Mission:
To be a strong advocate for high risk individuals. To develop and provide services that ensure a good quality of life for Macon County’s older adults.

Who is eligible?
To find out if you are eligible to receive services, contact the office and a staff person will take a referral and do an assessment.

Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, SHIIP is available to help you answer your Medicare and Supplemental Insurance questions. Trained volunteers can provide you with inforamtion regqrding claims, coverage, policy comparisons, paperwork and advise you what to do next. You may call the SHIIP hotline at 1-800-433-9354 or call the Department on Aging to speak with a local volunteer or visit their website at www.ncshiip.com.

Care Connection Adult Daycare
Adult Daycare program designed to relieve the caregivers of disabled adults and our older population to enable individuals to remain in their home. Staff provides daily activities, games, crafts, light exercises, and occasional field trips. * Hours are M-F 7a-6p. IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER LOCAL RADIO STATIONS WILL BROADCAST WHETHER WE WILL BE OPENING OR NOT.

Senior Protection Program:
A friendly daily phone call to check on the welfare of individuals that live alone and are homebound.

S.T.A.R.R.(Search, Track, Assist, Respond and Rescue) :
A computer identification registry for high-risk individuals in the county. This program gives emergency responders and law enforcement important information that will make their response to the person’s call more efficient and effective.

Care - Dependant Sheltering Registry:
A registry that identifies individuals in the county that may require special needs during a disaster. Check on this link to register: Care-Dependant Sheltering Registry

S.H.I.I.P Services:
Senior Health Insurance Information Program offers objective information about Medicare Programs.

Home Delivered Meals:
This program relies on the use of volunteers to deliver a hot lunch M-F to homebound older adults in Macon County. The meals are prepared by a local caterer in the Franklin and Highlands area. Anyone interested in applying for services needs to contact Senior Services. Due to the counties geography, it may not always be possible to deliver meals to some area of the county. IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, LOCAL RADIO STATIONS WILL BROADCAST WHETHER MEALS WILL BE SERVED OR NOT.

Congregate Meals:
This program provides a hot lunch by reservation only. A local caterer prepares the food. Meals are served by staff at the Senior Services building. In addition to a nutritionally balanced meal participants benefit from fellowship, exercise, and creative activities. Local transportation services may be available through the Macon Transit Services (828) 349-2222. IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, LOCAL RADIO STATIONS WILL BROADCAST WHETHER MEALS WILL BE SREVED OR NOT.

In-Home Services:
Level I: light housekeeping, grocery pickup, medicine pickup, and assist with bill paying. Level II: Bathing, dressing. Respite for caregivers can be provided 3-4 hours 1-2 days a week. These services are provided by Certified Nursing Assistants.

Emergency Overnight Respite:
This program is a temporary overnight stay in a licensed facility for an adult who cannot be left alone. In some cases a sliding scale fee may be required.

Caregiver Support Group :
This is a group meeting that offers support, education and community resources. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at the Senior Services building at 3:00. On-site respite is available for loved ones during the meetings.

Senior TarHeel Card:
This card is available to anyone who is a resident of N.C. (must have a N.C. drivers license and be 60 years old and over). The card holder is then entitled to discounts from participating merchants across the state.

Information and Assistance:
Staff are available to assist with questions and general concerns in regards to programs and services available to older adults and to assist these individuals in obtaining appropriate services to meet their needs. We can help you via the phone or by coming by the office. If necessary we can make a home visit.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Deliver Home Delivered Meals, Serve meals to congregate participants, assist with activities in the Adult Daycare.

Senior Aide Job Opportunities:
Senior Services is a host agency site for the senior aide program. Seniors are employed through The State of Franklin located in Bryson City. For information on this program contact Senior Services @ 349-2058 or State of Franklin @ 828-488-3047.