Senior News

Need Answers about Senior Services?
Call the Seniors Blue Book Helpline at 228-396-4602. Our trained professionals can help you with questions about senior housing, health services and community resources.

Seniors Resource Guide Books Provided by the AAA
We are proud to announce our collaboration with the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). They have contracted with us to publish their annual directory of resources in our local book. A big thank you and appreciation to the local AAA for their continuous service in spite of their headquarters in Gulfport being flooded during Katrina. Note that the AAA listings in the book are included in our Searchable Database.
www.seniorsresourceguide.com/GulfCoast/search_topics.html

A Community of Family Caregivers
ShareCare Bank is building a community of family caregivers of seniors and persons with disabilities to support one and other. This program is funded by Mississippi Council on Development Disabilities and is called ShareCare Bank Community Family Caregivers. Call 888-671-0051 today for more information and tell them you found them on our website - www.SeniorsResourceGuide.com.

A Great Place for Retirement Living
Despite the chances of hurricanes the Mississippi's Gulf Coast region ranks among the best retirement areas in the nation. Spanning 26 miles of white sand beach, this popular coastal area has long been noted for a mild climate and fresh seafood. Growing numbers of retirees are discovering the advantages of retirement living on the Gulf Coast. Mississippi does not tax pensions or retirement benefits. Click around our website and learn about the area.

Are you being discriminated against in Rental or Sale of Housing?
The Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center is a non-profit agency dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination and furthering equal housing opportunities through education, outreach, advocacy and enforcement of fair housing laws. Call 228-396-4008 or toll free 877-399-4008 for more information.

Benefits CheckUp
The National Council of Aging created this website to help older adults to quickly identify Federal and state programs that may improve the quality of their lives. It takes 10 or 15 minutes to enter information about your financial situation into an online questionnaire. BenefitsCheckUp is completely confidential.
www.BenefitsCheckUp.org

Do you really know what Adult Daycare is?
Adult Daycare is a service, which provides day programs for older persons, 60 or older, with serious health problems or impairments for recreational activities, personal care supervision, nutrition, limited health-care, and the opportunity to interact socially with other people in-group or individual activities. In order to qualify for this program individuals must receive a level II score of 22 or above on the Division of Aging & Adult Services screening instrument. Visit our database to find an Adult Daycare provider. Our database includes resources from the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or you can call the local AAA at 228-868-2326 or 800-444-8014.
Search Health Services - Adult Day

Do you really know what Care Management is?
Care Management links individuals to personal care, housekeeping, nutrition programs, and other services, assisting them to remain in their own homes. The Care Management program provides coordinated and monitored services to persons age 60 and over. In order to qualify for this program individuals must receive a level II score of 22 or above on the Division of Aging & adult Services screening instrument. Visit our database to find an Adult Daycare provider. Our database includes resources from the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or you can call the local AAA at 228-868-2326 or 800-444-8014.
Search Care Management

Emergency Response Systems
Personal emergency response systems provide security to seniors by connecting them at any time to those who can assist them. Systems include personal medical alert products and home alarm systems activated by pushing a button. Visit our online database to find sources for Emergency Response Systems.
Search Health at Home - Emergency Response Systems

Financial Assistance, Food Resources & More
In our database we list Financial Assistance resources such as Food Resources, legal assistance and programs providing financial assistance. Use the link to visit the web page. Also remember that the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a good resource for assistance. You can reach the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at 228-868-2326 or 800-444-8014.
Search Community Resources - Financial Assistance

Hospice Services
Hospices provide individuals facing terminal illness with clinical and psychosocial care at home or in a healthcare facility. Aside from patient assistance services can include clinical care with expertise in pain control, symptom management, grief and loss counseling and other support services. Visit your online resource and learn more about Hospice Care.
Search Health Services - Hospice

Medicare & You Handbook
A good reference source for Medicare information is the Medicare & You Handbook. If you need a copy, you can call the Medicare toll free number at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-800-486-2048). You can also find a copy of this handbook at CMS' website at www.medicare.gov.

Minimally Invasive Hip & Knee Replacement
The Mississippi Orthopaedic Institute offers minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgery and other orthopedic procedures. Call 866-396-5633 for more information and tell them you found them on www.SeniorsResourceGuide.com. Also visit the Directory Articles link to read more about this procedure.

Need an Advocate for Aging Issues?
Learn more about the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) by visiting their Hosted Website located in this directory. The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) provides for the development and implementation of home and community based services.
www.seniorsresourceguide.com/GulfCoast/AAA

New Treatment for the Aging Eye
Could you imagine being at a restaurant with your son, daughter or their spouse and you can see the menu without glasses but they cannot? Well, what if you drove them and could even see the road signs and the dashboard without your glasses? The ReZoom™ lens implant is an alternative to the standard monofocal intraocular lens. More testing and services are offered with the ReZoom, and the $1250 price tag is not for everyone. ReZoom™ patients may see more halos around lights for the first few weeks or months, but this will get better with time. Patients report any temporary minor discomfort to be well worth the trade-off for better range of vision and a better quality of life. Contact Donald W. Benefield, MD, Ophthalmologist, Gulfport at 228-896-5527 for more information.

The Senior Drop-In Day Program
There is help available to relieve stress and strife of life at The Senior Drop-In Day Program. The Mental Health Association of Mississippi developed this special program to help seniors. If you spend your days sitting at home feeling lonely, this program may be just the thing to get you up and running. The program provides a comfortable, safe and stimulating atmosphere with a supportive and active environment. Call 228-864-6274 for more information.

What is Respite Care?
Respite care is a period of rest or relief for those who give constant care and attention to someone. Home health agencies provide this service in your residence and several senior housing facilities also provide respite care. Use our database and search on Respite Care to find providers.
Search Health Services - Respite Care