Programs
A Selection of Programs Designed for Seniors
Nutrition – Meals on Wheels
Hot nutritious mid-day meals served at community sites (during Non-COVID) providing fellowship and fun. Home-delivered meals to shut-in seniors by local volunteers also available.
Suggested donation is $4.00 for a hot meal. Over 40,000 meals served annually at 11 sites in Morgan, Cass, and Scott counties.
Locations:
Ashland - (217) 476-3460
Beardstown - (217) 323-2355
Bluffs - (217) 754-3499
Franklin - (217) 675-2720
Virginia- (217) 452-3974
Waverly - (217) 435-3611
Winchester - (217) 742-9042
Jacksonville Sites:
Beecher Plaza - (217) 243-5921
Turner Apt - (217) 243-4798
Laborers Home - (217) 479-4619
Senior Center - (217) 883-1090
Please note that during Covid-19, all meals are being home delivered and the Senior Center is not serving at this time.
The Doorbell Dinner program provides an average of 20,000 meals annually to people that would not otherwise have a meal to eat. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday.
The Doorbell Dinner Program serves the following individuals:
Elderly
Disabled
Patients Recovering From a Hospital Stay
Individuals Who Are Homebound or Unable to Prepare Meals
Anyone Else in Need
Must Reside Within Jacksonville or South Jacksonville City Limits
Meals consist of a hot meal for noon and a cold sack for the evening meal. You must receive both meals while on the program. The cost of the meal (Hot and Cold) is $4.30 per day.
If you feel you are unable to pay the full amount, you may request a fee assessment when PRAIRIE COUNCIL ON AGING completes their home visit (telephonically during COVID). All scholarships are offered through the generosity of the Prairieland United Way.
PRAIRIE COUNCIL ON AGING conducts the home visit (telephonically during COVID) with new clients and explains the program. PRAIRIE COUNCIL ON AGING also administers the program by starting, stopping, and receiving payments, as well as processing cancellation calls by 9:00 am the day before delivery for the program.
The Doorbell Dinner program is the only program in the Jacksonville area that caters to specific dietary needs. It is our goal to be able to supply nutritious meals for those in the community who are in need. The meals can be tailored to meet specific dietary needs such as diabetic diet, low sodium, low cholesterol, renal, and cardiac diets.
All meals are doctor prescribed and medically necessary, even if only for caloric intake.
Case Management
Case Management Services
Arrange in-home services for seniors who are at least 60 years old through the Illinois Department of Aging’s Community Care Program or private pay agencies. Provide CHOICES for CARE assessment for seniors considering Nursing Home placement.
Care Coordination Unit
The Care Coordination Unit will send a care coordinator to your home (telephonically during COVID) at no cost to discuss your needs and goals and to help you choose what services may be right for you. If you qualify for CCP services, the Care Coordination Unit will work with you to determine your needs, set up services that are appropriate for you, and keep in touch with you to make sure the services continue to meet your needs.
In-Home Service:
Homecare Aides provide in-home service, such as cleaning, planning, and preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping and running errands. Homecare Aides may also assist moderately impaired participants with personal care tasks, such as dressing, bathing, grooming and following special diets.
Emergency Home Response Service:
EHRS is defined as a 24-hour emergency communication link to assistance outside the participant’s home, based on health and safety needs and mobility limitations. This service is provided by a two-way voice communication system consisting of a base unit and an activation device worn by the participant that will automatically link the participant to a professionally staffed support center. The support center assesses the situation and directs an appropriate response whenever this system is engaged by a participant.
Automated Medicine Dispenser:
A reminder auditory alert is sounded each time throughout the day and night when medicines should be taken. The participants then press the button turning off the alarm and take the meds. Detailed information available by speaking directly to a case manager 800-862-4464.
You are eligible for Community Care Program services if:
- You are aged 60 or older
- You are determined physically in need of service, meaning you are at least moderately impaired
- You are a resident of the state of Illinois
- You are a US citizen or legal alien
- You meet the asset requirements which will be explained to you when the care coordinator comes to your home (telephonically during COVID)
- You apply for medical benefits
We investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of persons 60 years or older, of adults 18 years or older with physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities, and of deaf people. In addition, we advocate for victims and work with abusers to alleviate abuse.
Do I know what Elder Abuse is?
Elder abuse is a term referring to any negligent act by a caregiver or any other adult that causes harm or serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.
The Illinois Adult Protective Services program investigates the following:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Confinement
- Passive neglect
- Willful deprivation
- Financial exploitation
To report abuse, call toll-free, 24/7 line at 866-800-1409.
Information & Assistance
Answer questions and solve problems. Help seniors complete applications and forms, apply for Benefits Access Assistance (a.k.a. the reduced license plate program) and Medicare D enrollment, completed online by appointment.
The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) provides free individual counseling services at PRAIRIE COUNCIL ON AGING. SHIP counselors are dedicated to educating people with Medicare and their caregivers about available insurance options. SHIP is a free counseling service provided by the Illinois Department on Aging. SHIP does not sell or solicit insurance and SHIP is not an insurance plan.
SHIP counselors can answer questions about:
• Medicare
• Medicare Supplement Insurance
• Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs, PPOs, PFFS)
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Extra Help from Social Security for Prescription Drug Costs
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Medicare Claims and Appeals
• Medicare Beneficiary Rights and Guarantees