Additional Resources

A new website www.benefitscheckup.org is a free, easy-to-use service which identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans. The National Council on Aging created Benefits CheckUp to help older adults quickly identify programs that may improve the quality of their lives. Benefits CheckUp is completely confidential, and it takes only a few minutes to enter information about your financial situation into an online questionnaire. The Program then explains what benefit programs you may be eligible for and how to apply for them.

There is also a website for pharmaceuticals which can be reached at www.benefitscheckup.org - "Find Help Paying for Prescriptions."

Falls are a common problem among older adults, often resulting in pain and disability. Fortunately, there are proven interventions that can decrease the risk of falling or suffering an injury. Fall risk reduction involves identification of fall risk factors and specific interventions to decrease those risks. Please see www.fallprevention.org.

For other valuable information provided by local health and human service agencies, please follow the link below: http://www.townofmanchester.org/allsites/humanservices/communityagencies.cfm

MedlinePlus is a goldmine of good health information from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. Health professionals and consumers alike can depend on it for information that is authoritative and up to date. MedlinePlus has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on over 700 diseases and conditions. There are also lists of hospitals and physicians, a medical encyclopedia and a medical dictionary, health information in Spanish, extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs, health information from the media, and links to thousands of clinical trials.

The official U.S. Government site for people with Medicare. www.medicare.gov

The mission of the Manchester Parks and Recreation is to enhance the quality of life for all Manchester residents by providing a comprehensive program of recreational opportunities for all ages, ability levels, and provides safe, attractive, well maintained, well managed parks and recreation facilities. For more information on available programs, please visit their website.

Manchester Senior, Adult and Family Services works to improve the quality of life and help maintain the independence of Manchester residents by offering information, referral, outreach, advocacy, assessment of needs and individual consultation on human services benefits and programs. Senior, Adult and Family Services may be reached at 647-3096, or visit them on the web.

The Manchester Housing Authority manages independent, elderly and disabled apartments and maintains a waiting list. Tenants age 62 and older, or disabled within income limits, pay approximately 30% of their income for rent. A structured system of services is not usually available but tenants may bring in their own help. The Manchester Housing Authority may be reached at 860-643-2163.

Congregate Housing is elderly rental housing which includes a private kitchen and bath and offers some assistance. Typically, services include one meal daily, housekeeping and recreation as well as an on-site staff person 24 hours per day for emergencies. Westhill Congregate may be contacted at 860-643-8881.

Orford Village Commons, offers independent subsidized apartments for people age 62 and older. Call 1-800-525-8478.

Assisted Living is a managed residential community of individual apartments that also provides support services through a licensed assisted living agency. Core services typically include laundry, recreation, meals, housekeeping, and transportation. Nursing services are also available. Monthly fees vary according to service level and apartment size.

Residential Care Homes are licensed by the Department of Public Health and are also called rest homes, homes for the aged, and board and care homes. Rooms are private or semi-private. The communal living environment includes three meals a day, housekeeping, medication supervision, recreation and 24-hour supervision. Some residents receive subsidies from CT Dept of Social Services, 860-647-1441.

Continuing-Care Retirement Communities or life-care communities provide various levels of care from independent living to nursing homes to meet the changing needs of residents. Residents must be independent upon admission and enter into a contract requiring a lump sum entrance fee and monthly fees.

Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Program subsidizes qualified renters for private apartments they have located on their own. Call 860-643-2163 for requirements and current information on the waiting list. Senior, Adult and Family Services has a list of local apartments with landlord/management names and phone numbers.

For more information you may access Elderly and Family services at 860-647-3096, or visit their website at Senior, Adult, and Family Services . 

The Social Security Administration may be reached toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. Recorded information and services are accessible 24 hours a day from your touch-tone phone. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-325-0778, toll-free, from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. Please have your Social Security number handy when you call.  You can also visit them on the web at www.ssa.gov.

Dial-a-Ride serves Manchester residents who are 60 years of age or older and people with disabilities. Masks must be worn on the bus until further notice. Rides are provided free of charge, Monday through Friday in Manchester for medical appointments, grocery shopping (Limit of 3 shopping bags per shopper), work, banks, post office, town hall, gym, library and social events. First pick up is 8:30 a.m. and last pick up is 4:00 p.m. Excluding Holidays. Reservations & registration are required. Please call 860-870-7940, Monday - Thursday between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, please watch WTNH or WFSB for closing or late start.

ADA Paratransit Service provides rides 7 days/week in accordance with the specifications of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This service is available to locations in the Greater Hartford area. To qualify, you may call 860-724-5340 to learn about the required registration procedure. A $3.50 fee is charged per one-way trip. Manchester residents who qualify for ADA transportation can receive a monthly allotment of free trip Tickets through Senior, Adult & Family Services by calling 860-647-3093.