Local News
LIFE Office Opens in Osceola
By Dave Thompson
Sep 3, 2008 - 1:00 PM

Recently Avis Blase and Amy Theis moved into the new office building that is the former Osceola Dry Cleaners in downtown Osceola. They previously were located next door with the Polk County Health Department. Avis and Amy both work for the Lincoln Area on Aging/LIFE Office. LIFE is an acronym for Local Information For Elders.
The two ladies work for the same department in two separate areas. Avis works in the LIFE’s Waiver Program and Amy is in the LIFE’s Care Management Program.
The Medicaid Waiver Program that Avis is involved with offers a variety of choices to older adults who are having difficulty in managing their lives and their homes. Avis will go to the individuals who need assistance and meet them in their homes. There is an assessment process she uses to determine the areas of specific need. From that point she can make arrangements to provide assistance. Services that can be provided include all varieties of nursing help, house cleaning, snow removal, mowing and other basic services that allow those who need a little extra help to remain in their home for as long as possible. Avis expressed her sentiments about what she does by saying, “I have the best job in the world, because everyone wants to stay in their home. So when I come in and say I think I can help you with this, they are usually very attentive and very happy about the help that we can bring in.” Avis covers Polk, Butler and York counties.
Amy provides care management services to Polk and some of Seward County. Care management is a starting point for obtaining aging related information, determining alternatives and arranging services. As a care manager Amy assists older adults who are living in their home by assessing their needs, planning and coordinating services. Amy is also able to provide guidance and assistance with the complexities of Medicare, and the Medicare prescription drug program, known as Medicare Part D. Amy described the services by saying, “ A lot of times people do not know what to sign up for and when. So we are a resource for all aging related questions.” Issues and questions that Amy deals with can range anywhere from how to set up a new digital television to handling health insurance and medicare questions.
Amy also provides assistance and support to those who are the care givers of older adults. She helps find the various programs and services available to help people safely stay in their homes. She also helps to find funding for those programs. Amy’s duties also include finding and training volunteers who are willing to visit with older adults in Polk County who are homebound. The volunteers are then matched with older adults who would like to have someone visit with them on a weekly basis.
Avis and Amy welcome calls from people who are 60 and over, family members, care givers, other professionals and the public. Referrals are often received from physicians, family members, neighbors, and senior centers. They would like anyone who has questions or concern to feel free to call at anytime. LIFE’s services are provided confidentially and without charge.
The ladies enjoy working in all of the Polk County communities and look forward to working with the new County Program Manager, Maureen Stearns and all the area senior centers.
Anyone with an aging related question or wanting to be a volunteer are urged to call 1-800-247-0938 or 402-747-5371. An appointment is recommended as both Amy and Avis are often out of the office visiting clients.

© Copyright 2008 by polkcountynewspaper.com