Staying In Your Home

Programs and Services to Help You Remain in Your Home

There are many programs available, but often people do not even know they exist. Listed below are programs that can assist people, helping them remain independent. If you are interested in learning more about these programs call the Senior Linkage Line 1-800-333-2433, United Way 211, dial 211. You can also read about more services in the section “Resources You Should Know About”. For some programs you may need to be income eligible or payment is on a sliding fee scale according to income.

_____ Adult Day Service – provide recreational & social activities, meals & snacks during the day. Some adult day services are specialized care for memory loss, health monitoring & medication administration. 763-464-2698

_____ Delivery Services – deliver a variety of items; groceries, prescriptions

Financial Services

_____Bill Paying Services – some banks, social service agencies, money management services & accounting firms will contract to help with (or do) bill paying

Health Care

_____Living at Home Block Nurse Programs – nurses coordinate volunteer assistance, health services community resources to help people remain in their home

_____Home Health Aides – provide help with personal care; bathing, dressing

_____Home Nursing Care – can include administration of medication, wound care, health education & monitor health situations

Homemaking

______Homemaker Services – offer light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, shopping

______Cleaning Companies – light to heavy housecleaning

Home Improvement & Maintenance

______Accessibility Loans – help remodel a home & make it accessible, 651-296-8215, 1-800-710-8871

______Chore Services – help with mowing, snow removal, minor home repairs, routine chores

______Commercial Lawn Care/ Snow Removal – range of services for lawn, snow removal

______Community Fix Up Fund – rehabilitation loans to those who cannot qualify for other types of assistance 651-296-8215, 1-800-710-8871

______Energy Assistance – assistance with heating bills, referrals to furnace repair & replacement; weatherization service, 651-296-8215, 1-800-710-8871

_____ Heat Share – help with heating & other energy costs 1-800-842-7279

______Home Improvement – programs to help rehab houses; low interest loans 651-296-8215, 1-800-710-8871

_____ Paint-a-Thon – volunteers paint exterior of homes

Housing Alternatives; including Sharing Your Home

_____ Accessory Apartments – An apartment that an older person may reside in that is part of a larger home or vice versa; the older person may live in the house &rent the apartment

_____ Granny Flat or Echo Housing – a smaller house (sometimes a mobile home if zoning allows) that is situated beside a larger home. Usually the older adult would live in the smaller unit, thus the name “Granny Flat,” but the older person could remain in the larger house.

_____ Golden Girl Homes – creative housing options for women who wish to live together 612-332-7200

_____ Share-a-Home – senior homeowners are matched with another person who can help them with household duties in return for reduced rent

Meals & Nutrition

_____ Food Stamps – supplement grocery costs

_____ Meals on Wheels – meals delivered to home-bound people

_____ Senior Dining Programs – low cost meals in a group setting, 5X week

_____ Store to Door Groceries – groceries delivered to your door; Ramsey & Hennepin only

_____ Grocery Delivery Service – delivers groceries to your door

Respite Care

_____ In-Home Respite Care – temporary care so that caregivers can have time off.

_____ Out of Home Respite Care – provided outside the home (see Assisted Living, Memory Care, & the Residential Care Sections for residences that offer respite care)

Safety

_____ Accessibility Loans – help remodel a home & make it accessible, 651-296-8215, 1-800- 710-8871

_____ Home Security Systems – alert people when someone is attempting a break-in; some systems will call police or fire department in case of break-in or fire

_____ Personal Response System – allows person to call for help in an emergency using device worn on wrist or around neck

_____ Telephone Reassurance – daily home check by phone

_____ Telephone – persons 65+ or those physically challenged may qualify for a discount on their phone bill

_____ File of Life – Medical information form completed & placed in refrigerator; stickers are placed o front door of house & on refrigerator door to alert medical personnel that medical information is available.

Taxes

_____ Property tax refund – you may be eligible for a property tax refund; 651-296-4444, for a booklet, ask for M1-PR or download forms at www.taxes.state.mn.us

_____ Property tax – reduction for blind & disabled people on their homestead 651-556-6087

_____ Retirees to the Rescue – Hennepin County property owners work off the county portion of their property tax 612-348-6273

Transportation

_____ Escort Services – accompany older adults & help with transportation, shopping, etc.

_____ Metro Mobility – door-to-door public transportation system for people who cannot use regular bus service

_____ Hospital & Clinic Transportation – may offer rides to & from person’s home

_____ Private Transportation – taxi, vans, etc.

_____ Senior Center & Social Service Transportation – transportation to the senior center & then to other locations; shopping, events; Social Service Transportation - agencies provide transportation to medical appointments, personal visits, & senior centers