Assistance

Are you recently retired or retiring soon and want to find out which Medicare option is best for you?  Have basic Medicare questions about Medicare and don’t know what to do?

Call our Medicare information line at (910) 620-6714.  This is not an appointment line to schedule an appointment.  Call (910 )798-6442 to schedule a regular appointment with another SHIIP certified counselor.

The Senior Resource Center provides education and guidance on Medicare prescription drug plans. The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI) which strives to assist Medicare beneficiaries in making well-informed health insurance choices. The New Hanover County Senior Resource Center SHIIP volunteers offer free, unbiased health information on topics including:

• Medicare Supplement Plans
• Medicare Advantage Options
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
• Medicare Summary Notices
• Medigap
• Medicare Patrol - prevention of billing errors, waste, or fraud and abuse

If you need assistance, the Senior Resource Center will work with you to evaluate your medication needs and help you get your medicines at the lowest possible cost. For more information please call (910) 798-6422.

If you are on oxygen, have a physical disability that would make it difficult to evacuate, or have other special needs that would place you at higher risk during an emergency event, you are strongly encouraged to sign up for the Access & Functional Needs Registry as part of your Emergency Preparedness Plan, as encouraged on the Emergency Management page.

Individuals who are on the registry will be contacted by a trained Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteer 36 to 72 hours before a hurricane (or another known disaster) is expected to hit our area. The volunteer will review your Personal Disaster Plan and notify the Special Needs Task Force if additional assistance is needed.

To learn more and sign up for the Access & Functional Needs Registry, visit Emergency Management’s website. If you have questions or need assistance signing up, please call (910) 798-6400.

To learn more about becoming an RSVP volunteer, visit the Volunteer page.

Due to the generosity of our local community partner, the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, the Senior Resource Center is able to offer incontinence products to older adults in New Hanover County at no cost. Quantities are limited. Discrete pick up at the Front Desk of the Senior Resource Center. Hours for pickup are:

• Mondays, 9 to 10:30 am.
• Wednesdays, 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
• Fridays, 9 to 10:30 am.

If you would like to order from the Senior Resource Center call the switchboard operator at (910) 798-6400 and ask for the social worker on coverage or when calling press the appropriate number on the menu option to connect with a social worker on coverage.

If you would like to donate incontinence supplies, please reach out to the Diaper Bank directly. Hours on site are limited so please communicate and plan with the Diaper Bank before making a delivery. The Diaper Bank staff can be reached at:

Diaper Bank of North Carolina - Lower Cape Fear
915 S 16th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: (910) 777-3243 mailto:lowercapefear@ncdiaperbank.org 
Email Lower Cape Fear Diaper Bank.

For more information, contact the Senior Resource Center at (910) 798-6400.

Starting in December each year, the Department of Social Services accepts applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to help eligible households pay for heating costs. For approved households, LIEAP provides a one-time payment directly to the heating provider/company.

For more information about applying LIEAP, visit the Social Services Programs page or call (910) 798-6445.

Grant funds are available to eligible caregivers to provide a break from their everyday caregiving duties. If funding allows, caregivers may be eligible for supplemental services such as help in purchasing nutritional supplements (Boost, Ensure) or incontinence supplies (Depends).

A Social Worker will meet with you to evaluate your specific needs and identify available resources. Call (910) 798-6402 for more information.

Caregiver Meetings at the Senior Resource Center:

• Creative Caregivers with Carolyne DeGrammont - Respite and refreshment through the creation of art and new relationships with other family caregivers. Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 1:00pm.
• General Caregiver Support Group with Julia Griffin  - A safe, non-judgmental space to vent frustrations, anger, and disappointments, as well as share success stories. Connect with others in the community who have handled similar situations. This group is for those 18 and over caring for someone 60 and over. Meets on the 4th Monday of every month at 1:30pm.

For more information on caregiver meetings, call Julia Griffin at (910) 798-6402.

New Hanover County Health and Human Services and the Senior Resource Center will be providing a new dental program for low-income older adults ages 55 and older, who do not have dental insurance. This comprehensive dental program will be offered at various locations in New Hanover County.

How Do I Apply

Individuals can apply for the older adult dental program online at the Older Adult Dental Application page or by visiting the Access HHS page.

View a Spanish version of the older adult dental application.

Application paper copies will also be available at the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center (2222 S College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403) and New Hanover County Health and Human Services (1650 Greenfield Street, Wilmington, NC 28403)

For program information, contact Debbie Lovett at (910) 798-3774 or email Debbie Lovett.

Who is the Dental Provider

New Hanover County is partnering with Access Dental Care, Inc. to provide comprehensive dental care for eligible residents. Access Dental Care, Inc. has been a North Carolina 501(c)3 non-profit agency for 21 years and is a national leader in providing comprehensive, mobile dental services to patients with special health care and behavioral needs. Access Dental Care is unique in providing mobile dental services for special populations and can provide dental care in a variety of settings.

Eligibility Requirements

• Ages 55 or older
• New Hanover County resident
  • Show proof of residency
    • Provide government issued ID
    • Or Provide a utility bill (i.e. power bill) or tax bill
• Income is below 200% poverty level
  • Provide Social Security statement, bank statement or paycheck stub
• Have no dental insurance
  • No Medicare advantage plans that includes dental coverage
  • No employer dental coverage
  • Does not qualify for full Medicaid
• Annual reassessments will be conducted

What Dental Services Will Be Provided? 

The older adult dental program will provide comprehensive dental care. The program will provide services as defined by the clinical coverage policy, 2022 North Carolina Dental Medicaid. Typical services may include; dental exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, select root canal, dentures and partials.

• Continuity of Care - the same quality and frequency of care received from a regular dental office
• Comprehensive Care - the complete range of dental services typically available from a dental office
• Compassionate Care - care that takes into account patient’s abilities, challenges facing patients, and access to comprehensive dental care

Older Adult Dental Program YouTube Video