Meals-On-Wheels

One or two meals a day are available and delivered to persons who qualify. Meals-On-Wheels can be obtained from the Visiting Nurse Service: 787-2233, Valley Manor (also known as Club 24): 442-7201. Kosher Meals-On-Wheels are available from the Visiting Nurse Service as well.

Telephone Services Emergency Response Systems

Emergency Response Systems enable persons who live alone or who have a serious medical problem to summon assistance in an emergency situation. Most systems have an installation charge and monthly fee. The following programs are available in Monroe County.

• Handicall, St. John's Home: 271-5413
• Healthcall, Park Ridge Nursing Home: 723-7444
• In Touch, Interim Health Care: 454-4930
• Medimate, Lakeside Memorial Hospital: 637-0450

In addition, other groups offer national response systems. For that information, call Elder Line at 274-8181.

Telephone Information and Referral Systems offer a comprehensive list of available services and programs in Monroe County.

• Elder Line: 274-8181
• Jewish Family Service: 442-5477
• Elder Source: 325-2800 (Lifespan/Catholic Family Center)
• Lifeline: 275-5151 (TDD: 275-2700)

Telephone Reassurance Programs

These organizations offer telephone contact on a regular basis to older persons who live alone.

Utility Programs

• For persons who are 62 years of age or older, blind or disabled, Rochester Telephone will make special provisions to avoid interrupting service for non-payment. To qualify for these protections, call Rochester Telephone at 777- 1270 or write:
  

  Rochester Telephone Corporation
  Rochester Tel Center
  180 South Clinton Avenue
  Rochester, New York 14646-0300
  

• Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation: 546-2700, 89 East Avenue Rochester, New York 14649-0001 (call for special billing options). Quarterly Billing for Seniors: Seniors, age 62 years or older may pay their RG&E bill on a quarterly basis rather than monthly. To qualify, you must be a residential customer whose ANNUAL billing is $150 or less.
• Senior Newsletter: RG&E publishes a free 'SENIOR CONNECTION' newsletter twice a year. This large-print newsletter written especially for seniors contains helpful information on energy, community programs and other consumer tips.

Postal Alert

Postal Alert is a service offered through Lifeline. Elderly and handicapped participants have Postal Alert file cards with Lifeline which include the names and telephone numbers of nearest relatives. Mail carriers keep a watch on these participants living alone on their routes. These cards may be obtained at nutrition centers, Senior Citizen centers and the Monroe County Office for the Aging. This is a free service. For information, call Lifeline 275-5151.

Volunteer Visitor Program

The Volunteer Visitor Program is intended to reduce the isolation and loneliness of the home bound elderly. Volunteers provide a supplemental support system. In addition to friendly visits, a volunteer may do grocery shopping and/or provide occasional transportation for appointments or outings. For additional information, call:

• HADAR Jewish Family Service: 461-0110
• Lifespan: 454-3224
• Star Program, Catholic Family Center: 262-7050
• Volunteer Home Stroke Visitor Program: 787-8326

Elderly Community Outreach Program (ECO)

The ECO program provides assessment, short-term problem solving, crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and assistance in dealing with Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies, social security, supplemental security income, food stamps and energy assistance.

For more information contact Eldersource: 325-2800

Financial Programs

Financial management programs assist seniors with budget and bill paying.

Programs are available which aid families in their finances. Help with budgeting, debt-counseling and monthly bill paying is provided. In addition, consulting for families planning long term care, whether at home or in a facility is available from various community agencies and attorneys. Financial Counseling Service assists individuals and families considering long term care.

For information on programs, contact the Eldersource.

Elder Law

Monroe County has well-qualified attorneys who specialize in elder law. They can assist the elderly and their families in a wide variety of matters, including legal rules that apply to wills, trusts (including trusts under a will and lifetime ['living'] trusts), Medicare and Medicaid rules and long term health care insurance. If necessary, an elder law attorney can prepare the necessary papers for a court to appoint a guardian for a person who can no longer care for him/herself, as well as provide advice pertaining to housing, home care and nursing home care.

When consulting an elder law attorney, do not hesitate to ask about fees. Some may ask for a retainer, others bill on a monthly basis or when services are completed. For Elder Care Attorneys call:

• Monroe County Legal Assistance Corp. (MICLAC): 325-2520
• Family Service of Rochester: 232-1480
• Monroe County Attorneys Bar Association: 546-2130

For professional referrals concerning dental or medical geriatric issues, call the following associations:

• Monroe County Dental Society: 244-5390
• Monroe County Medical Society: 473-7573

Developmentally Disabled Older Adults Programs

• The ARC of Monroe: 271-0660
• DePaul Adult Care Communities, Inc.: 426-8000
  

  Certified Adult Homes:
  Parkside: 420 Main Street, East Rochester, 14445: 586-8010
  Cornerstone: 95 West Main Street, Rochester, 14614: 546-6000

• LifeSpan Developmentally Disabled Program: 454-3224

Home Repair / Modification

• Accessibility Designs & Management Corp.: 461-5318
• Catholic Family Center
  

  STAR 262-7050 or 262-7060
  Project CARE 262-7069

• Presbyterian Residence Center Corporation, Club 24: 256-4347
• LifeSpan - Project HEART: 454-3224 (not city, Greece, or Irondequoit.)
• Rural Opportunities, Inc. Housing Assistance Programs: 546-7180

For more information call Elder Line: 274-8181.