Senior Help Line, provided by the City of Sedona’s Community Services department in partnership with the Sedona Community Center, is available to older citizens of Sedona and their families from 9:00 to 4:30PM, Monday-Friday. Our mission is to provide a one-stop program for linking seniors with services they require so they may continue to live on their own. We can assist with information about:
I utilize many resources to connect seniors and their families with available services on the local, county, state and federal levels. By determining your specific need, I refer you to the appropriate service provider. In some cases, I can contact the service provider on your behalf as well as assist with program applications. Thanks to the support of the Sedona Community Center and the Red Rock News, this column will be brought to you with a different topic on a monthly basis. Our topic for this month’s column is utility costs and how they can be lowered for seniors on limited incomes. Many of our seniors are sensitive to temperature extremes yet are unable to afford the cost of adequately heating, cooling or weatherizing their home. Telephone service, a lifeline to 911, medical and service providers is something seniors cannot do without. Fortunately, utility and energy assistance programs enable seniors, who qualify under low-income guidelines by the federal government, to obtain: § A discount on their monthly APS electric bill; additional discount may be available to individuals using electric medical equipment, such as an oxygen concentrator § A discount on their monthly UniSource Energy gas bill § A discount on their monthly Qwest telephone bill § A no-cost weatherization audit of their home and possible repairs to improve energy efficiency and save additional money on electric and gas costs. To take advantage of these programs, seniors must be able to verify the following through an application process: § They are a residential customer of APS, UniSource Energy or Qwest § The APS, UniSource Energy or Qwest bills are their name § Their monthly gross income does not exceed $1,225 (for one person in household) or $1,650 (for two persons in household) § They meet the additional requirements for the medical equipment electric discount or the disabled, medically needy telephone discount To obtain applications for these programs, contact:
Need additional help? Call me at the Senior Help Line (928) 204-6430. I will gladly assist you with obtaining, filling out and submitting the necessary applications. Stay tuned for April’s Senior Topic: Nutrition Programs Annick Desmeules is the City of Sedona’s Senior Information & Referral Specialist. Her office is located at the Sedona Community Center on Melody Lane and she can be reached at (928) 204-6430. Our social services include home-delivered Meals on Wheels delivered by a devoted fleet of volunteer drivers. These folks donate not only their time and gasoline, but their compassion. Our Community Lunch is served at the center Monday through Friday at noon. This program is made possible by our able and generous kitchen staff, our civic-minded Restaurant Partners and is served by our gracious volunteer hosts and hostesses. Our Transportation program gives senior adults “door-to-door” service to the store, bank and doctor Monday through Friday between 9 and 2. Our professional drivers are the most kind, caring and patient men in the business. Our Telecare program provides daily telephone calls to individuals in need of a wellness check seven days a week. This vital service is available to all interested Sedona-area residents and is provided by a cadre of caring and concerned volunteers. For more information, to volunteer or to make reservations for our classes, events or social services, call 282-2834. We are located at the corner of Harmony Drive and Melody Lane in West Sedona. |
Annick
Desmeules