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Senior Center Services

Harney County Senior and Community Services Center administers many programs and services in Harney County.  We are the Area Aging on Aging agency and administer the Community Action Programs.  In addition we are the Veteran’s Service Office and run the County Food Bank.  We also provide many other programs and services.

List of Available Programs & Services 

The following programs and services are available to qualified persons.

Blood Pressure Clinic

The clinic is held the fourth Monday of each month from 1:00-3:00 p.m., in conjunction with the County Health Department, and consists of a blood pressure check and nursing evaluation, with referral to doctors, if necessary, by local LPNS and RNS. There is no fee. Available to people of any age.

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Information for Caregivers

A service that provides information about availability of support services for caregivers and their families.  This may include group services, public education, provision of information at health fairs and other similar functions.

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Case Management

Assistance for the frail elderly with either access or care coordination.  Typical activities include assessing needs, developing care plans, authorizing services, arranging and coordinating the provisions of services, follow up and reassessment as required.  Available to persons 60+ years of age.

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Congregate Meal Site

Meals are served at the Senior Center at 12:00 noon each Wednesday and Friday. Reservations are not necessary.  The suggested donation per person 60+ and their spouse is $3.00. If you bring a guest who is less than 60, the cost is $4.00.

You may purchase a 10-meal ticket for $25. Tickets are available in the front office or at the registration table on meal days.

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Emergency Housing & Utility Assistance

There are federal, state and local funds available to assist transients with emergency shelter, (usually one night), and local people with utility payments to prevent shut-off of utilities. There are also limited funds available to assist with rent/mortgage payments.  These services are available to persons of all ages.

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Energy Assistance (LIEAP)

This is a federally funded program to assist people to pay their heating costs.  This service for people of all ages who meet federal poverty guidelines. There is no cost to the participant.

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Food Bank

The Harney County Food Bank receives USDA commodity foods and donations of food from the local community. These foods are used to provide an emergency supply of food for people of all ages who find themselves in an emergency situation. There are income guidelines that must be met to receive the commodity foods.  Available to persons of all ages.

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Home Maker

Assistance to 60+ seniors having difficulty with one or more of the following instrumental activities of daily living: Preparing meals, shopping for personal items, managing money, using the telephone or doing light housework.  There is a sliding fee scale based on income for these services. 

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Information & Assistance

A service for older individuals that provides current information on services and opportunities available within their communities; assesses the problems and capacities of the individuals; links individuals to the opportunities and services; to the maximum extent feasible, ensures the individual receives the services needed and is aware of the opportunities available by establishing adequate follow-up procedures.  No charges are made for these services.  Available to persons +60 years of age.

Provides 60+ seniors with guidance or suggestions to enable the client and/or family to resolve problems including insurance, tax or employment issues.  Help with Social Security & Medicare questions and problems as well as billing Medicare supplements is available from center staff. Help with rental refunds, consumer fraud and a host of other problems is available. The only charge for any of these services is for copies or postage.

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Meals on Wheels

Hot meals are delivered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to housebound seniors 60+ and their spouse with the suggested donation of $3.00 per meal. If you have a guest who is less than 60, the cost is $4.00. Frozen meals are available for the other days at $3.00.

You may purchase a 10-meal ticket for $30. Tickets are available in the front office or at the registration table on meal days.

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Medical Equipment for Home Use

The Senior Center has a limited supply of crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, bath seats, toilet risers, commodes, etc. for the use of seniors. We ask that you have your physician notify the Senior Center in writing of his approval and/or your need of such equipment. There is no fee for use of this equipment.

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Money Management

Assistance to 60+ seniors who are unable to handle their personal finances with financial tasks such as banking transactions, paying their bills, paying their taxes, etc.  This service can be provided at the senior center office or in the seniors home.

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Newsletter

A newsletter is published every two months and contains a calendar of events, menus and consumer information.  The newsletter will also inform seniors and the community of available services and activities.

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Outreach

A program to locate seniors and encourage their use of existing services and benefits available to them in their community.

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Recreation & Exercise

The Center has a pool room with pool tables and a shuffleboard, and a library, both of which are open for drop-in use by people 60+ during normal center hours.

Various card games are played by seniors before and after lunch on meals days and on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.  We have bingo at 1:00 p.m. each Wednesday and Friday.  Bunco is played Mondays at 1:00. Tai Chi exercise is held each Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

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Respite

Paid temporary services to provide relief for families or other caregivers.

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Gatekeeper Training

Training sessions to educate utility employees, postal employees and other local organizations about visible indicators, which may suggest need for assistance by an elderly person.

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Transportation

Our curb-to-curb, wheelchair accessible, demand response dial-a-ride service is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m, and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m..  Pick-up, drop-off disabled accessible bus service to meal site, shopping, medical appointments, etc. for people of all ages.  The fee is $.50 per one way ride/stop for all riders. 

Weekly  trips to Bend.  The fee for this service is $35 round trip or $18 one way.  Available for persons of all ages.

To arrange for transportation, call Dial-a-Ride at 573-3030.

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Veterans Service Office

Information about Veterans Benefits and help to veterans in applying for benefits.

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Weatherization

A federally funded program to provide insulation, weather stripping, caulking and storm windows to low income families. To participate, the household must meet federal poverty guidelines. There is no cost to the participant (or landlord if renting) for the services.  Available to persons of all ages.

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Other Programs Administered Through Harney County Senior & Community Services Center

Salvation Army

Funding is used to help people with emergencies.  We have bought bus tickets, made small car repairs, tire repairs, bought prescriptions, paid for doctors visits, helped people move, bought work shoes, pants and shirts with these funds. These funds are used for small purchases.

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Have a Heart

These funds are used for emergency situations and to help seniors that have lost services due to budget cuts.  We have paid for transportation tickets, meal tickets, provided housekeeping services, provided volunteers to do yard work, provided moving help, purchased prescriptions, paid for emergency utilities, and paid rents with these funds.

Again, if you have questions regarding any of these services please contact the Center and a staff member will assist you.

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Harney County Government
450 N Buena Vista, Burns, Oregon 97720

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