WIAAA-Funded Providers’ Current & Possible Future Utilization of Volunteers - In preparation for the 2005-2007 Area Plan, WIAAA conducted a needs assessment survey. The assessment revealed a need for assistance in utilizing volunteers to alleviate the difficulties created by insufficient resources. This needs assessment was developed and distributed as the first step in the process of addressing one of the WIAAA Area Plan initiatives. WIAAA, in collaboration with the WIAAA-sponsored Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) surveyed 37 WIAAA- funded providers (100%) regarding their current utilization of volunteers in WIAAA-funded activities, their plans for possible future utilization of volunteers, and their assessment of ways in which the WIAAA-sponsored RSVP could be helpful to them.

• 16 of the 21 respondents currently utilize volunteers
• 13 providers indicated they would consider utilizing volunteers in the future.
• 13 have difficulty in recruiting volunteers
• 6 have difficulty retaining volunteers
• 17 providers viewed RSVP as potentially helpful to them
• 17 providers requested more information regarding RSVP
• 15 providers requested assistance from RSVP with recruitment, in conducting interviews, developing job descriptions and training materials, and other topics.

Based on these responses, WIAAA staff and RSVP staff will meet with each of the providers who requested assistance. Following these meetings, RSVP staff will develop a work plan, timelines and budget, discuss these with WIAAA management, and seek funding, as necessary, to provide additional assistance to the funded providers. The WIAAA staff, in collaboration with the RSVP staff, will work throughout 2005 with each of the providers who requested assistance.
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Other Title III Needs Community Focal Point/Family Resource Center directors said allocations to senior programs are inadequate, and that expenses exceed allocations. All elder services are under funded, especially Elder Abuse which has consistently operated at a deficit. A transportation provider expressed a need for funds for a van and drivers as well as volunteer drivers for rural areas and out-of-county medical trips. Several home delivered meal providers say it is a struggle to meet the demand for meals. A need was expressed for caregiver training and support, as well as exercise groups and Information and Assistance services, to be available in the evening for working persons aged 60-65 and/or caregivers. Some CFP directors will make appointments in the evening. Discussion revealed that evening programs, as well as many other activities, are dependent on volunteers. Participants reported that younger volunteers are less likely to commit to regular or longer hours. All general indications are that the needs for Title III service by the seniors in our ten-county area have not changed significantly over the past decade.

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COMMUNITY INPUT MEETING SUMMARY WIAAA conducted community input meetings on February 25, 26, and 27, 2004. Our agency invited the public to discuss the decisions made by the board regarding the fiscal 2005-2007 area plan. The meetings are very informal in nature and the participants are welcome to discuss any topic they wish. Providers, seniors and members of the general public have an opportunity to influence the plan’s outcome during the early stages of development. Testimony at public hearings, scheduled in late April affords another opportunity for input and possible change at the end of the development process. 

Total attendance at the community input meetings exceeded fifty persons. This report summarizes the comments and recommendations from the meetings. They began with a brief introduction by Greta Brooks, WIAAA Executive Director. A handout of the Mission Statement, Proposed Area Plan Goals, Service Priorities and Needs Assessment Description was distributed. Agency staff presented the following proposed changes to the Area Plan:

• Funding sources and amounts, units and persons
• Demographics
• Waiver request to exceed 15% transfer of allotment for III C1
• Direct service waiver for information through the ELLF
• Elder Rights Plan changes based on the new standards for Ombudsman
• Budgetary changes

A number of providers expressed appreciation for Community Focal Point (CFP) base funding, III D and III E funds, caregiver support funds, the support of WIAAA, and support for the transition process between providers in mid-year in LaSalle, Putnam and Bureau Counties. Another provider expressed gratitude to the State for the Circuit Breaker Pharmaceutical Assistance program.

Participants said allocations to senior programs are inadequate, and that expenses exceed allocations. Two providers said it is a struggle to meet the demand for home delivered meals. 

One provider pointed out that having a potato bar without requiring reservations is the answer to competing with fast food businesses. Another congregate meal provider mentioned that many disabled persons living in high-rise meal sites are basically non-contributors, creating a significant drain on the program, but they fall through the cracks for the Office of Rehabilitative Services or Mental Health reimbursement. She was told there has been some discussion of adding home delivered meals and transportation to the Medicaid waiver program.

The Elder Abuse provider stated that the program operates at a deficit. The rates have not increased in spite of advocacy. They are asking that WIAAA identify this as a resource gap and need in the area plan, as well as to continue to assist with advocacy. The Case Coordination Unit said that the administration funds provided for respite are insufficient and that the increase should be proportionate to the increase in respite funding. They suggested the money could be taken from the respite funding. The Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association announced caregiver training sessions that are scheduled.

One transportation provider needs funds for another van and drivers, and also needs volunteer drivers for the rural lift van and to transport seniors out of county for medical appointments.

Following that meeting a Title V enrollee was provided to drive the rural lift van. Another transportation provider was asked, but unable, to provide transportation from rural areas for a hospital adult day care facility. The Regional Ombudsman expressed a need for a list of Medicaid transportation providers who will transport nursing home residents to appointments. 

One Medicaid transportation provider was advised by the Attorney General not to do that because the driver had to sign the resident out, thereby assuming full liability for the resident until he/she was returned.

A person in the 60-65 age group said that support groups, educational services for caregivers, and exercise groups are all held during the work day, and it is even difficult for some to access information by phone during the work day. Some of the CFPs responded that they are willing to make evening appointments when needed, and one CFP held an exercise group in the evenings for nearly a year, but discontinued it for lack of attendance. Another CFP said allowing use of the center for community card groups may encourage participants to stay for congregate meals.

She also said that they need to serve the inactive and isolated rather than compete for the time of those who are too busy. One CFP changed its activities from crafts to story telling, writing, painting, computers, etc. but it has not made a significant difference. The newly formed CFP,

Bridges Community Center, based their plan on the Moline Senior Center model which has younger and more active seniors, but they are still attracting an older clientele. Bridges feels it would be beneficial for the staff of the experienced CFPs and staff at the new one to get together and exchange ideas and information. Evening hours, as well as many other activities and programs, are dependent on volunteers. Younger volunteers are not committing to regular or longer hours. One CFP gave an example of a 91 year old volunteer driving an 86 year old legally blind person. The team did great fund raising.

A representative of the Rock Island County Health Department explained a "Heart Smart for Women" grant for which they are applying. They are exploring collaboration for older people.

PUBLIC HEARINGS SUMMARY
The WIAAA conducted two (2) formal hearings on April 29 and 30, 2004 to give the public an opportunity to comment on our proposed amendment to the FY 2005-2007 Area Plan. The first was held at 9 a.m. on April 29 at the Bureau County Senior Center - 21 people attended. The second was held at 9 a.m. on April 30 at the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging offices - 18 people attended. WIAAA has maintained in their files a listing of the persons in attendance, the organization they represent and a copy of the actual testimony.

Bureau County Senior Center, April 29, 2004

• Michelle Jech, Program Director, Alternatives for the Older Adult, presented testimony on the following issues, and Julie Seline, Assistant Director, presented the same testimony at the hearing on April 30, 2004:

Area Plan Issue:

1. Alternatives serves approximately 8000 seniors in the ten county area. They serve as a point of access for seniors, especially those who need assistance in order to stay in their own home or in the community. Alternatives provides Title III case management services, but because of limited Title III funds, targets those clients who are at high risk or have complex needs.
2. Alternatives for the Older Adult supports the 2005-2007 area plan initiative relating to the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the network of caregiver services established by WIAAA. They have seen an increase in the need for all of the caregiver services.
3. Alternatives supports WIAAA’s continued advocacy efforts to support funding for community based services. Elder Protective Services is in desperate need of a rate increase. They would appreciate any additional support that could be given to this important service.
4. The Bridges Community Center/Alternatives for the Older Adult is pleased to be designated as the focal point for the lower two-thirds of LaSalle County. They have served the complete area through outreach services, caregiver services, and information and referral. There has been good participation at the Center and individuals are coming from all areas of LaSalle County. Alternatives has a long range plan for satellite programming in Peru/LaSalle and Streator. They are looking to township boards and supervisors for funding and as locations for outreach. They are supportive of our CFP policies and non-competitive nature of the funding.

• Dixie Reed, United Way of Illinois Valley on behalf of Heart of the Community Senior Center, testified on the following issues:

Area Plan Issue:

1. The Heart of the Community Senior Center is requesting WIAAA’s consideration to identify them as a CFP, in which case they would develop Information and Referral, Caregiver and Advocacy programs mandated in this identification. They currently offer social and recreational activities and educational programs designed to promote health. Because of its relationship with the United Way of Illinois Valley, volunteer opportunities that are multi-generational have been available.
2. The Heart of the Community Senior Center proposes the development of a Senior Services Network calling for collaboration between five Senior Centers including Putnam Achievement Services, Bureau County Senior Citizens, Mendota Area Senior Services, Bridges Community Center and Heart of the Community Senior Center.
3. They have proposed the development and implementation of a chore services program through which Heart of the Community members would be linked with volunteers for the provision of monthly friendly visitors and chore services.
4. Heart of the Community Senior Center proposes hosting a quarterly cultural exchange with an open invitation to other senior service providers.
5. The Heart of the Community Senior Center is requesting WIAAA support to help them preserve the tradition of a senior center in the immediate LaSalle-Peru area.

In discussion that followed, Bob Allen, Chair, asked for clarification from the Heart of the Community Center representatives about whether they were asking for three CFPs in LaSalle County. Dixie Reed answered she wasn’t suggesting doing away with either of the other two. Jerry Schroeder, Alternatives for the Older Adult, supervisor of Bridges Community Center, said it was a difficult decision to relocate in Ottawa due to available space at the right price, and that the Bridges name was chosen because they want to build bridges between the two centers, and that they want to work with them and prevent it from becoming a conflict in the future. Virginia Nelson, Director of Henry County Senior Center said they have three separate senior centers (Kewanee, Geneseo and Colona) under one umbrella and it works well. Nancy Erwin, member of Heart of the Community Senior Center voiced her support for funding of the Heart of the Community Senior Center and said it was the United Way that kept them together.

Virginia Nelson, Director of Henry County Senior Center, said this has been the hardest budget she has put together in thirty years. The minimum pay increase is a big problem and has caused an additional $11,187 in salaries just because of the minimum wage increase. Local fund raising is getting harder and harder to do, all costs are going up (such as gasoline), and volunteers are hard to find because retirees are continuing to work because they cannot live on social security.

WIAAA, April 30, 2004

• Jackie Bowers, Program Director for the Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, testified on the following issues:

Area Plan Issue:

1. The Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association serves eight of WIAAA's 10 counties. They support training/education for caregivers and state that there are over 8,330 persons with dementia in these eight counties. They thank WIAAA for collaborating to provide these trainings which have been an opportunity to increase support for caregivers in rural communities. With collaboration funding through the demonstration grant from the Department of Public Health and the Department on Aging, they have facilitated a total of ten annual caregiver series during the last three years with an average annual attendance of over 250 family caregivers. This additional grant source ends June 2004. The Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is hoping that WIAAA can provide some direction and/or monetary assistance to enable them to continue to provide educational opportunities throughout these counties.
2. They have provided training on end-stage and late-stage issues (advance grief and loss, daily care, nutrition, pain management, hospice and ethical decision-making) over the past year, as well as the early intervention training they have done the past three years. Caregiver evaluations have shown a need for this type of program. They are now able to provide educational trainings for caregivers during each stage of the disease.
3. They have seen a decline in support group attendance due to change in caregiver demographics and their limited time resources. They are now facilitating two monthly programs, one in Streator and the other in Standard. These educational, supportive type programs are called "Circle of Friends". They are planning to implement this same program in Mendota in the fall. Providing education would be a component of each meeting.

In discussion that followed, Julie Seline, Assistant Director of Alternatives for the Older Adult gave an example of the value of Supplemental Caregiver Service where an incontinence situation was out of control. A new mattress was purchased and extra cleaning provided by a homecare agency.

Marilyn Woelke, Alternatives for the Older Adult, Caregiver Support coordinator, said she has met with the same number of caregivers in the first seven months of this year as she did in all of the previous year. She said caregivers say "this is the hardest job I ever had".

Representative Pat Verschoore said he is on the Appropriations Committee and he could only paint a bleak picture of the coming budget negotiations. Revenue is not coming in as predicted and the State of Illinois is facing a budget deficit.

The Area Agency staff has reviewed the testimony presented at the public hearings and makes the following recommendations for actions with regard to the FY 2005-2007 Area Plan.

1. Alternatives supports WIAAA’s continued advocacy efforts to support funding for community based services. Elder Protective Services is in desperate need of a rate increase. They would appreciate any additional support that could be given to this important service.

Recommendation: WIAAA will continue to advocate for additional resources for elderly services, paying particular attention to opportunities to advocate for increased funds for ombudsman and elder abuse prevention services.

Rationale: All elderly services are underfunded. Services that help protect the most vulnerable older adults are especially important.

 

2. The Heart of the Community Senior Center is requesting WIAAA’s consideration to identify them as a CFP, in which case they would develop Information and Referral, Caregiver and Advocacy programs mandated in this identification. They currently offer social and recreational activities and educational programs designed to promote health. Because of its relationship with the United Way of Illinois Valley, volunteer opportunities that are multi-generational have been available.

Recommendation: WIAAA encourages the efforts of the Heart of the Community Senior Center to coordinate services with all area Community Focal Points, however cannot support the designation of another Community Focal Point.

 

Rationale: Funding limitations make the designation of another Community Focal Point impossible. Funding is guaranteed to CFPs without competition. Current funding per CFP exceeds $35,000 per year. WIAAA does not have sufficient funding for such a designation. Bridges Community Center has expressed their willingness to provide services at the Heart of the Community center to the extent possible with current staff and funding. We support these cooperative efforts. Bridges has already provided some services there.

 

3. The Heart of the Community Senior Center proposes the development of a Senior Services Network calling for collaboration between five Senior Centers including Putnam Achievement Services, Bureau County Senior Citizens, Mendota Area Senior Services, Bridges Community Center and Heart of the Community Senior Center.

Recommendation: WIAAA is supportive of any efforts for providers to coordinate services and share information. No change is required in the area plan.

Rationale: The area plan does not address interaction and coordination between provider agencies.

 

4. Heart of the Community has proposed the development and implementation of a chore services program through which senior center members would be linked with volunteers for the provision of monthly friendly visitors and chore services.

Recommendation: No change is required in the area plan.

Rationale: WIAAA has not funded chore services or friendly visitors for many years as a result of lack of funding.

 

5. The Heart of the Community Senior Center is requesting WIAAA support to help them preserve the tradition of a senior center in the immediate LaSalle-Peru area.

Recommendation: No change in the area plan is required.

Rationale: WIAAA is supportive of any services which improve the lives of older adults but funding limitations restrict our ability to actively support senior centers other than the designated Community Focal Points.

 

6. The Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association serves eight of WIAAA's 10 counties. They support training/education for caregivers and state that there are over 8,330 persons with dementia in these eight counties. They thank WIAAA for collaborating to provide these trainings which have been an opportunity to increase support for caregivers in rural communities. With collaboration funding through the demonstration grant from the Department of Public Health and the Department on Aging, they have facilitated a total of ten annual caregiver series during the last three years with an average annual attendance of over 250 family caregivers. This additional grant source ends June 2004. The Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is hoping that WIAAA can provide some direction and/or monetary assistance to enable them to continue to provide educational opportunities throughout these counties.

Recommendation: WIAAA has included funding for caregiver training in the proposed area plan. Funding additional caregiver services, including training, will be considered if additional funding becomes available.

Rationale: The training provided by Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has been well received and is a quality product but our funding levels restrict our ability to undertake the support of further efforts at this time.

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