Resources

We provide those with hearing loss with a captioning phone and captioning service completely free.
This is a tax-funded program so there is no cost for the phone or the installation and no contracts or monthly fee.

The only requirements to qualify are:

1) Trouble hearing or understanding what’s being said to you over the phone.

2) High-speed Internet. You DO NOT need a landline for this service, only internet.

The phone will caption conversations in real time, so if someone has trouble hearing or understanding what’s being said over the phone, they can glance at the screen and keep up.

We come to the home, set the phone up and teach clients how to use it.

This program is essential for helping older clients age in place and provides an extra layer of safety in the event of an emergency because they will be able to better hear and understand what’s being said to them over the phone.

We can provide a phone to a client’s home, their workplace or any assisted or Independent Living community.

Unlike many health conditions, diabetes is managed primarily by the person it affects, with support from a healthcare professional. Lifestyle changes, such as shifting to a healthier diet and exercising regularly, can reduce the risk of diabetes.

But becoming smarter about diabetes and its causes, effects, and treatments is vital to avoiding the risk.

DOH-Marion offers diabetes self-care education classes to help residents control their diabetes. The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) helps participants understand how diabetes works, realize the benefits of meal planning and exercise, and identify and prevent diabetic complications. The goal is to help participants reduce their diabetes risk by making small lifestyle changes. Classes meet once a week for eight weeks at locations around Marion County.

If you are interested learning more about DEEP or signing up for classes, please contact DOH-Marion at 352-629-0137.

Food pantry is open on the first and third Mondays of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Emergencies are by appointment only. Free lunch for anyone 60 and older and caregivers of a client on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday. Doors open at 10 a.m. with lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (d/b/a Elder Options) was established in 1977 as a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Elder Options is the state-designated area agency on aging (AAA), Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC), and Helpline (1-800-262-2243). The agency is charged with administering state and federal grant-funded programs and providing direct services to benefit elders, people with disabilities, and their informal caregivers in a 16-county Planning and Service Area (PSA) in North Central Florida, which includes: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union counties.

Information regarding elder services and activities is available through the Elder Helpline Information and Assistance service within each Florida County.

Good Days is a national non-profit charitable organization that lifts the burdens of chronic illness through assistance, advocacy, and awareness. Eligibility Criteria:

• Patient must have valid Social Security number to apply for assistance and receive treatment in the United States.
• Patient income must be at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL.)
• Patient is required to have insurance coverage which covers at least 50% of the cost of treatment.
• Patient must be diagnosed with a covered disease and program must be accepting enrollments.
• Patient must be seeking assistance for a prescribed medication that is FDA approved to treat the covered diagnosis.

Healthy 55 is a free program designed to offer wellness, fitness, social and educational programs to better your health for adults 55+.

Located in Ocala, Florida, Hear Now proudly provides audiology and hearing health services to the Marion County community. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you regain your hearing and improve your quality of life.

Marion Senior Services’ Home Delivered Meals provide a hot, noontime meal and short home visit, Monday through Friday.

This program provides:

– Meal delivery

Clients also receive:

– Home visitation

Adults who are the caregiver for a spouse who no longer drives may also qualify to receive a meal.

Marion Transit Services provides public transportation, including services for the transportation disadvantaged, as well as for other sponsored and non-sponsored program recipients in Marion County on an advance reservation basis.

This program provides:

– Transportation

Please call for reservations, bus tickets, and information.