What is
LinkAGE Care Coordination?
LinkAGE Care Coordination is the name of a program within the Area Agency on
Aging. LinkAGE can provide short-term, in-home assistance for persons who are 60 years of
age and older, who need short term help to recover from illness or hospitalization.
LinkAGE does not provide long-term services. We serve Hardin, Jefferson and Orange
counties from this office.How
does LinkAGE work?
LinkAGE does not provide services directly, but has agreements with vendors like home
health agencies that provide the services. The Care Coordinator works with the client and
family to develop a plan of care that addresses client’s needs. The Care Coordinator
authorizes services to the vendors and monitors to insure that services are provided in
accordance with the plan of care. LinkAGE monitors services by contacts with the client
and the service providers so that any concerns can be addressed and so that changes in the
service plan can be made if needed. Clients can contact the LinkAGE Care Coordinator right
away if there are concerns or questions.
What do I do if I need long term help?
Although LinkAGE provides only short-term assistance, client’s information is
screened for eligibility for other programs including long-term assistance. If it appears
that a client may be eligible for long-term assistance, clients are provided with the
information needed to contact the agencies that provide those services. Clients can
request that their screening information be provided directly to those agencies and the
Care Coordinator can take care of the referral for client. What services does LinkAGE provide?
LinkAGE can help with personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, respite
(caregiver relief) shopping and transportation to medical appointments. Transportation is
available for medical appointments for clients who live in certain areas where city
transit is not available.
Does Medicare pay for
this?
LinkAGE is not funded by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.
LinkAGE is funded by state and federal grants and client contributions.
LinkAGE will pay the full cost of services that are provided. Clients
are strongly encouraged to contribute back to the program so that funds
can be restored for the services that are provided. But contributions
are not required. Clients will be given the opportunity to choose the
amount of their contributions. Clients are not refused service if they
are unable to contribute.
What is an information and referral service?
The basic function of an information and referral
service is to bring or "link" people and services together. It can
provide people with information about a broad range of community
services that otherwise may be unknown to them.
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Another agency referred me to you and said that
you might be able to help with my utility bill. Can you help me?
Yes. Although
2-1-1 LinkAGE Access Service does not provide direct
financial assistance to help with your utility bill, we can refer you to
an agency that might be able to assist you. LinkAGE Access Service
maintains a database that contains hundreds of helping organizations
that provide different types of assistance throughout the region. Our
trained call technicians and specialists will be happy to assist you in
locating the best resources for you to contact.
I have a friend who lives in Austin who's having
a really difficult time with her son's drug addiction problems and she
doesn't know where to turn or who to call. Can you tell me where she
can get help for her son even though she doesn't live in Southeast
Texas?
Yes. 2-1-1 LinkAGE Access Service is part of a statewide network of Area
Information Centers (AICs) which all provide information and referral
services. Since we are partners in this network, we can easily refer
someone to their local AIC and they, in turn, can best provide
information on how to access services in their area. You can find your
local AIC at
http://www.setaaa.org/Texas_aic.htm.
How long have you been providing information and
referral services through the Area Agency on Aging. I've never heard of
LinkAGE Access Service. Can anyone call for information?
Yes. LinkAGE Access Service is accredited by the Alliance of
Information and Referral Systems and we've been providing quality
information and referral services through the Area Agency on Aging of
Southeast Texas since the mid-1970s. At that time, we provided services
to people 60 years of age and older exclusively. However, since
becoming a partner in the statewide information and referral network,
sponsored by the Texas Information and Referral Network, we began
providing services to anyone of any age who needed information on how to
access services to meet their needs.
Is there a charge for your information and
referral service?
No. There aren't any charges for our service. LinkAGE Access Service
is supported by funding from the South East Texas Regional Planning
Commission, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, and the Texas Information and
Referral Network.
Helpful Hints for
Hiring a Caregiver
http://www.caregivers
directory.com/
HINTS.htm
http://www.caregiver.org/
factsheets/
hiring_helpC.html |
