HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09091997 - C135 TO; BOARD OF SUPERVISO
Contra
FROM: John Cullen, Director Costa
Social Service Department '
County
DATE: sT{
4°
August 20, 1997
SUBJECT:
Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors
to Sign the Letter of Transmittal
SPECIFIC REQUESTS)OR RECOMMENDATIONS)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION
AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to SIGN the Letter
of Transmittal that will accompany the FY 1996-97 Area Agency on Aging
End of the Year Report.
II. FINANCIAL
None
111. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
The California.Department of Aging (CDA)requires an end of the year report. The
end of the year report is a synopsis of the accomplishments and changes that have
occurred over the 1996-97 fiscal year. CDA also requires submission of a Transmittal
Letter which is signed by the Director of Office on Aging,the Board of
Supervisors or its designee, and the president of the Advisory Council.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY•ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURES:
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN,
CC: ATTESTED
PHIL BAT HELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
Contact: Sharon Johnson SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Office on Aging (orig - Seal)
CDA BY�(1d'r�rnp,,��� � ,DEPUTY
M382 (10/88)
Attachment B
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING (AAA)
PSA 7
TRANSMITTAL LETTER
FOR THE YEAR-END REPORT
FY 1996-97
The Area Agency on Aging's Year-End Report for FY 1996-97 is hereby submitted
to the California Department of Aging. The Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors (Governing Body) supports the Area Agency on Aging's Year-End
Report which provides a retrospective account of progress made toward specified
goals during FY 1996-97.
1. (Signed) aAA&2 Lr—
Mark
Mark DeSaulnier Date
Supervisor Fourth District
Chairperson, Contra Costa County
Board of Supervisors
2. (Signed)
1
Robert Sessler, Director Date
Area Agency on Aging
The Area Agency Advisory Council has had the opportunity to review and comment
on the Year-End Report for FY 1996-97.
3. Signed) `-
Edith L wenstein, President Date
Area Agency on Aging
Advisory Council
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PSA - 7 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
1996 - 1997 YEAR END REPORT
August 15, 1997
End of the Year Report FY 1996-97
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Dr. Beclee Newcomer-Wilson finalized the Key Informant Survey. The attached
Key Informant is the third update over the last even years. The methodologies,
source data, a discussion of the findings, and an analysis of the data are included in
attachment A, KEY INFORMANT SURVEY.
STATUS OF OBJECTIVES
GOAL #1
7. ACHIEVED
18. ACHIEVED
31. ACHIEVED Funding has been received, staff hired and have remodeled and
recreational services have begun.
32. ACHIEVED AAA staff,participate in the monthly meetings of the West County
Coalition.
33. ACHIEVED AAA Planner worked with a sub committee that visited various
mobile home parks, senior apt. complexes, etc. to ask what social services they
needed.
34. This objective will be continued.
35. ACHIEVED
36. ACHIEVED
GOAL #2
1. - 4. ONGOING
5.
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6. ACHIEVED. The Legislative Advocacy Committee sponsored a Social Security
Forum June 7, 1997 entitled "Is Your Social Security Healthy?"
7. ACHIEVED
8. ONGOING
9. ONGOING
10. - 21. ONGOING
22. ACHIEVED AND ONGOING
23. - 25. ONGOING
GOAL 3 3.
1. - 9. ONGOING
10. AAA brought all of the local committees and commissions together to discuss
the findings of the Key Informant Survey and to assist them in developing objectives
to work toward this next fiscal year. ACHIEVED.
11. ACHIEVED
12. ONGOING
GOAL #4.
2. AAA staff cannot participate due to the time, and location of meeting. Will
consider continuing if meeting date is changed.
3. - 11. ONGOING.
GOAL #5.
1. - 8. ONGOING.
GOAL #6.
1. ACHIEVED.
2. ACHIEVED.
3. DELETED. The Social Service Dept. is contracting with a non-profit for registry
services specifically for IHSS clients.
TARGETED POPULATIONS
The Central County Coalition is in the process of targeting low income senior
apartments housing and mobile home projects to provide outreach regarding
services available to seniors.
The County Nutrition Program is providing a more diverse meal menu to include
Latino and Asian menu items.
AAA staff is working with the Brentwood Housing Project (Village Park) and the
Low Income Senior Housing Project to develop and provide intergenerational
programs at the renovated Village Park Recreation center (renovated by County
CDBG fiords) through the Cowell Foundation Grant.
The AAA is participating in Su Salud (Latino Health Fair) as part of the Elder Care
Committee. The Elder Care Coimnittee is bringing together the Health and
Resource infonnation in Spanish to better serve the Hispanic population.
SERVICE UNIT PLAN - 1996-97 PROJECTED & ACTUAL
UNITS OF SERVICE
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TITLE III
# Program Projected Actual
1. Personal Care* (In-Home)
Units of Service 4 23
2. Homemaker* (In-Home)
Units of Service 252 458
3. Chore* (In-Home)
Units of Service
4. Home Delivered Meals
Units of Service 129,264 157,848
5. Adult Day Care/Health
Units of Service
# Program Projected Actual
6. Case Management*
(Access)
Units of Service 1,012 1,299
7. Congregate Meals
Units of Service 21.3,345 172,502
8. Nutrition Counseling
Units of Service
9. Assisted Transportation*
(Access)
Units of Service
10. Transportation*
(Access)
Units of Service 71,378 68,876
11. Legal Assistance
Units of Service 4,585 5,165
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Program # Projected Actual
12. Nutrition Education
Units of Service 944 673
13. Information and Assistance*
(Access)
Units of Service 17,372 18,359
14. Outreach* (Access)
Units of Service 3,1.38 (I&R) 12,432
15. Other Services
(Specify which)
Minor Home Modifications
Units of Service
22 18
Visiting (firs)
Units of Service
13,740 15,900
Registry (lirs)
Units of Service
2,500 5,216
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TITLE VII
*16. Ombudsman Services
Total number of cases to be closed 4,200
Training for Ombudsman staff and volunteers
Number of sessions 11 Number of hours 33
Number of trainees 8
Resident visitation (other than in response to complaints)
Number of SNFs to visit 50
Number of RCFEs to visit 300
*Actual nos. are not available at this time.
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ATTACHMENT A
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
OFFICE ON AGING
KEY INFORMANT SURVEY
MARCH, 1996
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
KEY INFORMANT SURVEY PARTICIPANT(LIST 4
KEY INFORMANT SURVEY- QUESTIONNAIRE 7
1996 SURVEY RESULTS 9
COMPARISON WITH 1989 AND 1992 SURVEYS 32
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INTRODUCTION
THE OBJECTIVE
The Key Informant Survey has been a part of the planning process of the
Office on Aging of Contra Costa County for three planning cycles - 1989,
1992, and now 1996. The objective is to increase our knowledge of the
needs of older adults in the County and of the systems that provide them with
programs and services. The information obtained from the 1996 survey will
be used, as it has been in the past, to aid in setting the priorities related to
funding, program development, advocacy and coordination for the next four
years. j
']['lH[IE PROCESS
In January 1996, a list of 50 people was developed. The goal was twofold: to
include persons from past surveys, for continuity, and to add persons who
reflect the growing racial and ethnic diversity of the County's older adults.
The survey participants are a cross-section of providers of services to the
elderly and community leaders who are advocates.for older adults. Included
are agency directors, hospital social workers, clergy, representatives of
minority communities, volunteers who serve on community councils on aging.
The Key Informant survey was conducted by Dr. Beclee Wilson, a
gerontologist and communication specialist. Dr. Wilson assisted in creating
the survey in 1989 and has conducted each survey. Interviews were made,
by telephone, by Dr. Wilson during the month of February. Less than five
were mailed, or FAXed. As in past surveys, an exceptionally high response
rate was noted. In 1,996 42 persons participated.
The six questions of the survey focus on discovering the most serious
problems facing the elderly from the experience of these key people,
improvements or changes needed in existing programs, unmet needs,
legislative or advocacy suggestions, and programs or services that are being
done well for the elderly in the county.. The questions reflect the goals
established by the Older Americans Act and the specific objectives of the
Area Plan.
In the interview process people were asked to give several responses if they
wished, without prioritizing importance. There was an attempt to record
comments or elaborations that would help clarify a response, capture a
creative idea, or offer insights or directions for future action.
The information from the interviews will be used by the Planning Committee
of the Contra Costa.County Office on Aging, shared with all participating Key
Informants and made available to organizations and individuals who are part
of the aging network, or concerned with the quality of life of the older adults
within the County.
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KEY INFORMANT SURVEY PARTICIPANT(LIST
Rabbi Raphael Asher Ms. Vernita Kennen
Congregation B'Nai Tikvak Council of Churches of CC
25 Hillcraft Way. 1543 Sunnyvale
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Dave Sanders Mr. James Logan
Antioch Senior Center Delta 2000
P.O.Box 739 301 W. 10th Street
Antioch, CA 94509 Antioch, CA 94509
Ms. Deborah Janke Ms. Marta Saucedo
West County Adult Day Care Center LULAC % Compra School
1015 Nevin, Suite 108 157 9th Street
Richmond, CA 94801 Richmond, CA 94801
Ms. Judy Kent Ms. Frances Green
Mt. Diablo Adult School Pre School Coordinating Council
3100 Oak Park Blvd. 1760 Chester Drive
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Pittsburg, CA 94565
Ms Rosemarie Kennedy Ms. Margo Spaulding
CC County Library Martinez Community Center
1750 Oak Park Blvd. 1111 Ferry Street
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Martinez, CA 94553
Mr. Robb Ross Ms. Ish Mendonsa
Legal Services for the Elderly Family and Community Services of
1305 MacDonald Ave. Contra Costa
Richmond, CA 94804 1300 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Ms. Georgia Stockton
Pleasant Hill Senior Center Mr. Jose Poblete
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Hercules Sen. Citizens' Club
190 Turquoise
Ms. Laurie Maxwell Hercules, CA 94547
Senior Ministries Coordinator
Council of Churches of CC Ms. Melody Steeples
1543 Sunnyvale Prevention Council
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 75 Santa Barbara Rd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Aft. John Milgate
I101 Gregory Lane, Suite 42 The Reverend Philip Lawson
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Easter Hill Methodist Church
3911 Cutting Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94806
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Rev. Michael Pyburn The Reverend Ron Weber
Delta Comm. Presbyterian Church First Congregational Church
1900 Willow Lake Rd 620 E. Tregallas
Discovery Bay, CA 94514 Antioch, CA 94509
Sr. Joan Prohaska Ms. Ellen MacDonald-Paasch
St. John Vianney Church EI Cerrito "Open House"
1650 Ygnacio Valley Rd. 6500 Stockton
Walnut Creek, CA 94598 EI Cerrito, CA 94530
Ms. Sandra Medzedoff Ms Ruth Mary Whelan
Diablo Valley Foundation Emeritis College Program DVC
1963 Tice Valley Blvd. 321 Golf Club Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Ms. Lois McKnight Ms. Varsie Lometti
Ombudsman Services of Contra 602 Cypress Pt. Road
Costa Point Richmond, CA 94801
1601 Sutter Street#A.
Concord, CA 94520 Mr. Bob Bestwick =
Antioch Committee on Aging
Mr. Paul Kraintz 415 W. 2nd. Street
CCC Health.Services Antioch, CA 94509
597 Center Ave
Martinez, CA 94553 Mr. Richard Lujan
UCSSO
Dr. Frank Camargo 837 Arnold Drive, Suite 100
Familias Unitas Martinez, 94553
205 39th Street
Richmond, CA 94805 Ms. Mildred Beck
Antioch Senior Center
Ms. Pam Dahlen 415 W. 2nd. Street
Sr. Adult Day Care Antioch, CA 94509
Lafayette/Orinda Presbyterian
Church Ms. Lucille Maffei
49 Knox Drive 221 Tangerine Ct.
Lafayette, CA 94549 San Ramon. CA 94583
Mr. Bill Waki Ms. Jean Marana
614 Everett Office of Counseling Services
EI Cerrito, CA 94530 Golden Rain Foundation
1001 Golden Rain Rd.
Ms. Kathy Lafferty Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Cambridge Community Center
1135 Lacey Lane
Concord, CA 94520
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Mr Dan Freudenthal Ms. Mary Ellen Patrick -
EI Cerrito Commission on Aging San Pablo Committee on Aging
607 Clayton Street 19 Parkview Drive -
EI Cerrito, CA 94530 San Pablo, CA 94806
Ms Nancy Masters Ms. Mary Lucas Shockley, Chair
Brookside Hospital Walnut Creek Committee on Aging
2000 Vale Rd. 201 San Antonio Way
San Pablo, CA 94806 Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Ms. Sandra Smith Jim Rogers
Lafayette Senior Services Board of Supervisors, District 1
Commission 100 37th St Rm 270
3238 Driftwood Drive Richmond -
Lafayette, CA 94549
Jeff Smith -_
Ms. Sally Schultz Board of Supervisors, District 2
Martinez Committee on Aging 651 Pine St Rm 108A
1443 Stonehedge Martinez
Pleasant Hill, CA 94532 -_
Gayle Bishop
Mr. Walter Blumst Board of Supervisors, District 3
Orinda Senior Services Commission 18 Crow Canyon Ct Ste 120
265 Ivy Place San Ramon 3
Orinda, CA 94563
Mark De Saulnier
Ms. Mary Nash Board of Supervisors, District 4
Pinole Commission on Aging 2425 Bisso Lane Ste 110
2589 Alice Way Concord
r, Pinole, CA 94564
Tom Torlakson
Ms. Shari Carpenter, Chair Board of Supervisors, District 5
P
Pleasant Hill Commission on Aging 300 E Leland Ave Ste 100 .
' 67 St. Thomas Ct. Pittsburg
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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KEY INFORMANT SURVEY
Contra Costa Office on Aging
40 Douglas Drive
Martinez, CA 94553-4068
510-313-1700
Please answer the following questions from your perspective. Your responses will help the
Area Agency on Aging as it plans for the future, and determines priorities for services and
supports to the elderly in Contra Costa County. Thank you for your.time and comments.
1. In your local community (specify), or in the County as a whole, what are
the most serious problems facing the elderly population? You may
name several.
2. Of the services and programs currently provided to the elderly in your
local community (specify), or in the County as a.whole, what changes
or improvements are needed? (3-5 services/programs)
3. The Area Agency on Aging seeks to develop a coordinated community
based system of services for the elderly. What areas/issues of
coordination or cooperation among the different agencies serving the
elderly would you like the AAA to address? (3-5 coordination issues)
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Page 2 Key Informant Survey
4. What do you consider the greatest unmet need for the elderly in the I
County.
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5. What advocacy efforts should be undertaken at the local, state, or
federal level on behalf of the elderly? What issues should be-
addressed
eaddressed and/or what legislation would you like to.see adopted?
6. From your perspective in your local community or in the County as a
whole, what do you feel is.being done well for the elderly population?
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KEY INFORMANT TABULATION d 1996
1. In your community (specify), or in the county as a whole, what are the
most serious problems facing the elderly population? r
Transportation - 25
Housing - 14
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Health related issues and medical care - 13
Communication about, and access to services and supports -12
In-home care and support services - 11
Isolation and loneliness - 10
Long Term Care - 9
Adequate finances (seniors) - 8
Nutrition - 6
Financing and retention of government programs (Older Americans Act
(OAA), Medicare, medical) - 4
Safety and crime - 4
Hands on social work - 2
Cumulative social, psycho, medical process of aging - 2
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Adult Day Care availability - 2
Lack of planning for incapacity - 1
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Sons and Daughters caring for elderly parents - 1
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Viewed as object of charity, instead of rights - 1
Blended families with elderly responsible for adult children and
grandchildren - 1
Homelessness - 1
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Question 1 Descriptions
Transportation
1. Spanish speaking seniors to get medicines and medical treatment - access
problems
2. Frail and need companion for transport
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3. It never gets solved - not enough, not convenient, not accessible
4. Need to rethink - use technology to help solve how to best serve elderly
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5. Need smaller buses
6. Have to make appointments so far ahead
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7. Long waiting times for public transport
8. Getting better 1
9. LINK improved, but lots of frustration, especially if have a disability
10. If you don't have a car need education to use Dial-A-Ride or LINK
11. Overlapping systems, Americans Disabilities Act/ senior services confusing for
access
12. Transportation for frail elderly
13. Buses no longer go where you need to go
14. Need buses to all senior centers
15. Life link to living in your own home, must reach elderly who no longer drive
16. LINK -stipulations and rules difficult, off-putting, overloaded 1
17. Elders want to get to grocery store, doctors no low cost transportation to serve
them
18. How to get from one city to another (especially across county lines )?
19. Link between East and Central county woefully inadequate
10
Housina
1. Better array of housing options
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2. Affordable - 4
3. Need more low to moderate income housing communities - 3
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4. Issues around aging in place - 2
5. Inclusion of younger disabled and seniors in same housing areas creating
problems about safety and life style conflicts
6. Safe housing/home security - 2
7. Marginal housing or homelessness an issue for many war veterans
Health related issues and medical care
1. Adequate health services
2. Access to health services
3. Older couples with one very frail not having funds
4. Home health care - expense of going through an agency
5. Medical costs
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quality and financing
7. Health and prevention information - hard to reach homebound
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8. Understanding medications - monitoring total amount of drugs and
understanding their interactions
9. Cost of prescriptions even with coverage, some medications not covered
10. Being able to be maintained in home with a health problem or impairment -
limited finances and need resources
11. Access to psychological and health services when limited by mobility and
isolation
12. Consistent, trained geriatric medicine professionals
13. Appropriate levels of care that are affordable
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14. Adult Day Care critical to planning for 85+ - 2
15. Cuts pending in Medicare
16. Affordable Board and Care
17. Lack of planning for incapacity j
18. Getting medicines and treatments when you can't understand English
19. Health insurance, Medicare, HMO, Supplementary, figuring'it all out
Communication about. and access to services and suuoorts
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1. Access problems because of language - 3
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2. Finding resources and money to support them
3. Being alone and not understanding who to call i
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4. Find some title that is catchy and easy to remember for access to all services
5. People need social worker type services - no one of professional nature
helping them I
6. We can't get newspaper coverage for our program, used to be able to
We can't sell the people who could help us get the word around
7. Hard to reach the homebound with health and prevention information
8. Even if have information can't access services without a friend, if living alone
9. Not enough awareness of Information & Referral services
10. How to get resources when at home, with health problem or an impairment
and limited resources? - 2
11. Resources knowledge - how to get services and supports
12. Access to psychological services and health services
13. How to help adult sons and daughters caring for family members find services.
14. Communication - not enough information getting to seniors about�services and
supports - including nutrition
15. Misinformation about benefits for medical care and qualifying standards: .
16. Dream of an 800 number
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In-Home Care and SuDuort Services
1. Home care givers
affordable
how to find
2. Minor home repairs -- getting done what they can't quite do
3. Need for social worker services to assist with in-home needs
4. Some one to live in, or help out
5. Getting home services
6. To be maintained at home need resources but have limited finances
7. Help with general activities of daily living
Isolation and Loneliness
1. Because of language, transportation and family pattern - children working or
living away - 5
2. Aging in place and making the transition - being alone no one understands
who to call, not knowing what's available
3. Struggling to get assistance
4. Transportation critical to living alone
5. Living alone without family even if you have information need a companion to
access services
6. Limited mobility leads to isolation
7. If they don't get out of their houses, the don't last too long
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8. Difficulty with activities of daily living
9. Caused by vision impairment, or deafness
10. Because of the cumulative process of aging and progressive frailty
11. Social access when living alone limited
12. Not being able to care for oneself
13. Companionship
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Lona Term Care
1. Medical and Medicare issues
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2. Cost
3. Workers hardly speak English and get paid little money
4. LTC looms in the future - you're good (independent) till about 85+
5. Adult Day Care critical component
6. Shortage of Medicaid beds j
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7. Abuse in nursing homes
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8. Board and Cares needed
9. Lack of planning for incapacity
10. Worry about financial implications and how to cope j
Adeauate finances (seniors) i
1. Income for safe, affordable housing - 5 i
2. Transportation - cost difficult - 2
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3. Home care
expensive through an agency
4. Medical costs
5. Money - pensions small - 2
6. Finances of health problems.- being able to be maintained at home with
impairment or health problem because of cost of services
7. Appropriate levels of care that are affordable
8. Needs of those between SSI and Wealthy - there's a gap - 2
9. Affordable Board and Care
10. Older couple, one frail, not having funds
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Nutrition
1. Need senior advocacy to each other- get them out to programs
2. Food access - because of mobility, 2 meals (m-f) all they have - homebound
3. Difficulty getting groceries
Financina and Retention of Government Proarams.
j 1. Shrinking resources, need funding for direct programs that provide direct
services
2. Block grants will make retention of services for seniors
3. Jobs for Seniors program participants always worry about cut backs
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!f 4. Elderly don't want charity, it's a right
5. Pending cuts in OAA programs and Medicare
6. Many cuts in programs for veterans
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2. Of the services and programs currently provided to elderly in your local
community, or in the county as a whole, what changes or improvements
are needed?
Transvortation - 16
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related to frail or handicapped - 3
affordability - 3
to keep from being isolated - 2
for basic necessities - 2
LINK - trying, but needs to be more efficient
for doctor's visits
ability to get to programs
programs that get the word out, we put flyers in neighborhoods
not always available often late
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more awareness on how to use public transportation
#302 serves very well, getting more buses good
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takes several hours to go a short distance (East to Central)
Communication about. and access to services and suDoorts -10
learning to access services - getting information out - 4 p
nutrition programs and activities at senior centers - 2
getting people out f
concern about diverse populations (Latino) , few participate in
nutrition programs and use Information & Referral. How to reach
them.
social workers in senior housing complexes key to spreading
information
have central number to access everything
service delivery based mainly on volunteers, need more i
advertisement
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advertise, we put flyers out in neighborhoods (transportation in
South County)
more public awareness on how to use public transportation
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Information & Referral providers concentrate on directories of what's
available
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more visible outreach by all providers "So many services available
and people don't know they exist."
community helpers that are multi-lingual
Loneliness and Isolation - 8
need people to visit- 3
unaccepting of opportunities that are available
very cautious in using services such as shopping program, need to
educate
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need encouragement for one to one connections, i.e. Senior Peer
counseling program expanded to Countywide and not income based
more case management in West County
geriatric outreach and mental health - a gap because of diminishing
services
need language interpretation services to come out of isolation
programs set up to encourage independence rather than foster
interdependence. We are social people we need interaction with
each other
need co-generation programs to meet the needs for nurture of all
ages ( grandparenting in Head Start)
need experts in cross cultural to help design programs to reach
immigrant elderly
In-Home SuDoortive Services - 6
affordable, short-term
need access improved
More services (north end of EI Cerrito)
meeting the needs of people not on SSI
house workers
people shy away from reputable agencies ( $175 per day, $16 per
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hour)
need medical in-home, IHSS doesn't cut it for many
need a subsidized program for those with limited finances
Nutrition uroarams - 5
reaching diverse populations
how to get people out
do better job on transportation and location
"Should be our shinning example."
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increase funding and availability of home-delivered meals - 2
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need to re-invent services for the next generation
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Finandit - 5
money management
meeting needs of people not on SSI
programs need much better funding support (County, State, Fed.) - 3
expand the representative payee program
Older Americans Act funded
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Health care - 4
Need truly inclusive health care for everyone
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Concern about effect of HMO's - those left out j
High amount of medication and its cost
Housina -4
affordable for low income - 2
social workers in complexes a good trend
getting better cooperation from management of housing unit
facilities —they resist organizations from the outside
Social worker involvement- 4
seeing more in'senior housing
need home assessments
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need hands on people
more work with depression - psychotherapy
more case management
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Lona term care - 4
Skilled nursing facilities
low wages and training - 3
lack of English in workers
lack of health department checks
Respite care expanded
We're orovidina well - 3
Interaenerational oroarams - 2
Concern about the closing of Geriatric services. All ages mixed
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together, will people in certain categories get left out? - 2
Bring in all ages "Human Services"
Laraer and more senior centers
Adult Protective Services exoanded
Adult Dav Care
A more support, most cost effective
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Careaiver resoite
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weekend respite
Ombudsman oroaram exoanded
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E&W satellite office �
'j secure funding
HICAP
critical to helping people understand health care issues and
finding assistance
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3. The Area Agency on Aging seeks to develop a coordinated community
based system of services for the elderly. What areas/issues of
coordination or cooperation among the agencies serving the elderly
would you like the AAA to address? (* pertains to items related to
communication and outreach for professionals as well as elderly (31 out of 62,
or 50%)
*1. Need to coordinate a meeting of agencies several times a year to
update on local, state and national issues. Include senior center and
social service personnel. "We read about change in the newspaper and
need to understand what's happening."
2. More coordinated case management
*3. Too many programs don't have Spanish speaking staff
4. Support for the coordination and management.of home delivered
meals
*5. Education among the agencies and volunteers at the AAA
A fully briefed advisory board
i
*6. De-centralized Information & Referral function
*7. Need more marketing and communicating among the service providers,
link resources together better
*8. Work on better communication
*9. Mailing lists of activities at AAA to Committees on Aging
10. Coordination among agencies working to address food issues
11. Coordination of health care services
12. Coordination of HICAP, Ombudsman
dealing with HMO's, Nursing homes (Common issues)
Elder Abuse consortium and Ombudsman on interviewing aids
13. Intergenerational services, programs, advocacy (White House y
Conference)
14. Transportation among Adult Disabilities Act providers
*15. Assist Adult.Day.Care centers in their marketing and referral issues
16. Need greater cooperation among transportation services
20
*17. Excellent goal, certainly needed. Need someone to coordinate linking
the right agency with the right people. We get referrals we can't serve,
especially long distance calls from adult sons and daughters. Need link
between mental health and social service.
*18. Need opportunity for brainstorming meeting about every six months
among agencies, i.e., senior center directors and county staff.. Used to
have monthly senior center meetings that'included staff.
*19. Senior Center exchange of newsletters see what each other is doing
I. *20. Encourage commission liaison on AAA advisory board to greater
community activism.
21. Senior Centers could coordinate activities, trips, tax services, etc.
*22. There appear to be more agencies providing information than services.
How would one determine which facilities accept SSI clients?
*23. Access to information -need telecommunications, brochures, don't work
any more need to hit grass root organizations i.e., churches
24. Develop more collaborative, intergenerational efforts
25. Not aware of how AAA works - 2
r 26. Financial assistance
*27. Central place for exchange of information - one telephone number for
everything related to seniors
f n
28. Transportation to make it simple and user friendly
29. Transportation for social and medical access
*30. Coordination of a good resource on educational opportunities offered
the elderly
*31. Regular column - need.a forum to communicate info. to the general
community
*32. Downsizing of all staffs make it difficult to participate and network
through meetings. So many groups springing up.
*33. Let providers know what's happening - services, funding resources,
professional networking communication
21
A a
34. Sharing of information among and.between all parts of the County
including senior centers, need newsletter to support staff and relieve
stress
*35. Better distribution of information
36. Transportation information across towns. Work to provide some limited
transportation from sites(nutrition) to super markets
*37. Crying need to communicate what's available in respite and day care
*38. Need advertising on programs don't know how to reach new people-
place information in PG&E bills "
39. Finding housing for parents no longer able to live alone
*40. Using library services as a place where seniors can learn about
services
*41. Needs to be the agency that keeps senior issues on the agenda of the
community
*42. Coordinate a way to let agencies know what each other is doing to
avoid duplication. Too often too much competition among agencies.
*43. Getting information to the public is a "biggie"
44. Transportation Need to revamp the whole system of how to get people
to the doctor
i,
*45. No one wants one more meeting but we need to have an update about
every six months on different services, difficult to get information.
*46. All funded agencies should have to have outreach plans suitable for
each community
*47. How to reach seniors without phones
*48. Marketing help - Getting information out on all we have (we have a 17
year old program). We need "guests"
49. Doing a good job of coordinating
*50. Advertising and information - all out effort to make the community see
how important we are
51. Need more cooperation among agencies and volunteers
52. Ombudsman program expanded
22
i
i
53. Help in seeking out elderly, particularly Hispanic and Filipino
*54. Have one central number for everything
55. More coordination with homeless and housing providers and senior
service providers and advocates
56. AAA give leadership with the HIV interagency network (needs senior
representation)
57. AAA use its leadership to bring in medical providers in discussions and
action related to health issues and their impact on seniors
58. Does a terrific job with Ombudsman and Employment programs
59. -Wish we could have more co=generation programs - look for joint
funding
60. Need a program to translate materials into many languages
61. Need to address substance abuse among elderly population -
rehabilitation programs stop at 60 years old and out patient programs
don't take seniors
62. Need effort to activate BAIRS - need to be more involved with Senior
Information & Referral
4. What do you consider the greatest unmet need for the elderly in the
County?
Loneliness and isolation
r
Companionship
The need for a person to connect services for them
Emotional and spiritual support that deals with remaining useful - 3
dealing with grief and loss
Living alone and not being able to care for oneself- 3
Keeping community connection, some facility to overcome detachment
that shows concern for feelings , a gathering place talk, receive
information and eat together
Ways to break up the isolation, bring elderly into program development
23
The whole issue of meaning for older years
Getting people out of their homes
Information and Communication
Seamless access - not worry about titles and names
Education about services and how best to utilize them
Outreach and education that goes beyond Senior Centers
r
Availability of senior services not well known, especially for "sandwich
generation"
"Purple book wonderful, we use it all the time." Seniors have difficulty
knowing what's happening. Need central agency '
Must do better networking intra-agency referrals
Need informational bits on the radio
Not knowing how to access services to meet needs
Services don't exist for certain populations (Latino)
Better communications and ways of reaching people - 2
Advertising available programs
Need central number for easier access to services - 2
I meet so many people who are very isolated more co-housing
Need more programs for seniors to mentor and give nurture to children
Consider needs of children and seniors (new use for Brentwood Elem)
Health related issues
High costs and good, inexpensive services
Overseeing doctors and nurses in the hospital setting
Physicians' systems of referral
Chaplaincy in nursing homes increased
24
C -
Care of Alzheimer's and dementia
Physicians' offices more responsive to sharing information
HMO's, forget it!
Housing
Affordable and accessible housing - 3
More support for the whole family in dealing with issues surrounding
older family members i.e., housing issues
Aren't enough congregate facilities - need to provide larger individual
living space, if more spacious, more people would consider
Places of independent living that include meals (more than one)
Intergenerational housing frightening older people
Transportation
Transportation for those with physical needs
Love to see free /affordable transportation for those who can't drive set
up without red tape
f
In-Home Supportive Services
IHSS go to a supportive model, need for people on IHSS to have
resources to help find and manage people to help them
Real care for meal prep, cleaning house, meeting physical needs
Help in the home- incompletely met
Adult Protection and Elder Abuse
Police and sheriff to keep an age count of elderly domestic violence
Adequate respite and day care
Still too many don't get food
Case management
25
4
More senior management of programs
Need more that 10 hours case management a week
Meeting the needs of the frail and homebound
Adult sons and daughters who must deal with issues from a distance
Income for health care, housing and nutrition when costs exceed SSI
and pension payouts
ti
5. What advocacy efforts should be undertaken at the local, state, or federal
level on behalf of the elderly? What issues should be addressed and / or
what legislation would you like to see adopted, or retained*?
*Added in 1992, due to'the economic and public policy debate
Health/Medical 10
cost of co-payments too high for some
need more preventive care and psychological counseling
Control HMO's - these are corporations and they must be investigated.
They are a rip off- 2
Get rid of insurers, one payee system
Universal health care
More Board and Care
Long term care facility needed in EI Cerrito
County based long term care
Cohesive overall health policy - manifestly inequitable
Maintaining of Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid -9
leave it alone
realize there are people living on SS
awareness of population increase
means tested Social Security
protection of long term care and custodial care in the Medicaid law
Long term care needs to be lobbied for provisions
Legislation that would require nursing homes that participate in
Medicare must take Medi-Cal
Reality on nursing home regulation laws
26
Older Americans Act - 7
should be looked at - outmoded,
expanded
access issues for certain groups
aging industry grown up since 1974
more flexibility in use of dollars for low income seniors
concern about nutrition sites and the.meals they provide
Don't need any cuts in the programs for seniors
Rights for Seniors
Increase funds
Critical look at means testing and entitlement concepts . .
Transportation - 5
is the key
advocate for county wide transportation system
ability to get programs that are offered
Low cost housing- 5
Concern about Section 8 units
Concern about HUD 202 and 811
Should re-think inclusion of seniors and disabled together
Ways to reach the seniors, more education -4
newsletter to the Assembly (senior life and issues)
entitlement awareness for seniors
learning to access services - getting information out
Stronger lobbying -4
Agencies serving the elderly are operating on such slim budgets don't
have the resources to do the lobbying that is.necessary -need to get
involved in a cooperative effort - have meeting at a place like Sun
Valley Mall.
health care concerns
adult protection
Critical need for advocates at the County level to make sure programs
are created with the involvement and awareness of seniors
i
27
Need to counter intergenerational competition with policies that
recognize mutual needs and mutual contributions
Legislation to help seniors stay at home to avoid a LTC facility - 2
Affordable in-home care
Concern about the financial management and retirement protection issues
with the present trend of defined contribution retirements (workers receiving
a lump sum, rather than a pension) - 2
Ombudsman program strengthened - 2
1
Awareness of the needs of immigrant elderly and the countering of the
tendency to blame social and economic problems facing the Nation on
immigrants
More advocacy for AAA
"Like to see churches get on the ball, I think we could do more."
More awareness among political leadership that they will be old some day
too!
Fair pricing for retirement and convalescent facilities, private enterprise
has doubled the cost of such facilities
Elder Abuse needs to be resolved
i
More social workers
Intergenerational programs
Need more money for programs
15% of County population Hispanic (120,000) need discharge of programs
to them that are on the books
Meals on Wheels shouldn't be so hard to find support
I
6. From your perspective in your local community or in the county as a
whole, what do you feel is being done well for the elderly population?
Senior Centers - 14
EI Cerrito, Antioch, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Pittsburg
Oldies but Goodies
28
1 3 t
Good lunch bunch, art writing opportunities
People just need to know what's going on
Need help with communication, make it a focal point= an information
hub as well as activities
Excellent staff at senior centers -with limited budgets
Nutrition programs - 9
Expanding nutrition programs within strict legislation to try to meet the j
needs
Meals on Wheels - 3 (Linda Anderson doing well)
Home Delivered Meals
Housing - 9
Excellent apartments for seniors (subsidized)
Familias Unitas coalition on housing
Rent is being paid
Lots of range of housing , doing a better job, i.e. meshing services with
housing
Need more housing like Chateau (Lafayette)
Trying to meet housing needs
Lovely and accessible
Senior Day Care Center-ADHC - 3
Antioch, EI Cerrito
Information & Referral - 4
Purple book excellent
Channel 27 - Judy Weitzner doing a good job
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a
monitoring and steering through the services good
In-Home Supportive Services - 3
helping frail elderly .
need to provide more for a larger segment of the population
Health services -3
Older Adult Clinics very good - 2
I
John Muir.Senior.Services - Joan Bodie
individual doctors
Case management - 3
Georgia Stockton, Pleasant Hill
The foresight of the County to realize the value of and fund - need more
1
Senior Information Day - Delta 2000 - 2�
Lots of recreational opportunities - 2
communities working hard
I
Adult education through the school districts - 2
at retirement and convalescent facilities
Ombudsman program - 2
staff and volunteers
j
Other comments
There is a certain level of services available, how to get them to the
people who need them is the question.
People are coming to the food pantry for emergency food.
M HICAP is phenomenal.
r
30
I can't think of any program I know that is badly run. All non-profits I
I know are doing an excellent job. It's getting the word out.
ICentral County Senior Coalition
Adult Protective Services - need more and more recognized
People currently involved in providing services - excellent
' Aging in Place emphasis - State and Federal
f
West County Senior services
Senior Night Out
Good things going on - I want mailings on health and recreation, have
speakers come to Leisure Club
Real willingness on the part of agencies to work together.
Good linking up with volunteers through the Volunteer Bureau
Wonderful network of volunteers in West County
Family Counseling and Community Services
Geriatric Mental Health Team really missed
Creative group of professionals in geriatric community
SHARE -wonderful get together share ideas to take back to our clients
AAA doing a good job
identifying needs well
need to identify more funding
reaching out to identify hard to reach elderly
Legal assistance
Tax assistance
Intergenerational program - seniors tutoring children
Rotary helps with money for books
Lafayette Senior Services - great senior service director, outreach
throughout the city
Alzheimer's group - respite
"Seniors Helping Seniors"
Senior employment programs
I
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COMPARISON ISON AMONG 1989, 1992, AND 11996 SURVEYS
The Office on Aging in Contra Costa County has chosen.to include the Key
Informant Survey as one if its assessment and priority setting tools for the last
three planning cycles. ,This offers a unique opportunity to discover similarities and
differences in the issues and concerns revealed through the interviews over the
last six years.
Three factors make a comparative analysis possible. First, the process has j
remained the same and all three have been administered and tabulated by Dr.
Wilson.
Second, the list of participants has had reap continuity. Of the original 1989 survey
participant list, 19 or 37% were also part of the 1996 survey. The 1996 list of
participants included 29, or 57% of those interviewed in 1992.
While there have been chahges.in key service providers, agencies serving the
elderly, and in citizens leadership, a strong core has remained that offers the i
benefit of a long view. Additions to the sample of between 50'and 60 persons
were made to: One, enhance the coverage of all regions of the County; and Two,
reflect the growing racial and ethnic diversity of the County's elderly and the
services, supports and citizen leadership attempting to meet their needs. i
Third, the questions have remained the same, with two slight changes. In 1989,
Question 4 was, "What new services/programs for the elderly would you like to see
developed? In 1992, and again in 1996, it became," What do you consider the
greatest unmet need for the elderly in the County?" Due to the political and
economic climate in 1996, Question 5 was modified to state, " What advocacy
efforts should be undertaken at the local, state, or federal level on behalf of the
elderly? What issues should be addressed and/or what legislation would you like
to see adopted, or retained 7'
A cursory review of the three surveys reveals that the responses have remained
remarkably stable over the last six years. Top concerns include: transportation,
health issues, housing, in-home support services, loneliness and isolation,
knowing about and getting access to services, adequate finances, adequate
nutrition, long term care,.quality and affordability. j
i
The good news is that the circumstances having an impact on the quality of life of
older adults in the County have been identified. The frustration is that the
problems and concerns seem not to go away. However, the tabulations do not tell
the whole story. The recorded insights and comments of professionals in aging
who work in a variety of services and supports and citizens who are leaders on
councils on aging, clergy, volunteers in agencies, and advocates in political
arenas, continue not only to identify problems and issues but also to point to
solutions.
32
I I
QUESTION ONE
In your local community,or in the County as a whole,what are the most serious
problems facing the elderly population?You may name several.
In all three surveys transportation is the top ranking serious problem. It is
closely followed by housing, health issues, in-home support services, long
term care, financial issues.
Two problem areas show marked increase in 1996 over the 1989 and 1992
surveys, and moved into the top five perceived problem areas. Though j
mentioned as a serious problem in the two previous surveys, the 1996 study
shows communication about and access to services and supports to be a
top issue. In 1996, this problem ranked fourth, with 12 key informants
mentioning it as a serious problem as compared to three related responses in
1989 and five in 1992. Specifically mentioned was concern about language
difficulty when accessing services, the need for people to have assistance in
locating services, especially if they are frail, in crisis or living along, and
continued lack of awareness of what's available.
Isolation and loneliness was mentioned by ten respondents and moved into
the top five problem areas in 1996. It had been acknowledged as a most
serious problem three times in 1989 and four in 1992. A review of the specifics
notes frailty, disability, physical and language isolation, lack of transportation,
living along, isolation during the day even if living with an extended family.
Comments of the key informants who interact on a daily basis with.older adults
reveal a growing awareness that mobility and a social network and
companionship are critical to avoiding isolation and loneliness. Aging in place
creates a challenge to providing both.
QUESTION TWO
Of the services and programs currently provided to the elderly in your local community,
or in the County as a whole,what are changes or improvements are needed?
The services and programs needing changes or improvements correlate with
the most serious problems mentioned in Question One. In all three surveys
transportation ranks first, with concerns about ease, especially for frail,
affordability, difficulty traveling between cities and counties, improving
awareness of what exists and how to use it.
The 1996 survey shows communication about, and access to services and
supports ranked second, with 10 mentioned, as compared to five in 1989 and
three or four related to that concern, in 1992. Learning to access programs,
especially those related to nutrition and the activities as senior centers were
most mentioned. Methods of advertising and increasing public awareness of
what is available and programs that help educate older adults and their families
I
in how to take advantage of the services and supports were noted as needing
i
33
changes and improvements. Programs devoted to reaching older adults with
little or no English were also mentioned as needing attention.
Loneliness and isolation ranked third in the 1996 survey. Suggestions
included more visitation programs, more case management and home
} assessments, concern over the gap left by the discontinuing of geriatric
services; the need for interpreters and sensitivity to cross-cultural issues
among the County's ethnic communities.
In the past (1989, 1992) in-home support services, social work and case
management, nutrition, legal services and housing ranked high. Changes
and improvements in in-home support services, in all three surveys, focused
on recruitment and.training improvement, more services, affordability, and
creative funding ideas for those without government assistance.
In the area of nutrition, it is interesting to note that where specific areas j
underserved in the County were mentioned in the past, the emphasis in 1996
was on reaching diverse populations, getting people out to use congregate
meal sites, increasing funding, and looking to services that will needed for the
next generation of clients. It appears there has been improvement in the
availability of nutrition programs within the County.
Concern for finances, such as adequate program funding has always been
mentioned for improvement. The 1996 survey notes concern that the Older
Americans Act funding be retained. There is also concern about money
management among the elderly, expanding payee programs, meeting needs of
those not on SSI, but financially burdened. I
I
Health care affordability issues and the rise of HMOs dominated in 1996. In
the past additional program areas included; expanding older adult clinics and
hospice, the need for better discharge planning.
Housing program concerns remain in the area of affordability. A trend noted
with approval, in 1996, was the presence of social workers in housing
complexes. In some housing projects the blending of younger tenants with
disabilities and older frail elderly, a new reality in 1996, is creating some
problems that need to be addressed. Social worker involvement-- the need j
for more home assessment, case management, working with mental health I
issues is mentioned in 1996. These areas are consistent with the past surveys.
Long term care improvements continue to be needed in the area of wages,
training, concern for cross-cultural issues in skilled nursing facilities ,and in the
need for expansion of respite. The need to expand the Ombudsman program is
also relevant related to longterm care program improvements.
QUESTION THREE
1
34
The Area Agency on Aging seeks to develop a coordinated community based system of
services for the elderly. What areas/issues of coordination or cooperation among the
different agencies serving the elderly would you like the AAA to address?
In 1989, coordination and cooperation related to transportation, housing,
serving as a central clearing house for up-dating agencies and improving
contacts between agencies to avoid duplication of programs were dominant
areas.
In the 1992 survey, key informants ranked as top the need for more education
and outreach -- the sharing of information between-agencies and with the
citizens. Service provider needs included suggestions for bi-monthly
conferences with agency personnel, coordination of fund raising.
Transportation again ranked high as an area needing better coordination and
cooperation among the agencies charged with service delivery or receiving
services.
Consistent with past surveys, the 1996 results show respondents wish the
AAA to address the need for more education and sharing of information
between agencies and to citizens. This survey shows an overwhelming
number of responses dealing with communication and outreach issues, with
many practical programmatic suggestions. The tabulation of the responses
shows 31 out of 62 or 50% wanting greater emphasis on this area.
Requests include the need to coordinate a meeting of agencies several times a
year, including senior center and social service personnel. The focus would be
on local, state and federal issues. Better awareness of how AAA works,
coordination of HICAP, Ombudsman, HMO, nursing home personnel around
common concerns, brain storming opportunities every six months between
agency, county and senior center staffs, the need to find ways to stay
networked with fewer staff to attend meetings were some of the suggestions.
What is clear is that there is a great desire for better communication and
coordination. Creative approaches are being suggested. And with the desire
to get together more comes the reality that every person in the field is being
asked to do more with less. Technological and media approaches are a
potential for meeting the need and responding to tighter schedules.
Ways to communicate better with the public include continued emphasis on
publications, advertising through utility bills, better use of libraries, advocate for
better coverage in print media, Senior Center newsletter exchanges.
In past surveys there have been calls for coordination of long term care
providers, adult day care agencies, better cooperation between cities in the
County. Indicating that the question generated much creative thought.
The need to address substance abuse, homelessness, expanding Ombudsman
and HICAP, providing leadership to bring together all involved in health delivery
systems were mentioned in the 1996 survey Question Three responses.
35
In all surveys there is an indication that we must find a more holistic,
coordinated approach to meeting the needs of the elderly and do away with
approaches that fractionalize.
QUESTION FOUR
What do you consider the greatest unmet need for the elderly in the County?
In 1989 the call for new programs generated suggestions for the expansion j
of the already existing ones, along with a desire for more adult day care and t
adult day health care for frail elderly, financial management for all seniors more
programs for socialization, respite for caregivers, a three meal a day program in
the Pittsburg area. The suggestions in this first survey area still valuable and
are a resource for present planning.
The 1992 and 1996 surveys both asked what is the greatest unmet need.
Health care issues, affordable housing, transportation and outreach
and service access ranked high in 1992. Adequately trained geriatric
specialists, lack of MediCal beds, a community independent living solution for
low income, education in the use of public transportation, concern about
reaching language isolated elderly expanded the specifics of the unmet needs.
In the 1996 survey loneliness and isolation, information and
communication,health related issues, housing and transportation, in-
home support services, and adult protection and elder abuse dominated
specific unmet needs. Companionship, emotional and spiritual support in
dealing with how to remain useful, living alone and not being able to care for
oneself subtly shift the focus on unmet needs to the individual experience of
growing old in America. As one professional stated, " We emphasize
independence and support it in our culture and programs, yet aging requires
interdependence and accepting support."
Under information and communication needs, there is a desire for a
"seamless access" - not having to worry about titles and names, better
communication with the adult sons and daughters, central number for access to
everything, a need for more connected programs for children and older adults.
Health related needs brought up the call for better physician's referral
systems, overseeing doctors and nurses in hospitals, care for dementia, in-
home health. Housing still focused on affordability and access, with the
suggestion that there needs to be more support for the whole family in dealing
with housing and placement of older members. There is still perceived to be
not enough congregate living facilities. Transportation needs of the frail are
an unmet need. In-home services needs include: better resources to help 1
people find and manage people to help them with daily activity help is great.
Case management and the ability to service those family members who live
far away was also mentioned.
QUESTION FIVE
36
i
What advocacy efforts should be undertaken at the local ,state, or federal level on
behalf of the elderly? What issues should be addressed and/or what legislation adopted,
or retained ?* "(1996 addition)
Health Care and medical issues, maintaining of funding for programs
related to the elderly, housing and transportation dominate in all three
surveys in the area of advocacy and legislation: Health concerns have varied
with the political climate. Medicare changes, bills related to universal health
coverage, pending cuts are evident, along with the need for more board and
care facilities and better supervision at all care facilities frequently appear.
New in 1996 is concern for HMO's, County based long term care, inclusion of
i preventative care and psychological counseling. The need to have legislation
forcing nursing homes who accept Medicare payment to include MediCal beds,
continues to be expressed. There is also a large response to maintaining
Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid at present levels, as well as the
suggestion that Social Security may have to be means tested.
`i This year many responded directly to the O/derAmericans Act. Comments
stated that it should be expanded, have more flexibility in use of dollars, is
'l outmoded, access issues for certain groups. Included this year was the
perception that lobbying needs to be stronger for retention of programs
deemed vital. Pulling together to advocate for programs that affect and involve
seniors, issues of health care and adult protection, countering the
intergenerational competition over dollars and need were among the expanded
comments.
The 1996 survey also revealed a concern for the issues of financial
management and retirement protection, especially with the current trend
toward defined contribution in place of a defined benefit pension. Elder Abuse
continued to be an area for legislative lobbying.
i QUESTION SIX
From your perspective, in your community or in the County as a whole,what do you feel
' is being done well for the elderly population?
Each response to this question has proved valuable. Recognition of individual
service providers and programs need not be ranked. Each acknowledgment is
gratefully accepted and provides a clear picture of the quality and excellence of
ll staff and programs related to older adults in Contra Costa County. Over the
J: three surveys the most mentioned have been Information and Referral
services, community Senior Centers, Nutrition programs, the Area Agency of
i Aging itself, housing programs and facilities, Adult Day Care centers, In-Home
Support Services, health services at older adult clinics and hospitals.
Specific resources such as the Information and Referral resource guides,
television programming, SHARE for professionals, forums on particular
37
subjects have been mentioned, along with particular professionals informants
wished to recognize for excellent work.
For every,item mentioned here an important recognition has been left out. If
there is any trend it would be in the awareness of the role of senior centers
throughout the County in offering excellent programs and focal points for older
citizens to come together. Nutrition programs are well known and supported.
There is an awareness of strides in the area of affordable and diverse housing.
Case management, Delta 2000, recreational opportunities, adult education, the
Ombudsman program all exemplify the diversity and richness of services in
Contra Costa.
CONCLUSION
A comparative review of the past three Key Informant Surveys allows us to
see the past and present issues and concerns as they relate to the lives of the
County's older citizens and the programs and supports existing and needed to
ensure a quality life. Such an analysis hopefully will determine a more caring
and effective future.
Since 1989, the insights and judgments of Contra Costa professionals and
citizens have presented a picture of the challenges and opportunities of the
mature years for.individuals and communities. Contributions have greatly
assisted the Planning Committee and the Advisory Board and agency staff in
setting priorities for spending and program emphasis.
The Office on Aging wishes to express its deep appreciation for the willingness
to contribute to this survey shown by each participant.
For more information contact:
Contra Costa Office on Aging
Telephone: 510-313-1700
FAX: 510-313-1597
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