How to Help Seniors and Older Adults

Food and meal delivery

Several organizations exist at the local and federal levels to make sure older adults have access to the food they need to keep their body systems functioning well. Check out:

• Feeding America
• Meals on Wheels
• Federal food assistance programs

You can also volunteer at local food banks and as a delivery driver for Meals on Wheels and similar organizations.

Some grocery and drug stores take orders over the phone and offer home delivery.

Healthcare

Services can bring healthcare to you or a loved one at home. Medicare may cover some of the service costs, which are usually charged by the hour.

Try this Medicare tool to help you find Medicare-certified home health agencies.

Everyday activities and chores

If an older adult needs assistance with laundry, cleaning, and other household chores, you can sign up for services that pick up and deliver laundered clothes and offer home cleaning.

A trained aide could assist for a few hours a day with daily living activities such as getting dressed, using the bathroom, and moving around.

Use the Eldercare Locator to find a variety of supportive services for older adults. Your community might also have volunteers who visit older adults for short periods.

You could also have a family member, neighbor, or friend stop by regularly to help out.

If an older adult needs to attend an in-person appointment, you can search for local transportation services with Rides in Sight. You can filter for wheelchair-accessible vehicles if necessary.

Medicaid also offers non-emergency medical transportation for people who need assistance getting to and from medical appointments.

You can help older adults by setting up automatic payments for bills or sitting down with them to fill out forms.

The National Council on Aging offers financial planning tools for budgeting, retirement, and online banking.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation runs a Money Smart for Older Adults Program to raise awareness about scams that target older adults and prevent financial exploitation.

Trained professionals, volunteers, and financial counselors can also provide help.

Adult day care services are often less expensive than in-home or nursing home care. Medicaid may cover some costs, but private insurance plans usually don’t.

Some adult day care programs will offer transportation to and from the center. To find a service in your area, visit the National Adult Day Services Association or call 877-745-1440.

Many other ways exist to support older adults — this article is by no means comprehensive. But it provides a starting point if you’re looking for ways to support a loved one or older adults in your community.

For more local services, check out the Administration for Community Living.