Senior Help: Senior Assistance Programs And Services

As we age, many of us will require assistance in one way or another. Luckily, many programs and services are available to help seniors live comfortably and securely.
This blog post will discuss the different assistance programs and services available to seniors. We included many sites that can help you find the most applicable benefits to you.
We will also provide information on applying for these programs and their benefits.
Click on the programs listed below to view the details.
- Older Americans Act
- Senior Centers
- Adult Care Food Program
- Prescription Assistance For Seniors
- Comprehensive Assessment & Review for Long-Term Care Services
- Community Care For the Elderly
- National Family Caregiver Support Program
- Eldercare Financial Assistance
- Assisted & Supportive Living Facilities
- Supportive Services For Veteran Families
- Home Care for the Elderly
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- Senior Housing
- Nursing Home Services (Agency for Health Care Administration Website)
- Medicaid Waiver Programs
- Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders
- Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program
- Social Security Issues
- Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families
- Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program
- Elder Abuse Helpline
- Senior Legal Services & Senior Legal Helpline
Older Americans Act
The Older Americans Act (OAA) is a federal law that provides funding for community-based programs and services for seniors. These services include:
- Meals
- Transportation
- In-home care
- Legal assistance
To be eligible for OAA services, seniors must be 60 years of age or older. For more information on the Older Americans Act, visit the Administration for Community Living website.
Senior Centers
Senior centers are community facilities where seniors can socialize, exercise, and receive services like meals and transportation. Senior centers also offer a variety of educational and recreational programs. To find a senior center near you, visit the National Council on Aging website.
Adult Care Food Program
The Adult Care Food Program (ACFP) provides nutritious meals to seniors in adult daycare centers, family day homes, and other adult care facilities. To be eligible for ACFP, seniors must be 60 years of age or older and meet income requirements. For more information on the Adult Care Food Program, visit the USDA website.
Prescription Assistance For Seniors
There are many prescription assistance programs available to seniors. These programs help seniors pay for their medications. To find a prescription assistance program near you, visit the National Council on Aging website.
Comprehensive Assessment & Review for Long-Term Care Services
The CARES program provides free assessments for seniors who are at risk of needing long-term care services. The assessment includes an evaluation of the senior’s physical, cognitive, and social needs. For more information on the CARES program, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
Community Care For the Elderly
The Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) program provides in-home and community-based care to seniors who are at risk of needing nursing home care. CCE services include:
- Home-delivered meals
- Personal care
- Transportation
- Adult daycare
To be eligible for CCE, seniors must be 60 years of age or older and meet income requirements. For more information on the Community Care for the Elderly program, visit the Florida Department of Elder Affairs website.
National Family Caregiver Support Program
The NFCSP provides services and support to caregivers of seniors. Services include:
- Information and referrals
- Caregiver training
- Respite care
To be eligible for NFCSP, caregivers must be caring for a senior who is 60 years of age or older. For more information on the National Family Caregiver Support Program, visit the Administration for Community Living website.
Eldercare Financial Assistance
There are many financial assistance programs available to seniors. These programs can help seniors pay for:
- Housing
- Utilities
- Medical expenses
- Prescriptions
To find a financial assistance program near you, visit the Benefits.gov website.
Assisted & Supportive Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities provide housing, personal care, and support services to seniors. These facilities are for seniors who need help with activities of daily living but do not need the level of care provided by a nursing home. To find an assisted living facility near you, visit the Assisted Living Federation of America website.
Supportive Services For Veteran Families
The SSVF program provides housing and supportive services to veterans and their families. Services include:
- Case management
- Health care referrals
- Housing counseling
To be eligible for SSVF, veterans must have a discharge that is other than dishonorable. Visit the Veterans Affairs website for more information on the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.
Home Care for the Elderly
The Home Care for the Elderly program provides in-home care to seniors who are at risk of needing nursing home care. Services include:
- Homemaker services
- Personal care
- Transportation
To be eligible for HCE, seniors must be 60 years of age or older and meet income requirements.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides comprehensive, coordinated care to seniors. Services include:
- Primary and specialty care
- In-home care
- Adult daycare
To be eligible for PACE, seniors must be 55 years of age or older and meet income requirements. For more information on the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
Senior Housing
There are many different types of senior housing options available, including:
- Independent living
- Assisted living
- Nursing homes
To find a senior housing option near you, visit the National Center for Assisted Living website.
Nursing Home Services (Agency for Health Care Administration Website)
The Nursing Home Services program provides services to seniors who are residents of nursing homes. Services include:
- Personal care
- Health care
- Social and recreational activities
To be eligible for Nursing Home Services, seniors must be 65 years of age or older and meet income requirements. For more information on the Nursing Home Services program, visit the Agency for Health Care Administration website.
Medicaid Waiver Programs
Medicaid waiver programs provide services to seniors who are at risk of needing nursing home care. Services include:
- Home-delivered meals
- Personal care
- Transportation
To be eligible for a Medicaid waiver program, seniors must be 65 years of age or older and meet income requirements. For more information on Medicaid waiver programs, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders
The SHINE program provides information and counseling to seniors about health insurance. Services include:
- Health insurance counseling
- Medicare enrollment assistance
- Medicaid enrollment assistance
To be eligible for SHINE, seniors must be 65 years of age or older.
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program
The SMMC LTC program provides long-term care services to seniors who are enrolled in Medicaid-managed care. Services include:
- In-home care
- Adult daycare
- Transportation
To be eligible for SMMC LTC, seniors must be enrolled in Medicaid-managed care and meet income requirements.
Social Security Issues
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides benefits to seniors who are retired or disabled. Services include:
- Retirement benefits
- Disability benefits
- Supplemental Security Income
To be eligible for Social Security benefits, seniors must be 65 years of age or older and meet income requirements. For more information on Social Security benefits, visit the Social Security Administration website.
Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families
The RELIEF program provides respite care to seniors who are living with family members. Services include:
- In-home care
- Adult daycare
- Transportation
To be eligible for RELIEF, seniors must be 60 years of age or older and meet income requirements. For more information on the RELIEF program, visit the National Respite Locator website.
Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program
The EHEAP program provides assistance to seniors who are struggling to pay their energy bills. Services include:
- Utility bill payment assistance
- Weatherization assistance
To be eligible for EHEAP, seniors must meet income requirements. For more information on the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program, visit the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program website.
Elder Abuse Helpline
The Elder Abuse Helpline provides information and resources to seniors who are victims of abuse. Services include:
- Crisis counseling
- Information and referrals
- Legal assistance
To be eligible for the Elder Abuse Helpline, seniors must be 60 years of age or older. For more information on the Elder Abuse Helpline, visit the National Center on Elder Abuse website.
Senior Legal Services & Senior Legal Helpline
Senior Legal Services provides legal assistance to seniors who are 60 years of age or older. Services include:
- Legal advice
- Legal representation
- Senior Legal Helpline
To be eligible for Senior Legal Services, seniors must be 60 years of age or older and meet income requirements. For more information on Senior Legal Services, visit the National Legal Aid & Defender Association website.
Senior Life Insurance Services
The best thing you can do to get the lowest insurance premiums on life insurance for seniors is to work with a qualified independent insurance agent. Independent insurance agents from Funeral Funds represent multiple insurance companies so that they can shop around for the best rates and recommend the best plan for your needs. Fill out the quote form or call us at (888) 862-9456.
As you can see, there are many senior assistance programs and services available to seniors. If you or a loved one is in need of assistance, be sure to explore all of the available options.
For more information on these and other programs, visit your local library or senior center. You can also call the Eldercare Locator at the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) also provides a wealth of information on its website. Visit NCOA.org or call them at 800-677-1116.