• Each individual is screened for service by a qualified assessor utilizing the State’s Consumer Information Form.   Clients receive a score which indicates need for certain critical services. 
• All services are classified as Level I (0-8); Level II (22 and Above)  
• All services require that the individual be 60 years and older OR disabled.

Adult Day Care – A place for aged and disabled individuals with serious health problems or impairments to go during the day for recreational activities, personal care supervision, meals, limited health care and the opportunity to interact socially with other people in group or individual activities.  The purpose of day care is to: (1) provide care, supervision and services to individuals who are capable of only limited self-care; (2) meet health maintenance, prevention/intervention, and rehabilitation needs; and (3) promote a maximum level of independent functioning.  LEVEL II

Congregate Meals -   These are hot or other appropriate meals served in a congregate setting, usually at senior centers or other locations as designated.  The purpose of this service is to provide individuals with five (5) nutritious meals per week at centers where they can also obtain social, rehabilitative, and supportive services.  Each meal meets a minimum of thirty-three and one-third of the daily Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) as established by the appropriate governmental entity.

The individual must be 60 years and older or the spouse of an eligible individual.  Disabled individuals, regardless of age, can participate in this service if they reside in a housing facility occupied primarily by older persons if the site is designated for congregate meals. LEVEL I

Elder Abuse Prevention – Under the Vulnerable Adults Act, this service offers public information and education to help inform the general public of the signs of adult maltreatment and to develop prevention awareness.  As part of this service, reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults are reported to the Mississippi Department of Human Services/Division of Aging and Adult Services, the legally designated state agency under Mississippi’s Vulnerable Adults Act.

To be eligible for this service, anyone can call the AAA to request speakers for presentations to large or small groups. 

Emergency Response System -  A personal response system installed in the residence of a frail elderly individual to alert the need for help in an emergency situation.  Devices are installed in the home which will allow monitoring of that individual 24 hours/day. Individuals who wish to pay for this service do not have to meet eligibility. LEVEL II

Emergency Services - This service provides short-term or extended assistance to needy individuals.  Emergency services can include medical supplies, food, clothing, or any other identified items.  LEVEL II

Homemaker Services -  This service offers assistance to functionally impaired older persons with housekeeping, laundry, meal planning, marketing, food preparation, and other types of home management tasks.  Trained homemakers assist individuals 60 years and older who have either functional, physical, or mental characteristics which prevents them from providing chores for themselves and who do not have an informal support network capable of assisting with those needs. LEVEL II

Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (Medicaid Waiver)- This program allows qualified individuals to remain in a home or community based setting as an alternative to nursing facility care or other institutional care.  To qualify for this service, the following factors are required:

1. Beneficiaries must be 21 years of age or older;
2. Persons qualify by either SSI or 300% of SSI
3. Beneficiaries must score 50 or above on the Medicaid Long Term Care Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) instrument.
4. Person must require nursing facility level of care, if assistance is not provided.

Legal Services – This service assists older individuals with legal problems, excluding criminal matters.  Cases may involve social security, SSI, veterans assistance, guardianship, Wills, Medicare/Medicaid, landlord/tenant issues, or other similar legal matters. LEVEL II

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program – Trained workers, certified as ombudsmen, visits regularly all licensed nursing homes and personal care homes to investigate, verify and work to resolve complaints by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities about care, services, financial assistance, rights and other concerns affecting their dignity
and well-being. (ALL RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOMES)

Long-Term Alternatives Program –  A trained social worker provides information, education and referral to Medicaid beneficiaries and applicants seeking long-term care services, including home and community based services and all of the state’s waiver programs (Elderly and Disabled Waiver, Independent Living Waiver, Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury Waiver, Assisted Living Waiver, and Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities Waiver).  Additionally, this program is a follow-up to the current Pre-Admission Screening process for the Division of Medicaid to determine if all alternative referral information has been offered to Medicaid beneficiaries prior to admission of a nursing facility.  LEVEL II

Outreach –  A trained worker visits the homes of older adults to make an assessment of the services needed by the individual.  They also handle referrals from the general public regarding individuals who need assistance but need help to navigate the many community resources.  LEVEL I

Respite Services – This service provides temporary relief time to a primary caregiver of an ill, frail, infirm, functionally impaired older individual or an individual suffering from dementia.  Trained respite workers substitute for a caregiver to allow the caregiver the needed personal time away for home and their caregiving role.  This service targets caregivers. LEVEL II

State Health Insurance Program – This service is a counseling program designed to provide answers to questions regarding Medicare, Medicaid, medigap insurance, and any other public benefits. SHIP counselors are available for group speaking, one-on-one advise and counseling, and participation as exhibitors in public programs. LEVEL I

Mississippi Senior Medicare Patrol – This service is designed to help older adults identify fraud and abuse, and teaches them how to report suspicious claims. Speakers are available at the AAA to make presentations or to exhibit services. LEVEL I

Senior Community Service Employment Program – Eligible workers are placed in community service jobs and paid minimum wages while receiving training for unsubsidized jobs.  Individuals 55 years and older may apply if their income not exceed 125 percent of the poverty level as established by the U. S. Office of Management and Budget. LOW INCOME

Transportation - Trained drivers transport older adults to various community resources for the purpose of obtaining needed services or goods.  Trips may include doctors’ offices, drugstores, senior centers, or other similar locations. LEVEL I

Staff Directory ( Main Line – 601-981-1511)

Bettye S. Burgess – Area Agency on Aging Director- Ext. 230
Kathy Bolls – Information Specialist, ADRC – Ext. 301
Chelsea  B. Crittle – Program Development Specialist – Ext 222
Karla Craine – Data Management Clerk – Ext. 229
Lillie Henderson, Insurance Counselor – Ext. 257
Brenda Knott – Program Specialist – Ext. 227
Cassandra Rankin – Administrative Asst/Insurance Counselor – Ext. 274
Evelyn Rankin- Insurance Counselor – Ext. 250
Melinda Williams – District Ombudsman – Ext. 276
Amy Lewis, Social Worker-Long-Term Care Alternative Program, Ext. 243
Teresa Burrell-Shoto, RN– Medicaid Waiver Supervisor- Ext. 255
Linda Beatty, RN
Cynthia Rucker, Social Worker
Cyndy Berg, RN
Maxine Britton, RN
Janice Coleman, SW
Angela Holley, Social Worker
Laura Ray, RN
Clarissa LeFlore, Social Worker
Gloria Lee, RN
Rosalind Yarber, Social Worker
Mary Broadway, RN
Kimberley Bracey, SW
Elmina Johnson, RN
Darlena Morton, SW
Tiffany Walker, RN
Janice Neal, SW
Michelle Rutledge, RN
Trisha Worthy, SW
Jeanni Cantrell, RN
Angela Travis, SW
Beth Smith, RN
Karen Harris, SW

This agency works in partnership with the United States Department of Health and Human Services/Administration on Aging, and the Mississippi Department of Human Services/Division of Aging and Adult Services to provide services to older adults so that they will be able to remain in their own homes as long as possible, thereby avoiding early placement into a nursing home facility.

Revised: June, 2010