In-Home Services Help Seniors Remain in Their Homes
When everyday tasks such as cooking dinner, climbing stairs, or managing your medical appointments become too difficult for you to do on your own, the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, also known as MSSP, might be able to help. Do you know someone aged 65 or older who needs help at home? It’s not unusual.
MSSP in Tulare and Kings Counties provides social and health care management services to help older adults remain in their homes and communities. To be eligible for MSSP, individuals must be 65 years of age or older, be eligible for Medi-Cal, and be certified for placement in a skilled nursing facility. MSSP helps prevent or delay more expensive, long-term nursing home care and helps seniors live safely and as independently as possible in their own homes.
So, what can MSSP do for you?
MSSP care managers can coordinate and arrange a variety of services for you, such as:
- Adult Daycare
- Care Management
- Caregiver Support/Respite Care
- Chore and Personal Care Assistance
- Communication Services (for a phone, emergency response devices, language translation, or interpretation)
- Counseling
- Home-delivered Meals
- Medication Reminders
- Minor Home Repairs and Safety Modifications
- Personal Care Products
- Social Reassurance/Therapeutic Counseling
- Transportation (to medical appointments)
MSSP is a valuable resource and has supportive staff to help seniors. During a recent discussion with MSSP Registered Nurse Barbara Pitcock and Care Manager Rachel Preciado, they shared that “Being able to help participants against all odds and provide accessibility to their communities is rewarding.” An example of the positive impact MSSP has on participants is best described by a mutual client of Barbara and Rachel. Wilma White, a 76-year-old who has been with the MSSP program for nine years, was recently asked, “How has the MSSP program helped you stay independent at home?” She responded, “I have nothing but good to say. They are absolutely amazing.” Wilma went on to say, “If I need something, Barbara is right on it; she even got me an electric wheelchair, a chair to get into bed, and personal items.”
Are you, or is someone you know, in need of in-home services? If you are interested in learning more about the program, call your local MSSP office at (559) 623-0194 or 1-800-434-0222. You can also visit the Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging website at https://bit.ly/3vl5sq0 for more information.
