Services for Older Adults
Southern Area Agency on Aging provides services that promote independence and well being for older adults. The Agency on Aging is also an information center for older adults and care giving family members.

Southern Area Agency on Aging serves Danville, Martinsville, and the Counties of Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Pittsylvania.  We are designated by the Virginia Department for the Aging as the Area Agency on Aging for these localities.  Southern Area Agency on Aging was founded in 1976 under the name Piedmont Seniors of Virginia.  We receive federal, state and local funds to provide services mandated under the federal Older Americans Act.

Some of the services established by the Older Americans Act are designed to keep healthy older adults strong and active (for example, transportation services; meals at senior lunch sites; recreation activities).  Other services are designed to help frail and disabled elders (for example, home delivered meals; help with housekeeping; personal care).

Who is Eligible for Services
The eligibility age for most of the agency's services is 60. (Fifty-five is the eligibility age for the Senior Employment Program).

Many of the Agency's services are used by individuals of all income levels.

Funding for the services that help frail elders has not kept pace with the demand for these services. For this reason, individuals with low income who don't have family nearby to assist them have priority on our waiting list for these services.


Limitations on Services
There is a waiting list in many areas for home delivered meals, personal care, housekeeping and respite care. The wait can sometimes range up to a couple of months or longer.  

Services
Agency on Aging staff members provide some of the services  funded by the Agency.  Other services are rendered by organizations that subcontract with the Agency on Aging.


Cost of Services
SAAA charges fees to individuals who can afford to pay for the following services: personal care, housekeeping, respite, chore and care coordination.  Moderate fees are charged on a sliding scale basis, according to income. Individuals whose income is near or below poverty level are not charged.

Fees are not charged for most other services. Individuals who received a service for which no fee is
charged are encouraged to contribute toward the cost of the service.  The  agency has "suggested contribution" amounts for some services.

As we age new challenges appear.  The time comes when we have to think about not driving and we'll need a social network so we don't become isolated. We might begin to need some help with everyday activities like bathing, shopping, vacuuming or cooking.

What help is available? The answer is a phone call away!  Make the Agency on Aging your first call for information and services.

Southern Area Agency on Aging funds or provides the following services:
 

• Information and assistance - help with identifying services to meet the particular needs of an older person and assistance, if needed, with arranging services.  Information on wide variety of age-related topics.
   

• Senior employment services - job training and placement for people age 55 and older who meet the program's federal income guidelines.
   

• Transportation to senior lunch sites, medical appointments and grocery shopping.
  

• Meals served at senior lunch sites (called "congregate meals").
   

• Home delivered-meals (a hot lunch delivered on weekdays).

• Recreation Activities at senior centers and other central locations.
   

• Health promotion activities such as group exercise, walking clubs, health awareness programs and nutrition counseling.
   

• Small home repair jobs and small renovations for safety and accessibility.
   

• Insurance counseling about Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Supplement Insurance, and long term care insurance policies.
   

• Volunteer opportunities include volunteer jobs at senior centers.
   

• Stipends to help people with low income afford the cost of adult day care.
   

• Light housekeeping, laundry and grocery shopping, average level of service is two days per week.
   

• Personal care - help with bathing, dressing grooming and ambulation. Average level of service is two hours per day, two or three days per week.
   

• Respite care - offers the caregiver a few hours off from the care of a family member who is age 60 and older. Average level of service is three hours, one day per week.
   

• Emergency services - financial aid is provided to eligible clients who have an emergency need for help.
   

• Care coordination - connects older people with a variety of services and resources that  they need to stay well and independent.
   

• Chore help with heavy household tasks and general maintenance of the home. Level of service will vary according to need.
   

• Legal assistance for elders (who meet the program's federal income guidelines) in certain types of civil matters, such as consumer issues, housing problems, public benefits, (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security) pensions, and retirement health benefits.     
   

• The Long-term care ombudsman is an advocate who resolves problems for people receiving long-term care. This includes people who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and people who receive home health services at home.  The Ombudsman also provides information about long-term care.