Services
The Adams County Office for Aging (ACOFA) provides a variety of services for Adams County residents age 60 and over. Read more about the specific services provided below, or contact us for additional information.
In-Home Services
Care Management
Care Management is the coordination of ACOFA services to ensure that senior residents’ needs are met in the most effective manner possible.
For more information on care management services, contact ACOFA today.
Home-Delivered Meals
- Deliveries may be daily, weekly, or bi-weekly depending on the area.
- An assessment needs to be completed by ACOFA to determine eligibility.
- Meals are normally delivered within a specific geographic area surrounding each center.
- For people who live outside the delivery area, boxes of frozen meals may be available.
- Independent programs operate in Fairfield and New Oxford with limited delivery areas.
Contact ACOFA today to request an assessment for home-delivered meals or get more information.
Personal Care Service
Adams County Office for Aging, Inc. subcontracts with several home health agencies to provide personal care service. These services are generally provided 2-3 days per week for a few hours, depending upon the level of care needed. Assessments are completed to determine eligibility and there are cost limits to the amount of service provided. This service is subject to cost-sharing.
We provide help with personal care and daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, getting in and out of bed, meal preparation, and limited housekeeping.
Learn more about our personal care services by reaching out to ACOFA.
Caregiver Support Program
Caregivers may receive reimbursement toward the cost of services and supplies as well as home modifications and adaptive equipment. An assessment is used to determine eligibility along with household income.
Contact ACOFA today to find out if you are eligible for our Caregiver Support Program.
Lifeline Personal Emergency Response System
Lifeline is a personal emergency response system designed to help people live independently. The Lifeline system provides 24-hour monitoring by trained personnel. The system installation requires the following:
- Units available for landline or wireless phone connection
- A nearby electrical outlet
- A private phone line
- Phone numbers of at least two people who can be contacted to check on the individual
In an emergency, the subscriber pushes a help button located on a necklace, wrist band, or on the unit itself. This activates the unit to dial the phone number for the monitoring center at Lifeline Central in Massachusetts. When the monitoring center receives the help needed signal from the subscriber, they will attempt to call the subscriber. If there is no answer, a responder listed on a Subscriber Information Card will be called. An ambulance will be dispatched if no responder can be reached.
Eligibility for units is based on a priority system. Priorities considered include medical history, isolation, functional ability, a history of falling, and income level. An installation fee is required and possibly a monthly monitoring fee.
Find out if you or your loved one is eligible for a Lifeline system today by contacting ACOFA.
Protective Services
Each year older adults experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation from family members, caregivers, and others. Any person age 60+ who is an Adams County resident and is suspected to be a victim of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment may be referred for a Protective Services investigation. A staff person is on call 24 hours a day to receive and investigate Protective Service reports. Confidentiality is assured for those who report the need for an investigation.
Protective Service reports can be made by calling 717-334-9296, 800-548-3240, or through the PS Helpline at 800-490-8505.
Level of Care Assessment
Any resident of Adams County age 18+ seeking medical assistance for long-term care in a facility (upon admission or spend down) or home and community-based services must be assessed. The assessment and the individual’s financial eligibility will determine the location of care which will meet the consumer’s need.
Contact ACOFA today to arrange a Level of Care Assessment.
Adult Day Service
Serves adults age 60+ who have physical or mental limitations, limited social contacts, or need motivation and structured support. Adult Day Programs offer interactive, safe, supervised day programming which can enable the individual to continue living in the community or provide respite to family members.
For more information on locations or to schedule an assessment please contact ACOFA.
Community Services
Senior Centers
Adams County Office for Aging, Inc. supports senior centers located throughout Adams County. The senior centers offer people age 60+ a place to go for nutritious meals, social activities, and a range of programs such as health screenings, health and consumer education, creative arts, exercise, and other special events which are unique to individual centers.
Programs at the centers include:
- Exercise sessions
- Cards and games
- Speakers
- Monthly blood pressure checks
- Nutrition education
- Occasional trips
- Crafts and holiday activities
Each center is staffed with a friendly site manager who takes care of the programming for each center as well as the day-to-day operations. The senior centers often work with a variety of local organizations to provide access to other community services. Centers also offer volunteer opportunities for people to contribute their experience and skills in meaningful and satisfying ways.
Anyone age 60+ may attend a senior center at any time. However, those who wish to eat a meal must register with the particular center at least two days in advance. New participants are always welcome. Contributions are encouraged toward the cost of meals, but a donation is not required.
In some cases, special classes or activities may be arranged at the senior center. These may have a fee, but they are in addition to the activities provided through the regular operation of the center and are voluntary. People attending the centers may attend as frequently or as infrequently as they want. There is no minimum attendance requirement for senior centers.
Visit our Contact page today for additional information on each of our senior centers or to speak to an ACOFA employee.
Transportation
Transportation for people age 65+ is provided by the rabbittransit system through a contract with the Adams County Office for Aging, Inc. ACOFA will pay to provide transportation to Senior Centers, Adult Day Programs, grocery shopping trips, doctor and other medical appointments (such as physical therapy), pharmacies, laundromats, libraries, and banks. These are considered “necessary” trips and are provided free of charge. For these necessary trips, the PA Lottery pays rabbittransit 85% of the cost of the ride and ACOFA pays the other 15%. Riders will receive occasional letters from ACOFA informing them they may make a contribution toward the cost of their trips. Donations are voluntary and not required in order to ride.
Trips to other locations (hair appointments, shopping, or visiting friends and family) are provided for a fee. The cost of the trip will vary depending on where the person would like to go. The PA Lottery still pays 85% of the cost, and the rider is required to pay the remaining 15%. Riders will pay the driver for each one-way trip and will need to have exact change. When a reservation is made, the dispatcher will be able to tell the rider how much their trip will cost.
To arrange transportation to a Senior Center, people should call the site manager by 11 AM the day before they would like to go to the center. For all other trips, riders must call rabbittransit by 11 AM the day before the trip to make a reservation. If the same person makes the same trip each day or multiple times each week, it is possible to make a “standing reservation” so that a daily call isn’t needed. Please ask the rabbittransit staff for help with this type of reservation.
Those wishing to use transportation services need to register to ride by filling out an application form and providing proof of their age. Registration forms can be obtained by contacting ACOFA, rabbittransit, or any one of the senior centers. Forms may also be found on the rabbittransit website.
Please note that county transit provides shared ride service. Riders must be able to walk or move out to the van on their own. Drivers will help individuals in and out of the vehicles, and wheelchair-accessible vans are available. An escort may go with the rider, and in that case, an escort form should be filled out when the registration form is completed. Because the service is shared ride, people may need to be dropped off and picked up during the course of a trip.
Except for special group or senior center trips, service is provided Monday-Friday 6:00 AM-6:00 PM. For more information, contact rabbittransit at 1-800-632-9063, or ACOFA at 717-334-9296 or 1-800-548-3240.
Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI)
The Health Insurance Counseling Program, known as Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI), provides free assistance to seniors to help them understand Medicare eligibility and benefits, Medicare supplemental insurance, and prescription drug coverage. The counselors can explain your rights and benefits under Medicare. Trained volunteers and staff help educate eligible beneficiaries about programs including Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Insurance, Medicare Advantage, PACE and other programs.
Volunteers provide counseling to help clients understand their coverage choices and can explain the various low income and prescription drug assistance programs and help to determine eligibility.
Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) counselors are available by appointment only (phone or in-person) at the ACOFA office.
Learn more about Medicare from the videos of the 2021 National Medicare Virtual Fair.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Adams County Office for Aging, Inc.
Tax Assistance Program
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteers provide tax assistance to older citizens of Adams County. The tax assistance program is in cooperation with the IRS, AARP, and the Adams County Office for Aging, Inc. (ACOFA). This free service can address tax issues for most middle- to low-income taxpayers 60+.
Beginning in February through mid-April of each year, AARP counselors trained on Federal, State, and Local returns are available every Tuesday and Wednesday at the ACOFA office, located at 318 W. Middle Street, Gettysburg.
Those seeking tax assistance should bring copies of their prior-year tax returns, along with any current tax booklets/forms, W2s, 1099s, Social Security earning statements, property taxes, rent rebate receipts, and any other relevant documents.
Contact ACOFA today for more information on obtaining tax assistance.
Legal Services
Limited legal services are provided to individuals who are low income and unable to afford legal fees on their own. Examples of the legal services provided include preparation of wills, powers of attorney, and living wills.
For more information or to find out if you or a loved one are eligible, contact ACOFA today.
SHARE (Shared Housing and Resource Exchange)
SHARE is an affordable housing option that brings together a homeowner who wants to share space in their home with a home seeker who is looking for housing in exchange for rent, help around the house, or both. Every arrangement is unique depending on the needs, preferences, and abilities of the people involved.
The program is designed to help seniors age 60+ to remain in their homes by pairing them with a person age 18+ who needs affordable housing. The tenants, who have their own rooms, may provide companionship and services such as cleaning, cooking and transportation in exchange for low rent payments.
SHARE provides a mutual benefit for the Host (homeowner) and the Seeker (person who needs housing.) It is a cost effective, non-medical housing model to address many of the barriers that older adults may face such as rising property taxes, the need for assistance with chores around the house, companionship, and security.
- Host homes must be located in Adams County and must meet HUD standards.
- All applicants must be 18+, and one party must be age 60+.
- The Seeker can only be charged 30% of their gross income for rent (including utilities).
- SHARE cannot serve as emergency housing.
All applicants are interviewed by the SHARE Housing Counselor, who conducts background and security checks and interviews each person separately to ensure a good match. Once an application is accepted, the counselor will identify and introduce potential matches and set up a trial visit. The counselor will help negotiate an agreement between the two parties and provide ongoing monitoring and support, as well as community outreach and education. The counselor will stay involved with all matches through monthly check-ins and periodic home visits. Either participant can end the agreement with a 30-day notice.
To learn more, contact Coordinator Valery Adams at 717-778-1293, or email vadams@acofa.org.
Service Costs
Services Provided at No Charge
ACOFA is funded by federal and state entities and supported through private donations. Most of our budget comes through the PA Department of Aging and the majority of these funds are from Pennsylvania’s State Lottery proceeds. The combination of federal, state, and private funds are used to pay for the variety of services we offer.
Some services such as Information & Assistance, Senior Centers, Medicare Counseling (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI)), Tax Assistance, Health Promotion, assessment, and care management activities are provided at no charge to the consumer.
Senior Center activities (including lunches) are provided at no charge however, a donation toward the cost of the meal is encouraged. Read more about activities offered at our Senior Centers above.
Transportation contracted through rabbittransit is available at no charge to senior centers, adult day programs, grocery shopping, medical appointments, banks, pharmacies, and human service agencies.
Home-delivered meals that are offered through ACOFA are provided at no charge. Various private programs throughout Adams County have their own fee structures, and generally require the client to pay the cost of the meal in full.
Although these services are offered at no charge, voluntary contributions are encouraged to assure assistance to as many people as possible. Consider making a charitable contribution to support our services today.
Services Subject to Cost-Sharing
All residents of Adams County who are at least sixty years of age are eligible for services. While some of our services are offered at no charge to the consumer, many services require the cost to be shared by the individual, based on their income level. A sliding fee scale is used to determine the charge.
Consumers are assessed by Care Managers for the level of care needed and financial eligibility. Documentation of monthly income and assets must be disclosed at the time of the assessment to determine the consumer’s cost-share amount.
The following services are subject to cost-sharing:
- Personal Care
- Adult Day Care
- Lifeline
- Transportation (outside of approved locations)
Service Funding
ACOFA is funded in part by generous contributions from private donors. We would appreciate your consideration of a financial donation to help make a difference in the lives of seniors in Adams County.