Shawnee Health, Social Services

Call us at 1-618-985-8322
or toll free 1-800-642-7773.

Since 1983 Shawnee Health, through the Shawnee Alliance for Older Adults program, has served persons over the age of sixty (60) and their caregivers.  Program goals include providing access to services which enable older adults to maximize their independence and remain in the community, advocating for the rights of older adults and their quality of life in the community and in nursing homes, and protecting older adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Programs Offered through the Community Services Unit

Comprehensive Care Coordination

Shawnee Health, Social Services Care Coordinators help older adults and their caregivers connect to services available in the community which enable them to maintain their independence.  Care Coordinators make home visits to evaluate the older adults’ ability to function independently.  The evaluation is comprehensive and provides the Care Coordinators with information needed to advise the older adult and their caregiver on programs and services available to meet their needs in the following areas:

Function Physical Health Behavioral Health Medication Nutrition

Transportation Home Environment Financial Legal Spiritual/Social

Shawnee Health, Social Services Care Coordinators work closely with older adults and their caregivers to provide information on services and programs in each of these areas, develop plans to assist with identified needs, coordinate access and referrals to services, and monitor to adjust plans when needed.  The Care Coordinator can provide access to in-home care programs, adult day services, home delivered meals, financial aid programs, transportation programs, home modification, assistive technology, medication assistance programs, Medicare Part D applications, and many other resources available to assist older adults.  Evaluations are performed in the privacy of the client’s home and there is no charge to the client or their caregiver.  Participation is voluntary and activities are at the direction of the client and their caregiver.  Care Coordinators may also assist older adults in transitioning back to their home from a nursing home or from a hospital.

Choices for Care

Shawnee Health, Social Services Care Coordinators provide consultation services to persons over the age of 60 or disabled persons under the age of 60.  The goal is to provide information which enables participants and their caregivers to make informed decisions based on the options available in their community.  Options discussed include home and community based services like in-home care and adult day services, home delivered meals, and other services available in their community.  Other options include supportive living facilities, assisted living facilities, and nursing facilities.  There is no charge for this service.  All persons seeking admission into a nursing home in Illinois must first meet with a Choices for Care Coordinator to be informed of their options for care, and to confirm they meet the level of care needed for nursing home placement.

Healthy IDEAS

Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression and Empowering Activities for Seniors) is an evidence-based, community-delivered program that integrates depression awareness and management into existing case management services provided to older adults.

Savvy Caregiver

Savvy Caregiver is a training program for the caregiver. It is a group training that gives the caregiver suggestions, techniques, and modified strategies for improved confidence as a caregiver and to reduce the sense of ditress. 

Money Management

Volunteer Money Management Program

This program provides protective services to limited income seniors who need help managing their finances.  The goal of the program is to assist low income seniors, as well as to promote independent living and prevent unnecessary institutionalization, guardianship, or homelessness.

The Volunteer Money Management Program is sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging, Community Care Program, and Adult Protective Services.  Volunteers help with such bill-paying activities as opening and organizing mail, setting up budgets, and balancing checkbooks for seniors who remain in control of their finances, but need some help keeping things in order.

Representative Payee volunteers help participants manage their Social Security benefits, if the participant is unable to handle his or her own finances.  The Representative Payee volunteer manages and pays the participant’s expenses from an account into which the Social Security benefit is automatically deposited.

Why might someone need Volunteer Money Management services?

Physical or mental disabilities Bills are not being paid Participant is unable to read or write Participant is overwhelmed or nervous Loss of informal support or caregiver

Financial exploitation or abuse Serious illness Threat of eviction Utilities shut off

Volunteer Money Management Program Safeguards

Volunteers are carefully selected, trained, and provided ongoing support. Volunteers only work from one designated account with a $3,500 limit. Volunteer activity and accounts are monitored on a monthly basis.

Senior Health Assistants Program (SHAP)/Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

Shawnee Health, Social Services Care Coordinators are all certified SHIP counselors available to asssit with Medicare (A, B, C, and D). They can also provide materials and information on Medicare Supplements and assist with Medicaid applications and questions.

Bridge Program – Transitional Care

The Bridge Program is social work-based model of transitional care that serves older adults being discharged home after a hospital stay. The social service staff collaborates with the medical provider for a successful return home by sharing information on available community services and resources.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Shawnee Health, Social Services for Seniors Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is a 100% resident-centered, resident-directed advocacy program for all persons who reside in long term care facilities in 13 counties within the Shawnee Alliance service area.

Long Term Care facilities include Skilled Care facilities, Assisted Living facilities, Supportive Living facilities, Shelter Care facilities, Specialized Alzheimer’s facilities, and Intermediate Care facilities for the Developmentally Disabled.

Long Term Care Ombudsmen serve to protect and improve the quality of life and quality of care for Residents of long term care facilities through:

Receiving, investigating and attempting to resolve complaints and concerns from Residents, family members, community members Maintaining a Regular Presence in long term care facilities through facility visits, attendance at Resident Council meetings, attendance at Resident Care Plan meetings, and other activities Ensuring that all Residents know their rights as residents of long term care facilities

Encouraging and empowering Residents to make their needs and wants known Individual and systemic advocacy for and on behalf of Residents Promotion of best practices in long term care facilities Providing education to family members, facility staff and community members on issues pertaining to long term care

If you would like more information on the Shawnee Alliance Long Term Care Ombudsman Program or would like to speak with an Ombudsman, please contact Shawnee Alliance at 1-800-642-7773 or 618-985-8322.

Shawnee Health, Social Services Long Term Care Ombudsman Program recruits volunteers to advocate for residents. Volunteers receive training including supervised visits to long term care facilities, and ongoing support by the Volunteer Coordinator.  Volunteers make a great contribution to the quality of life of long term care residents. If you are interested in becoming a trained Volunteer Ombudsman, please contact Shawnee Alliance at 1-800-642-7773.

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Adult Protective Services

Volunteer Opportunities

Shawnee Health, Social Services offers volunteer opportunities in the Ombudsman Program and Volunteer Money Managment Program, as well as our Advisory Council. In addition, Shawnee Alliance has internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in Care Coordination, Ombudsman, and Volunteer Money Management. Shawnee Alliance also has an internship for an associate-level secretarial/clerical student. 

Funded in part by the Older American’s Act through the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging.

Branch Offices in:

Anna, Metropolis, and Murphysboro

Program goals include providing access to services for a variety of health care needs through case management/health education, and counseling for youth, adolescents, and their parents.

Programs Offered through the Community Services Unit

Healthy Families Program

Shawnee Health will now be offering behavioral health at our Shawnee Alliance Social Services location. 

To schedule an appointment call (618)519-9200.

Behavioral Health Hours

Monday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

 

Services Provided Here

• Behavioral Health Treatment