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**Name of Project:** Link-Age Aging and Disability Resource Center

**Name of Organization:** Generations, Area 13 Agency on Aging,
Vincennes, IN

**Description of Program or Project:**

Generations was one of two pilots for Link-Age, Indiana's Aging and
Disability Resource Centers in 2005. Over the past three years, our
agency has expanded beyond that state's expectations adding additional
staff and receiving certification to be the 2-1-1 Call Center for
counties within our six-county service area. The three options
counselors who man the Resource Center are experienced in interviewing
people and familiar with community resources. They identify the needs of
the individual, assess the situation, identify options available and
develop a plan. They also discuss with individuals how the identified
service needs might be paid or subsidized. One of the Options Counselors
is also a certified reverse mortgage counselor and is available free of
charge to older adults who are considering this option.

On February 11, 2008, our agency began offering 2-1-1 service for two of
our six counties and in the process of preparing for the launch of this
service we increased our resource listings from 200 per county to 500.

The Generations magazine, which is published three times a year and
provided free to over 4,500 older adults, contains articles on health
and long-term care options. Information is also available on two
websites -- generationsnetwork.org and link-age.org -- which were
designed to be "elder friendly."

As part of the Indiana Eligibility Modernization project to improve
client's access to assistance programs, such as Food Stamps and
Medicaid, Generations has been designated as a VCAN (Volunteer Community
Access Network) site. The modernization is scheduled to go into effect
in May of 2008. As a VCAN site, Generations would have a computer
available in the office for individuals to use to apply for assistance
programs. Options Counselors would also be on hand to help with the
online application process.

The majority of the services offered through Link-Age target the needs
of older adults and individuals with disabilities. With the addition of
2-1-1 service in two of our six counties we can help people of all ages.

In 2007 Link-Age assisted 3,050 persons (duplicated count) and 1,419
persons (duplicated count) thus far in 2008. March 2007 - February 2008,
Generations participated in 203 outreach events reaching approximately
8,500 people. Link-Age website averages 339 visitors each month. The
magazine reaches over 4,500 readers.

Link-Age, by expanding its array of services, is successfully addressing
AoA's priority area of obtaining the tools seniors and their families
need to make informed decisions about, and gain better access to
existing health and long term care options in their communities.

Key partners involved in this effort include:

-   Regional Social Security Administration office

-   Community Coordinated Child Care of Southern Indiana, Inc.

-   Community Alliance and Services for Young Children

-   Dubois-Pike Warrick Economic Opportunity Committee, In. d/b/a
    TRI-CAP

-   ATTIC, Inc.

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-   Southern Indiana Homeownership, Inc.

-   Pace Community Action Agency, Inc.

-   Hoosier Uplands EDC

-   Daviess, Knox, and Pike County 9-1-1 Service

-   Samaritan Center

-   United Way of Southwestern Indiana 2-1-1

-   Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living

-   State Health Insurance Assistance Program

-   Four Community Project - Knox County United Way

-   Indiana Legal Services

-   Indiana 2-1-1 Partnership

For more information about the activities of Link-Age Aging and
Disability Resource Center, contact Anne Jacoby, Executive Director at
812-888-5880 or by email at <ajacoby@vinu.edu> The website is
[www.generationsnetwork.org](http://www.generationsnetwork.org/)