About half a million people over the age of 65 live in Oklahoma. That
number is expected to rise dramatically over the next few decades, leaving
the state to plan for the care of this burgeoning population.
The state’s Aging Services Division (ASD) “helps develop systems that
support independence and help protect the quality of life for older persons
as well as promotes citizen involvement in planning and delivering
services.” Those services include:
-- Adult Day Services: A structured place for seniors to go during the day
when their caretakers are away at work.
-- ADvantage Program: Provides Medicaid services to help low-income frail
elders stay at home instead of going to a nursing home.
-- Grandfamilies: Aid and support to seniors who are raising their
grandchildren.
-- Legal Services: Legal referrals and information to seniors.
-- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Advocating for the rights of residents of
nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
-- Oklahoma Senior Corps Program: Volunteer opportunities for seniors.
-- Oklahoma State Council on Aging: A 30-member appointed body that serves
in an advisory capacity to the ASD.
-- Pharmacy Connection Council: Improving access to prescription drugs and
helping low-income seniors to pay for them.
-- State Plan Personal Care: A Medicaid service providing such at-home
assistance including bathing, grooming, meals, eating and light
housekeeping.
-- Transportation: Helping seniors get around who can no longer drive
themselves or have no one to drive them.
Most medical experts and advocates for the elderly agree that all seniors
should at least consider getting a medical alert system, especially if they
want to remain living independently for as long as possible.
There will inevitably be a point when seniors need monitoring, when they
can no longer live alone. As long as they do not have serious health
concerns, a medical alert system can take the place of moving in with
children, or going to an assisted living center or a nursing home – the
last resort for many seniors.
To check out the services from more than a dozen top companies, which all
operate in Oklahoma as well as the other 49 states, click on this link.A
medical alert system can literally be a lifesaver some day. Let’s say you
fall down in your home and cannot get up to get to a phone and call for
help. You are stuck there until someone comes to check up on you. That
could take hours or days, and by that time, your injuries might be
irreversible.
| Enid | Lawton | Norman | Oklahoma City | Shawnee | Tulsa |
