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SERVING OUR SENIORS IN NORTHEAST TEXAS Note: Regional Elder Abuse and Advocacy Caregiver Training (REACT) Conference is scheduled July 15-16, 2010, at Texarkana College. For additional information, please call Area Agency on Aging at 903/832-8636 or click here for e-mail correspondence.
With additional monies from federal, state, local and private foundation sources, ATCOG and Area Agency on Aging provide approximately 50,000 residents in the Northeast Texas counties a range of quality services. A 16-member Regional Advisory Council assists ATCOG in developing and reviewing local needs and programs with the cooperation of agencies in each county to maximize available services and resources for our area. The Area Agency on Aging provides the following Direct Services: Nursing Home Ombudsman INDIVIDUAL RESOURCES OFFERED BY COUNTY BOWIE CASS DELTA FRANKLIN HOPKINS LAMAR MORRIS RED RIVER TITUS
~ AAA offers non-emergency assistance ~ ====================================== Additional Resources
An Ombudsman is a specially trained and certified volunteer or professional who advocates for quality care in Texas nursing facilities. Volunteers are supervised by a professional staff Ombudsman who is part of the regional aging services network supported by the Texas Department of Aging. State and federal laws authorize the Ombudsman program. An Ombudsman seeks to: An Ombudsman is a Resource Residents and family should try to resolve problems and differences with the facility whenever possible. When this is not possible, or when residents or family are unsure, a local Ombudsman should be called at 1-800-372-4464. The Ombudsman volunteer or regional staff Ombudsman will assess the concerns and recommend possible courses of action. Often, the Ombudsman can resolve the problem; or when it involves serious abuse or neglect, the complaint is referred to another appropriate agency. In all situations, the complaint is handled confidentially and information is not released without permission of the resident or legal guardian. The Ombudsman is also a good source of information about selecting a long-term facility, eligibility criteria and other services for the elderly. The admission packet has a list of residents' rights. Additional information about residents' rights is available through the regional Ombudsman program. VOLUNTEER!
~ We are looking for YOU ~ The Texas Ombudsman Program is looking for a few good men and women to join our advocacy team. All residents have the right to access caring individuals who are trained and certified as Ombudsmen. The more certified Ombudsmen, the greater the number of residents who will have trusted allies working for them. Local Ombudsmen select, train and supervise volunteers. After exchanging information about your interests and their needs, an orientation to the program may be offered. Before certification by the State Office, individuals participate in a 3-month internship and receive 36 hours of initial training. To be effective, a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education on advocacy skills and other relevant topics is provided annually. Staff provide ongoing support to volunteers as they become helpful, trusted friends of residents. What qualifications do you need to have?
CONTACT US TODAY! **All information on nursing facility complainants and/or residents that is obtained in the course of Ombudsman duties will be treated as confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside the Ombudsman program without consent. Violation of confidentiality procedures will be grounds for dismissal from the program. The complainant and/or resident of a long-term care facility have the right to remain anonymous throughout the complaint investigation.
The Benefits Counseling program is made up of Legal Assistance Services and Legal Awareness. Legal Assistance Services provide information to individuals and groups on understanding the legal rights of Texans aged 60. Legal Awareness is the dissemination of accurate, timely and relevant information, eligibility criteria, requirements and procedures to older Texans about public entitlements, health/long-term care, individual rights, planning/protection options and housing and consumer issues. What is the Care Coordination program?
The Care Coordination program provides information and assistance along with a package of support services. It is funded by the Texas Department on Aging & Disability Services, administered by the Ark-Tex Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging, and is mandated by the Older Americans Act of 1965. The Care Coordination program is designed to help elderly persons remain at home despite limited self-care capacities, through provision of short-term support services. The Care Coordination provides services in Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River and Titus Counties. Who does the Care Coordination program serve? Persons age 60 or older and/or their spouses who:
Each individual is responsible to contribute back to the program to help defray the cost and extend the service to others. These services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Who can refer individuals to the Care Coordination program? Physicians, hospital discharge planners, social workers, caregivers or any concerned person can refer individuals to the Care Coordination program. The Care Coordination program works closely with TDHS, Hospice, Adult Protective Services (APS), other social service agencies and many hospital facilities. The Caregiver Specialist program serves as part of the regional aging services network supported by the Texas Department on Aging & Disability Services. The Caregiver Specialist is an individual who provides services for the informal caregiver - family or friends who care for loved ones who are ill or have disabilities and live at home. A Caregiver Specialist:
Who can receive the services of the Caregiver Specialist? The services of the Caregiver Specialist are available to individuals who reside in Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River or Titus Counties. Either the caregiver or the recipient of the care must be 60 years of age or older and the recipient must live at home. There is no charge for services provided by the Caregiver Specialist; however, a donation can be made to the Area Agency on Aging Caregiver fund if an individual wishes to do so. Funded in part by the Texas Department on Aging and Disability Services. Advocacy Services provide information to individuals and groups on understanding the legal rights of Texans 60 years of age and older and those under 60 with Medicare. Case Management Services provide ongoing individual assessment of needs, arrangement of necessary care and services, and follow-up monitoring. Health/Screening Services provide a qualified health professional to determine the need for health services. Homemaker Services provide a trained homemaker for light housework, planning and preparing meals, shopping, reading and writing tasks, arranging transportation and appointments. Information and Assistance Services / 1.800.372.4464 / provide specific information to clients, their advocate or provider about available public and volunteer services and resources for senior citizens. A follow up may be included. Nutrition Services provide a hot meal in each Senior Center which meets 1/3 of the recommended daily dietary allowance. Meals for homebound clients may also be available. Additionally, the program provides information to promote and protect the nutritional well-being of older Texans. Senior Citizens Centers provide social and learning environments in each county for its 60(+) residents. Activities include study courses, trips, arts and crafts, recreational outings, nutritional/health information and more. Telephone Reassurance Services provide regular telephone calls to participants to ensure their safety. Transportation Services provide qualified drivers to transport individuals 60 years and older from one location to another and to assist to/from a vehicle and to/from their destination. Individual Resources Offered by County ATCOG/AAA & Information Referral and Assistance............. 1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombudsman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy/Benefits Counseling Senior Citizens Service of Texarkana, Inc...........(903) 831.7696 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → In-Home Respite → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Crossroads Senior Center/Simms → Maud Senior Center → Oak Terrace Senior Center/New Boston → Robison Terrace High Rise/Texarkana → Central Kitchen → Texarkana Center Volunteer Services Bureau...........(870) 773.8811 → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance ATCOG/AAA.............1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombudsman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy Benefits Senior Citizens Service of Texarkana, Inc..........(903) 831.7696 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Atlanta Service Center → Linden Senior Center ATCOG/AAA..............1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombdusman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy/Benefits Counseling N.E.T. Opportunities, Inc........(903) 537.2256 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Cooper Service Center ATCOG/AAA...........1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombdusman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy/Benefits Counseling N.E.T. Opportunities, Inc........(903) 537.2256 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Mt. Vernon Senior Center ATCOG/AAA...........1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombdusman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy/Benefits Counseling N.E.T. Opportunities, Inc........(903) 537.2256 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Mt. Vernon Senior Center ATCOG/AAA...........1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombdusman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy/Benefits Counseling Lamar County Human Resources Council, Inc.......(903) 784.2580 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Central Kitchen/Paris → Pshigoda Senior Center ATCOG/AAA...........1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombdusman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy/Benefits Counseling Senior Citizens Services of Texarkana, Inc.......(903) 831.7696 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Naples Senior Center → Daingerfield Senior Center ATCOG/AAA...........1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombdusman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy/Benefits Counseling Lamar County Human Resources Council, Inc.......(903) 784.2580 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Clarksville Senior Center → Bogata Senior Center ATCOG/AAA...........1 (800) 372.4464 → LTC Ombdusman → Care Coordination (Case Management) → Information and Assistance → Caregiver Program → Advocacy/Benefits Counseling N.E.T. Opportunities, Inc........(903) 537.2256 → Homemaker → Information and Assistance → Telephone Reassurance → Transportation → Nutrition Services → Mt. Pleasant Senior Center (903) 832-8636 Executive Director Manager, Area Agency on Aging Regional Ombudsman Program Assistant Benefits Assistance Clerk Case Manager ATCOG Clerk Case Manager Benefits Counselor Benefits Assistance Technician Program Assistant
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The
Older American's Act of 1965, as revised in 1973, established state Area
Agencies on Aging to assist in planning and developing programs specially
designed for citizens 60 years of age and older and their spouses. In
1974, Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) was designated as one of 28 Area
Agencies on Aging funded by the 
For
additional information or assistance, please fill out the on-line form below,
and an AAA Representative will contact you as soon as possible. 
Provide information to residents and family about rights and procedures and help
identify additional resources in or out
