Hours: 8:00 AM - 12:00 noon and 1:00 - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday 

The Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACA), a program of the Capital Area Planning Council (CAPCO), is a non-profit agency whose mission is to plan, develop and provide a system of services designed to promote independence for those persons 60 years of age and older. This mission is mandated through the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, and supported by the Texas Department on Aging through its Executive Board.

Information and Referral
The information and Referral Program provides information, guidance, direction, and linkage for older individuals or their family and caregivers to appropriate and available human service resources within their communities. The AAACA Information and Referral staff act as advocates on behalf of the older individual with agencies when the need is indicated. Follow-up is done with the caller and the service providers to which referrals are made. The goal of the Program is to support independent living for clients and respite for their caregivers.

Benefits Counseling
Benefits Counseling provides help in unraveling problems a persons may have in claiming the various kinds of benefits to which he/she may be entitled. Activities may include assistance in completion of Medicare or other insurance claim forms, assistance with Social Security, VA pensions or other retirement/pension programs. Should a problem require legal counsel and/or assistance, the AAACA, through contractual agreement, is able to refer an individual to an appropriate source for in-depth legal advice and/or assistance.

Case Management

Case Management is a component of the community based care system. Its purpose is to make the system work more effectively in order to assure that individuals receive assistance that is responsive to their needs.

The case management process includes:

• assessing a person's functional level and impairments in order to identify what needs and problems are present;
  
  
• developing a plan of care that addresses the needs and problems identified and incorporates the services that are needed to enhance the current support system;
  
  
• identifying and arranging for coordinated delivery of those services;
  
  
• monitoring changes in the person's condition and circumstances, and in the provision of services; and
  
  
• reassessing the person's needs on a regular basis.

Comprehensive case management is an inclusive look across a person's needs and resources, linking him/her to a full range of appropriate services, using all available funding sources and monitoring the care provided over an extended period of time.

Ombudsman

Each state is required by the Older Americans Act to have a nursing facility Ombudsman Program. In Texas, the Ombudsman program is directed by the State Ombudsman located at the Texas Department on Aging. The State Ombudsman works through 28 Area Agencies on Aging. The Area Agencies on Aging utilize certified volunteers and at least one paid staff member, the Regional Ombudsman, in accomplishing program activities. The certified Ombudsman volunteer is a part of a statewide advocacy network for nursing facility residents, dedicated to improving resident quality of life by working with the residents, their family and friends, and the nursing facility staff to resole concerns. Volunteers receive training for Texas Department on Aging certification and ongoing training in all aspects of advocacy work for the nursing facility environment. Much of the training concentrates on the issue of resident's rights. These rights are established by federal and state law to ensure that each resident maintains their dignity and freedom of choice, and that they receive quality services and care. The nursing facility must protect and promote these rights for each resident by allowing residents to maintain as much control of their choices as possible and respecting those choices.

Typical duties of the volunteer Ombudsman involve visiting residents and helping them resolve problems that may arise in the course of daily living. An important function of a volunteer Ombudsman is to empower the resident to solve their own problem. If that action fails, it may be necessary for the Ombudsman to discuss the situation with the facility administrator. Often it is necessary to coordinate services with social service organizations, but most complains can be resolved within the nursing facility through the advocacy work of the volunteer Ombudsman.

The Regional Ombudsman works in the same way as volunteers. In addition, the Regional Ombudsman is a source for information and referral about nursing facilities and related service agencies in the community. The Regional Ombudsman also works with the Texas Department on Aging and the Texas Department of Human Services.

Nursing and Long-Term Care Options

 Is broken down by the 10 counties served within the AAACA region:

• Bastrop County
• Blanco County
• Burnet County
• Caldwell County
• Fayette County
• Hays County
• Lee County
• Llano County
• Travis County
• Williamson County

• Remaining in current residence
• Adult Day Care
• Assisted Living
• Personal Care Homes
• Nursing Facilities