Catholic Social Services is a multi-service agency that has been serving families and seniors in central and southern Ohio for 75 years. Catholic Social Services helps working-poor families stabilize and become self-sufficient through case management, training, and emergency assistance. We help low-income seniors age with grace and independence through supportive services and community-impact opportunities. At Catholic Social Services, we devote significant time and resources to the vulnerable senior population to help them stay independent and connected in the community. Below is a list of our senior programs:
Foster Grandparent
Foster Grandparent is an on-going, dual-beneficiary program with a two-fold objective: 1) To help children be prepared for and do better in school and 2) to give low-income seniors an opportunity to supplement their incomes, combat isolation, and have a purposeful way to contribute to the community. Through this program, low-income, active seniors tutor at-risk youth in area schools and Head Start programs and receive a stipend for their work.
Money Management
Through our Money Management program, CSS assists low-income seniors who have difficulty managing their finances. Social workers help clients manage their own finances by helping them prepare monthly budgets, pay their bills, deposit checks, make connections with financial and legal resources, and prepare for long-term needs—all so they can remain independent.
Payee Services
This program provides individualized financial management to seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to manage their financial affairs. Through this program, CSS helps protect people who are often financially exploited by helping them understand and meet their financial obligations. We use clients’ income to pay their bills for them so their basic needs are covered, then give them the money left over to use at their discretion.
Senior Companion
This program addresses two specific issues within the senior population in Franklin County: 1) Loneliness and isolation and 2) underuse of resources active seniors have to give. It engages two different populations of seniors: home-bound seniors and active, low-income seniors. Senior Companions, all of whom qualify as low-income, receive stipends and travel reimbursement to visit home-bound seniors for 15+ hours a week. They provide needed socialization and non-medical assistance so clients can remain independent in their homes. The program helps both groups stay connected and retain their independence.
Service Coordination
Our service coordinators help low-income seniors live independently and remain in their homes by linking them with needed resources. CSS has placed a service coordinator at each of the 14 diocesan-owned Seton Square Senior affordable housing communities where they assist when seniors are confronted by new challenges such as medical or health issues, tax laws or benefits, or technological hurdles beyond their skill level. This intervention increases seniors’ quality of life and allows them to continue living in their homes with confidence.
Supportive Services
Through the Supportive Services program, CSS removes barriers for low-income seniors who need assistance to maintain their independence and remain safely in their own homes. Our licensed social workers provide individualized care and case management to older adults and their families by helping seniors navigate their benefits, locate transportation services, schedule medical appointments, manage finances, find appropriate housing, and more. We provide in-home care for this often home-bound population. In-home service is especially necessary in rural counties where seniors have even more barriers to accessing care.
Transportation Services
Our Transportation service allows seniors and veterans to get to non-emergency medical appointments anywhere in the state of Ohio. This service is available to Licking County residents who are seniors or qualified veterans.