Allentown Senior AdvisorWho should a Lehigh County family call first for senior help?
Call the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services at 610-782-3200, in the Government Center at 17 S. 7th Street in Allentown; it is Lehigh County's Area Agency on Aging.
It handles care management, OPTIONS in-home services, the family caregiver support program, nursing home transition, PA MEDI counseling and protective services for adults 60 and older.
Who should a Northampton County family call first?
Call the Northampton County Area Agency on Aging at 610-829-4540; its information and referral line is 610-829-4800, and the county's Human Services Building is at 2801 Emrick Boulevard in Bethlehem.
It runs OPTIONS, caregiver support, PA MEDI, the SHARE shared-housing program, Senior CHAT phone calls and a network of senior centers from Bath to Easton.
Who serves older adults in Carbon County?
The Carbon County Area Agency on Aging, at 401 Delaware Avenue in Palmerton, 610-824-7830, serves Lehighton, Jim Thorpe, Palmerton, Nesquehoning, Lansford, Weatherly and the rest of the county.
DHS's LIFE provider list shows no LIFE program covering Carbon County, so in-home services and Community HealthChoices matter more there.
Where do I report suspected elder abuse in the Lehigh Valley?
Call Pennsylvania's statewide elder abuse line, 1-800-490-8505, at any hour; it routes reports to the protective services unit of the county Area Agency on Aging.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first. Reports can be made anonymously.
Who helps with Medicare questions for free?
PA MEDI, Pennsylvania's free Medicare counseling program, runs through each county's Area Agency on Aging and helps compare Medicare Advantage, supplement and Part D plans.
Counselors also screen for Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs and PACE/PACENET prescription coverage.
Who advocates for a resident of a personal care home or nursing home?
The long-term care ombudsman program does, free of charge: in Northampton County it is run by Catholic Charities (484-619-3337), and Lehigh and Carbon residents reach it through their Area Agency on Aging.
The state ombudsman office is at 717-783-8975. Ombudsmen work for the resident, not the facility.
Where do I complain about a personal care home or nursing home?
Personal care home and assisted living residence complaints go to DHS at 1-877-401-8835; nursing home, home health, home care and hospice complaints go to the Department of Health at 1-800-254-5164.
Substantiated complaints appear later in the home's posted inspection reports.
Is there help with transportation to medical appointments?
Yes: Pennsylvanians 65 and older ride LANta fixed-route buses free in Lehigh and Northampton counties, and the Lottery-funded shared-ride program cuts the fare for door-to-door rides booked ahead; ask your Area Agency on Aging how to register.
Carbon County residents have shared-ride service as well. Rides to adult day programs and medical appointments are the most common use.
