Services that can help seniors in the Triangle age in place

Only 25 percent of people older than 65 believe they will need any help in their later years, yet 70 percent do. According to Dr. Atul Gawande, the average senior needs some amount of help for the last eight years of life.

This is the time of year when folks head home for the holidays in droves. This is also the time many might notice a decline in their elderly parents' abilities since the last visit. A seasoned geriatrician once told me, after the age of 80, expect to see a noticeable decline about every six months. Of course, there are exceptions; but this is a useful gauge to keep in mind after wheeling your suitcase into your childhood bedroom.

Some declines can be addressed relatively easily and inexpensively, while others might require more substantive solutions. In this column, I'll provide information on free and fee-based local services that can help keep your parent at home. In later columns, I'll discuss what needs constitute bringing in home help, as well as how to choose a good agency.

Since driving can become the primary impediment to living independently, the services included here address primarily needs of homebound seniors. This is certainly not an exhaustive list.

One service that is becoming popular among seniors is grocery delivery. Currently, several Harris Teeters and Food Lions, as well as Whole Foods (through its partnership with Amazon) offer online grocery ordering and delivery with minimal to no cost based on order amount.

While it hasn't entirely taken off -- probably because people still like to see what they are buying -- it can offer real relief to those seniors who no longer drive. (Note: In my experience, adult children are often, though not always, the ones who help set up the online order.)

Pharmacy delivery is another extremely useful service. Hayes Barton Pharmacy makes 150 to 200 deliveries per week to addresses primarily inside the beltline. There is no charge if you are older than 65. If you're younger than 65 and have more than three prescriptions at a value of more than $10, the delivery service is also free. Other local pharmacies that advertise delivery are MEDS Delivery Pharmacy, Person Street Pharmacy and Holly Park Pharmacy.

As for transportation, the City of Raleigh offers seniors 65 and older free fare with a GoRaleigh Bus card. To get this discount, they must complete and mail in this application.

The city also has a little-known program for seniors with accessibility issues, in which seniors can schedule transportation via a private van for rides that follow the bus routes. The application for this program requires a doctor's assessment, takes about 30 days to process and can be downloaded here. If the destination is not on the bus line, consider trying out GoGoGrandparent, an on-demand transportation service like Lyft and Uber, which supplies drivers who can accommodate seniors with vision impairment and ambulatory equipment. Transport for Seniors, a reputable local company, provides a reasonably-priced hourly rate for senior transportation. For a slightly higher rate, they also provide note-taking at medical appointments.

Meals on Wheels is a volunteer-run program which delivers hot meals to seniors and disabled neighbors between 10:30 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. To qualify, you must be 60 or over, reside in Wake County, and have a chronic disability that prevents you from shopping for food or preparing meals. Applications are taken over the phone Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or online and generally take two to three weeks to process. Call (919) 833-1749 for more information or apply here.

For those who are members of a faith community, it is worthwhile asking whether and how their community provides help for its seniors. Some communities provide transportation, holiday meal delivery, senior programming and home visits.

Wake County operates 11 senior day centers, offering hundreds of free programs annually. Programs include anything from educational classes to counseling and support groups, wellness programs, meals, outings, transportation and help with financial, legal and medical paperwork. To view locations and programs visit, http://www.resourcesforseniors.com/scenters.php

Finally, Resources for Seniors is an important clearinghouse of hundreds of local resources, which include information and support for decision-making, direct services such as home care, adult day care, senior centers, home repair, and more for seniors and disabled adults. Visit their website, make an appointment in their office at 1110 Navaho Drive (fourth floor) in Raleigh, or download or pick up a print copy of their 2017 Directory of Resources.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list. In future columns, I’ll be featuring more in-depth information by category of services. Please email me with your recommendations and questions.