The Tri-Town Community Action Agency is now providing a wide variety of services to seniors and disabled adults through a grant from the RI Department of Elderly Affairs which provides funds to expand elder case management services throughout Washington County.  The Program is based at the South County Community Action Agency's Main Office located on 1935 Kingstown Road in Wakefield. According to Joseph R. DeSantis, CEO of SCCA and the Tri-Town Community Action Agency, "the transition of over 300 seniors to the Tri-Town Elder Care Program of South County has been seamless, primarily because Tri-Town is a Certified Case Management Agency and  has been providing eldercare services in northern Rhode Island for over eleven years."  SCCA and Tri-Town are in the process of a merger and have shared management services and has jointly coordinated many of its programs and services for over ten years. 

 

"Our major focus is to help seniors maintain the highest quality of life by accessing the many services and programs that protect them, provide access to health and human services, and that help them navigate the complexities of government programs," said Linnea Tuttle, Elder Services Program Director. "Our staff meets with clients and families to do assessments, discuss needs, and evaluate eligibility for programs based on age and income."

 

Among the services available are help with determination of eligibility for medical assistance, home health services, adult day care and other programs that enable the senior to remain in their home; evaluation of possible abuse or self-neglect; assistance understanding and acquiring medical insurance and drug coverage; crime victim advocacy; training to identify health care fraud, waste and abuse and family caregiver support. 

The services of the staff, including a registered nurse, case managers and licensed social workers are free. Service eligibility varies, but programs are generally available to seniors 55 to 65 year of age and older.   For further information or to arrange an assessment visit call 349-5760 or 789-3016, extension 7.

Seniors will now have increased access to services at local sites throughout Washington County. They are in Wakefield, Westerly and Charlestown. Case managers, nurses and social workers are also available to conduct home-visits. Since 1965, South County Community Action has been providing a wide range of social services, housing assistance, youth programs, and emergency basic needs. The majority of programs serve residents in the towns of Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, Westerly and West Greenwich.  Over 15,000 clients are served annually.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Joseph DeSantis, Tri-Town Community Action Agency CEO
(401) 351-2750 ext 1967