Program areas at Alternatives for the Older Adult
Care coordination program - provides ongoing assessment and service coordination for Older adults to remain independent. In fy23, Alternatives received 14,820 referrals for support. Alternatives manages an ongoing caseload of close to 3,000 participants. As a program, care coordination was able to successfully assist 85% of seniors eligible for nursing home care to remain in their home. 95% of participants and caregivers indicate they would recommend Alternatives' care coordination services to others.
Ombudsman - provide a regular presence in 123 facilities in a sixteen-county service area to address systemic challenges to care of long-term care residents. Provides advocacy, consultation, and follow-up for 1,186 long-term residents, families, and staff. the ombudsman provided direct assistance to 324 long-term care residents to resolve complaints about their care.
Adult protective services - conducts intake, investigation, casework, and intervention to prevent further abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of Older adults or of adults with disabilities (age 18 - 59). In fy23, Adult protective services investigated 1,011 cases of which 377 were substantiated for abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Caregiver support - offers support services and resources, including support groups, resource options, and counseling services. Provided critical respite assistance to more than 94 caregivers and supportive counseling and resources to more than 799 caregivers and families.
Money management - provides money management and monthly bill paying for Older adults with disabilities who are no longer able to manage their finances. In fy23, staff and volunteers provided 3,271 hours of support to 95 participants. 100% indicated their financial situation had stabilized and they were able to pay bills on time, 89% reduced their debt or maintained no debt, and 64% increased their level of saving from the previous year.
Bridges adrc (aging and disability resource center) - serving eastern lasalle county, bridges offers both a central location for seniors as well as outreach support in lasalle, putnam, and bureau counties. With a central location in peru, Illinois, bridges staff continued to offer information, options counseling, benefits review, classes, and resource connections. In fy23, bridges served 975 by providing information and assistance with their benefits and resources as well as provide health and well-being activities for more than 462 Older adults.