General Questions
1. What is the Office of Senior Affairs?
2. What services does the Office of Senior Affairs actually provide?
3. How do I find out about services for seniors in DeKalb?
4. Is there a website I can access for more information?
Neighborhood Senior Center Questions
1. Where are DeKalb County’s senior centers currently located?
2. What are the hours of operation?
3. What programs are offered at each location?
4. What are the eligibility requirements to attend a senior center?
Congregate Meals at Centers Questions
1. Who is the provider for Congregate Meals at the Centers?
2. What exactly is a “Congregate Meal?”
Case Management Questions
1. Who is the subcontractor to provide Case Management?
2. What happens if my case manager feels that I need full-time care?
3. How do I know I can trust the volunteer/worker in my home?
Transportation Questions
1. Who is the chosen provider for Transportation services?
2. Is transportation provided to senior centers?
3. Is transportation available to and from doctor appointments?
4. What kind of transportation is provided?
5. Is there a cost for Transportation services?
6. Is there a waiting list for transportation?
Home-Delivered Meals Questions
1. Who is the provider for Home-Delivered Meals?
2. If I am completely homebound, can I receive my meals on weekends or holidays?
3. What if a senior has special dietary needs?
In-Home Services Questions
1. Who is the chosen provider for In-Home Services?
2. What is included in the “In-Home Services?”
3. Who is eligible for Homemaker Services?
General Questions
1. What is the Office of Senior Affairs?
The Office of Senior Affairs was established in 1999 to serve DeKalb County’s growing and diverse senior citizen population. The Office functions as an information and referral resource for seniors and the community. Effective July 1, 2003, the Office of Senior Affairs (OSA) serves as the designated County-Based Aging Program/Nutrition Services Provider. In this capacity, OSA provides Information & Assistance and coordinates with other agencies to provide the following services: Case Management, In-Home Services, Home-Delivered Meals, Neighborhood Senior Center Operations to include Congregate Meals and Transportation.
2. What services does the Office of Senior Affairs actually provide?
The Office of Senior Affairs provides the Information and Referral service from our location: 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia, GA 30058. The remaining services are all subcontracted through qualified and licensed providers in DeKalb County, Georgia. The Office of Senior Affairs is responsible for ensuring contract compliance and quality control. OSA may be reached by calling (770) 322.2950.
3. How do I find out about services for seniors in DeKalb?
You may call the DeKalb Senior Link Line at (770) 322.2950, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for any questions you may have.
Neighborhood Senior Center Questions
1. Where are DeKalb County’s neighborhood senior centers currently located?
DeKalb County has six neighborhood senior centers located conveniently throughout the County. The locations are as follows:
- DeKalb/Atlanta Senior Center, 25 Warren Street, Atlanta
(404) 370-7297 - Lithonia Senior Center, 2484 Bruce Street, Lithonia
(770) 482-0402 - Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia
(770) 322-2900 - North DeKalb Senior Center, 5238 Peachtree Road, Chamblee
(770) 455-7602 - Scottdale Senior Center, 3262 Chapel Road, Scottdale
(404) 501-0704 - South DeKalb Senior Center, 1931 Candler Road, Decatur
(404) 284-4865
2. What are the hours of operation?
The Office of Senior Affairs is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Neighborhood Senior Centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Centers are closed on the following holidays:
- January 1st (New Year’s Day)
- 3rd Monday in January (MLK Holiday)
- 3rd Monday in February (President’s Day)
- Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
- July 4th (Independence Day)
- 1st Monday in September (Labor Day)
- November 11 (Veterans’ Day)
- 4th Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day)
- 4th Friday in November (Day after Thanksgiving)
- December 25th (Christmas Day)
3. What programs are offered at each location?
Each center has its own calendar of events. Typically, for eligible seniors, activities scheduled include but are not limited to:
4. What are the eligibility requirements to attend a neighborhood senior center?
Any person age 60 or older, the spouse of that person, or a disabled relative residing with that person is eligible to attend. To enroll, please contact DeKalb Senior Link Line at (770) 322.2950 and we will refer you to the center in your area.
Congregate Meals at Centers Questions
1. Who is the provider for Congregate Meals at the Centers?
The DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs subcontracts with Senior Connections, Inc., a non-profit organization with over 23 years experience operating senior centers in DeKalb, to provide congregate meals at each of its 5 neighborhood senior centers. The Office of Senior Affairs monitors contract compliance.
2. What exactly is a “Congregate Meal?”
This service provides a nutritious noon meal that meets the 1/3 RDA/DRI requirements and it also provides the opportunity for seniors to socialize with their peers.
=Meals are served in the neighborhood senior centers cafeteria-style in the dining area. The menu cycle is posted at each center monthly, and participants must sign up in advance for meals. Meals are provided at each center Monday through Friday, except when centers are closed.
Case Management Questions
1. Who is the subcontractor to provide Case Management?
The DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs subcontracts with Visiting Nurse Health Systems, a licensed non-profit and community-based home health agency serving metro Atlanta since 1948. Visiting Nurse Health Systems provides the services, and the Office of Senior Affairs monitors contract compliance.
2. What happens if my case manager feels that I need full-time care?
As long as you are of "sound mind" and can make decisions for yourself, your case manager cannot make decisions for you. If he/she feels that you need more care than the DeKalb County program can provide, he/she will look for other programs or services able to meet your needs. The case manager will work with you in making referrals that you approve.
3. How do I know I can trust the volunteer/worker in my home?
All case management staff is screened for criminal record or any fraudulent activities. By law, any worker providing services to the elderly must receive criminal background check.
Transportation Questions
1. Who is the chosen provider for Transportation services?
The State of Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) is contracted to provide transportation services for DeKalb County seniors. DHR contracts with Specialized Transportation Systems, Inc.
2. Is transportation provided to neighborhood senior centers?
Yes, fixed-route transportation is provided to the neighborhood senior centers and adult day health centers.
3. Is transportation available to and from doctor appointments?
Yes, service includes demand-response trips to medical appointments depending on the senior’s eligibility. Please contact DeKalb Senior Link Line at (770) 322.2950 for more information.
4. What kind of transportation is provided?
Three types of transportation are provided:
- Transportation to and from the neighborhood senior center for eligible seniors attending one of the County’s neighborhood senior centers.
- Medical transportation for eligible seniors, primarily trip to and from doctor’s appointments and to services such as dialysis.
- Group trips, including shopping, recreational, and special event trips, for seniors attending one of the County’s neighborhood senior centers.
5. Is there a cost for Transportation services?
Passengers will have the opportunity to make suggested contributions to help defray the cost of transportation services and the help expand services to other low-income seniors.
6. Is there a waiting list for transportation?
Yes, there is a waiting list for transportation. Please contact DeKalb Senior Link Line at (770) 322.2950 for more information.
Home-Delivered Meals Questions
1. Who is the provider for Home-Delivered Meals?
The DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs subcontracts with Senior Connections, Inc. to provide home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) to homebound, elderly residents of DeKalb County. Senior Connections, Inc. is responsible for preparing and distributing the meals, and the Office of Senior Affairs monitors contract compliance.
2. If I am completely homebound, can I receive my meals on weekends or holidays?
Meals are provided to temporarily or permanently homebound older adults on weekdays, or on weekends and/or holidays if needed. The client is offered either a hot daily meal (for the noon time meal), or frozen meals packed according to the daily menu. The frozen meals offer a choice to those clients who are able to prepare the meals themselves.
3. What if a senior has special dietary needs?
Senior Connections, Inc. can accommodate requests for therapeutic meals, such as diabetic meals. Your case manager will notify Senior Connections, Inc. of special needs.
In-Home Services Questions
1. Who is the chosen provider for In-Home Services?
The DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs subcontracts with Senior Connections, Inc. to provide In-Home Services to assist elderly individuals who are unable to perform basic activities of daily living. Senior Connections, Inc. provides the in-home services, and the Office of Senior Affairs monitors contract compliance.
2. What is included in the “In-Home Services?”
The In-Home Services provided include light housekeeping, essential shopping, escort, preparation of light meals, and laundry.
3. Who is eligible for In-Home Services?
Eligible seniors who have trouble performing essential living activities such as light housekeeping, laundry, personal care, essential shopping, and light meal preparation.
1300 Commerce Drive Decatur, GA 30030
