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■ <br />Recommendation : Maintain Seniors in the least restrictive environment <br />through a continuum of readily available care, <br />including Wellness Programs, Homemaker and Home Repair Services, Transport and Escort <br />Services, Home - Delivered Meals, Adult Day Care, Case Manager /Ombudsman Services, Assisted <br />Living Arrangements, At -Home Care, Nursing Homes. <br />Recommendation : Establish Senior Centers in communities throughout <br />the county as a focus for integrated services for <br />seniors, including: <br />Information and Referral; Wellness and Exercise Programs; Nutrition Services; Adult Education, <br />Leisure Activities; Counseling on Housing, Employment, Volunteering, Finance, etc.; and on -site <br />services from health Department, Social Services, and other agencies. <br />Recommendation : Reduce property taxes for Seniors and persons with <br />disabilities with low to moderate incomes. <br />Action Strategies: <br />A. The County, working with the Orange County Department on Aging, should lobby the <br />legislature to raise the income cap under the Homestead Exemption Act to a higher <br />percent of median income to cover a larger percentage of lower income seniors and persons with <br />disabilities. <br />B. Look into the feasibility of allowing seniors with low to moderate incomes the option to defer <br />local property taxes until either their house is sold or their death. Look into possibility of <br />charging interest on deferred property taxes. This would allow seniors on fixed incomes with <br />rising property taxes the option of remaining in their homes. <br />Recommendation 4: <br />Recommendation 5: <br />Action Strategies: <br />Provide tax and other financial incentives to <br />encourage families to provide in -home care of the <br />elderly. <br />Provide appropriate work opportunities for seniors <br />to re -enter the labor market. <br />A. Provide job- training for seniors. <br />76 <br />