Care Management

 The Natchitoches Parish Council on Aging experienced care managers help seniors live independently in their homes for as long as possible by providing access to quality care, referrals and assistance with the activities of daily living and health management. We also provide caregivers with much needed support and time-off from the stress of caring for an aged and infirm loved one.

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Monthly and/or weekly events and activities designed to provide information & services supporting and/or improving older adults mental and physical well-being. For example, hearing, vision, blood pressure screenings are performed by health care agency volunteers. Call, 318-357-3250, to find out more or to inquire if there is a clinic, screening, meeting for you!

Information and Assistance

The NPCOA provides information and assistance to older adults and their caregivers. Each individual is assessed to determine their needs and capabilities to identify the most appropriate services to meet their needs and link the individual to the proper resource.

NPCOA staff will conduct a phone screening then schedule a visit to the individual’s home to complete an assessment to determine what services the person is eligible to receive. If NPCOA is not able to provide the needed service the individual is referred to the appropriate agency for assistance.

Services include, but are not limited to:

 

    • Comprehensive in-home assessments
    • Professional advice about available resources for seniors and their families
    • Development and implementation of a care plan to improve clients’ health and well-being
    • Procurement and management of support services such as in-home care and nutrition
    • Assistance with bill paying and insurance/medical claims processing
    • Long-term care planning
    • Caregiver support
    • Assistance with family dynamics

Legal Assistance

NPCOA contracts with Acadiana Legal Services Corporation (ALSC), a private non-profit law firm, to provide legal services to seniors. This program provides pro bono legal advice, counseling and representation by an attorney or an individual working under the supervision of an attorney. The purpose of legal assistance is to assist senior citizens in securing their rights, benefits and entitlements. Call, 318-357-3250 to set-up an appointment or click here to find out more about ALSC.

National Family Caregiver Support Program

A multi-faceted program that provides information, assistance and education to seniors and their caregivers. Services are available to adult family members who provide in-home and community care for a person 60+.

Services such as:

  • Information
  • Assistance in gaining access to services
  • Individual counseling
  • Organization of support groups and caregiver training
  • Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities
  • Supplemental services, including housing improvement, chore, provision of medical supplies and services
  • Legal assistance for caregivers, grandparents or older individuals who are caregivers for relatives

Respite Care Program

The Respite Care Program offers the caretaker a well-deserved break by providing a trained caregiver to care for the elderly/incapacitated individual in the primary caretaker’s absence.

Personal Care Program

Personal Care Program provides a trained caregiver to attend to the needs of an individual unable to perform one or more of the following activities of daily living: eating, dressing, bathing, transferring in and out of a bed/chair or walking.

Acadian On-Call

A personal emergency response system provides peace of mind with assistance at the touch of a button.

Material Aid

NPCOA issues devices and nutritional supplements to qualified senior citizens.

These include items such as:

    • Walkers
    • Wheelchairs
    • Canes
    • Fans
    • Blankets
    • Personal hygiene items
    • Nutritional supplements (Boost, Ensure and Glucerna)

Telephone Reassurance

Volunteers make daily calls around 10 am (including weekends and holidays) to seniors living alone, checking in on their well being and safety. After two attempts we cannot verify the well-being of a client, we will notify the local sheriff’s department to check on this person. Telephone reassurance can provide peace of mind for a home-bound person. This service is free to all seniors, living in Natchitoches Parish, regardless of income.