Seniors have many places to turn for help

Seniors living in the Prince William area have access to programs that offer everything from overnight trips to scenic Williamsburg to wheelchairs and walkers that can make getting around a little easier.

The Prince William Area Agency on Aging provides multiple programs and services offered to the senior population, their families and their caregivers. The central office is at 7987 Ashton Ave., Suite 231, Manassas, and can be contacted by phone 703-792-6400, TDD 703-792-6444, fax 703-792-4734 or on the Internet at pwcgov.org/aoa/.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT
Caregivers Support Groups meet monthly in Manassas and Woodbridge to provide a supportive atmosphere in which to exchange advice, resources and information. To obtain information about these groups, call the Information and Referral Line at 703-792-6374.

SENIOR CENTERS
A variety of services, programs and activities are offered at the Prince William Senior Centers in Manassas and Woodbridge.

These include health screening, fitness and educational programs, information and referral, recreation, arts and crafts, computer classes, and volunteering. The Senior Center Programs are based on the affirmation of the dignity, self-worth and independence of seniors, promoting wellness and supporting continued growth, learning and involvement in the community.

The Manassas Senior Center is located at 9320 Mosby St. and can be reached by calling 703-792-6405. The Woodbridge Senior Center is located at 13850 Church Hill Drive and can be reached by calling 703-494-5136.

NUTRITION
Nutritious meals and healthy nutrition educational programs are provided to older adults at both senior centers. For homebound, health impaired older adults, the home-delivered meals program delivers daily meals through a network of volunteer couriers. To obtain assistance, call the Information and Referral Line at 703-792-6374.

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
Supportive Services for Adults is a cooperative team approach between the Prince William Area Agency on Aging, Prince William Community Services Board, Prince William Health Department and Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park's Department of Social Services to coordinate and manage all elements of consumer care.

The program provides basic information and referral, a centralized entry point to a broad range of services, in-home comprehensive assessments to identify needs and determine eligibility for services, case/care management to provide monitoring and service coordination, supportive counseling and caregiver support to help cope with long-term care issues, a multi-disciplinary team approach to access services and assistance. To obtain assistance, call the Information and Referral Line at 703-792-6374.

BLUEBIRD TOUR PROGRAM
The Bluebird Tour Program provides day and overnight educational and recreational trips for adults over 55. Typical day trips include Washington-area museums, theater and concert performances and historical sites.

Seniors enjoy longer tours sightseeing at places such as Pennsylvania Dutch country, New York City, Niagara Falls, Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Dollywood, Branson, Richmond and surprise locations on the "Mystery Tour." To obtain more information, contact the Bluebird Tour Coordinator at 703-792-6402.

SENIOR DAY PROGRAMS
The agency administers two licensed adult daycare programs which offer group-based, therapeutic activities, personal care, health monitoring and social services to health and functionally impaired older adults who cannot, or should not, remain at home alone during the day. Essential respite for caregivers is also provided.

The senior day programs are at 15941 Donald Curtis Drive in the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge, and at 7757 Ashton Avenue in the Sudley North Government Complex in Manassas. To obtain information about the Senior Day Programs, call the Information and Referral Line at 703-792-6374.

COMPANION REGISTRY
The agency also provides a Companion Aide Registry for the Elderly that provides listings of self-employed individuals who can offer in-home care, and/or housekeeping assistance. To obtain assistance, call the Information and Referral Line at 703-792-6374.

FRIENDLY VISITORS
The Friendly Visitor Program is a volunteer-based service to older persons who are homebound and desire socialization and support on a regular basis. Volunteers and older adults are matched based on common interests, backgrounds and location. To obtain assistance, call the Information and Referral Line at 703-792-6374.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial assistance is available for essential in-home services for eligible seniors and limited once-a-year assistance is available for a variety of financial emergencies/crisis. To obtain assistance, call the Information and Referral Line at 703-792-6374.

FAN CARE PROGRAM
The Fan Care Program is a fan distribution program sponsored by Dominion Virginia Power in partnership with the Virginia Depart for the Aging. With a grant monies, local Area Agencies on Aging purchase fans for distribution. Prince William Area Agency on Aging coordinates the distribution of fans to eligible residents in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Eligible residents may receive one fan per year. Donated fans become the property of the individual. The Fan Care Program begins June 1 and continues as long as funds last or until Sept. 30. To obtain more information and an application, all 703-792-6400.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer opportunities are offered to persons of all ages in a variety of programs and locations at the Agency on Aging. To obtain more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 703-792-4156. Internships for high school, graduate and post-graduate students are also available.

LOAN CLOSET
Free home care aids (wheelchairs, walkers, bathing chairs, etc.) are offered to older persons on an as-needed basis. To obtain more information, contact 703-792-6400.

MEDICARE ASSISTANCE
The State Health Insurance Program (SHIP)/Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) provides counseling and assistance in understanding Medicare, medical bills and assistance in making decisions about Medicare secondary insurance or the Medicare Part D (prescription drug program). Speakers for community organizations are available through this program.
To obtain more information, contact the VICAP coordinator at 703-792-7662.

OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
This program assists in resolving complaints (when direct efforts fail) about long-term care, facility care, and in-home care through mediation or investigation. Call 703-324-5411 for more information.

THE ELDERCARE LOCATOR
This program is a nationwide, directory assistance service that assists caregivers and seniors locate local support resources.

It is a public service of the Administration on Aging and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the National Association of State Units on Aging.

The toll-free number is 800-677-1116 and it is in operation Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Eldercare Locator can be reached on the Web at eldercare.gov.

SENIOR NEWS
For information about senior activities and programs check every Friday in the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger.

HEALTH CARE
The Prince William County Health District provides many preventive health care services as well as follow-up services for communicable diseases. Care may be free, offered for a sliding scale fee or offered at a fixed charge. Some services require income eligibility.

Clinics are located in Manassas and Woodbridge.

For more information, contact one of the health district sites:

• Manassas clinic, 9301 Lee Ave., 703-792-6300;

• Sudley North clinic, 7751 Ashton Ave., 703-792-4700; and the

• Woodbridge clinic, 13792 Smoketown Road in Smoketown Plaza, 703-792-7300.

The health district can also be reached through two Web sites: a statewide site at vdh.virginia.gov, or the Prince William County Web site at pwcgov.org/default.aspx-topic040028.

The Prince William area offers several organizations that provide services such as day care, support group sessions and job training for disabled citizens and their families.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES
Disability services complements the Community Services Board that addresses services, in part, for people with needs related to mental health or mental disabilities. Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park have different groups.

• Prince William Community Services in Woodbridge, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Suite 200, 703-792-4900; in Manassas, 7969 Ashton Ave., 703-792-7800. Headed by Executive Director Tom Geib, the board offers a variety of programs for the mental health and substance abuse. A listing of services can be found at the agency's Web site, pwcgov.org/csb.

• The Prince William Committee for Persons with Disabilities meets the first Tuesday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Occoquan Room at the McCoart Administration Center, 1 County Complex in Woodbridge. Call 703-792-7649.

• The Cities of Manassas/Manassas Park Disability Services Board serves the two cities and meets the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the Manassas City Hall, 9027 Center St., Room 204. Call 703-257-8200. Call to check for summer months.

• The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, 9309 Center St., Suite 304, in Manassas, offers employment services, community living assistance, and assistive technology services. Call 703-335-5550.

• The Virginia Department of Health in Woodbridge, call 703-792-7300; in Manassas, call 703-792-6300.

• The Department of Social Services in Prince William County, call 703-792-7500; in Manassas, call 703-361-8277; and in Manassas Park, call 703-335-8880.