50+ Lifestyles

What is Alternatives for the Older Adult?

For 25 years, Alternatives for the Older Adult has helped area seniors find solutions for their care needs. Our experienced, certified staff has made it possible for older adults to stay safe and secure in either their own homes or assisted living and nursing homes. Our programs include care coordination, bill payer assistance, support for caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren, nursing home complaint resolution and protective services. Through two community centers in Moline, and Ottawa, Illinois, Alternatives offers support groups, workshops and a place to come for advice or to just meet friends.

Alternatives for the Older Adult is the only agency designated by the Illinois Department on Aging to assist seniors with care planning and is a nonprofit organization.

Care Coordination: Developing a plan of care especially for you. Your Care Coordinator will start wherever YOU are – whether you are in your own home, in the hospital, or in a nursing home.

Your Care Coordinator will:
• Meet with you and get to know your needs
• Gather information, do the footwork, make phone calls, and figure costs for support and sort through it
• Find out if you can receive state-funded services; even if you don’t qualify, we can still find appropriate services for you
• Help you decide what works for you to live better, more independently
• Arrange for the services you prefer such as homemaker, in-home meals, emergency response, etc.

Bill Payer-Assistance: Begin here if handling your finances has become overwhelming.

Your Bill Payer will:
• Visit you personally to get to know your needs
• Become a bill payer or representative payee, if needed
• Help organize and pay bills and/or assist you in balancing your checkbook

Caregiver Support: Start here if caring for an aging loved one is stressful to you.

The Caregiver Counselor will:
• Learn about your care-giving role and provide individual counseling
• Guide you on setting realistic expectations
• Meet with your family upon request
• Link you with services to provide you with relief
• Connect you with a local caregiver support group
• Provide caregiver classes to give you the tools you need for handling any situation

Nursing Home Complaint Resolution: Begin here if you are having a problem with a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Your Advocate will:
• Provide information on your rights
• Investigate complaints and help resolve them
• Provide education to nursing homes about your rights
• Visit you in the nursing home

Protective Services: Start here if you are, or know an older adult who is being taken advantage of, abused or neglected.

The Protective Service Staff will:
• Meet with you about your situation and assist you in resolving problems
• Help with legal options or finding other services
• Provide supportive counseling

For more information on programs offered by Alternatives for the Older Adult, call (309) 277-0167 or 800-798-0988 or visit www.4olderadults.org.