Search and Care provides information, referrals and no fee comprehensive care management to approximately 500 vulnerable elders yearly. Our average client age is 85. We engage 15 professional staff (including 5 LCSWs/LMSWs), 10 graduate student interns (social work, nursing and occupational therapy), over 100 carefully cultivated and supervised volunteers, an active Board of Directors, and a growing circle of 70 diverse community partners ("eyes and ears" in their neighborhoods). All share a common goal: working collaboratively to build elder-friendly communities conducive to healthy aging. Each client's right to confidentiality is always respected, as we sensitively help them to make sound, essential decisions that (when feasible) fosters safe and independent living, with their dignity intact.

Our professional Care Managers take three main steps:

• They perform an in-home or in-agency care assessment, and arrange for or provide direct care when beneficial
• They determine short and long-term needs by examining the situation in detail, identifying problems, and helping the client reach "workable" solutions, without sacrificing independence
• They stay in touch, by monitoring or helping coordinate the client's services on an ongoing basis

Our own program staff, graduate interns and volunteers discreetly provide:

• Telephone Check-in and Reassurance
• Daily Money Management Support (bill organizing and paying, savings and checking account reconciliation)
• Companionship and Socialization Activities
• Medical, Housing, Legal, and Financial Advocacy
• Emergency Escorting, Shopping and Other Individualized Services
• Nursing or Occupational Therapy Visits

We also connect our clients to many different services and resources, including:

• Health and Mental Health Related Services
• Homecare and Transportation Arrangements
• Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other Benefits and Entitlements
• Meals On Wheels, Meals on Heels, Community Pantry
• Housing Support
• Legal and Protective Services
• Financial Stipendiary Assistance
• Therapeutic Care Options (i.e. social adult day programs)

For further information, please contact: Susan Siroto, Program Director