Aging Services
The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP) is a program of the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) whose mission is to promote independence for people sixty years or older and their caregivers living in Austin and the surrounding ten-county Capital Area. Through the Area Plan for Aging Services, CAPCOG assesses the needs of the region's older adults and develops strategies to meet them. Funded by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, our services are provided without cost to eligible residents of Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson Counties. You can access all of our programs through our main telephone number:
Austin local (512) 916-6062
Toll Free at 1-888-622-9111
aaacap@capcog.org
Program Highlights
Caregiver Support Program
Care Coordination for Recovery from a Hospital Stay
Area Resources through Information Referral and Assistance
Benefits Counseling: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplement Insurance
Ombudsman Program
Volunteer Opportunties
Helpful Web Links
Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area: Your local resources in the Capital Area
http://www.aaacap.org/
Benefits Checkup: Check your eligibility for assistance programs
http://www.benefitscheckup.org/
Eldercare Locator: Directory for community assistance nationwide
http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp
Medicare: Compare Nursing Homes; Find a Doctor
http://www.medicare.gov/default.asp
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services: Find Services/Long-term Care
http://www.dads.state.tx.us/index.cfm
Texas Low Income Housing Counselor:
http://www.texashousingcounselor.org/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging:
http://www.aoa.gov/
The Caregiver Support Program
Families, not social service agencies or government programs, are the foundation of care for older adults in the United States. The Caregiver Support Program is designed to support family members who are caring for adults 60 years of age or older, grandparents raising grandchildren or other relatives under age 18, and caregivers 60 or older who provide care to persons with developmental disabilities.
The support services we offer to caregivers are:
. Information about resources
. Education, training and support groups
. Care coordination
. Assistance in accessing services.
In addition, in-home support services for eligible care receivers are available on a short-term limited basis. Care coordinators evaluate the needs of care receivers and caregivers for assistance.
Care Coordination
Care Coordination is part of the community-based care system. The Care Coordinator assesses a person's needs and resources, linking clients to a full range of in-home services, such as homemaker, personal assistance, and emergency response on a temporary, short-term basis. Contact a Care Coordinator for information on eligibility.
Area Resources through Information Referral & Assistance (IR&A)
The goal of the IR&A Program is to help our clients preserve their independence. For many callers, this is the first step to making informed decisions about the programs and services that fit their needs. The IR&A Specialist gives thorough and unbiased information about community-wide resources and assists in determining the right avenues to explore.
512-916-6062, Toll Free 1-888-622-9111 ext 6062, or aaacap@capcog.org
Benefits Counseling
The maze of government benefit programs can be difficult to navigate but it is the key to older adults receiving the benefits to which they are entitled. The Staff Benefits Counselor answers questions and eases the application process for programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Supplement Insurance through telephone conversations or home visits.
Ombudsman Program
The Ombudsman Program provides advocates and friendly allies for seniors living in nursing or assisted living facilities. Specially trained and certified, the Ombudsman staff develops positive relationships with residents and facility staff to make sure that issues can be resolved in a positive manner.
Find and compare Long-term Care Facilities through the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Compare Nursing Homes in your area through the Medicare Web site.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Ombudsmen complete a course of state-sponsored training and usually work with one specific facility to contribute to the best possible quality of life for facility residents. Complete training and support are provided through the Area Agency on Aging as a foundation for a successful and rewarding volunteer experience.
Volunteer Benefits Counselors complete twenty-five hours of training and use their knowledge to assist older adults in accessing benefits by being available at senior centers, nutrition sites, or wherever a need is identified.
For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 512-916-6062 or Toll Free 1-888-622-9111.
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