Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 1 · column 3 of 4 · from the scan, no model involved
Social Services
seeks sponsors
Without local help,
home iMsits to end
By LOU HATTER
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Faced with a continuing decrease in state aid from Richmond, the Rappahannock County Department of Social Services is turning to county residents for help.
State rponey has been used for the department’s companion service's program, which provides trained aides to visit elderly residents in their homes and assist them with household tasks,. The services range from light housecleanirig and doing laundry to fixing meals, giving medication and just providing companionship, a particularly important consideration for elderly residents who live alone.
The program, according to Social Services Director Beverly Bowen, is designed to allow elderly residents to maintain their independence as long as possible*. “The services vary — there’s a whole spectrum. All are designed to allow the person to stay at home rather than going into a group home or a nursing home.” .
But the state money has run out, and because the program is not mandated by Richmond no more funds will be provided, Mrs. Bowen explained. After Jan. 45, the department will have no more state money, and is looking to the community for help. (
A partnership led by local churches is being formed to try to raise money to continue the program, Mrs. Bowen explained, with the objective being to get individuals or groups to “adopt” one of the elderly residents enrolled in the program. The initiative is called CARE, an acronym for Community Action for the Relief of the Elderly.
Currently, five residents are assisted by companion services, at a cost per month ranging from $71 to $192. That money goes to pay the aides, who receive an hourly wage. The difference in cost is based on the number of hours per week the services are needed by each resident.
In addition to the residents currently served, the department also has a waiting list of other residents who are eligible for the program but were unable to enroll due to limited funding. Mrg^Bowen explained that the cases
See CARE, p.A-6
92.2%