Stay Connected

Information & Assistance

Provides assistance for individuals and families by linking them not only to services within our agency, but also to local services available in the communities of the seven counties we serve.  This service provides resources to help families and individuals make informed choices.  Some services might include transportation, and Medicare and Medicaid information for the elderly and disabled.  

Information and Assistance (I&A) Specialists are available to answer questions and provide guidance as you navigate the numerous programs, organizations and options available as we get older. They can help us with the following:

  • What resources and supports are available?
  • Am I eligible?
  • How much is the cost?
  • Is there financial assistance?
  • How soon can services begin?
  • What opportunities and services are available within our communities?

To receive the following services, an assessment is required: Home-Delivered Meals, Homemaker, Respite and Chore. Have the following information ready when speaking with an Information and Assistance Specialist:

  • Current contact information for yourself and/or caregiver
  • If applicable: Power of Attorney information
  • Demographic information
  • Income and expenses (for demographic purposes)
  • Information for an emergency point of contact
  • Functional abilities

Aging and Disability Resource Centers

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) are the first place to go to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability. ADRCs are friendly, welcoming places where anyone—individuals, concerned families or friends, or professionals working with issues related to aging or disabilities—can go for information specifically tailored to their situation. The ADRC provides information on a broad range of programs and services, helps people understand the various long term care options available to them, helps people apply for programs and benefits, and serves as the access point for publicly-funded long term care. These services can be provided at the ADRC, via telephone, or through a home visit, whichever is more convenient to the individual seeking help.

Services Provided by The ADRC

An Aging and Disability Resource Center provides the following services and more:

A

Information and Awareness

Contact the Information and Assistance staff at 208-233-4032

  • Information about local services and resources
  • Assistance in finding services to match your needs
  • In-home care
  • Housekeeping and chore services
  • Home modifications, safety and maintenance
  • Health (healthy lifestyles, management of chronic conditions, dementia, etc.)
  • Respite
  • Transportation
  • Nutrition, home delivered meals
  • Housing, including senior and low income housing
  • Assisted Living, nursing homes and other long term care facilities
  • Financial assistance (e.g., Social Security, SSI, Disability, Medicare, Medicaid and other benefit programs)
  • Legal issues (guardianship, power of attorney, client rights advocacy)
  • Abuse, neglect and financial exploitation
  • Mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, crisis intervention
  • Employment, vocational services, volunteer work
  • Adaptive equipment
  • Other
B

Long Term Care Options Counseling

  • Information about the choices you have when making decisions about where to live, what kind of help you need, where to receive that care and help, and how to pay for it.
  • One-on-one consultation to help you think through the pros and cons of the various options in light of your situation, values, resources and preferences. Contact the Information and Assistance staff at 208-233-4032
C

Benefit Counseling

  • Benefit specialists provide information about government and other benefits that you may be entitled to receive, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Disability, low income housing, etc.
  • Benefit specialists advocate for you when you have problems with Medicare, Social Security, and other benefits.
  • Elderly Benefit Specialists serve people age 60 years of age and older.
  • Disability Benefit Specialists serve adults with a disability under age 60. This includes people with a physical disability, people with a developmental disability, and people with mental illness or substance abuse issues. Contact the Senior Medicare patrol staff at 208-233-4032
D

Hospital Discharge Planning

Discharge Planning is a process, not a single event. Medicare defines discharge planning as: “A process used to decide what a patient needs for a smooth transition from one level of care to another.”

As a result of this process, the discharge plan may address the options:

  • To return home to live with an array of support services
  • To live with a family member’s in their home with services, or
  • To reside in a new place outside the hospital with services.

Staff of the ADRC work with the hospital case manager and the patient to ensure that he/she has the information they need to make informed decisions about their support options as they move through critical transition points in the health and long term support system. Contact the Information and Assistance staff at 208-233-4032.

Idaho Connects to Reduce Loneliness

Loneliness is social pain. Humans are designed to connect with others. A lack of personal connections results in loneliness.

Loneliness is important. It is not just an emotional issue, it can impact our mental and physical health. 

Health Risks of Social Isolation and Loneliness

Carries the same health risk as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, obesity, or a sedentary lifestyle (Julianne Holt-Lundstad)

Lacking social connection is as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

  • A 50% percent increased risk of dementia. (NASEM)
  • A 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. (www.nia.nih.gov)
  • Higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. (CDC)
  • Heart failure patients were associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits. (CDC)

PRO Age Connections

This program addresses social isolation and loneliness among older adults in the community.  It relies on volunteers to make it successful.  PRO Age Connections includes:

  • writing kind notes on postcards that are delivered to residents of Assisted Living Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities.
  • Making Friendly Calls to older adults in the community.
  • A “Friendly Chat Line” that older adults can call when they want to reach out and communicate with others.
  • Robotic Pets that are shared with Memory Care facilities.

Veterans-Directed Home & Community-Based Service

This program gives veterans of all ages the opportunity to receive the home and community based services they need in a self-directed manner. Veterans in this program are given a flexible budget for goods & services that are managed by the veteran or family caregiver. This program helps veterans in a twelve county area to continue to live at home in their community.

For more information contact: Angelyn at

Veteran Directed Care Program

You are a Veteran of any age

Senior Employment Program (SCSEP)

Easterseals-Goodwill provides transitional employment services through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). This program offers training opportunities to low-income adults age 55 and older in the state of Idaho and Utah who wish to re-enter the workforce. It allows participants to overcome barriers to employment by gaining real-world work experience at non-profit and community service organizations, called “host agencies,” in the community.

Transportation Services

Transports older and disabled persons to and from community services and resources for the purpose of applying for and receiving services, reducing isolation and promoting independent living.

The program provides transportation for:

Pocatello Regional Transit