HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-09 Council on Aging PacketCOUNCIL ON AGING MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 2012
KENAI SENIOR CENTER
4:30 P.M.
AGENDA
ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL
ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MEETING SUMMARY
A. January 12, 2012 Meeting Summary ............................Pg 1
ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
ITEM 5: UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. 2012 Goals for Senior Center
B. Meals Policy
ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS
B. ACOA Legislative Priorities Summary Pg 4
ITEM 7: REPORTS
A. Council on Aging Chair
B. Director
C. Council Liaison
ITEM 8: NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION
A. March 8, 2012
ITEM 9:
ITEM 10:
ITEM 11:
ITEM 12:
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD
INFORMATION
ADJOURNMENT
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND
THE MEETING:
COREY -- 283 -8250 OR RACHAEL -- 283 -4156
COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING
JANUARY 12, 2012
KENAI SENIOR CENTER
4:30 P.M.
CHAIR VELDA GELLER, PRESIDING
MEETING SUMMARY
ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Chair Geller called the meeting to order at approximately 4:30 p
confirmed as follows:
Members present:
Members absent:
Staff /Council Liaison present:
A quorum was present.
ITEM 2:
MOTION:
. Roll was
Chair V. Geller, L. Flowers, M. Necessary, B. Osborn,
L. Nelson, K. Rogers
J. Hollier, M. Milewski
Senior Center Director R. Craig, Council Member
R. Marquis
AGENDA APPROVAL.
Member Osborn MOVED to approve the agenda and
motion. There were no objections SO ORDERED.
ITEM 3: ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
ber Flowers SECONDED the
MOTION:
Member Osborn `MOVED to nominate Mark Necessary as chair and Linda Flowers as
vice chair and Member Nelson SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO
ORDERED.
ITEM 4: APPROVAL OF MEETING SUMMARY - October 13, 2011
MOTION:
Member Osborn MOVED to approve the meeting summary of October 13, 2011 and
Member Flowers SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED.
ITEM 5:
ITEM 6:
6 -a.
PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion -- CDBG Grant
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Craig reported she had postponed applying for the CDBG grant due to a shortage of
staff and would look into applying in the future for heated sidewalks, a new boiler, and
emergency generator.
ITEM 7: NEW BUSINESS
7 -a. Discussion -- 2012 Goals & Objectives
General discussion occurred. Goals were determined as follows:..+
1. Garage for vans
2. Indoor Walking area
3. Wood working area
4. Pool tournament
5. Extra storage /covered parking,,,;
6. Classes such as scrapbooking o
7. Photography class
8. Evening classes
9. More open door policy
Better snow removal was also discussed and Craig notedthis would be a budget issue.
7 -13. Discussion -- FY2013 Budge
Craig reported the council wanted to add tables that could be stored to utilize space
better, adding contract snow shoveling.
ITEM 8: REPORTS
8 -a. Council on Aging Chair -- None.
8 -b. ;Director -- Craig noted Volunteer Appreciation on January 20, the
Valentine s day party on February 14, and the March for Meals fundraiser.
8-c. Council Liaison -- Council Member Marquis reviewed the past City
Council meeting.
ITEM 9: NEXT MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION
9 -a. February 9, 2012
Members Rogers and Nelson requested excused absences.
ITEM 10:
ITEM 11:
ITEM 12:
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS -- None.
PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None.
INFORMATION
2
ITEM 13:
MOTION:
ADJOURNMENT
Member Osborn MOVED to adjourn and Member Flowers SECONDED the motion.
There were no objections. SO ORDERED.
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 5:45 p.m.
Meeting summary prepared and submitted by:
Corene Hall, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
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Alaska Commission on Aging
FY 2011 Legislative Priorities Summary
March 2011
ACoA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
1. Reauthorization of the Senior Benefits Program (HB 16/SB 21)
The Senior Benefits Program, created in 2007 to provide a monthly cash benefit for income - qualifying
older Alaskans, is scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2011. Approximately 10,000 Iow-income seniors
(age 65 and over with incomes up to 174% federal poverty threshold) depend on this monthly cash
benefit (ranging from $125 to $250) to help them pay for basic needs such as food, fuel, medicine,
and housing. The ACoA recommends that the 2011 Legislature votes to extend the sunset date for
the Senior Benefits Program enabling the program to continue to support those seniors most
vulnerable to economic stresses.
2. Senior Hunger Abatement: Grant- Funded Nutrition Services: $825.0 GF (5625.0 GF /$200.0
GF /MH)
Senior centers and other meal programs provide the nutritional safety net for older Alaskans. This
recommendation proposes an increment to the existing Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS) Senior
Grant Program to be used solely to increase the number of meals, including home - delivered and
congregate, provided for older Alaskans and for related transportation costs to deliver meals to
homebound seniors andto transport seniors to congregate meal sites.
3. Enhanced Services for Older Alaskans and Unpaid Family Caregivers: 51,000.0 (5500.0
GF /$500.0 GF /MH)
Homebound elderly Alaskans, persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD), and
unpaid family caregivers depend on home- and community -based long -term support services to help
seniors remain living at home for as long as possible, delaying or avoiding the need for nursing home
placement. These funds would be used to build capacity for two programs targeting homebound
seniors and persons with ADRD: (1) Senior In -Home Grant Program (5600.0) to provide enhanced
targeted case management, respite for family caregivers, supplemental services that provide
assistance with activities of daily living (feeding, toileting, bathing, dressing, transferring), chore
services, and family caregiver education and counseling; and (2) Adult Day Programs (5400.0) to serve
more seniors and persons with ADRD focusing on areas with unmet needs.
4. Community transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities (513 77, HB 31, HB 131)
Accessible, safe, and affordable transportation is essential for older Alaskans, persons with
disabilities, and other vulnerable Alaskans so that they are able to access medical care, job and
volunteer placements, and to participate in community life. Transportation is one of the top needs
consistently identified in statewide surveys of seniors, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable
Alaskans. The ACoA recommends that the 2011 Legislature (1) supports the creation of a legislative
statute that identifies the role of public and community transportation in Alaska; and (2) creates a
statewide fund to support operational costs of community transit systems.
Alaska Commission on Aging
FY 2011 Legislative & Administrative Priorities
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5. Adequate funding to build appropriate, accessible and affordable housing for older Alaskans
where they live.
Alaska faces a need for a significant increase of senior housing in the near future as baby boomers
boost the ranks of the senior population. More funding must be allocated to the development of
senior housing projects through AHFC, and more supportive housing options made available for those
seniors with disabilities, health problems, and behavioral health needs. According to the AHFC Senior
Housing Program Office (2010), there are 1,194 persons on the public waitlist for senior /disabled
units and a total of 610'senior /disabled units statewide that are operated by AHFC.
Homelessness is a problem that affects all Alaskans, regardless of age. Senior homelessness is a
growing problem in Alaska's urban and rural communities that is often invisible as an increasing
number of seniors live in vacant buildings or surf couches of family and friends with no permanent
residence. For those who have homes, some are not able to afford heat and electricity.
6. Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs): $125.0 GF /MH
The ADRCs, federally mandated as the entrance into the state's long -term care services delivery
system, provides a reliable source of information for seniors, persons with disabilities and family
caregivers on how to access a wide range of services (related to health, home care, financial support,
transportation, housing, assistive equipment and other needs) that is critical to help individuals
through a crisis or change in circumstance. This recommendation will help to build the ADRC's service
capacity to offer more information /referral and options counseling moving toward providing
screening and assessments. Four ADRCs serve the state that include the Municipality of Anchorage
(Anchorage, Girdwood, and Eklutna), Southeast Alaska Independent Living Center (all of southeast),
Kenai Peninsula Independent Living Center (Kenai Peninsula, Mat -Su Borough, Valdez, and Cordova)
and the Bristol Bay Native Association (Dillingham and the Bristol Bay region). A state -wide ADRC
office provides services for regions not being served. In September 2010, the ADRCs served 15,522
Alaskans more than twice the number they reported in FY 2009, of whom 40% were Alaska seniors,
age 60 years and older.
Other Budget and Policy Recommendations
1. Preserve health care for vulnerable Alaskans
Older Alaskans depend on services funded through the Medicaid waiver for home- and community -
based services, personal care, and nursing home care. These services, which promote access to
medical care and preventative services, are cost effective in preventing a health condition from
worsening. For those who live at home, waiver services enable low- income, frail elderly Alaskans to
accomplish activities of daily living such as feeding, toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, shopping,
cleaning and other activities that require semi - skilled or skilled care. As the senior population
continues to grow, along with rising health care costs, the threat of cost containment could result in
reduced access to health care and other important services for vulnerable older Alaskans resulting in
diminished health status, reduced quality of life, and stress for family caregivers who serve as the
foundation for Alaska's long -term care support system. The ACoA supports the $14 million increment
in the Governor's budget ($7 million GF /$7 million federal receipts) to fund a gradual rate increase
for home and community based waiver services for seniors and persons with disabilities to help them
remain independent for as long as possible.
Alaska Commission on Aging 2
FY 2011 Legislative & Administrative Priorities
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2. Promote efforts to improve safety and protection of the elderly and other vulnerable Alaskans.
(HB 150 /SB 86; HCR 3)
As the state with the fastest - growing senior population, the Alaska agencies that respond to concerns
about seniors' safety are witnessing an increasing number of reports of harm. Both Adult Protective
Services and the Office of Long -Term Care Ombudsman in addition to the Office of Elder Fraud and
Assistance report that they are investigating more complaints. These include reports of physical
abuse, neglect, financial abuse by family caregivers or other care providers, in addition to self -
neglect. The Commission supports the Governor's commitment to enhance protection of Alaska's
most vulnerable populations, including elderly Alaskans, in the "2010 Public Safety Initiative." One
element of this policy focus would be to include prevention of elder abuse through appropriate
education and intervention services within the Governor's Public Safety and domestic violence
initiatives to bring awareness to the existence and serious repercussions of this aspect of family
violence.
Attention to senior falls prevention and alleviation of hoarding and its related hazards are educational
campaigns targeted for this policy recommendation. Falls are the number one causes of serious
injuries to seniors.
3. Senior- Friendly Counseling for Older Alaskans: $300.0 GF /MH
Nationwide, there are as many as 20% of older adults living in the community and as many as 50% of
those living in the nursing home who experience depression, a condition that is not a normal part of
aging. Those who are physically impaired and socially isolated are at highest risk. Older adults with
significant depression incur higher medical costs because they visit the doctor more frequently, use
more medication, and stay longer in the hospital than older adults without depression. This
recommendation proposes an increment to the Division of Behavioral Health to provide community-
integrated depression care for older Alaskans in senior - designated places such as the senior center, in
the senior's home, or other place identified by a senior. The intervention would be designed using the
evidence -based model PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active & Rewarding Lives for Seniors) which
uses problem - solving treatment (based on the premise that there is a close link between depression
and an unsolved problem) and behavior activation therapy (to encourage the older person to engage
in meaningful social and physical activities). Senior - Friendly Counseling would also provide took for
seniors on how to handle depression, manage loss and grief, how to make contact with community
resources, as well as provide information on age- appropriate exercise, nutrition, and sleeping
problems. Senior - Friendly counseling would also provide a valuable resource for the SOAR (Senior
Outreach Assessment Referral) program (administered by the Division of Behavioral Health) that uses
community gatekeepers to identify seniors with depression, substance abuse, and other behavioral
health challenges. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority approved funding for this project in their
GF /MH recommendations of the FY 2012 Alaska Mental Health bill.
4. Senior Medication Management: $125.0 GF /MH
Many older adults take a large number of different prescription and over - the - counter medications,
some of which may impact the effects of others or conflict with other substances an individual may
be ingesting such as alcohol. Studies have found that approximately 25% of hospital admissions for
people age 65 and older are due to medication.- related problems and 25% of all nursing home
admissions result from older people not taking their medications directly.
Alaska Commission on Aging 3
FY 2011 Legislative & Administrative Priorities
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This recommendation, an increment to Senior and Disabilities (SDS), proposes funding to develop a
community education program for seniors who follow complex medication regimes to reduce the
potential for medication misuse or error and to learn ways to safely dispose of unused medications.
In collaboration with SDS, this project would: (1) Develop and disseminate a series of DVDs based on
presentations currently presented by an expert in medication management at the UAA School of
Public Health and will include topics on "Medication and Aging," "Taking Medicines Safely and
Correctly," "Drugs, Alcohol, and Medication," and "Safe Disposal of Unused Medications; (2) schedule
live Q &A teleconference sessions with the medication expert following a showing of each DVD with
the audience; (3) publish a medication education program guide to help with facilitating the
presentations; and (4) coordinate with local pharmacists or other community health care
professionals who can do one -on -one medication reviews with seniors at the end of presentations.
Funding for this project was approved by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to be included in
their GF /MH recommendations of the FY 2012 Alaska Mental Health bill.
Alaska Commission on Aging 4
FY 2011 Legislative & Administrative Priorities
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