Helping seniors stay in their homes

Aging in place. Those are words dear to the hearts of many low-income seniors who fear having to move away from home when they need services. The department of Housing and Urban Development, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is about to give $15 million in grants to organizations that can provide services to help seniors stay in their homes.

Called "Supportive Services Demonstration for Elderly Households in HUD-Assisted Multifamily Housing," it would work like this:

Existing HUD-assisted senior developments can apply for three-year grants if they agree to provide services for aging in place, transitions to institutional care, housing stability, well-being monitoring and utilization of healthcare, such as emergency-room visits. The goal would be to avoid institutional care, the need for skilled nursing and expensive trips to the emergency room.

Developments will be required to have a full-time, onsite service coordinator and a part-time, onsite wellness nurse to make assessments and coordinate care and support services.

The program would be a test to see if initial plans work and to evaluate the outcomes of the demonstration.

A model program was started in Vermont a few years ago, and there are many success stories to show the effectiveness: An isolated senior who missed doctor appointments can now get rides and has learned to get around independently; another with physical disabilities has been given referrals to physical therapists; a depressed senior was recruited as a volunteer and has become more social, and so much more.

These are the types of services we need if we're to stay in our homes. Those development owners who want to apply have until April 18 to do so. See www.grants.gov, and look for FR-5900-N-22.

Senior hunger options

There are 9 million seniors who are at risk for hunger every day in America, statistics show. If you're a senior over age 60 and you don't get enough to eat, there are options.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can provide an average $126 each month to go toward food. Check the government section of your phone book for the local office, or see www.fns.usda.gov/snap.

In some states, as part of SNAP, you also might be eligible for The Senior Farmers Markets Nutrition Program, which will provide a coupon booklet that can be used at farmers markets to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. Information is available on the USDA.gov website.

More and more senior centers are providing food programs. Ask about a Senior Grocery Program in your state, or the local food bank. The center also might host a monthly luncheon, or perhaps a weekly get-together lunch. You'll make contacts at any of these events that can steer you to other local food programs.

Contact the Council on Aging (www.ncoa.org) branch in your state for a full list of programs you can apply for. Or search online for "senior hunger resources" in your state.

If you were turned down for food benefits, apply again, especially if your situation has changed in any way. If Meals on Wheels in your area isn't taking new clients (many of them don't have enough resources nowadays), get put on the waiting list anyway.

Contact churches in your area to ask about senior meal programs. Ask your doctor for resources.

Remember: It's not only OK to ask for help when you need it, it's imperative. To maintain your health, you need proper nutrition.

(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.