Offering long-term care consultation for individuals 65 and older and their families including screening prior to admission to a nursing home, information and eligibility for home and community-based services, and case management for individuals receiving assistance through Alternative Care and Elderly Waiver programs.

Kittson County Community Health programs provide assistance to the elderly and disabled which includes:

 1.        Long-Term Care Consultation (LTCC) – helps residents make decisions about care. The goal of the consultation is to help residents and their families choose services that reflect their needs and preferences.

2.         Independent Community Living Services.  The goal of Independent Community Living Services is to promote health and home safety in a community setting. Independent community living with the aid of support services begins with a Long-Term Care Consultation.  The Long-Term Care Consultation (LTCC) is conducted by a team who helps Kittson County residents and their families determine if independent community living is the appropriate choice to meet their needs.

 3.         Information about nursing homes      A decision to stay in a nursing home is based more on health care needs than housing needs. Depending on the severity and the expected duration of an illness, a nursing home stay might be the best choice for senior health care. The advantage of a nursing home is that the senior will receive 24-hour, 7 day-a-week specialized care.

Nursing home services may be covered in part or in full by private pay, long-term care insurance or health care insurance. When skilled nursing becomes necessary, seniors with low income and insufficient, or no insurance, may apply to the county for help. Hospital social workers can help with the application process. Seniors and those concerned with their care can talk with a Kittson County Public Health Nurse.