Ombudsman
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services
What is a Long-Term Ombudsman?
The Long-Term Ombudsman Coordinator is a resident-directed representative who is authorized by federal and state law to assist consumers with questions and problems relating to long term care-nursing homes, assisted care living facilities, personal care homes and when requested in intermediate care facilities for mentally retarded (ICF/MRS).
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Coordinator helps resident to:
- Ask for what they want and need
- Understand what to expect from their nursing home (or other long term care setting), and
- Resolve complaints, when the resident consents to our involvement.
Services
- Help families choose the right facility.
- Strives to prevent elder abuse.
- Advises families on how to identify elder abuse.
- Works to resolve problems or complaints affecting long term care residents through investigation, mediation and counseling.
- Identifies problem areas in long term care and advocates for changes.
- Provides information about long-term care and related services.
- Promotes resident, family and community involvement in long-term care.
- Routinely visits long-term care facilities.
The MCCSA Ombudsman Specialist serves (5) nursing homes with 455 residents, (3) assisted living facilities, (3) personal care homes and (2) intermediate care facilities for mentally retarded with 457 residents in Madison County.
L.I.H.E.A.P.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded Block Grant Program designed to assist low income individuals and families, particularly those with the lowest income, who pay a high proportion of household income for home energy in meeting their immediate energy needs. LIHEAP was also designed to provide help to low income households to make heating and cooling more affordable, and to avoid shutoff of utilities services making the home environment safe and healthy for households with young children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Eligibility is based on established federal poverty guidelines. Activities consist of assistance to supplement home energy costs (heating and cooling). The assistance is in the form of payments to the utility company or home energy provider.
LIHEAP REQUIREMENTS: To be considered for LIHEAP Assistance you must complete a Pre-Application online at: https://virtualroma.mdhs.ms.gov
- Picture I.D. for EVERYONE in Household.
- Social Security Cards for ALL household members.
- Income for ALL household members 18 and older (within last 30 days).
- Verification of child support for children age 17 or younger.
- If able to work but you are unemployed, you must complete weekly job searches.
- Utility and Gas Bills to be paid
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The CSFP works to improve the health of senior citizens age 60 and over by providing nutritious surplus foods to low-income households. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Seniors in Madison County are eligible for CSFP Services .
What do I need to bring to apply for CSFP?
- Identification (Driver License or Picture I.D.)
- Proof of income for past month (Gross Income)
- Social Security Card
- Mail with name and street address within the last month
What does CSFP provide?
Supplemental food boxes can include Nutritious Items such as:
| * Cereals | * Juices | * Egg Mix |
| * Milk | * Peanut Butter | * Cheese |
| * Canned Fruit & Vegetables | * Instant potatoes, macaroni, Spaghetti, rice or grits | |
Each box weighs about 35 pounds. Only the cheese requires refrigeration for storage before the food is distributed or opened for home use.
The Senior Hope Program is available in Madison County as coordinated with the Mississippi Food Network.
Information and Refferal & Outreach
Information and Referral
The Information and Referral program staff provides persons with current information regarding opportunities and services available to them including assessing the person’s problems and capacities, linking persons to the opportunities and services that are available and to the maximum extent practicable, insuring that person received the needed services through follow-up procedures.
Outreach
Outreach Program provides outreach services to seniors and persons with disabilities. The Outreach Specialist will link, referral and enhance awareness regarding available community resources. The Specialist will provide follow-up on all referrals made to community resources.
Congregate Meals
The Congregate Meal Program provides a nutritious meal, daily activities that are socially, recreationally and educationally enriching. This is an excellent program to enhance social interactions for elderly persons who live alone.
The Madison County Citizens Service Agency has a Congregate Meals site located at Kearney Park Community Center in Flora, MS.