2023
NEWSLETTER
June
Disability Rights of West Virginia
WV Aging and Disability Resource Center
Article by Taniua Hardy, DRWV Program Director
What is the WV Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)?
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The WV Aging and Disability Resource Center is a state-wide resource agency that’s serves as a highly visible, trusted and valued organization where people of all incomes can turn for information on a full range of long term support options through a person-centered planning process. The ADRC serves as a single point of entry to access programs and benefits. Our Resource Counselors provide resources, application assistance and support for anyone 60 years old or older, individuals with physical disabilities over the age of 18, and those who act on behalf of said individuals.
ADRC coordinators sit on various board and organizations to advocate for improving and adding more resources to benefit the elderly and disabled living in the community. All of our services are provided free of charge.
Each ADRC site is staffed with fully trained Resource Counselors ready to assist with a multitude of situations. Each Resource Counselor is nationally accredited with the prestigious Alliance of Information and Referral Systems association. We have been working to develop a person-centered counseling software system in conjunction with No Wrong Door to streamline access to resources and long-term care supports. Our new system is scheduled to roll out June 1, 2023. We will also have a resource database available to the public for after-hours assistance.
Medicare
What do we do?
All counselors are also fully trained as SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) Medicare counselors. Our counselors can assist with those that are new to Medicare and need help navigating their choices as well as doing annual reviews for Medicare Open Enrollment to help you understand changes to your current plan or compare plans to make sure you have the best coverage for your needs. If you decide to switch to a new plan, we can do that for you as well.
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We evaluate each Medicare beneficiary for any available financial assistance such as Extra Help for prescription drugs and Medicare Premium Assistance through WV Medicaid and help with the process of completing those applications. If you take prescriptions that are not covered under your plan, we can help you find discounts, patient assistance programs or alternatives when possible.
Additional Resources
Our counselors provide information and referral, person-centered counseling for Long Term Care Services, screening and application assistance for programs such as SNAP, in-home personal care services, transportation, home-delivered meals, respite services and more.
The ADRC currently has grant funding through the WV Bureau of Senior Services Home Modifications and Accessibility Program to assist consumers with home modifications such as walk-in showers, wheelchair accessible ramps, widening of doorways, grab bars, chair rail lifts. etc. The grant can also assist with durable medical equipment, assistive devices or technology such as toileting devices, bathing devices, wheeled walkers and reclining lift chairs. These are not all inclusive lists. We would be happy to discuss availability and provide applications by contacting our office.
How can you contact us?
Our main office is located at 1400 Ohio Avenue Suite B, Dunbar, WV 25064. We also have three satellite offices located in Fairmont, Petersburg and Princeton. Our offices are open from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday each week.
We do accept walk-ins but you may wish to call ahead to check availability or to schedule an appointment as some evaluations are more involved and may require a scheduled block of time with a counselor to fully assess your needs and provide comprehensive assistance.
You can email our office 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at: adrc.wvstateu.edu. You can visit our Facebook Page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/ADRCWV. You can also call our office directly to speak with a counselor at 1-866-981-2372.
We are waiting to hear from you!
Client Comments
Why we do what we do
"I am very glad I am in the Disability Rights program. I am glad my wants/wishes are made known at my meetings. They are going to help me work more hours by letting my employer know that I try my very best at my occupation."
"My advocate is so nice to me."