Aging
People are living longer, healthier lives. Healthy lifestyles, local activities, planning for retirement, and knowing your options for health care and long-term care are more important than ever before.
Popular Questions
Driving helps an individual stay independent. However as we age, vision and cognition as well as any physical changes might affect one's driving ability. Older adult drivers are more than twice as likely to report having a medical problem that makes it difficult to travel as compared with drivers ages 24-64 according to the CDC. Check out an artical by AARP about how to talk to your loved one about driving. aarp website: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2019/is-it-time-to-stop-driving.html
Find alternative transportation in your area. Talk with your local Area Agency on Aging. see map
Check out Driving Safety for Older Adults and take the Interactive Driving Safety Questionnaire. HealthinAging.org
The Aging and Disabilty Resource Center (ADRC) can assist you in locating independent living support services. Local ADRCs provide information, referral, and assistance for accessing community services and long-term care options. Visit their website or call toll free at (844) 843-6364 for help with locating resources in your area.
Sign of possible elder abuse include:
- Injuries that cannot be explained or the explanation doesn't make sense;
- Fractures, bruises, cuts, burns;
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases;
- Changes in behaviors around certain individuals;
- Unpaid bills despite having enough money to pay them;
- ATM withdrawals that don't match the person's lifestyle or ability;
- Forged checks or checks for services not used by the person;
- Missing or stolen medications;
- Lack of food, proper clothing, shelter, or medicine;
- Unsafe shelter (rotting floors, exposed wiring, fire hazards);
- Lack of proper supervision;
- Poor hygiene (untrimmed nails, matted hair, odor, soiled clothing)
- Untreated bedsores or other untreated medical issues.
If you suspect elder abuse call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at (800) 652-1999 or local law enforcement.
Anyone who knows or even suspects elder abuse or neglect should call the DHHS Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999. Adult Protective Services is charged with investigating cases to protect vulnerable adults from exploitation.
The signs of financial exploitation include:
- Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices, such as unexplained withdrawals of large amounts of money or transfers between accounts
- Additional names on an older person’s bank cards or checking accounts
- Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents
- Disappearance of funds, possessions or medications from the home
- Unpaid bills or substandard medical care despite the availability of funds
- Evidence of the elder’s signature being forged
- The sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives or new friends
- Unnecessary services, goods or subscriptions
- Financial activity impossible for a bedridden senior such as an ATM withdrawal
- A caregiver expresses excessive interest in the amount of money spent on the older person
- Payment for unnecessary services
- Reports from the individual of financial exploitation
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services can help you determine if you or a loved one are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare.
Visit their website for more information on eligiblity for Medicaid.
You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website for more information on eligibility for Medicare, and to learn about the differences between Medicaid and Medicare.
You can also call the State Unit on Aging for more information at (402) 471-2307.
Your local Aging and Disabilty Resource Center (ADRC) is for Nebraskans aged 60 years or older, people with disabilities of all ages, family members, caregivers and advocates. Local ADRCs provide information, referral and assistance for accessing community services and long-term care options. Also local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) have the option to provive ADRC services.
More information is available at the ADRC Website.
