Advocate Services for Seniors

A full-time Advocate is based here at the Bugbee Senior Center to provide services to individuals age 60 and older, their spouses and families.
 

Who are Advocates?

An Advocate is a trained professional who:

• Provides CONFIDENTIAL, personalized assistance to help individuals achieve and maintain lives of independence, meaning and dignity.
   
• Will take action only with permission of the individual.
   
• Identifies gaps in programs and services and work for changes and improvements within communities and through legislation.
   
• Will provide these services in people’s homes, if needed, and without any charge.

What can an Advocate do for you?

“When I returned home from the hospital, I wasn’t able to prepare meals. My Advocate arranged for meals to be delivered to my home until I could manage for myself.”

“My landlord raised the rent and I just couldn’t afford to stay there. The Advocate helped me apply for an apartment in a senior housing complex. I just love it here!”

“The doctor said I could no longer stay alone. I hated the thought of leaving my home and going to a nursing home. Then an advocate explained Medicaid Waiver to me and we applied. Some day perhaps I will need more help and care, but for now I can stay home.”
 

If you are a Vermonter, 60 years or older, an Advocate may be able to help you:
 

• Assess your situation, explore available options and implement the plan of action you choose.
   
• Understand and gain access to community programs and services, including:
   
• Social Security
• Supplemental Security Income
• Insurance Issues
• Disability Applications
• Public Benefit Programs (Medicaid, Food Stamps, Fuel Assistance)
• Housing Information and Applications
• Legal Services
• Veterans’ Administration Issues
• Hospice
• Home-Delivered Meals
• Mental Health Services
• Home Health Services
   

If you need information concerning:

• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Insurance
• Food Stamps
• Energy Assistance
• Weatherization
• Home Health Services
• Homemakers
• Legal Aid
• Financial Assistance
• Volunteer Opportunities

• Senior Companions
• Section 8 Housing
• Social Security
• Disability Benefits
• SSI
• Pensions
• Home-Delivered Meals
• Transportation
• Telephone Reassurance
• Shopping Assistance
   

an Advocate may be able to help.

What do Advocacy services cost?

There is no charge for services provided by the Advocate based at the Bugbee Senior Center but a contribution can help to insure that high quality advocacy services continue to be available to older Vermonters. Services will not be refused or limited in any way if a contribution is not made.

Please feel free to contact us if you need more information, or if you have questions about our Advocate Services.