Holiday season good time to talk with older parents, relatives on needs

During the holiday season many people travel back to North Dakota or to rural areas to visit loved ones. North Dakota Department of Human Services officials say that family gatherings provide an opportunity to visit with aging parents and other older relatives about their changing abilities and needs, and to plan for future care needs.

“If people notice that a loved one needs help with house cleaning or chores, meal preparation, personal care, transportation, or other needs, this is a great time to talk about needs and to research home and community-based service options,” said Tess Frohlich, home and community-base services administrator.

Frohlich said the agency funds in-home care services that help several thousand people annually who are frail, elderly or physically disabled to remain in their homes. Individuals and family members can research available services on the department’s Aging and Disability Resource-LINK at http://www.carechoice.nd.gov/ or by contacting an information and referral specialist during the week at 800-451-8693 or carechoice@nd.gov.

People can apply for state and federally-funded in-home care services for people with long-term needs at their county social service office. The North Dakota Department of Human Services funds long-term care services ranging from in-home to facility-based care for qualifying individuals. In-home supportive services also include home delivered meals, senior center meals, health maintenance and outreach services for seniors, and family caregiver support services.

Aging Services Division Director Linda Wright said information and referral requests are growing as the population ages.

“About 2.6 percent of North Dakota’s population is age 85 and older, and this group is most likely to need care and support services that are long-term,” she said.

Tags: department of human services, community, amily, aging, services