🌻 For our seasoned neighbors and the folks who care for them. Getting older comes with plenty of wisdom, and sometimes a few new questions. Here are trusted places to turn for meals, rides, company and Medicare help.
Looking Out for Older Neighbors
A neighbor recently shared a story that stuck with me. While shopping in Marion, they came across an older gentleman, a Vietnam veteran, standing in the parking lot. He was lost and upset, had locked his keys in his car, and didn’t have family nearby to call. They stayed with him and reached out for help. Marion police got him home safely and connected him with the department’s social worker so he’d have support going forward.
It was a simple thing, really: someone noticed, stopped, and stayed. Any one of us can be that neighbor. Here’s what to do and who can help. – Kathy
🤝 If someone seems lost or in trouble
Stay with them, speak calmly and kindly, and help them get somewhere safe and warm. If anyone is hurt, in danger or seriously confused, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, the police non-emergency lines can send someone to help:
Cedar Rapids Police: 319-286-5491
Marion Police: 319-377-1511
Hiawatha Police: 319-393-1515
Linn County Sheriff (24/7 dispatch): 319-892-6100
🧠 Crisis counselors who work with police
Foundation 2 Crisis Services has specially trained counselors, called law enforcement liaisons, embedded with the Cedar Rapids and Marion police and the Linn County Sheriff. They respond with officers to help people in crisis and connect them to services.
Foundation 2’s free Mobile Crisis Outreach sends counselors to you in Linn County, 24/7, for non-emergency in-person support: 319-362-2174.
🎖️ Help for veterans
Linn County Veteran Affairs: Community Services Building, 1240 26th Avenue Ct. SW, Cedar Rapids · 319-892-5160. Appointments are encouraged. They can also help with applications to the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund.
Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
County Veteran Affairs → · Iowa veteran benefits · Veterans Crisis Line
🚗 Rides and groceries
Linn County LIFTS gives door-to-door rides to eligible seniors: 319-892-5170. Aging Services in Cedar Rapids offers free volunteer rides for adults 60+ to medical appointments, grocery shopping and other essential errands: 319-398-3644 (seven working days’ notice requested). Around Mount Vernon and Lisbon, the Southeast Linn Community Center has volunteer drivers for appointments and shopping: 319-455-2844 (48 hours’ notice).
Horizons Meals on Wheels brings meals to the door: 319-398-3574.
LIFTS · County transportation guide (PDF) · SE Linn rides · Meals on Wheels
☎️ A friendly voice
Sometimes a phone call makes the day. AARP Friendly Voice volunteers will call to say hello: call 1-888-281-0145 (Spanish: 1-888-497-4108), leave your information, and they’ll call back. The call shows up as “800 Service.”
Heritage Area Agency on Aging can help find local support: 319-398-5559. And never underestimate a knock on the door from a neighbor!
💛 If you’re worried someone is being neglected
If you think an older or dependent adult is being hurt, taken advantage of, or isn’t able to care for themselves, you can talk to Iowa HHS. Anyone may call, 24/7, at 1-800-362-2178. If they’re in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
A good first call
🤝 Heritage Area Agency on Aging
Help for older adults and caregivers, including connecting folks to services.
Phone: 319-398-5559 · Toll-free 1-800-332-5934
Meals
🍲 Meals on Wheels (Horizons)
Horizons delivers hot, ready-to-eat meals, plus frozen meals and breakfast bags, to older adults and people with disabilities. Meals can be short-term (say, after a hospital stay) or ongoing each weekday.
Sign up online, or call 319-398-3574.
Getting around
🚌 Linn County LIFTS
Door-to-door rides for eligible seniors and people with disabilities in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha, and public rides for residents of Robins, Mount Vernon, Center Point and other rural Linn County communities. Wheelchair-accessible buses, and drivers help you on and off.
Phone: 319-892-5170
♿ CR Transit ADA paratransit
Cedar Rapids Transit handles ADA paratransit eligibility, with rides provided by LIFTS. Call LIFTS for an application.
Friends and fun
☕ Bridge Senior Center (Cedar Rapids)
Weekly social, learning and activity programs for adults 55+.
Medicare questions
🩺 Iowa SHIIP
Free, confidential, one-on-one Medicare counseling from trained volunteers across Iowa, plus Welcome to Medicare seminars. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, a good time to compare plans.
Help with winter heating bills? Folks 60 and up can apply for LIHEAP early. See Winter Ready.