How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - regional level / Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - HHS, Aging Services (state level) / County senior services

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: Yes - aging.iowa.gov; hhs.iowa.gov WHERE TO GO: Your regional AAA; county senior center; 2-1-1 Iowa; Iowa HHS

Online Option

Yes - aging.iowa.gov; hhs.iowa.gov

Where to Go

Your regional AAA; county senior center; 2-1-1 Iowa; Iowa HHS

County-specific variations apply

Iowa's 6 AAAs serve different geographic regions. Service availability varies between metropolitan areas (Des Moines/Polk Co., Cedar Rapids/Linn Co., Davenport/Scott Co.) and rural counties. Rural counties may have more limited local services. Contact your specific regional AAA for local program enrollment.

Iowa Notes

Important state-specific details

Iowa Elderly Waiver (Medicaid HCBS): Iowa's primary Medicaid home care program - allows qualifying seniors to receive home and community-based care instead of nursing home placement; apply through Iowa HHS.
SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program): Iowa's free Medicare counseling - contact your AAA or call (800) 351-4664; unbiased help with Medicare plan selection, billing disputes, and appeals.
Iowa Elderly Property Tax Credit: low-income seniors 65+ and disabled residents may receive a property tax credit; apply at County Treasurer by June 1.
Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse at (800) 362-2178 (24-hour APS hotline).
Iowa Legal Aid (Senior Law Project): free civil legal assistance for Iowans 60+ - (800) 532-1275.
Iowa Senior Living Fund: state program providing financial assistance for qualifying seniors needing assisted living care.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Iowa HHS Aging Services - aging.iowa.gov | 1-800-532-3213; SHIIP Medicare counseling: (800) 351-4664; APS: (800) 362-2178; Iowa Legal Aid: (800) 532-1275; 2-1-1 Iowa: dial 211