(There is no charge for any of the Information & Assistance and Care Management services.)

What is this program?

This program represents the way the Council on Aging lets people know about what resources are available to them in their local communities.

The Council does this by employing well-trained, empathetic professionals called Care Managers that travel to each of the communities in Whitman County to make home visits. During these home visits, Care Managers will talk with individuals and families to inform them about community resources. A Care Manager will help the individual identify their strengths as well as needs for services.

What's the difference between "Care Management" and "Information & Assistance"?

Information & Assistance focuses on individuals with limited knowledge of available resources to deal with physical / emotional limitations. Care Management is designed to serve individuals and couples with multiple, more complex issues, and it establishes ongoing contact to follow up on the individuals.

With Information Assistance, the Care Manager will listen closely to the individual's concerns and, as needs are identified, will provide information about the resources available to them. With the individual's agreement, the Care Manager will assist with completing applications, or will otherwise refer the client for the services desired.

With Care Management, the Care Manager engages in a comprehensive assessment process. Then, with the help of the client, the Care Manager develops a plan of care that best meets each identified need. The Care Manager has ongoing contact with each client to maintain a quality of life that promotes optimum health and independence.

A sample of the services this program provides:

Completion of applications for a variety of programs
Assistance with the determination of eligibility for community resources
Referral of consenting individual to appropriate programs
Consultation with individuals and families regarding long-term care planning
Delivery of nutritional supplement products (frozen & liquid meals such as Boost)
Pre-placement screening and discharge planning

How can I reach a Care Manager for a home visit?

To reach us by phone, call (1-800-809-3351) or visit our contact page for a list of department numbers. The person who answers the phone will ask a few questions regarding how to reach you. To submit a request online, visit the service request page and fill out the necessary information. In either case, the Care Manager who is responsible for your community will then make contact with you as soon as possible.