skills of volunteers. Opportunities might include answering phones, delivering meals, tutoring students, transportation services, and assisting frail elderly. Foster Grandparent Program Provide guidance in a one-on-one setting in schools and pediatric units. Senior Companion Program Primarily serving frail elderly and persons with disabilities in their home. Volunteers serve 20 hours a week through volunteer stations while promoting independent living for seniors.

Volunteer opportunities for all ages, include: Meals on Wheels Delivery Individuals and organizations can volunteer to delivering MOW routes Monday-Friday beginning at 10:30 AM. For ages 18 or older, or children with adult supervision. Elder Day Stay Assist with activities and special events. Adopt-a-Grandparent Volunteers of all ages help to fill the gaps in services by friendly visits that decrease isolation while performing small tasks like changing a light bulb or picking up groceries. OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Elder Care Services is a non-profit agency with a variety of funding sources and opportunities. Grants Federal, state and local grants for ECS’ Nutritional Programs and stipends for volunteers account for a large part of our funding. Fundraising Events are hosted throughout the year to raise money to increase agency-wide program exposure. Contributions come from both individual and corporate giving, and are 100% tax-deductible. Planned Giving & Endowments In partnership with the Community Foundation of North Florida, ECS offers planned giving options, as well as, endowments. The advantage of a long-term gift is that the principal remains or increases in the trust and a guaranteed 5% transfer from the interest earnings is available to ECS annually. FUNDING

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Contact Information: Elder Care Services, Inc West Tennessee Street Tallahassee, FL (850) or find us on FOR MORE INFORMATION