The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 01272009 - C.80 sE.L TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS '��£- �'O�' Contra FROM: DAVID J. TWA, County Administratorb, `s Costa DATE: January 27, 2009 �•c'; `'� County 1 SUBJECT: 2008 ANNUAL REPORT FROM BOARD ADVISORY BODY SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: reveling RECEIVE 2008 Annual Report submitted by the Contra Costa Advisory Council on Aging. BACKGROUND: On June 18, 2002, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2002/377, which requires that each regular and ongoing board, commission, or committee shall annually report to the Board of Supervisors on its activities, accomplishments, membership attendance, required training/certification (if any), and proposed work plan or objectives for the following year, on the second Tuesday in December. Annual reports shall follow the following format and shall not exceed two typewritten pages: Advisory Body Name: Advisory Body Meeting Time/Location: Chair (during the reporting period): Staffperson (during the reporting period): Reporting Period: t. Activities (1/2 page) II. Accomplishments (1/2 page) III. Attendance/Representation (1/4 page) IV. Training/Certification (1/4 page) V. Proposed Work Plan/Objectives for Next Year (1/2 page) CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ■ YES SIGNATURE: ❑ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ❑ RECOMME DATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE ❑APPROVE ❑ OTHER SIGNATURE(S): 1 /� ACTION OF BOARD ON 0 ` !� APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER ❑ V�OfE OF SUPERVISORS: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT XLINANIMOUS(ABSENT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES AY � AYES: NOES: OF THE BO SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED: DAVID J.TWA,CL K OF TH BOARD OF Contact: JANE PENNINGTON(925)335-1900 SUPERVISORS AN COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR cc: Advisory Council on Aging Deputy By: CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING ANNUAL REPORT �� •-SEAL o f 1 1 Gi idod lol .A ?r�� JANUARY - DECEMBER 2008 Advisory Council on Aging Contra AREA AGENCY ON AGING Costa 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 300 t Couny Martinez, California 94553-4359 County — se t FAX (925) 335-8820 0 .tea January 6, 2009 The Honorable Susan Bonilla, Chair Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94553 Dear Supervisor Bonilla: Enclosed please find the 2008 Annual Report for the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging. We think you will be interested in the many activities and advocacy efforts of our work groups, committees and full Council. As you will note, every year we address some new issues, while other efforts are ongoing. As in years past, we feel pleased and lucky to work with such an active and dedicated group of older adults. Thank you again for all of the support and positive feedback received from the Board and its staff. On behalf of all of the Advisory Council members, have a happy and peaceful holiday season. Sincerely, ` ; Gerald Richards, President Kitty Barnes, Advisory Council Consultant C,G= THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING IS APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ADVISE THE AREAAGENCY ON ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ANNUAL AREA AGENCY PLAN AND OPERATIONS CONDUCTED THEREUNDER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANDATES FROM THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT.ANY COMMENTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COUNCIL OR ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS DO NOT REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF THE COUNTY OR ANY OF ITS OFFICERS. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING Officers: ■ Gerald Richards, President • Samuel Yoshioka, First Vice President ■ Mim Carlson, Second Vice President ■ Kathryn Williams, Secretary ■ John Cambus, Treasurer Current Roster of Members [As of December 1 , 20081: Audrey Bramhall Robert Leasure Barbara Russell-Cambra Alberto Lemos John Cambus Richard Nahm Deborah Card Earle Ormiston Mim Carlson Jennifer Pearce Rudy Fernandez Esther Nicastro-Capon Barbara Fineberg Gerald Richards Wesley Franklin Nick Rodriguez Gail Garrett Richard SanVicente Beatrice Gaylord Lori Turner Linda Groobin Gerald Sharrock Gerhard Heinrich Beverly Wallace Vernon Jones Elaine Welch Arnie Kasendorf Patsy Welty Joanna Kim-Selby Kathryn Williams Shirley Krohn Samuel Yoshioka Advisory Council Objectives The Council shall provide a means for countywide planning, cooperation and coordination for individuals and groups interested in improving and developing services and opportunities for older residents of this county. ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS REPORT PAGES President's Report 1 Committee Reports Planning 4 Membership / Nominating 6 Work Group Reports Health 8 Mental Health 10 Housing 12 Legislative Advocacy 14 Transportation 16 Special Reports Nutrition 19 PRESIDENT'S REPORT January - December 2008 The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging advises the Area Agency on Aging on all matters related to the development and adminis- tration of senior programs in accordance with the mandates of the Older Americans Act. The Council is comprised of 40 members, appointed by the Board of Supervisors in partnership with local cities and commissions on ag- ing, the Membership Committee of the Council and two designated advi- sory groups: the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Nutrition Council. A majority of the Council membership must be age 60 and older. Members represent the geographic, economic, disability, cultural, sexual orientation and ethnic diversity of the County. Meetings The Advisory Council meets the 3,d Wednesday of most months, 9:30 am until 12:00 pm at 500 Ellinwood Way, Board Rooms A&B, Pleasant Hill, Cali- fornia. Attendance at full Council and sub-group meetings continues to be excellent. The Advisory Council has lacked a quorum only once in 33 years. Committees and Work Groups The Advisory Council has several committees and work groups that facili- tate its goals. The Executive Committee consists of officers, committee and work group chairs, and the immediate past Council President. Membership on committees requires Advisory Council membership. However, work groups are open to all members of the community. Please see the individ- ual committee and work group reports attached hereto for specific infor- mation on their priorities, activities, accomplishments and goals for 2009. Highlights of Council Focus in 2008 Health • Mental Health Forum - Participated in the planning and conduct of a Mental Health Forum to explore and bring to the attention of the county the state of mental health services for the senior population of the county. • Strokes Awareness & Education Program - This year we have worked on the second phase of the program - prevention. We planned for, secured funds for, and began production of a television program fo- cused on what individuals can do to minimize strokes. • Long-Term Care Facilities - We studied the state of skilled nursing and board and care facilities throughout the county and their ability to serve the patients. We learned of the poor state of federal regula- Advisory Council on Aging - 1 - January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report The Council also attended an advocacy rally in Sacramento in June 2008 to urge legislators to curtail budget cuts in areas affecting vul- nerable seniors and dependent adults. Mental Health • Mental Health Community Task Force - As an outgrowth of the Men- tal Health Forum in January 2008, the Advisory Council convened an . interest group and created a community task force to examine the state of senior mental health services in the county and to work to- wards expanded mental health services for older adults. • Senior Mental Health Status - The Task Force has begun work on a database to capture mental health programs and is planning their next steps. Ethics Training: All current members are updating their AB 1234 training and new members are taking the training as they are appointed to the Council. The training is being certified. Collaborations: The Council actively collaborates with other organizations and many Council members serve some of these organizations as well. We coordinate with Contra Costa for Every Generation; Older Adults Commit-. tee of the Mental Health Commission; Central, West and East County Senior Coalitions; IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee; Meals on Wheels Board; and Para-transit Coordinating Council. 2009 Priorities • Continue our community effort and all its various aspects to educate the public about stroke, especially the next phase of long-term re- covery. • Create policy changes to address roadblocks to senior mental health services. • Advocate for affordable housing for all seniors. • Pursue budget and funding security for senior programs and support services. • Encourage the coordination and more efficient use of transportation resources across the county. Respectfully submitted: Gerald T. Richards, President Advisory Council on Aging - 3 - January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT January - December 2008 The Planning Committee is charged by the.Area Agency on Aging with assisting in the planning, developing, making recommendations and mon- itoring programs funded under the Older Americans Act and Older Cali- fornians Act. Planning and monitoring activities include examining the im- portant aspects of each service contractor, assessing how well they fulfill their contracts in serving our diverse populations and geographical de- mography. Area Agency on Aging staff members attend Planning Com- mittee meetings to provide information and guidance to the Committee and submit quarterly reports. These reports review the goals and progress of the contractors. Unmet goals are noted and the AAA staff work closely with the service providers to give the technical support necessary to over- come deficits. For the most part, the contractors exceed their stated goals. Where contractors have not used all of the funds at the end of the fiscal year, those funds are returned as "One-Time-Only" dollars. At that time the committee has the opportunity to recommend to the Advisory Council how to distribute funds to the contractors for special equipment or special one time only projects. One of the Committee's fundamental activities is to determine if the pro- jection of funding made in the early months of the year matches the May Revise budget passed down from the State and Federal governments. AREA AGENCY ON AGING SERVICES Contracted Services Ombudsman Program Congregate Nutrition Program Home Delivered Nutrition Program Brown Bag Program Friendly Visitors Program In-Home Services Registry Senior Legal Services Family Caregiver Programs Assisted Transportation Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Centers Adult Day Care East, West, and Central Senior Coalitions Advisory Council on Aging - 4 - January S, 2009 2008 Annual Report MEMBERSHIP AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT January - December 2008 Current Committee Membership Beverly Wallace Chair Arnie Kasendorf District I Kathryn Williams District II - Secretary Richard Nahm District III Samuel Yoshioka District IV Patsy Welty District V New Members During the Calendar year, the following new members were appointed to the Advisory.Council: Beatrice Gaylord Member At Large Linda Groobin Member At Large Susan Hahn Lafayette Richard SanVicente Member At Large (Transfer) Lori Turner Clayton Patricia Weaver R.S V.P. Resignations from the Advisory Council Reva Clark Member At Large David Farr Member At Large A,C. Hollister Member At Large Jim Lamenti Member At Large Leon Morphew Pinole Richard SanVicente. San Ramon (Transfer) Bertha Stobb Pittsburg Vacancies The following cities have vacancies on the Advisory Council: San Ramon, Martinez, Pinole and Pittsburg. Currently, there are two openings for Members-at-Large. Emeritus The Membership Committee recommended the following individuals for Emeritus status: Reva Clark, Muriel Clausen and A.C. Hollister. Election of Officers At the December 17th meeting of the Advisory Council, the Nominating Committee will present a recommended slate of officers for calendar year 2009. Nominations will again be taken from the floor (as was done at Advisory Council on Aging 6 January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report HEALTH WORK GROUP REPORT January - December 2008 Goals for 2008 1 . Focus on Geriatric Mental Health 2. Continue our Strokes Campaign with emphasis on prevention 3. Continue to study and advocate for Universal Health Care 4. Advocate.for Legislative Reform of Medicare Parts B and D 5. Work with County Health Department with focus on 911 response 6. Coordinate with other organizations, i.e., CCEG, Alzheimer's Association, Parkinson's Association, and other AAA Work Groups Significant Actions Taken • Took active part in the Mental Health Forum • Represented the Health Work group on the Mental Health Services (MHS) task force • Actively sought financing information about MHSA funding • Planned, got funding, and are on the verge of completing phase 2 of the stroke television program • Continued efforts on community stroke education • Continued to study various health proposals including those of the presidential candidates with focus on future advocacy • Wrote letters to various legislators about the need to reform Medicare Parts B and D • Met with Dr. Joseph Barger, Director of County Emergency Services to discuss details of 911 dispatching. Certain types of myocardial infarction and stroke now have a more detailed dispatch protocol. • Continued efforts to meet with and coordinate with other groups to increase information and avoid duplication • Continued advocacy for acute and long-term care integration (ALTCI). • Studied and became informed regarding nursing facilities and board and care facilities. Discovered poor regulation and supervision, particularly of the small board and care facilities. Found lack of adequate, funding for ombudsman services for these facilities and have taken advocacy positions. • Continued advocacy positions in other geriatric health-related issues, such as elder abuse, lack of reporting to the district attorney, and serious under funding. Advisory Council on Aging 8 January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report MENTAL HEALTH WORK GROUP January - December 2008 Mission The Mental Health Community Task Force will create an integrated mental health system of care for older adults in Contra Costa County. Instituted Spring of 2008 As a follow-up to the Mental Health Community Forum sponsored by the Council in January 2008, and in response to the critical need for advoca- cy, the Mental Health Work Group was formed to address issues related to the mental health needs of Contra Costa's older adults. Membership Representatives from hospitals, health services, consumers, Advisory Council on Aging, Area Agency on Aging, case management services, Adult Protective Services, Proposition 63 Stakeholders, Alzheimer's Associa- tion, Mental Health Division, veterans, community-based organizations, Contra Costa for Every Generation, homeless services, native Americans, Ombudsman, Emergency Services, and others. Goals for 2008 I . Find out what services currently exist. 2. Develop a model of "what should be' . 3. Create policy changes to address roadblocks. 4. Raise awareness about all areas: issues, stumbling blocks, good models and the need to create an integrated mental health system of care for all older adults. Advocacy Objectives • Increased funding and resources for mental health services for older adults. • New State and Federal policies that do not exclude dementia as a mental illness. Acceptance of referrals by Medicare providers. Diagnosis and treatment for all older adults with mental health is- sues. • Training (including cultural competency) for primary care providers, caregivers and other service providers regarding mental health is- sues. • Integration of all services for older adults. • Promotion of Geriatrics as a medical specialty. Advisory Council ori Aging 10 January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report HOUSING WORK GROUP REPORT January - December 2008 Meeting Time and Location; First Thursday of each month from 1 :30 to 3:30 p.m., 2530 Arnold Drive, Martinez- Diablo Room or site visit. Co-Chairs: Anne Kelly, Jim Lamenti Staff: Ruth Atkin, Senior Staff Assistant; Kitty Barnes, Consultant; Jamie Ray, Secretary Work Group Mission To increase the availability of adequate, affordable, secure living ar- rangements for the elderly. To inform community, state and federal lead- ers of the housing needs of seniors. Membership Rudy Fernandez Jim Lamenti Gerald Richards Beatrice Gaylord Robert Leasure Deborah Card Anne Kelly Alberto Lemos Vernon Jones Barbara Russell-Cambra We are a diverse working group with a commitment to track housing cur- rent developments, support senior appropriate features in new housing, and provide recommendations to decision makers to address the issues of affordable housing and homelessness in Contra Costa County. Members share information in the following areas: senior and affordable housing developments, city council meetings, information from related commit- tees. Members perform site visits and develop guidelines for congregate senior housing. Members also participate in homelessness programs and coordinate their efforts with other Council groups and organizations work- ing on related issues. Goals for 2008 • Advocate for affordable housing for all seniors • Strengthen relationship with the transportation work group Initiate efforts to coordinate work relationship with CCEG • Finish "Best Practice Guidelines for Congregate Housing" • Continue to address senior homeless issues Explore Visitability* of senior facilities in communities within CCC Visitability is an international movement to change home construction practices so that virtually all new homes, whether or not designated for residents who currently have mobility impairments, offer three specific accessibility features. Supporters ultimately want to require that all new homes be at least partly accessible to people with mobility impairments. Newly constructed homes often contain the some major barriers as older, existing homes:steps at every entrance, and narrow inte- Advisory Council on Aging 12 January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY WORK GROUP January - December 2008 Mission To research, develop strategy and recommend action to the Advisory Council on Aging concerning legislative issues of importance to seniors in Contra Costa County. Contacts, personal and in writing, will be main- tained with the appropriate legislative representations and sponsoring or- ganizations. 2008 Goals/Priority Areas Adult Protective Services • Prevention Education: plan and conduct .elder financial abuse community forums • Funding Advocacy • Insurance Issues: Inappropriate sale of insurance products • Frauds/Scams/Identity-theft Universal Health Care "Adopt-A-Bill - Each member of the work group identifies, tracks, and re- ports on progress of a bill(s). Key Accomplishments • Co-hosted an Elder Financial Abuse Community Forum in April 2008 • Advocated for Elder Justice • Attended an advocacy rally in Sacramento in June 2008 to urge legislators to curtail budget cuts in areas affecting vulnerable se- niors and dependent adults • Heard presentation by attorney, Ingrid Evans, to provide information about the inappropriate sale of annuities and trust mill awareness • Made another trip to Sacramento on June 11 , 2008 to urge the leg- islators to balance the budget without detrimental affects for the poor and elderly California Senior Legislature (CSL) • Distributed flyers supporting CSL Line 52 • Kept Work Group apprised of efforts to raise funds in support of the California Senior Legislature • CSL Proposals: Elder abuse prevention and intervention, honoring senior volunteers, stroke education, signage for defibrillators Advisory Council on Aging 14 January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report TRANSPORTATION WORK GROUP January - December 2008 Purpose To assess the various transportation issues and needs of Contra Costa County seniors, to develop goals and action steps to address these needs, and to advocate for these goals in the transportation service.system. Membership Earle Ormiston Advisory Council on Aging and Concord ( CHAIR Community Services Commission Elaine Welch Advisory Council on Aging and Contra Costa _ For Every Generation i Cindy Dahlgren _ County Connection _...._.. ........ . ......__. -...... Janet Johnson Senior Helpline Services . ............ I Gretchen Hansen Rossmoor Transportation Julio Lacayo —_ Department of Motor Vehicles _ I Mary Lou Laubscher Monument Senior Action Team Debbie Toth t Mt. Diablo Center for Adult Day Health Care ...... _ ._ Jim Lamenti Advisory Council on Aging -- - — 1 John Greitzer County Commu ...... .. Sandy Warren Senior Outreach Services -... . . - - - _ __ .- ......... . Vir inia Brunk AARP and Concord Senior Club g — — ---- '---- — - -- ------------ - -- - — Barbara Russell Cambra ' Advisory Council on Aging Staff: Paul Branson, Kitty Barnes Goals for 2009 The goals remain the same as the 2008 goals: 1 . To actively advocate and work with other agencies and advocacy groups in the development of senior transportation policies, funding and services at the city, county, regional and state levels, 2. To encourage new membership in the Transportation Work Group (TWG) through outreach to individuals and agencies who are inter- ested in action on improving transportation for seniors, 3. To increase public awareness countywide on senior transportation issues, 4. To encourage the coordination and more efficient use of transpor- tation resources, 5. To support/advise the Mobility Manager in fulfilling senior transporta- tion goals and action plans for the coming year. Advisory Council on Aging 16 January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report Program development efforts have continued to focus on assisting local communities within the County to improve or develop senior transporta- tion alternatives including those related to the older driver issue: The Senior Mobility Staff have continued to work directly with several communities and agencies on expanding and coordinating senior transportation services. These include everything from volunteer driver programs to coordinating with existing services for other pop- ulations. Examples: during 2008, the "Community Connections" program that provided 4 retired paratransit vehicles to senior and disabled programs ended its first cycle with 20,550 rides in 2 years; a New Freedom Grant was obtained to expand volunteer driver pro- grams into low income areas of the county; and a number of the Work Group members are involved in designing these services in their communities and participate actively in the Senior Transporta- tion Forum (a self-help group for small providers.) On the Older Driver Issue, members of the Work Group and staff participated in several efforts to raise awareness and develop ser- vices, including: coordinating with the Department of Motor Ve- hicles (DMV) and local transit operators to provide outreach ses- sions to senior housing communities about alternatives to driving; implementing several older driver related programs such as CarFit and "We Need To Talk" for consumers and to train facilitators; print- ing and distribution via senior centers and DMV offices of the Span- ish version of the "Are You Ready for Someone Else to Do the Driv- ing?" brochure; and distributing and showing several older driver . videos produced by the California Highway Patrol and DMV. Respectfully submitted, Earle Ormiston, Chair Advisory Council on Aging 18 January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report NUTRITION COUNCIL January - December 2008 The Nutrition Council has a designated seat on the. Advisory Council on Aging. The life span of the average American has increased dramatically..Studies show that a good diet in later years reduces risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. Seniors might need less energy, but they need just as many of the nutrients found in food and our program meets or exceeds the required daily allowance. Budget cuts have not diminished the high-quality meals we serve. Purpose The Senior Nutrition Program's goal is to provide delicious, nutritious meals for homebound seniors and for those who eat lunch at the various Contra Costa Cafes. Socialization with seniors with similar interests is also impor- tant to the Senior Nutrition Program as there are many seniors who live alone. Results For more than 38 years, the Contra Costa Senior Nutrition Program and its companion agency, Home Delivered Meals, has provided health and wellness safety nets for thousands of seniors who are at least 60 years of age, allowing them to live independently, well into their 70s, 80s, and 90s. Milestones for 2008 Milestones from 2007 remain the same for 2008: • Contra Costa County menus exceed the Department of Aging and Title VII USDA recommendations. • The Emergency Meals Program was instituted. • Fundraising has been successful. Revenues have increased 114% in three years. • The new Emergency Meals Program is funded entirely by our non- profit, including steps taken to develop meals that are nutritionally balanced, as well as suitable for claiming under Title III regulations. • Meals will be claimed as meals served with the initial delivery, and then again each six months when the old meals are replaced with new meals. • The quality of these e-meals is very good and most of the products actually have as long as a three-year shelf life. • 6,402 e-meals have been delivered to homebound participants. Advisory Council on Aging 19 January 5, 2009 2008 Annual Report