Senior benefits in Franklin County, North Carolina

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging serves older adults age 60 and older and their caregivers in Franklin County. It plans and funds local aging services such as congregate and home-delivered meals, family caregiver support and respite, the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for Medicare counseling, options counseling for long-term care, the long-term care ombudsman, and senior center programs. Call the Area Agency on Aging to find out what is offered locally.

Estimated service value: $1,000–$6,000 a year

A group exercise class built specifically for people with arthritis, using gentle movements to keep joints flexible, hold on to your range of motion and maintain muscle strength. Classes run one hour, twice a week, for eight weeks. It was originally developed by the Arthritis Foundation.

In this county: Classes run on a schedule and in a place the agency sets, and they fill up — contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging to find the next one near you. The page publishes no fee and no income test; these are Older Americans Act health-promotion programmes, normally free to the participant, but confirm when you register.

A small-group workshop for people living with a long-term condition — arthritis, heart disease, COPD, fibromyalgia, diabetes or any other chronic illness. You learn how to handle the things that come with it: pain, tiredness, low mood and juggling medications. You work out what is getting in your way and build an action plan you can actually follow. In North Carolina it is called Living Healthy with Chronic Disease.

In this county: Classes run on a schedule and in a place the agency sets, and they fill up — contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging to find the next one near you. The page publishes no fee and no income test; these are Older Americans Act health-promotion programmes, normally free to the participant, but confirm when you register.

A workshop for people living with ongoing pain. It is built on four ideas: everyone's pain is different; there are real things you can do to feel better; with knowledge and a bit of experimenting you are the best judge of which tools work for you; and managing your pain day to day rests with you rather than anyone else.

In this county: Classes run on a schedule and in a place the agency sets, and they fill up — contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging to find the next one near you. The page publishes no fee and no income test; these are Older Americans Act health-promotion programmes, normally free to the participant, but confirm when you register.

A workshop for people with diabetes on managing the condition day to day. It covers the problems that come with a long-term illness — pain, tiredness, low mood and medication complications — helps you name what is getting in the way, and builds an action plan aimed at better health and fewer symptoms.

In this county: Classes run on a schedule and in a place the agency sets, and they fill up — contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging to find the next one near you. The page publishes no fee and no income test; these are Older Americans Act health-promotion programmes, normally free to the participant, but confirm when you register.

A low-impact, weight-bearing exercise class using slow, gentle movements, deep breathing and meditation. It is based on sun-style tai chi and uses flowing movements to build muscular strength and protect the joints. The gentle stretches help relieve pain while improving strength, range of motion, balance and mental health, and it is safe across a wide range of conditions and abilities. It works alongside other treatments rather than replacing them.

In this county: Classes run on a schedule and in a place the agency sets, and they fill up — contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging to find the next one near you. The page publishes no fee and no income test; these are Older Americans Act health-promotion programmes, normally free to the participant, but confirm when you register.

A six-week walking programme from the Arthritis Foundation, with stretches and strengthening moves to help you stay in walking shape.

In this county: Classes run on a schedule and in a place the agency sets, and they fill up — contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging to find the next one near you. The page publishes no fee and no income test; these are Older Americans Act health-promotion programmes, normally free to the participant, but confirm when you register.

North Carolina's Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) gives a one-time payment toward heating costs, and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) helps when a household faces a heating or cooling emergency. Both are run by Franklin County Department of Social Services. Households with an older adult (60+) or a person with a disability can apply starting December 1; other eligible households apply starting in January, until funds run out. Apply online through ePASS at epass.nc.gov, by phone, or at the county DSS office.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,500 a year

Maria Parham Franklin in Louisburg is the in-county hospital serving Franklin County, part of the Maria Parham Health system. It follows the same Financial Assistance Policy, which provides free or discounted emergency and medically necessary care to patients who cannot afford to pay, based on household income versus the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Ask Patient Financial Services for an application.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Franklin: Maria Parham Franklin follows the Maria Parham Health Financial Assistance Policy (free or discounted care by income versus the Federal Poverty Guidelines); the hospital makes the final decision.

Help with urgent home repairs for homeowners in Franklin County. Covered work can include roof repair or replacement, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, accessibility improvements, lead paint remediation, siding, doors, and other general improvements. Kerr-Tar is accepting applications now. Priority goes to older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, single parents, large families, and households with young children exposed to lead hazards. Download the application from the Kerr-Tar website and submit it with income verification, or call (252) 436-2040.

The Kerr Area Transportation Authority, known as KARTS, runs door-to-door, demand-response vans that meet ADA requirements and serve all of Franklin County as part of its five-county region. Older adults age 60 and older and riders with a disability can get reduced-cost or program-sponsored rides to medical visits, the senior center, shopping, and other trips. Call KARTS ahead of time to schedule a ride or ask about senior and disability fare programs.

Estimated service value: $200–$1,500 a year