By Donna Robinson
Living life and staying independent is very important to older adults. It takes being mobile and active to even deal with the basics such as finances or healthcare needs, shopping for groceries or going to social events. As caregivers, you can help your aging loved one stay independent.
Healthcare 101
Due to health concerns and symptoms, it’s not uncommon for seniors to make many doctor visits and to be supplied with various medications to maintain their health and/or prevent further diseases that can accompany the aging process.
At age 65, many adults will transition their health care costs to Medicare. While they will likely receive a book explaining how Medicare works, the choices they have (such as Part A, Part B, Part D), the costs and what is covered, it can still be a confusing process.
There are many ways to find answers to questions such as through local senior centers that provide programs, classes and consultations. For example, Solon Senior Center has a social worker who offers consultations on health insurance options to residents.
Also, your area library might offer programming during the year, which provides healthcare and Medicare information and resources.
For questions about Medicare, call 800-633-4227 or contact your local Department of Aging. Find locations at aging.ohio.gov.
Help with Basic Tasks
Some communities, retirement homes or senior centers offer transportation via buses or shuttles, which will pick up a senior to take them to various doctor appointments or to the grocery store.
Services are available through local communities, along with area transit systems such as Laketran, which serves the Lake County area.
If the senior isn’t able to get to the grocery store, the “Meals on Wheels” program can provide them a nutritious meal every day. Each community has its own schedule and services.
Visiting Angels, based in Cleveland offers companion services. Its caregivers will run errands, prepare a light meal, do small household chores and shop for groceries for a home-bound senior.
Some grocery stores, like Heinen’s, will provide a service called “Speedy Shoppers” where a senior (or family member) can call the grocery store with a list of needed items, and for a $25 fee for the call-in order, a store clerk will shop for and deliver the items. One must make note that this is a limited service per day, meaning it’s on a first-come/first-served basis, depending on the time of day of the call-in order. The Heinen’s stores that offer the service are the Rocky River store (440-331-3830) and the Pepper Pike store (216-831-4654). Cities outside of those areas may be covered; community members interested would have to call for availability.
Another way to shop from home is PrestoFresh Grocery Delivery, an online shopping experience based out of Cleveland Heights.
The business, which partners with Zagara’s Marketplace, presently delivers in Cuyahoga County, as well Avon, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Mentor, Eastlake, Wickliffe and Willoughby, according to PrestoFresh’s website.
Resource Information:
– Contact Laketran at 888-525-3872
– To find out a local Meals on Wheels, call 888-998-6325, or Cuyahoga County Senior and Adult Services at: 216-420-6750, or for the Lake County Council on Aging, call 440-205-8111. Akron-based Mobile Meals Inc. is a Meals on Wheels-affiliated organization operating in Northeast Ohio, call 330-376-7717 or visit mowaa.org.
– Call Visiting Angels at 800-365-4189.
– For more information about PrestoFresh Grocery Delivery, visit prestofreshgrocery.com.
Donna Robinson is a freelance journalist and resides in Wickliffe.
