How We Do It
Catholic Charities Meals on Wheels receives the majority of its financial support from federal and state grants that aim to specifically address needs of older Americans. Additional funding for our program comes through contributions from the USDA, local foundations, charitable organizations, local businesses, agency contracts, community contributions, and client donations.
Catholic Charities Meals on Wheels is a member of the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals who are age 60 and older.
- Individuals must be homebound due to illness, physical or cognitive impairment, or geographic isolation.
- Individuals must be a year round resident of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas or Indian Springs, Nevada.
- Individuals must have sufficient freezer space for seven frozen meals to store meals and a working microwave or conventional oven in which to heat them.
- Spouses of qualified individuals (regardless of age) may also receive services if desired.
- Individuals may be under 60 years old if they receive a government benefit for their disability and they reside with a homebound older individual who currently receives our services.
To be eligible for services, a senior must be “homebound”. This means that – because of their physical disability or cognitive impairment – the person leaves home only with great difficulty and that when they do leave home it is infrequently, of short duration, and typically only with the physical assistance of another person. The level of difficulty necessary to leave the home to access necessities will be assessed and will be considered in the determination of eligibility and priority for services.
Priority:
- Priority will be given to Individuals who have the most limited financial and social resources.
- Priority will be given to individuals who have higher levels of disability that impact their ability to access food and prepare meals.
- Priority will be given to individuals determined to be at greatest risk of institutional care.
With our local economy worsening over the past few years, demand for our services is at an all time high. While we continuously seek new strategies and adapt our program to meet the high demand for our services, our waiting list typically has from 600–800 individuals, and the wait can vary greatly from just a few days or weeks to several months, depending on a number of factors. Meals on Wheels does not provide immediate or rescue food services, but our staff will be able to provide contact information for local food banks and emergency commodities programs.
Meals on Wheels may be either a short term or long term option for seniors, depending on their needs. Often, individuals only need home delivered meals for a short time, such as when they are recovering from hospitalization. Others may receive services for many years – as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria – which are reviewed at least once each year (or more, if circumstances are expected to change).
Case Management
Our Case Management Team conducts thorough in-home assessments to identify un-met needs, determine eligibility and priority for home delivered meals, and to provide information and advocacy for all individuals who need our assistance. Applicants are prioritized using an objective, multi-dimensional matrix to ensure that those with the greatest level of need receive services first.
The purpose of case management is to support program participants to remain in their homes and in their communities for as long as possible, avoiding institutional placement. Often this involves referrals to community and medical programs and support agencies to assist them with their activities of daily living. Follow-up by our staff ensures that services to which individuals are referred are started in a timely manner.
Our Case Managers frequently refer program participants for assistance with transportation, in home visitation/companionship, utility assistance, durable medical equipment such as grab bars and walkers, caregiver respite, and other services that are specific each individual’s needs.
Our Case Management team is dedicated to the well-being of the individuals they serve. Case Managers are culturally sensitive and diverse, and they are able to provide services in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese to best meet the needs of our diverse community.How To Apply
Anyone may make a referral to our program by calling our Intake Services Office
at (702) 385-5284 or by completing and submitting the application form on this web site.
When our office is called, our friendly intake services professionals will ask basic eligibility questions about the person being referred and if the individual is eligible they will be placed on our waiting list for services. If they are found to meet the basic eligibility criteria, an in-home assessment will be scheduled to get a better understanding of all of the individual’s needs.
