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| Maine State System > DHHS > Bureau of Elder and Adult Services (BEAS) |
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BEAS coordinates the state's long-term care resources and services for older adults and adults with disabilities. Through its programs it promotes independence and advocacy for older adults and adults with disabilities. The people served are:
BEAS programs and services include:
Adult Protective ServicesBEAS is responsible for adults age 18 and older, who are at risk for being abused, neglected or exploited. It also includes conservatorship and guardianship programs. Consumers access these services through the DHHS regional office in your area. Assisted Living ProgramThis program licenses and inspects assisted living programs including residential care facilities. Consumers access this program by contacting the OES central office in Augusta. Community ServicesBEAS administers federal funds from the Older Americans Act. The funds are allocated to Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to provide services such as meals, information and referral, outreach, benefits and health insurance counseling, congregate housing, assisted living, and respite services. Consumers access these services directly from the AAAs.
Disability Determination ServicesThis office makes the "medical determination" about whether a consumer is disabled and, therefore, medically eligible for Social Security benefits. Legally, an individual is considered disabled if he or she is unable to do any substantial gainful work activity because of a medical condition (or conditions), that has lasted, or can be expected to last for at least 12 months, or that is expected to result in death. An individual may also be considered disabled if he or she is under the age of 18, if he or she suffers from any medically determinable physical or mental impairment of comparable severity. After the medical determination is made, the "financial determination" is then made by one of the nine Social Security Administration offices in Maine. Consumers can appeal the decision at the Office of Hearings and Appeals in Augusta. The Disability Determination Office contact information is:
The Social Security Administration website: http://www.ssa.gov/disability.html Social Security Administration Offices in Maine:
The Social Security Hearings and Appeals contact information is:
Home and Community-Based CareThis covers many programs that provide home health and other support services to elders and adults with disabilities. The support services are provided through contracts with community agencies and include:
Consumers access these services by contacting Goold Health Systems; they will arrange for an assessment in your home. Medicare Support ServicesBEAS also supports consumers who receive Medicare benefits:
Consumers access these services through the Area Agencies on Aging or, for legal issues, through the Legal Services for the Elderly.
Contact Information
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