Senior Community Services' HOME Program

The Household and Outside Maintenance for Elderly (HOME) program offers senior homemaking services – vacuuming, dusting, sweeping/mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning kitchens, and changing bed linens and more. This can also be a great relief to family members who find themselves balancing time to keep their own home comfortable.

We have Handymen available to provide assistance around the home. They can help with changing light bulbs, installing grab bars, fixing leaky faucets, repairing running toilets, installing new faucet and light fixtures, checking carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, changing furnace filters, and hanging wall decorations and mirrors. For more information on HOME or to schedule a FREE Home Health & Safety Assessment call 952-746-4046 or visit www.seniorcommunity.org.

Senior Partners Care Program

An increasing number of Minnesota’s low to moderate income individuals are at risk of sliding down the slippery slope toward financial crisis. The problem is becoming critical for thousands of older or disabled Minnesotans whose income is between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Index. These are people who are on Medicare, do not qualify for Medicaid, and are frequently unable to pay the balance of their health costs after Medicare has paid. Fortunately, there is help for these Minnesotans, who meet eligibility requirements, with the Senior Partners Care program.

The Senior Partners Care program helps Medicare beneficiaries bridge the financial gap between what they owe on medical bills and what is covered by Medicare. Senior Partners Care is not insurance. However, thanks to partnerships with hundreds of hospitals, clinics and providers statewide, seniors and disabled may have all or part of their healthcare debt waived by participating providers.

To qualify, seniors and disabled must have Medicare A and B, no supplemental insurance, meet income and asset thresholds, seek care from participating medical providers and submit an application with a modest annual fee, for approval. For an application or to receive more information on Senior Partners Care call 952-767-0665 or toll free 1-888-541-5488. Or visit us at http://seniorcommunity.org/programs/senior-partners-care/

Rake The Leaves Spring Yard Clean Up

Leaf it to spring. Improve your health while helping a senior citizen remain independent in their home! Volunteers choose the date and time to rake and clean up the yard. Perfect for individuals, groups, and families; youth age 7+ welcome when chaperoned. Seasonal: starting in late March (depending upon the weather). This is a one-time unpaid fun, flexible activity on weekdays or weekends. Feel free to sign up multiple times!

Exact location TBD in Minneapolis or Suburban Hennepin County, depends upon where the senior citizen resides. Ongoing unpaid volunteer opportunities are also available. Please contact Jeanne the HOME Program Volunteer Coordinator at scsvolunteer@seniorcommunity.org or call 952-767-7894 for more information.

The HOME Program number is 952-746-4046 or home@seniorcommunity.org , if a senior age 60+ needs spring clean-up or other services in Hennepin County. Senior Community Services is a nonprofit organization with five programs serving elders and caregivers statewide. For more information please visit www.seniorcommunity.org or call 952-541-1019. Seniors outside of Hennepin County should contact the Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433 for information about services in their area. Thank you!

Tax Preparation Assistance

Find free tax preparation assistance at East Side Neighborhood Services (ESNS), 1700 2nd Street NE:

Prepare and Prosper is once again offering free tax preparation to low-income individuals and families on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings through April 18. Service is walk-in only. Sign-in times is 5:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:15 a.m. on Saturdays. Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before the sign-in time. Those arriving after the sign-in time will be served if there is time.

AARP is providing free tax assistance to low-income seniors and disabled individuals. Assistance is by appointment only. Volunteer tax preparers will be at ESNS Monday afternoons and Wednesday evenings through April 13. To make an appointment, call 612-781-6011.

HOME Senior Chore Service

Maintaining a home can be very difficult for an older adult living on a fixed income. Without services from a program like HOME (Household & Outside Maintenance for Elderly), Minnesota’s largest chore services program for seniors operated by Senior Community Services, many older people may continue to live in a home that is not up to their standards or be forced to move to a nursing home. The purpose of the HOME program is to help seniors to remain independent in a clean, safe environment by providing accessible, reliable and affordable chore services.

Some of the chore services that the HOME program provides include vacuuming, sweeping/mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, and changing bed linens. For program details visit http://seniorcommunity.org/programs/ or call 952-746-4046.

Senior Partners Care Information

Does the financial burden of the gap left between medical bills and Medicare keep you or a loved one from getting critical medical care needed to stay healthy? Stop worrying, there’s a solution! Let Senior Partners Care (SPC) help you. SPC is a statewide program, which began in 1973, that helps low to moderate income Medicare beneficiaries limit their out of pocket expenses by waiving the balance on medical services and treatments after Medicare payment for eligible clients who use SPC healthcare providers for Medicare approved services.

SPC has partnered with most of the major metropolitan area hospitals and hundreds of clinics and providers statewide, with some of the key providers being Fairview, HCMC, Park Nicollet/Methodist, North Memorial, HealthEast, and Minnesota Oncology. Partners agree to accept Medicare as full payment on Medicare covered services for SPC members.

For program details and applications visit www.seniorcommunity.org/programs or call (952) 767-0665.

Rake, Rattle & Roll!!

The Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches’ HandyWorks program offers free leaf raking for residents 60 years and older in Southeast and Northeast Minneapolis. Volunteer groups of 5-6 will help elderly neighbors by raking their leaves in late October through early November, weather permitting. If you are interested either in receiving services or volunteering to help out your neighbors, please contact Molly Chandler at 612-721-8687 or mchandler@gmcc.org. Please help spread the word about this service to your senior friends and neighbors!