Sorting through the services, and the terminology, is daunting. A good place to start looking for help is at groups like Shuell's the local information and referral service. We ask you some snoopy questions about the things you think may be the problem, says Shuell, whose group provides information and referral for Santa Clara County. Staff members comb through 17 thick binders filled with information on senior services in Santa Clara County and pass out phone numbers. The non-profit agency also annually publishes The Senior Handbook, filled with telephone numbers of local services.
Family members take it from there.
While the information and referral services can be very helpful, some who plan care for the elderly warn they vary in quality, depending on the amount of training given the person answering the phone. It helps to think about the kind of services you need before calling, and to know a few key elder care phrases, such as case management. Case, or care, managers assess the needs of older people and put together a plan for their long-term care. Federally funded case managers make home visits and assessments of people who are over 60 and in danger of being institutionalized. Mainly, we step in when the person is homebound, frail and doesn't have any support system in the area, says Telma Cramer, coordinator for older adult programs at Family Service of Santa Clara Valley.