The Sullivan County ServiceLink program provides
information and supported referral for adults 60 and
over, adults living with disabilities, and their
families and caregivers, empowering them to live as
independently and as fully as possible. In addition to
providing information and referrals, ServiceLink offers
advocacy, connection to available services, follow up
services, education, and support.
ServiceLink can help you find direction if you are
searching for answers to:
Finding help for a family member
Getting services in order to remain at home
Understanding Medicare and supplemental
insurance benefits
Receiving assistance in caring for elderly
parents
Finding alternatives to a nursing home
Dealing with depression, isolation, and the
inability to cope
Inquiries regarding other issues, such as housing, food
programs, medication assistance, transportation, and
work and volunteer opportunities, may also be addressed.
Rounding out the services provided by ServiceLink are
programs such as Senior Medicare Patrol, the State
Health Insurance Program, Elder Services, and New
Hampshire Caregivers/Transitions in Caregiving. Details
about these specific programs follow below.
Senior Medicare Patrol
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and
Senior Medicare Patrol Project (SMP) are national
programs that offer one-on-one counseling and assistance
to people with Medicare and to their families. Through
federal grants directed to states, SHIP and SMP provide
free counseling and assistance via telephone and
face-to-face interactive sessions, public education
presentations, printed materials, and media activities
that deal with Medicare coverage and the importance of
preventing health care fraud and abuse. Under the
direction of the ServiceLink Resource Center (SLRC)
Center Manager, the SHIP/SMP coordinator will oversee
the development and implementation of the State Health
Insurance Assistance Program and Senior Medicare Patrol
Project for their County/Region.
State Health Insurance
Program
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP,
is a Federal grant program that helps states enhance and
support a network of local programs, staff, and
volunteers. Through one-on-one personalized counseling,
education, and outreach, this network of resources
provides accurate and objective information and
assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families.
This allows the recipients to better understand and
utilize their Medicare benefits. SHIPs help
beneficiaries identify and understand programs and
plans, including Medicare prescription drug coverage,
Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplemental
insurance policies, Medicare Savings Programs, long-term
care insurance and financing, and other public and
private health insurance coverage options. SHIPs also
assist eligible participants in enrolling in these
programs and plans.
Elder Services
The Eldercare Program operates only in Sullivan County.
It is designed to secure and maintain maximum
independence and dignity for older persons in their own
home environment. Activities are designed to provide a
continuum of care with appropriate supportive services
and removal of barriers to economic and personal
independence. It also provides information and education
relating to issues of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and
financial exploitation.
The program offers the following resources:
Home visits
Well-being checks
Assistance in obtaining needed benefits, such as
Medicaid, Fuel Assistance, and other social services
Support in obtaining help/services relating to
suspected abuse issues
New Hampshire Caregivers
Information regarding support groups and respite and
home care are among the many services available through
the NH Caregivers information program.
If you or someone you know is a caregiver please call
Sullivan County ServiceLink for more information:
New Hampshire Family
Caregivers/Transitions in Caregiving
The primary objectives of the New Hampshire Family
Caregivers Program/Transitions in Caregiving are to
establish and strengthen community partnerships, to
increase community capacity to support family
caregivers, and to help families and friends who are the
primary caregivers to their chronically ill, disabled,
and elderly loved ones.
We collaborate with exiting organizations, United Way,
volunteer organizations, service learning programs and
others, to create and publicly promote a focused plan
for supporting caregivers in our region.
Training and support is provided to caregivers to help
them better identify and meet their own needs.
We provide Powerful Tools for the Caregiver for at least
25 people in our county. We also identify and train
caregiver volunteers.
There is never a fee or eligibility requirement for
services. ServiceLink staff respects confidentiality and
is available during normal business hours, 8:00 am to
4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. After hours appointments
are available as needed. In addition, the ServiceLink
Resource Center is available for your convenience.
Corina Sprague, Director
ServiceLink Resource Center of Sullivan County
1 Pleasant Street, Suite 105
Claremont, NH 03743
Phone: 603.542.5177
Toll free: 1.866.634.9412
Email:
csprague@scshelps.org
