Milestones Area Agency on Aging expanding staff in area office to provide added services

Nearly one in four households is involved in providing physical and emotional assistance to older relatives and friends.

With the increasing need, Milestones Area Agency on Aging is pleased to announce that the Family Caregiver Program is expanding to include a staff person in the Burlington office. Cindy Severs, Family Caregiver Specialist, will be providing information on services and supports in Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Jefferson and Van Buren counties in Iowa.

Increasing life spans with better management of chronic health conditions, shorter hospital stays, and fewer homecare services have increased the caregiving responsibilities of families. Family caregivers are being asked to take on greater obligations for longer periods of time. These increased responsibilities can result in major health complications for the caregiver including high levels of stress and poor physical health. In addition, most family caregivers are not prepared to be caregivers and provide care with little or no support.

Severs can help families plan for present and future needs by providing information assistance and referrals. You can contact Cindy by phone or email to answer your caregiver questions or to schedule an individual or family meeting to discuss caregiving options. Call toll free 1-855-410-6222 or email csevers@milestonesaaa.org

Milestones Area Agency on Aging, a non-profit organization, supporting older Iowans and adults with disabilities by facilitating state and federal programs/services and providing information/assistance to help this specific population stay independent in their communities and provide support to their family caregivers.

Facilitated program areas include information/referral, care coordination, congregate and home delivered meals, family caregiver support, options counseling, elder rights/abuse prevention, older worker employment, Medicare fraud/abuse education, workshops in falls prevention and chronic disease self-management. Service area includes Appanoose, Clinton, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Muscatine, Scott, Van Buren, Wapello and Wayne Counties in Iowa.

For more information, visit www.milestonesaaa.org.