EXISTING SENIOR SERVICES AND BENEFITS FOR SENIORS

| Health | Food/Nutrition | Transportation | Recreational | Housing | Career Training/Education | Volunteerism |
| Financial Assistance | Kinship Care | Energy Assistance | Disaster Services | Legal Support | Other Support Services |

Health

Portsmouth Health Department
1701 High Street, Suite 102
(757) 393-8585

• SEVAMP - Provide health screening and targeted health education programs for residents 60 years and older. Examples – health risk assessments, targeted education based on risk findings, blood pressure screening, West Nile Virus information packets for prevention education, diabetic education classes, flu and pneumonia vaccines annually to high risk elderly (at-risk, frail, homebound)
• Pre-admission screenings - In collaboration with Social Services, provide clinical and social screening and evaluation for determination of eligibility/appropriateness for nursing home placement or community-based care under Medicaid.
• Preventive education - Provide education to high risk senior facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities and senior residences.
• Arthritis Program – Initiated community-based arthritis self-help course sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. Participants have been, though not exclusively, residents age 60 and older. Courses offered at Senior Station. Provide instructor courses to ensure program continuity. This has been a very popular activity with Seniors.

Community Relations and Leisure Services – Senior Station
3501 Clifford Street
(757) 391-3241

• Exercise Classes
• Blood Pressure Screenings
• Educational Sessions on Health and Medicine topics
• What’s Up Doc? – Half Hour television show from the Senior Station shown on Channel 48 – a variety of medical topics are discussed.
• Partnership with Eastern Virginia Medical School to supply speakers on medical topics.

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Books and magazines devoted to seniors needs and concerns; referral information to agencies and providers; link on web page to Senior Navigator and AARP.

Fire Department
309 County Street
(757) 393-8765

• Courtesy Blood Pressure Exams
• Respond to elderly citizen's homes to assist them in getting back in bed etc. when they fall out

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8614 ext. 6255

• CDBG has committed $25,000 to the Portsmouth Community Health Center for diabetic patient education. (This was not specific to seniors, but seniors would benefit)

Behavioral Healthcare Services
500 Crawford Street, Suite 400
(757) 393-8618

• Outpatient Mental Health Services
• Mental Health Case Management Services
• Mental Health Homeless Case Management Services
• Mental Health Psychosocial Rehabilitative Services
• Mental Health Adult Foster Care Supervision Services
• Mental Health Supportive Services for Supervised Living
• Mental Health Supportive Services
• Mental Health Shelter Plus Care for the Homeless
• Mental Retardation Case Management
• Mental Retardation Rehabilitation (Day Support Program)
• Mental Retardation Supported Employment
• Outpatient Substance Abuse Services
• Substance Abuse Case Management Services
• Methadone Maintenance Treatment Services
• Substance Abuse Intervention Services
• Substance Abuse Prevention Services
• Prevention Services has designed its program to address risk factors for all age ranges throughout the Portsmouth Community. The program utilizes several forums to combat these problems. One method is to disseminate information to the community. PBHS staff attend church, community and school festivals and forums. Prevention staff are currently members of several coalitions, organizations and boards throughout the community. It is estimated that PBHS has contact with over 1000 citizens of all ages through the provision of some 55 prevention programs.
• Another component of the Prevention Services Unit is HIV/AIDS Prevention and Early Intervention Services. The unit provides outreach, crisis counseling, testing and information dissemination to over 500 senior citizens in Portsmouth.

Social Services
1701 High Street, Suite 101
(757) 405-1800

• Medicaid – pays medical service providers for services rendered to eligible needy individuals.
• State-Local Hospitalization – provides basic health care (pays hospital bill) assistance to indigent citizens.
• Prescription Assistance – assists indigent citizens without prescription insurance coverage to obtain medications at little or no cost through the Medication Access Program for Portsmouth (MAPP) and the Pharmacy Connection Program.

Food/Nutrition

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Books and magazines devoted to seniors’ needs and concerns; referral information to agencies and providers; link to Senior Navigator and AARP

Community Relations and Leisure Services – Senior Station
3501 Clifford Street
(757) 391-3241

• Lunch Program – though a grant from Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
• Educational Sessions of Nutrition

Behavioral Healthcare Services
500 Crawford Street, Suite 400
(757) 393-8618

• Food Stamp Program – allows eligible persons/households to obtain a more nutritious diet by increasing their food purchasing power.

Transportation

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Bus route information; referral information to providers

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8614 ext. 6255

• CDBG has committed $96,000 over the next five years to fund transportation for senior citizens through the Senior Station.

Community Relations and Leisure Services – Senior Station
3501 Clifford Street
(757) 391-3241

• Transportation to medical appointments – through a grant form Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and Community Development Block Grant funds.

Recreational

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Books, magazines, Books on Tape, videos, CD’s, DVD’s, Large Type Books; program “Second Tuesday Forum” during fall and winter months; referrals to region’s Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, fliers and posters listing coming events.

General Services
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8120

• The Parks and Properties Management Divisions support senior programs and events with logistical needs. These events are those which are coordinated with the City's recreation programs.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8614 ext. 6255

• CDBG has committed $444,460 to complete a Senior Park in Shea Terrace located between London Street and North Street. The park will have raised flower beds, accessible walk paths and open areas.

Community Relations and Leisure Services – Senior Station
3501 Clifford Street
(757) 391-3241

• Daily Activities, Special Events, Portsmouth Area Golden Olympics, Intergenerational Programs, Guest Speakers, etc.
• Smaller Senior groups also meet at other Recreation Centers for socials.

Housing

Community Relations and Leisure Services – Environmental Inspections
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8522

• Inspectors assist the elderly who cannot maintain their properties by networking with volunteer groups to assist those in need – groups include Civic Leagues, Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardner’s, Clean Commission and Churches.

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Referrals to providers; magazine “Senior Living”

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8614 ext. 6255

• CDBG has committed $100,000 for infrastructure to build 112 elderly tax credit apartment units for low and moderate income senior citizens.

Social Services
1701 High Street, Suite 101
(757) 405-1800

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – provides financial assistance to needy persons/families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives (ex. grandparent receives grant for grandchild/children).
• Adult Foster Care – screen and place adults in Adult Foster Family Homes.

The HOME Program
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8614 ext. 4264

• HomeCare Program – the program assists moderate to low income citizens at least 55 years old and/or disabled who need substantial rehabilitation work for their homes. Currently, homeowners can receive up to $25,000 for the rehab work, exceptions are only made for hardship cases.

Career Training/Education

Community relations and Leisure Services – Senior Station
3501 Clifford Street
(757) 391-3241

• Offer seminars in numerous areas. Offer computer classes in their computer lab. Outside agencies come in to give career training seminars.

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Computer tutorials on-line; referrals to providers; books for study, magazine “Elderhostel” listing courses world-wide and locally; provide space and referrals to Tidewater Literacy Council.

Volunteerism

Community Relations and Leisure Services – Senior Station
3501 Clifford Street
(757) 391-3241

• Numerous volunteer opportunities. Senior Station also works closely with the non-profit organization, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Volunteer positions in the Wilson Room; information on area contacts

Human Resource Management
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8626

• Portsmouth Pride Volunteer Program – distribute volunteer information to the Senior Center for any seniors who may be interested in the City's Volunteer Program.

Museums
420 High Street
(757) 393-8983

• We have an active volunteer program that has many senior citizens who are volunteers

Financial Assistance

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Property tax adjustment forms provided; tax assistance for the elderly at one branch and information on other sites

Social Services
1701 High Street, Suite 101
(757) 405-1800

• Title IV-E Program – provides funds for the care of children in the agency’s care/custody.
• General Relief – provides emergency assistance that cannot be provided through other means. Portsmouth DSS provides assistance for unattached children (not related to the adult caregiver) and burials.
• Tax Relief Program – assists in reducing or freezing the real estate tax liability for qualified elderly and/or disabled homeowners.

Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8779

• Assists filing applications for real estate tax relief for persons age sixty-five or older or totally disabled.

City Treasurer’s Office
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8651

• The City Treasurer implemented an extended due date for the quarterly Real Estate Taxes, and Stormwater Management Utility fees several years ago. This was intended for those Seniors 65 or older that did not qualify for the Tax Relief or Tax Freeze programs administered by Social Services. It was felt that those depending on Social Security, and other retirement benefits needed a 5 day extension in order to receive their respective monthly income, and make their tax payments "On time".
• We offer monthly pre-payment plans to Seniors, as well as other citizens, allowing citizens to make monthly payments of Real Estate Taxes, and SMU Fees. This allows Seniors, and other the opportunity to budget monthly payments versus having to make larger quarterly payments of such taxes.

Kinship Care

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Books and magazines with information; referrals to additional information and providers

Energy Assistance

Social Services
1701 High Street, Suite 101
(757) 405-1800

• Assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs (home heating fuel, cooling and weatherization).

Disaster Services

Portsmouth Health Department
1701 High Street, Suite 102
(757) 393-8585

• Post Disaster – Identify at-risk individuals in facilities and private homes (home-bound) and conduct community visits to assess needs. In the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel, delivered food and ice and served individual physical needs.

Fire Department
309 County Street
(757) 393-8765

• Provide Oxygen on request until the individuals regular service can be restored. Additionally, we contact Va. Power and advise that agency (when we are aware) that individuals who are power dependent (medical devices etc.).

Social Services
1701 High Street, Suite 101
(757) 405-1800

• Disaster Food Stamp Program – allows eligible persons/households to obtain a more nutritious diet by increasing their food purchasing power.
• Disaster Shelter Management/Operations

Legal Support

Behavioral Healthcare Services
500 Crawford Street, Suite 400
(757) 393-8618

• Works closely with the Portsmouth Department of Social Services and the City Attorney’s Office to assist in the process of attaining guardianship for senior citizens who require assistance in the management of their affairs due to decline in their ability to manage those affairs. PBHS and the City Attorney’s Office is also collaborating in a Hampton Roads Southside Community Services Board-City Attorneys Regional Initiative to develop Guardianship processes to assist citizens in the regional localities to attain those services.

Other Support Services

Public Library
601 Court Street
(757) 393-8501

• Free access to computers for searching, typing, e-mail; Law Library is housed at Main Library

General Services
801 Crawford Street
(757) 393-8120

• Waste Management puts out and brings in 560 trash cans for disabled citizens, many of which are seniors.

Fire Department
309 County Street
(757) 393-8765

• Offers regular services such as Fire and EMS response. In addition we provide and install Smoke Detectors upon request.

Social Services
1701 High Street, Suite 101
(757) 405-1800

• Nursing Home Pre-Admission Screening – evaluate the needs of each individual believed to be in need of or at risk of nursing home placement or in-home personal care services.
• Adult Services – services provided to disabled adults over the age of 18 years and adults over the age of sixty. These services include case management, home-based companion services, screening for Medicaid community based care and nursing home placement and screening for admission to an adult care residence.
• Adult Protective Services – consist of the identification, receipt, and investigation of complaints and reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation for incapacitated persons eighteen years of age and over and persons sixty years old age and over.
• Adult Companion Services – services provided to assist the individual to remain at home. These services include light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping, running errands and personal care assistance.
• Day Care for Adults – screen and refer individuals for Adult Day Care.