This article originally appeared in The Time of Your Life special section, Spring 2016.

The 25th annual Older Americans Conference is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 at the Elks Lodge (4131 Pine Road NE, Bremerton). Is is free and open to the public.

Kitsap County Aging and Long Term Care, or ALTC, is a division of the Kitsap County Human Services Department and is the locally designated Area Agency on Aging for Kitsap County.

ALTC was created through the collaborative action of citizens, aging-network service providers and the Kitsap Board of County Commissioners in 1980. An ALTC Advisory Council makes recommendations as to programs and services provided by the agency, and advocates with elected officials regarding the interests and needs of older adults and adults with disabilities living in Kitsap County.

The ALTC’s mission is to work independently and through community partnerships to promote well-being of older adults and adults with disabilities. ALTC has 14 subcontracts with local providers for various services to support older persons, as well as 18 Medicaid supportive subcontracts to assist those served through the Medicaid.

Stacey Smith, administrator, said, “ALTC is available to answer questions and help people make decisions that will positively affect their lives. We provide unbiased information and referrals to local services that support citizens making informed choices, experience positive outcomes, and connect to local resources. There are often relatively simple and low-cost options available to help people remain living in their own homes and communities. We’re here as a way for people to get the information they need as they make important life decisions,” she said.

ALTC’s Senior Information & Assistance Program expects it will assist more than 1,240 people in 2016. Community Living Connections is a specifically-designed local resource database of services to older persons. Other in-house programs include the Family Caregiver Support Program, which helps individuals taking care of family or friends, expected to serve at least 300 caregivers this year.

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) anticipates providing approximately 1,500 consultations to local community members for free information on Medicare options and cost savings programs. Last year, SHIBA volunteers helped people in the local community save a combined, estimated $95,000 in premiums and prescription co-payments.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman expects to assist 2,500 people residing in nursing homes, assisted living or adult family homes throughout Kitsap County.

The Medicaid Long-Term Care Case Management Services assists individuals with disabilities over the age of 18 years, eligible for Medicaid and independently living in the community. On any given day, ALTC serves more than 950 individuals throughout the county through this program.

ALTC also operates a Title V Senior Community Services Employment and Training Program for individuals older than 55 who are interested in re-training and seeking employment.

“If any of these services interest you or could assist you to continue to live independently in Kitsap County, please give us a call,” Smith said. “Folks don’t realize ALTC is their local resource. They have contributed to our existence their entire working lives. Now, we are here to support them in their golden years.”

ALTC purchases services from private and public agencies and arranges for service delivery for individuals who meet eligibility requirements. ALTC uses a variety of state, federal and local funding sources, including the federal Older Americans Act, Medicaid, Respite, the national and state Family Caregiver Support Program, the state Senior Citizens Services Act, and individual and community donations.

Here are the service numbers expected for 2016.

• Information and Assistance & Community Living Connections: 1,240 individuals served.

• Family Caregiver Support Program: 300 caregivers served; 5,491-plus hours of respite care for 56 caregivers; 80 counseling sessions; 138 trainings; 32 individuals served in support groups; and 35 individuals who will receive home-delivered meals, legal services or durable medical equipment.

• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 500 investigations or interventions; 2,500 individuals served.

• Medicaid Long-Term Care Case Management Services: 950 individuals served.

• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA): 1,500 direct consumer contacts for assistance.

• Title V Senior Community Service Employment & Training Program: Training and employment opportunities for 12 eligible participants.

• Congregate Meals: 31,400 meals for 775 individuals.

• Home-Delivered Meals: 42,000 meals for 375 individuals.

• Kinship Caregivers Support Program: Support for 60 caregivers raising other family members’ children.

• Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counseling: 385 hours of counseling for 85 individuals.

• Senior Drug Education: Community events providing expert information regarding the safe use of prescribed medications for older adults.

• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: 685 individuals each receiving about $40 worth of fresh food and produce.

• Legal Services: 370 hours of (non-criminal) legal services for up to 120 individuals.