REAL Services, Inc.

This division of REAL Services provides education and services for families and individuals with Alzheimer‘s Disease and related dementias. Programs include disease education, caregiver support groups, helpline, quarterly newsletters, website, and family counseling.

Home Care Managers are trained geriatric care managers who work with elders in the community to help them maximize their independence for as long as possible. Care
managers assist clients by helping to identify and reach their goals for independent living. In some cases home care managers may authorize funding to pay for services under the Older American‘s Act, the CHOICE program, Social Services Block Grant, and the Medicaid Waiver.

The Energy Assistance Program helps income eligible households with their heating expenses during the winter months. The program provides a credit on a family‘s gas and/or electric bill. The average assistance is $325 per heating season.

The primary goal of this program is assisting families in becoming financially self-sufficient and free from entitlements and benefits. Holistic case management is utilized to help clients identify personalized self sufficiency goals, usually in job training and education. While working towards the self-identified goals, the program offers other healthy family functioning skills. This program is provided under the Community Services Block Grant.

This intergenerational program provides an opportunity for low-income persons aged 55+ to give 1 to 1 support to at-risk, special, and exceptional needs children. Foster Grandparents share their time and talents volunteering at assigned work sites such as: Head Start, Center for the
Homeless, St. Margaret‘s House, Logan Center, and various day care centers.

Nutrition awareness, healthy living practices, fall prevention, fitness and chronic disease management are just a few of the topics presented in communities throughout our area.

REAL Services Meals on Wheels is a service that provides two nutritious meals each day, Monday through Friday, to the homes of elderly or disabled persons. These meals are delivered by dedicated volunteers. The program allows people to stay in their homes and remain independent.

This program is designed to provide low cost nutritious meals, with recreational activities and informational programs, in centers located in St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaPorte, Marshall and Kosciusko Counties in Northern Indiana. The program promotes better health among older adults through improved nutrition and socialization.

Families whose income is below 150% of the poverty level are provided with energy conservation measures to lower fuel consumption and expenses. Families enjoy a warmer home and see, on average, a 34% reduction in fuel consumption.

Transportation in St. Joseph County (Granger, Mishawaka, Osceola and South Bend only):

Background:
The transportation program of REAL Services was started in 1978 to provide transportation for older adults to doctors, grocery shopping, banking, Medicaid and Social Security Offices and other necessary appointments.

Operations:
REAL Services arranges approximately 14,000 one-way trips annually. Hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm weekdays.

Eligibility:
Any person 60 years of age or older and is a resident of Granger, Mishawaka, Osceola and South Bend areas with limited access to transportation.

Financial:
Operating costs (vehicle and staff) average almost $14.00 per one-way trip. REAL Services receives limited State and Federal funding, but the operating deficit is substantial. To help meet it, REAL Services receives donations from friends of REAL Services and area businesses.