All of us at Active Adults enjoy working with our demographic, although the real-life definition of that word is a bit complicated. You might be over 55 and looking for your dream house in a community where someone else does your major yardwork while you enjoy the pool, pickleball court and club house activities. But you might also be caring for your 85-year-old parents and thinking through or worrying about your daily life 30 years into the future.
Fortunately, I have some good news. Delaware is actually a very good place for folks who want to live active and independent lives. Sussex, Kent and New Castle county all have robust public-private networks of skilled, caring people who have figured out how to help people deal with daily needs while fostering a variety of social activities as well.
Beach life and so much more in Sussex.
Stay in your home, with a little help.
Ill start off by spotlighting a wonderful service for folks who want to stay in the homes they love instead of moving to assisted living residences. The best way to do that is by having someone do your shopping, occasional yard work and home repair and being available to drive you to doctor appointments and other places when you dont want to deal with traffic. For all of this, you can turn to Village Volunteers.
Membership in the organization is $750 a year, and includes help with all of the above tasks along with opportunities for friendly home visits with volunteers who enjoy hanging out with seniors. The organization has provided these services since 2010, with volunteers who are carefully vetted. Services are available from Milton to Bethany and several miles inland to Long Neck and thereabouts.
Get help dealing with social security, Medicare and more services, or find a place to hang out
Theres also a one-stop-shop for help in accessing public benefits if youre a person of a certain age, and also finding local senior centers offering recreation opportunities, help with errands, social engagement and other services. Go to this website for the full offerings from Bridgeville to Laurel to Milton, Rehoboth and virtually everywhere throughout Sussex County.
Home health aides, transportation and more in Kent County
For help in your home
Caring.com, a national non-profit organization dedicated to directing caregivers and others to aging resources, has compiled a long list of organizations that offer help for Kent County seniors who want to remain in their homes.
To protect your income and investments
Managing your finances can be a challenge at any age even more so if you need to determine when and how to access Social Security and Medicare benefits, protect your portfolios, and protect yourself from financial scams aimed at seniors. Stand By Me is a non-profit that can provide free assistance.
For all-around help in making life better
Visit the Modern Maturity Center, an organization thats served Dover area residents since the 1970s. Its overall mission is to provide services that enable seniors to age in place. It does so through its Dover campus, where you can find caregiving resources, transportation services, access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other meal services, veterans assistance and numerous recreational opportunities. Learn more on the Center's website.
Helpful senior services in New Castle
A great central resource for programs and services for seniors in New Castle can be found at the Senior Services page sponsored by New Castle County. Theres the Absalom Jones Senior Center in Wilmington offering meals, fitness and recreational activities, arts and crafts, caregiver resources and health and financial services.
You can also find similar services through senior centers in Middletown, Hockessin, and the city of New Castle.
Everywhere in Delaware
Another well-organized and highly regarded resource for every Delaware resident is the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center, where you can find lots of information about services for older persons and people dealing with physical challenges.
You can search for services in the county where you live on the Center's website. This is truly the granddaddy of resource sites, with referrals to vetted home adaptation services, medical services, transportation services, assistance in accessing your social security benefits and so much more.
STAY TUNED!
While working on this post, we sent out a call for recommendations for restaurants that offer easy access for folks who use wheelchairs, walkers and other assistance. Well publish what we hear in next weeks post so you have a long list of destinations for easy dining options for yourself or those you care for.