Service Title: Information and Assistance
Definition: A service for older individuals that may (A) provide the individuals with current information on opportunities and services available to the individuals within their communities; (B) assess the problems and capacities of the individuals; (C) link the individuals to the opportunities and services that are available; (D) establish adequate follow-up procedures based on the older individual’s needs.
The service may be initiated by an older person, caregiver or service provider. (IDOA 603.17)
- Service Activities May Include:
a) Provision of specific information about appropriate community resources which meet the immediate expressed need, including information relating to assistive technology;
b) Provision of assistance to older persons (or their caregiver) to identify their needs and to place them in contact with appropriate community resources or service providers;
c) Assessment of the problems and capacities of the individual;
d) Follow-up activities conducted with older persons and/or agency(ies) to determine whether services have been received and the identified need has been met following the formal referral; and
e) Expansion of information and assistance services on a 24 hour (if needed) emergency basis during times of disaster (e.g., flooding, hot weather, tornadoes, severe weather, man made emergencies, etc.) to assure older persons are safe and have access to services to meet their needs. (IDOA 617. B) - Unit of Service Definition: Any individual client contact made for information, referral, or assistance constitutes one unit of service. These units include all referral and follow-up on behalf of that client.
The service units for information and assistance refer to individual, one-on-one contacts between an information and assistance provider and an elderly client of caregiver. An activity that involves a contact with several current or potential clients/caregivers (what is considered group services) should not be counted as a unit of information and assistance. Group services might be defined as “public education” or a similar designation. (IDOA 603.17 C) - Service Standards: Reserved (Please refer to complete standard)