Community Resources & Outside Provider Directory

At the Lorain County Office on Aging (LCOOA), our mission is to connect older adults and their families with the support they need — even when that support comes from outside our organization. When a service falls outside what we directly provide, we're here to help point you in the right direction.

🎁Free Donated Equipment in Our Foyer 

Did you know that LCOOA's front foyer holds a selection of donated equipment available to the public at no cost — first come, first served? Anyone is welcome to stop by our office and take what is available. Items in the foyer change frequently and have included things like:

  • Toilet hand rails & safety frames
  • Crutches
  • Walkers & rollators
  • Wheelchairs
  • Medical boots
  • And more!

No appointment needed — simply stop in during office hours and help yourself to whatever is available in the foyer.

⚠️ Important Program & Service Updates

🍽️ LCOOA Does NOT Provide Meals on Wheels

We want to make sure you reach the right place. The Lorain County Office on Aging does not provide Meals on Wheels. If you or a loved one needs this service, please contact the appropriate organization based on your location:

  • Most Lorain County Residents: Contact the Neighborhood Alliance at 440-233-8768
  • Amherst Residents: Contact the Amherst Office on Aging at 440-988-2817
  • North Ridgeville Residents: Contact the North Ridgeville Senior Center at 440-490-2056

🏠 Safe at Home Program — No Longer Available

LCOOA's Safe at Home Program, which previously assisted with the installation of ramps, grab bars, and minor home repairs, has been discontinued. If you need these types of modifications or repairs, we can still help connect you with alternatives:

  • Ramps & Grab Bars: Call us and we will provide you with a list of vendors where these items can be purchased directly.
  • Installation Services: We maintain a handyman resource list of local companies available for private hire to handle installation. Call us to receive this list.

📞 Call LCOOA at 440-406-3331 and an Information & Assistance Specialist will be happy to provide you with these resources.

🚨 LCOOA Does NOT Provide Medical Alert Buttons

This is one of the most common misconceptions about our services — LCOOA does not sell, distribute, or provide Medical Alert buttons. However, we do maintain a comparison chart of medical alert companies that includes their services, pricing, and contact phone numbers so you can make an informed decision and purchase one directly from the provider that best fits your needs.

📞 Call us at 440-406-3331 to request the Medical Alert company comparison list.

Our Role: Connecting You to the Right Resources

LCOOA offers a defined set of programs and services to support older adults in Lorain County. We know, however, that the needs of our clients don't always fit neatly into what we offer. Rather than turn anyone away empty-handed, we make it a point to maintain resource lists of outside community providers — none of whom are affiliated with LCOOA — covering a wide range of everyday needs. Think of us as a starting point: if we can't help you directly, we'll do our best to point you toward someone who can.

Outside Resources We Can Connect You With

The following are categories of services for which we can provide outside provider referrals. Please call our office and an Information & Assistance Specialist will share the appropriate resource list for your needs.

🏡 Home & Property Maintenance

  • Lawn Care & Yard Work Companies
  • Plumbers
  • Electricians
  • Painters
  • Heating & Cooling Services (HVAC)
  • Housecleaning Services
  • Decluttering & Hoarding Cleanup Services
  • Handyman Services (including grab bar & ramp installation)

🚗 Non-Medical Transportation

While LCOOA does provide medical transportation to help clients get to and from doctor appointments and medical visits, we are unable to provide non-medical transportation for everyday needs such as grocery shopping, errands, or personal outings. For those needs, we can refer you to outside transportation providers — not affiliated with LCOOA — who offer these services privately.

  • Private non-medical transportation for errands, grocery shopping, and daily needs

🩺 Home Health & Caregiver Support

  • Home Health Aide Companies
  • Private Caregiver & Companion Services

⚖️ Legal Resources

  • Legal Aid organizations for older adults in need of general legal assistance
  • Elder Law Attorneys — specialists in areas such as estate planning, guardianship, Medicaid planning, and protecting the rights of older adults

🏘️ Housing Resources

We maintain a housing resource list that includes the name, location, and contact phone number for low-income and affordable housing options for seniors and individuals with disabilities in our area. Please note: LCOOA does not have information on current availability, unit conditions, or pricing — clients are encouraged to call each property directly for those details.

  • Low-Income Senior Housing
  • Affordable Housing for Seniors & Disabled Individuals

🔒 Home Security Services

  • Home security system companies and monitoring services for peace of mind at home

📟 Medical Alert Devices

Reminder: LCOOA does not provide or sell Medical Alert buttons. We can provide a comparison chart of companies offering personal emergency response systems (medical alert buttons), including their features, monthly costs, and phone numbers — so you can shop and compare before purchasing directly from a provider.

🦽 Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Durable Medical Equipment refers to medically necessary items designed for repeated use that help people manage health conditions or recover from illness or injury at home. Examples include:

  • Wheelchairs & transport chairs
  • Walkers, canes, & crutches
  • Hospital beds & bed rails
  • Grab bars & shower chairs
  • Oxygen equipment
  • CPAP/BiPAP machines
  • Knee scooters & orthopedic braces

We can provide a list of local DME suppliers for you to contact directly.

How to Get a Resource List

All of our outside provider and resource lists are available upon request — simply call our office and let us know what type of assistance you're looking for. An Information & Assistance Specialist will connect you with the appropriate resources as quickly as possible.

Please note: LCOOA does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee the services of any outside provider. These resources are shared as a courtesy to help connect our community members with available options.

📞 Call the Lorain County Office on Aging today — 440-326-4800 — we're here to help.