Services for Seniors at Home

Sometimes a little practical assistance or support can make a world of difference in a senior's ability to maintain independence and enjoy life at home. Dedicated DARTS staff and volunteers can help with everything from household chores to care management advice to giving caregivers a needed break. When you're not sure what you need, we'll help you get started. Over 1,200 Dakota County seniors get help at home from DARTS each year.

DARTS' service coordinators provide consultation and personalized service planning for seniors and their families and link you with DARTS programs and services. These professionals are also very knowledgeable about other community resources and can help you or your family connect with them.

Service coordinators can help you identify your strengths and challenges and find the best services for your situation. Think of the service coordinator as your personal advisor -- someone who will come to know you and then offer recommendations, service planning, and, if you wish, ongoing coordination and monitoring.

This type of assistance is often known as care management. Some people come to us for care management through Eldercare Partners. Eldercare Partners brings together the senior services expertise of five of the Twin Cities area's most respected nonprofit organizations, including DARTS, to offer comprehensive, personalized advice on senior options in the seven-county metro area.

Our sliding-scale fees vary according to the services provided, and are billed by DARTS on a monthly basis. For more information contact us at 651.455.1560 or send us an e-mail.

Do you have a question about resources for seniors? Are you looking for help but not sure where to start? Would you like to know more about a DARTS service? Please call our Information and Assistance line at 651.455.1560. An information specialist is available to answer your questions Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and can arrange for a service coordinator to provide more in-depth or ongoing assistance if needed.

Do you or your loved one need help with other household tasks? Just tell us what you need!

Our trustworthy DARTS homemakers enjoy working with seniors and providing this service. They are carefully screened, including background and reference checks, in the interview process. To best serve you, homemakers' schedules are flexible -- we can provide homemaking at your convenience for as little as one hour at a time.

The homemaking service is billed by DARTS on a semi-monthly basis and provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information contact us at 651.455.1560 or send us an e-mail.

Why choose DARTS for your homemaking needs?
We are not just in the cleaning business!

DARTS service goes beyond the caring, high-quality, trustworthy service you receive from our homemakers. As your needs change, DARTS service coordinators can link you with other DARTS programs and services. Each person and family has different needs and circumstances. Each requires a personalized approach. We're committed to understanding your individual situation and providing advice on tailoring services to fit your needs and concerns.

For seniors who are lonely or isolated, DARTS volunteers offer companionship and support. The volunteer will visit your home and share in a hobby, play a game of cribbage, or just chat. Volunteer visitors work under the supervision of DARTS service coordinators who can help you access other services tailored to your needs. There is a small annual administrative fee for the visiting service. For more information contact us at 651.455.1560 or send us an e-mail.

Many Dakota County seniors use the help of DARTS volunteers to shop for groceries and run general errands. A volunteer will take you to the store and assist you while shopping, or do the shopping for you and deliver the groceries to your home. Shopping volunteers work under the supervision of DARTS service coordinators who can help you access other services tailored to your needs. Another handy option for shopping trips is to use the DARTS bus for door-through-door transportation.

The shopping service is billed by DARTS on a quarterly basis and is provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information contact us at 651.455.1560 or send us an e-mail.

DARTS can perform seasonal outdoor chores as part of our homemaking services. The service is billed by DARTS on a monthly basis and provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information, contact us at 651.455.1560 or send us an e-mail.

DARTS also collaborates with Dakota County Corrections to help seniors with outdoor chores as part of our intergenerational programs. Typical chores include lawn mowing and raking.

DARTS now has a Household Repair Specialist to assist seniors in Dakota County with general household repairs. Our "Handyperson" is a paid staff person who is an early retiree. He enjoys helping DARTS' clients with their household repairs and has a number of years experience doing this type of work. The hourly fee for this service varies by income level. To learn more, contact us at 651.455.1560 or send us an e-mail.

DARTS can help you find home health care and rehabilitative services in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. For more information, contact us at 651.455.1560 or send us an e-mail.