Aging & Adult

Aging & Adult

This section contains information and resources for the aging and adult population.

Government Agencies

Government Agencies
Government Agencies

Governmental agencies paying benefits on behalf of a ward or protected person may be listed as interested parties in the associated guardianship or conservatorship case. For information about where to send documents to government agencies acting as interested parties, consult this list of government agency office addresses.

Seniors and People with Disabilities

Seniors and People with Disabilities
Seniors and People with Disabilities

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Nebraska
Local Area Agencies on Aging provide a comprehensive variety of services to, and advocate for, the needs of persons 60 and older, caregivers, and some “high risk” adults” residing in their areas. Area Agencies on Aging provide information and assistance and contract with a range of services providers—for example, in-home care, legal services, congregate and home-delivered meals, and transportation. There is no financial eligibility requirement for these services, but the services are targeted to those “in greatest social and economic need.”

 

Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA):
4223 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68105 
Phone: (402) 444-6444, (402) 721-7770 (Washington/Dodge Counties) – Will Accept Collect Calls.
Counties Served: Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Washington.
Web: http://www.enoa.org/

Lincoln Area Agency on Aging (LAAA): 
1005 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-3610 
Phone: (402) 441-7070 
Counties Served: Butler, Fillmore, Lancaster, Polk, Saline, Saunders, Seward, York
Web: https://lincoln.ne.gov/city/mayor/aging/

Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (NENAAA):  
P.O. Box 1447, 119 Norfolk Ave., Norfolk, NE 68702-1447
Phone: (402) 370-3454 or (800) 672-8368
Counties Served: Antelope, Boone, Boyd, Brown, Burt, Cedar, Cherry, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Madison, Nance, Pierce, Platte, Rock, Stanton, Thurston, Wayne
Web: http://www.nenaaa.com/ 

South Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (SCNAAA):   
Suttle Plaza, 4623 2nd Ave., Suite 4, P.O. Box 3009, Kearney, NE 68848-3009
Phone: (308) 234-1851 or (800) 658-4320
Counties Served: Blaine, Buffalo, Custer, Franklin, Furnas, Garfield, Greeley, Harlan, Kearney, Loup, Phelps, Sherman, Valley, Wheeler
Web: https://www.agingkearney.org/​

Midland Area Agency on Aging (MAAA):  
305 N. Hastings, Room 202, P.O. Box 905, Hastings, NE 68902 
Phone: (402) 463-4565 or (800) 955-9714
Counties Served: Adams, Clay, Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Merrick, Nuckolls, Webster
Web: http://www.midlandareaagencyonaging.org/​ 

Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging (BRAAA):
Gage County Courthouse, Room 24, Beatrice, NE 68310-2946
Phone: (402) 223-1352 or (800) 659-3978
Counties Served: Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Thayer 
Web: https://www.braaa.org/​

West Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (WCNAAA):   
115 N Vine, North Platte, NE 69101-3902 
Phone: (308) 535-8195 or (800) 662-2961
Counties Served: Arthur, Chase, Dawson, Dundy, Frontier, Gosper, Grant, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Red Willow
Web: http://wcnaaa.com/​

Aging Office of Western Nebraska (AOWN):
Bluffs Business Center, 1517 Broadway, Suite 122, Scottsbluff, NE 69361-3184
Phone: (308) 635-0851 or (800) 682-5140
Counties Served: Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux
Web: http://www.aown.org/​

Aging and Adult Service Providers

Aging and Adult Service Providers
Aging and Adult Service Providers

Heartland Family Service
The mission of Heartland Family Service is to strengthen individuals and families in our community through education, counseling, and support services. Founded in 1875, Heartland Family Service serves more than 35,000 individuals of all ages each year from more than 15 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Our 50 programs provide critical human services to the individuals and families who ultimately shape the future of our community in the following focus areas: Child & Family, Counseling & Prevention, and Housing & Financial Stability. More information can be found at http://heartlandfamilyservice.org/

League of Human Dignity
The League of Human Dignity is concerned with the rights and quality of life of people with disabilities. They believe in emphasizing likeness not difference, ability not disability, normality not abnormality, and integration not segregation. The League of Human Dignity works with people who have disabilities to promote independent living and ensure social, economic, and political equality. Please see http://leagueofhumandignity.com/#2 for more information.

For more information on service providers, visit www.communityplatform.us/communityplatform/nam/map.

 

Veterans Benefits

Veterans Benefits
Veterans Benefits


The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides a wide range of benefits, including disability, education and training, vocational rehabilitation and employment, home loan guaranty, dependent and survivor benefits, medical treatment, prescription drugs, aid and attendance, life insurance, and burial benefits.

Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs
PO Box 95083 Lincoln, NE 68509-5083
Phone: (402) 471-2458
Fax: (402) 742-1142
Email: ndva@nebraska.gov 
Website: https://veterans.nebraska.gov.

Summary description of VA benefits, with contact numbers:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/benefits-summary/SummaryofVABenefitsFlyer.pdf
American Legion, 801-326-2380
Disabled American Veterans, 801-326-2375
Veterans of Foreign Wars, 801-326-2386

 

Fall Prevention

Fall Prevention
Fall Prevention

This section was developed in response escalating public health concerns around falls and fall-related injuries among older adults. It also was inspired by the challenges of providing easily accessible and useful information to the public and the County of San Diego Aging and Independence Services’ commitment to responding to the needs of the community and empowering individuals and the community to make safe and healthy living choices.

The goal of this section is to collect and make accessible existing best-practice information and local resources around fall prevention for those who could benefit most: older adults and persons with disabilities, their caregivers, physicians, and other health and social service providers.

Videos
"Don't Fall for It" (10 Minutes)
The short version provides a brief overview of the problem, common risk factors and simple steps anyone can take to lower their risk of falling.

"Don't Fall for It" (28 Minutes)
The long version describes the above information in more detail and highlights the personal stories of three elderly individuals.

Spanish version of "Don't Fall for It" (14 Minutes)
This version provides an overview of the problem, common risk factors and simple steps anyone can take to lower their risk of falling.

Other Resources
A Tool Kit to Prevent Senior Falls: Falls in Nursing Homes
A Tool Kit to Prevent Senior Falls: The Costs of Fall Injuries Among Older Adults
Check For Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults - pdf
Collection of Fall Prevention Checklists - pdf
Falls Prevention: Your Safety Checklist and Guide - pdf
How to Reduce Your Risk of Falling
Morse Fall Scale - pdf

National Institute on Aging Resources
Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging
Exercise and Physical Activity Guide - PDF

Facts, General Information and Research
Falls Among Older Adults: Summary of Research Findings
Falls and Fractures
Falls and Hip Fractures Among Older Adults
Falls: General Information - pdf
Guideline for the Prevention of Falls in Older Persons - pdf
Guidelines for Fall Prevention in Acute, Sub-acute and Residential Care Settings - pdf
Nursing Best Practice Guideline: Prevention of Fall and Injuries in the Older Adult - pdf
Preventing Falls and Related Fractures - pdf
Preventing Falls in the Elderly
Prevention of Falls
Tai Chi for Older People Reduces Falls, May Help Maintain Strength
Tai Chi May Combat Seniors' Fear of Falling
Why Do We Fall?

Although resources in this section have been selectively chosen, it is a work in progress and we recognize that not all available resources are included. Please contact us with comments, questions or suggestions for additional resources to help make this site as comprehensive and user-friendly as possible. For more information, please visit: https://riverside.networkofcare.org/aging/fall-prevention/ 

 

Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services protects persons 65 and older, and vulnerable adults (anyone over the age of 18 who has a mental or physical impairment which substantially impairs the person’s ability to care for him or herself). Trained staff, working in cooperation with law enforcement, investigate cases of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial or sexual exploitation involving vulnerable adults. Adult Protective Services workers assist victims and prevent further abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Adult Protective Services include:

  • Receiving reports of adult abuse, exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect

  • Investigating reports of adult abuse, exploitation, or neglect

  • Case planning, monitoring, and evaluation

  • Arranging for medical, social, economic, legal, housing, law enforcement or other protective, emergency, or supportive services

APS caseworkers are the first responders to reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. Report abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Adult Protective Services

  • Within Nebraska, call: (402) 471-6035

  • Outside Nebraska, call: (800) 254-4202

  • Nebraska Elder Abuse/Neglect Hotline: (800) 652-1999

 



Long-Term Care Ombudsman


Wards & protected persons retain important rights even when they reside in a long term care facility. The long-term care ombudsman will advocate for residents (60 and older) of skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and other adult care facilities. They work to resolve problems of individual residents.

A guardian who has encountered problems with long-term care facilities may contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at (402) -471-2307. Additional information can be found at: http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Aging-Ombudsman.aspx 

 

Mediation

Mediation
Mediation

Mediation is the attempt to help parties in a disagreement to hear one another, to minimize the harm that can come from disagreement, to maximize any area of agreement, and to find a way of preventing the areas of disagreement from interfering with the process of seeking a compromise or mutually agreed outcome. While a mediator may charge a fee comparable to that of an attorney, the mediation process generally takes much less time than moving a case through standard legal channels. While a case in the hands of a lawyer or a court may take months or years to resolve, mediation usually achieves a resolution in a matter of hours. Taking less time means expending less money on hourly fees and costs.

Central Mediation Center:
412 W. 48th Street, Suite 22 | Kearney, NE 68848-0838
800-203-3452 or 308-237-4692 | info@centralmediationcenter.com | www.centralmediationcenter.com 
Counties Served: Adams, Blaine, Buffalo, Chase, Clay, Custer, Dawson, Dundy, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Garfield, Gosper, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Howard, Kearney, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Merrick, Nuckolls, Perkins, Phelps, Red Willow, Sherman, Thomas, Valley, Webster, Wheeler

Concord Mediation Center:
4225 North 90th Street | Omaha, NE 68134 402-345-1131 | www.concord-center.com
Counties Served: Douglas and Sarpy

The Mediation Center:
Mill Towne Building | 610 J Street, Suite 100 | Lincoln, NE 68508 402-441-5740 | info@themediationcenter.org | www.themediationcenter.org
County Served: Lancaster

Mediation West (formerly Center for Conflict Resolution):
210 West 27th Street | Scottsbluff, NE 69361 800-967-2115 or 308-635-2002 | www.mediationwest.org 
Counties Served: Arthur, Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Keith, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux

Nebraska Mediation Center (formerly Nebraska Justice Center):
PO Box 1062 | Fremont, NE 68026-1062 | (402) 753-9415 or 800-774-0346 | nmc@nebraskamediationcenter.com | www.nebraskamediationcenter.com 
Counties Served: Antelope, Boone, Boyd, Brown, Burt, Cedar, Cherry, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Madison, Nance, Pierce, Platte, Rock, Stanton, Thurston, Washington, Wayne Tribes Served: Omaha, Winnebago, Northern Ponca, Santee Sioux

The Resolution Center:
120 South 5th Street | Beatrice, NE 68310 800-837-7826 or 402-223-6061 | info@theresolutioncenter.org | www.theresolutioncenter.org 
Counties Served: Butler, Cass, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, York

 

Legal Resources

Legal Resources
Legal Resources

A guardian may need a lawyer to provide legal advice or to advocate on behalf of the ward. Individuals who are financially eligible can receive legal services through legal aid or legal services programs. In addition, under the Older Americans Act, there are special programs of legal assistance for older people who are “in the greatest social and economic need.” For those not eligible for such legal programs, there are private lawyers who focus on assisting elders or individuals with disabilities. 

Nebraska Legal Aid Services
http://www.legalaidofnebraska.org/ 
Legal Aid of Nebraska
209 S. 19th Street, Suite 200
Omaha, Nebraska 68102 
Phone: 402-348-1069
Legal Assistance: (877) 250-2016
Senior Help Line: (800) 662-1772

Nebraska Bar Association
www.nebar.com 
Customer service (800) 927-0117

Nebraska Free Legal Answers (NFLA)
NE.freelegalanswers.org 
​How NFLA works: To determine user eligibility, visit the above website and answer the series of screening questions. Qualified users must be Nebraska residents, 18 years of age or older, meet income eligibility requirements, and cannot be in jail or prison. ​

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
1577 Spring Hill Rd., Suite 310
Vienna, VA 22182 Phone: 703-942-5711* 
Fax: 703-563-9504
Email: naela@naela.org 
www.naela.org (click on “Find an Attorney”)

 

Rx Assistance: Medications, Prescriptions, and More

Rx Assistance: Medications, Prescriptions, and More
Rx Assistance: Medications, Prescriptions, and More

For information on prescription assistance, please visit: https://www.rxassist.org/patients

 

Assistive Devices

Assistive Devices
Assistive Devices

The following database lists more than 21,000 currently available products from more than 8,000 companies. The database also offers information on non-commercial prototypes, customized and one-of-a-kind products, and do-it-yourself designs. To find specific products for children or parents with disabilities, we recommend that you use the Advanced Search by Keyword below. Note: Many assistive devices are now covered by Medicaid or Medi-Cal. Please visit https://atp.nebraska.gov/ for a list of devices.

Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call.

 

Library

Library
Library


The following website contains more than 30,000 articles, fact sheets and reports produced by leading organizations in the fields of healthy aging, caregiving, disabilities, Alzheimer’s and dementia, alternative treatments, Medicare, financial planning, and more. Visit the following website to view health topics by category, medications, medical tests, interactive tools, symptom checker, and many other resources. See http://nebraska.networkofcare.org/aging/library/index.aspx to access the library.