Senior Services
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Through Coastal Area Agency on Aging
1-800-580-6860
The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) receives limited funding through the Older Americans Act, to fund critical services that keep older adults healthy and independent. Unfortunately there is not enough funding to serve everyone in need, and waiting lists may exist. (If extensive services are needed, the EDWP Long Term Care Medicaid Program may also be an option.)
Services under the HCBS Program are as follows:
Types of Services Available:
* Homemaker/Personal Care Aide: 2-4 hours/week (cleaning/bathing/cooking/shopping)
* Adult Day Care: 3-5 days/week (a safe place to take your loved one to spend the day if they require supervision).
* Caregiver Respite: The caregiver is enrolled as the client and may receive a break from care.
* Senior Center/Congregate Meals: A place for seniors to socialize and get a hot meal. In most cases, transportation is provided to and from the center. A list of Senior Centers can be provided to you by the AAA.
* Home Delivered Meals: These meals are delivered to your home up to 5 days a week. Individuals must be homebound and physically unable to attend a congregate meal site in order to be eligible. Some meals may come frozen or heat and serve.
Application Process: Call the AAA. A counselor will talk with individuals about specific needs during a phone consultation/assessment; and asks questions about what the person can and cannot do for themselves, who helps them, and if they have needs that go unmet. Based on answers to those questions, the computer automatically assigns priority to those in greatest need according to guidelines set forth by the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services.
Referral Process: When funding is available to serve more people, and a slot opens up for new admissions to service, the person at the top of the list is offered the service based on need. (If a person’s condition has changed since the AAA last assessed them, they are encouraged to call the AAA back and request an update in order to possibly move up on the list.)
Cost: There is no cost for meals, however donations may be requested. For other services, a cost-share may be requested based on the income of the participant, minus routine medical expenses. The cost-share chart is provided. The column on the far right explains what percentage of the full cost of services a person will be asked to pay. For Caregiver Respite the caregiver is the client and cost share is
Monthly Income Household = 1 | Cost Share | ||
$0 | to | $1,956 | 0% |
$1,957 | to | $2,608 | 25% |
$2,609 | to | $3,260 | 50% |
$3,261 | to | $3,913 | 75% |
$3,914 | and | Over | 100% |
Caregiver Service Programs: Caregiving can be difficult and overwhelming. It is important for caregivers to learn how to care for themselves as they care for others. These programs are designed to support care-givers who are caring for friends or loved ones, and who are in need of some support in their caregiver journey.
Caregiver Respite: Caregivers sometimes need a break from caring for a loved one. When this doesn’t happen, the chances of the caregiver becoming ill are greatly increased. Respite provides temporary, substitute caregivers, to allow the primary caregiver a brief period of relief from caregiving duties. There is a waiting list for this service in most counties. Cost Share may be requested and is based on the Caregiver’s income. (See front of this page).
Ability Solutions / Assistive Technology Lab: Assistive Technology (AT) is an item or a piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Coastal Area Agency on Aging houses an assistive technology lab in partnership with the Division of Aging Services and Georgia Tech. The lab is set up like a studio apartment, giving individuals the opportunity to put their hands on items that will assist them when faced with mobility issues, dementia care, vision loss, communication problems, hearing loss, and more. Single or group tours are available, as well as individual consultations over the phone about what types of assistive technology might be appropriate. For example, instead of paying someone to come into the home to as-sist with a bath, you may want to consider purchasing a bath lift or transfer bench. Also, instead of paying a home-maker aid, some individuals might consider a robotic vacuum cleaner. Limited funding may be available to assist with the cost of some items based on income and need.
Coastal Area Agency on Aging serves as a delivery site for FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children), which is based out of Stone Mountain GA. FODAC cleans and repairs used medical equipment and then disperses it to those in need, free of charge. Individuals in need of a piece of medical equipment can request it from the AAA, who will then request it from FODAC. All requested items/equipment must be picked up from the Darien office. Individuals may also donate used equipment to the AAA at the Darien office for pick up by FODAC.
2/2025