Omaha Senior AdvisorWhat is the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging?
The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA), at 4780 S. 131st Street in Omaha, is the Area Agency on Aging for Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass and Washington counties, governed by a board of elected officials from those counties; its Information and Assistance line, (402) 444-6444 or (888) 554-2711, is the first call for most local families.
ENOA connects older adults to services that already exist and runs its own programs to fill gaps. It also operates the area's Aging and Disability Resource Center, whose options counselors help people 60 and over, people with disabilities of any age, and their families sort through long-term care choices by phone or in person. Saunders County is outside ENOA's area and is served by Aging Partners in Lincoln, (402) 441-7070.
What does ENOA's care management program do?
ENOA care managers work with adults 60 and older in its counties who need help with personal care or household tasks, starting with a comprehensive assessment of daily activities, finances, social contact, transportation, cognition, nutrition, health and home safety, then setting up services and monitoring them.
Participants are asked to contribute toward services based on income. The older adult makes the final decision about which services to accept. Care management is a good fit for a parent who is still at home but slipping, before an emergency forces a faster decision.
What help is there for family caregivers in Omaha?
ENOA's Caregiver Support Program serves caregivers 18 and older looking after someone 60 or older who needs help with at least two daily activities, or who has Alzheimer's disease or another dementia; its main service is respite, either in-home or through adult day programs, along with case management and education.
The caregiver is the client in this program, which matters: the assessment looks at the caregiver's stress and needs, not only the parent's. Call (402) 444-6536 and ask for Information and Assistance to start. AD Waiver participants can also receive respite through the waiver, but only from one funding source at a time.
How do Omaha seniors get Meals on Wheels?
ENOA's Meals on Wheels delivers a hot noon meal to adults 60 and older in Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties who have difficulty preparing meals, are homebound, lack adequate cooking facilities or do not have dependable support from family, after an initial assessment.
Participants are encouraged to contribute based on monthly income, and low-income participants may have the service covered by DHHS. Call (402) 444-6536 to start; you will be asked for name, address, phone, date of birth, gross monthly household income and some eligibility questions. Senior centers in the area also serve congregate meals.
What other ENOA services help people stay at home?
ENOA also runs personal care and homemaker services, an emergency response system, senior centers, the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent volunteer programs, and services coordination for people 65 and older on the Medicaid AD Waiver.
Not every service is available everywhere in the five counties, and some have waiting lists, so ask during the first call. For an older adult who may qualify for Medicaid, ENOA can explain the AD Waiver and, once enrolled, serve as the services coordinator who builds and monitors the waiver plan.
At a glance
| ENOA is | ENOA is not | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | The Area Agency on Aging for four of our five counties | The agency for Saunders County |
| Cost | Free information; contributions requested for services | A private-pay agency |
| Medicaid | An AD Waiver services coordination provider | The office that decides Medicaid eligibility |
| Facilities | A source of options counseling | A facility referral service paid by facilities |
Sources include 175 NAC 4 (assisted-living facilities), the Nebraska Revised Statutes cited above, Nebraska DHHS program and licensure pages, CMS, CareScout and VA rate tables; see our editorial standards.
