The Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging presents this Public Information Document as an official summary of its proposed 2008 - 2010 area plan to address the needs of seniors in federal fiscal years 2008 - 2010. The WIAAA will host two Public Hearings on the proposed area plan. The dates, times and locations of the hearings are listed below. This plan addresses the concerns of seniors living in the following Illinois Counties: Bureau, Henderson, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, McDonough, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, and Warren. The WIAAA received comments regarding the development of the 2008 - 2010 area plan at three community input forums, held in February and March 2007. Whether or not you participated at one or more of these forums, you are encouraged to review the attached summary and come to a formal public hearing with your comments and recommendations. The proposed area plan includes a waiver request to exceed 15% (up to 30%) transfer of WIAAA's allotment for Title III-C1 to Title III-B services. It also contains three additional direct service waivers; one under III-E I&A for $3,000, one under III-B I&A for $11,000 and another under III-E Outreach for $3,000.

If you'd like to testify you may register in advance by contacting Deb Castillo at the WIAAA office. Testimony may be presented verbally or in writing. Written testimony will be accepted at the WIAAA office no later than Friday, May 11, 2007. For those wishing to testify at the hearings, at least one written copy of your testimony should be available for the hearing panel on the day of the hearing. Although an opportunity for unscheduled comments from the audience will be allowed at each hearing, the amount of time available will be limited by the number of persons scheduled to testify. Hearings are scheduled to end a maximum of two hours after they begin, or whenever there is no more testimony. All presentations will be limited to 10 minutes.

Copies of this Public Information Document (PID) are available at all area Community Focal Point Senior Centers, at the office of the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging and at some public libraries. To register to testify, request a copy of the PID, submit written testimony, or for additional information, contact:

Deb Castillo, Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging 729 - 34th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201 309-793-6800, or toll free, 1-800-322-1051

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Thursday, May 3, 2007 9:30 A.M. 
Bridges Community Center 
221 - West Etna Road 
Ottawa, IL 61350 815-431-8034

Friday, May 4, 2007 9:00 A.M. 
Mercer County Senior Citizens' Center 
137 - West Main Street 
Aledo, IL 61231 309-582-7221

View Summary of Public Hearings (opens in a new window)

The Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging

Who We Are

The Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging was founded in 1973 under an amendment to the Older Americans Act of 1965. The Act is a Federal law created to help older Americans live in their homes with safety and dignity as long as possible with appropriate services and support. There are approximately 655 area agencies across the nation, 13 in the State of Illinois. We are part of a vast, national network of services and programs to protect the rights and support the needs of older Americans. This network includes the Administration on Aging at the federal level, State Units on Aging at the state level, Area Agencies on Aging at the regional level, and local community service providers, all working together to serve our nation's seniors.

The WIAAA serves 10 counties in western Illinois: Bureau, Henderson, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, McDonough, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, and Warren. There are approximately 99,574 people 60 years old or older living in this area.

The funds we administer are mostly federal, though the state contributes a significant portion. Much of the money in the network is raised locally by service providers or contributed generously by those who benefit from the services.

We are a not-for-profit organization currently staffed under the area plan by 12 full-time people and 3 half-time persons, governed by a 26 member board of directors which seeks advice from a 20 member advisory council. The men and women serving on our board and council represent the ten counties in our planning and service area. Most are retired from full time employment and are active with this network in order to contribute to the well being of the seniors in their communities.

What We Do

Support Community Programs on Aging: WIAAA manages grants with approximately 35 local providers of service to seniors. Services are available to anyone 60 years and older. Caregiver services are available to anyone caring for a person 60 and older, a person 60 and older providing care to a severely disabled adult or a grandparent or relative 55 years and older and raising a grandchild under the age of 18. Voluntary contributions are encouraged and used to expand programs. Services are targeted to low income individuals, including minorities, older individuals with limited English proficiency and older individuals residing in rural areas. In FY 2008, the area agency allocates funds for the following service priorities:

Community Focal Points/Family Resource Centers - Special senior centers located throughout the area's 10 counties that provide a number of valuable services and support for seniors. Each center provides Information and Assistance and Outreach for seniors and their families. They also provide Information and Assistance for caregivers and for grandparents raising grandchildren. They serve as Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP) sites. As a SHAP site they provide outreach, information and assistance with completing applications for the various SHAP programs. They facilitate a host of social and recreational opportunities for seniors as well.

Home Delivered Meals - Nutritious noon meals delivered to seniors who are frail and homebound. Some providers are able to deliver sack or frozen meals to supplement needs for evenings and/or weekends.

Transportation - Vans and other vehicles driven by trained staff or volunteers for seniors who are unable to drive themselves. Trips can be for doctors' appointments, to meal sites, for shopping, or a number of other purposes.

Congregate Meals - Nutritious meals offered at senior centers, churches and other public facilities which enable seniors to participate in a meal while experiencing companionship and an opportunity to volunteer their time. These meals and activities help older people stay independent by giving them meaningful ways to stay active.

Legal Assistance - Attorneys and paralegals who provide a number of activities designed to protect vulnerable seniors against legal violations.

Gap Filling - This service is designed to meet individual needs of seniors who lack resources for items such as dentures, hearing aids, and handicap accessibility items. Community Focal Points can use Gap Filling funds to assist seniors whose needs can't be met through other sources.

Additional Services Offered by the WIAAA: In addition to those above we fund a number of other valuable services designed to keep older people independent. They are:

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion - There are 12 possible services under this title. The three which we have selected to fund are 1) Physical Fitness, Group Exercise, Music and Dance Movement Therapy; 2) Medication Management; and 3) Health Promotion. Each one offers a unique way of helping older people with a number of health promotion and disease prevention activities.

In-home, Adult Day Care and Institutional Respite - These services support caregivers by providing respite in the home or adult day care centers for older people who need close attention, or for very short stays in a nursing facility.

Elder Abuse Prevention - A service designed to assist in the protection of older people from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Special case managers follow strict guidelines to uncover abuses and guard vulnerable seniors.

Ombudsman - An advocacy service to protect the rights of older people living in nursing homes.

Caregiver Support - Respite, Assistance, Outreach and Counseling/Training/Support Group services to support the needs of caregivers. Supplemental service is patterned after our gap-filling service.

Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP) - A service which identifies and assists seniors and persons with disabilities eligible for the Circuit Breaker/Illinois Cares Rx program, the Illinois Rx Buying Club, the I-Save RX program and the Medicare D Benefit. WIAAA staff assists with direct client service in implementing these programs. 

Other activities which benefit seniors: WIAAA is involved with a number of additional activities which help older people stay independent. They include:

Employment Assistance - An employment training program which assists low-income older people with employment needs. "Host agencies" serve as training sites. Employees work towards finding suitable jobs once the training period ends.

Systems Development Grant - The WIAAA assists with some of the administrative oversight of the Illinois Community Care Program (comprehensive care coordination services, in-home and adult day care services, flexible senior services and assistive technology offered by the state to help older people stay independent).

Advocacy - WIAAA actively participates in efforts to develop and expand resources for seniors in western Illinois, and supports local advocacy efforts to educate policy makers and represent the interests of seniors.

Coordination and Community Involvement - The WIAAA staff is involved with a number of professional associations and human service community groups to help in the delivery of service to seniors.

Information Sharing - WIAAA is always available to seniors and their families by phone or visit. We maintain a library, called the Greta J. Brooks Elderly Living and Learning Facility (ELLF) containing books, journals, audiovisual materials and a host of pamphlets and brochures all designed to support seniors, caregivers, service providers, and the general public. A newsletter ...Baseline... is published bi-monthly, and an update to providers, board and advisory council, What's the Word, is sent out bi-weekly. A database of service providers is also maintained. The agency staff provides information and assistance service to seniors, caregivers, grandparents raising grandchildren and the general public.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) - WIAAA sponsors this organization that works with men and women 55 years of age or older, and community groups to increase and promote volunteerism and the potential for making a difference in the lives of people. RSVP and WIAAA are coordinating with other local agencies to attract "Baby Boomers" to volunteering.

Emergency Preparedness Plan - WIAAA has reviewed and revised its Disaster Operations Plan to meet the criteria of the 2006 amendments to the Older Americans Act. WIAAA and RSVP remain active members of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), the Quad City Homeland Security Program and the Quad City Citizen Corps. We actively participate in "table top" disaster trainings, bi-state pandemic influenza seminars, disaster preparedness "webinars" and all disaster related trainings available to us. WIAAA and RSVP maintain valuable coordinated partnerships at the federal, state and local levels in order to maximize the safety and well being of our vulnerable senior population, their caregivers and the aging network service providers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 
(309) 793-6800, TOLL FREE AT (800) 322-1051, FAX (309) 793-6807 
Or visit our website at: http://www.wiaaa.org

What Are the Major Issues Facing 
the Seniors in Western Illinois?

WIAAA looks forward to addressing the changing needs of the next generation of seniors as we continue each day to provide the best quality of service possible for our older and most frail elderly.

At the Federal Level: WIAAA will focus on several issues at the federal level in FY 2008.

• Preparing for the Future. Since its inception in 1965, the Older Americans Act has evolved to meet changing needs and expectations. Consequently, the scope of the Act has expanded to better address and supports the needs of older adults and their caregivers. WIAAA believes that the Act's mission must be expanded to further support the role of the Aging Network as the focal point for aging services and to assist our nation's communities in meeting the challenges and opportunities of the coming "age wave".
  
• Budgetary issues. We support the advocacy efforts of many aging network organizations in requesting an increase in allocations for Older American Act services. The President's proposed budget provides for a slight decrease in funding for FY 2008. Funding already stretched to the limits by the increase in minimum wage is being further stretched with the increased costs of services due to the rise in heating costs and gasoline prices. 
  
• Census Decline. In the 2000 census, the 60+ population in our planning and service area has declined by about 3,000 persons. There also was a decrease in the percentage of the 60+ population who are below the poverty level. One of our ten counties previously classified as rural has now been designated urban. These factors will probably continue to result in a reduction in our share of federal and state funding.

At the State Level: The Governor's proposed budget for FY 2008 includes an increase for Home Delivered Meals and a smaller increase in the Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP) funding.

• Budgetary issues. While an increase in Home Delivered Meals funding is certainly needed, everyone must realize that, in our area, the increased funding will primarily cover the increased costs due to the minimum wage increase and increased energy costs. Meanwhile, the providers who provide other services, but not Home Delivered Meals, will be facing a major increase in costs with no additional funding at the federal or state level. WIAAA will continue to advocate that the state increase funding for Older American Act services to allow our providers to continue to offer the same level of services to seniors. All of our local providers have incurred great increases in the cost of delivering services due to the minimum wage increase, rising heating costs and rising gasoline costs. Many of them have voiced concern about their ability to maintain current service levels.
  
• Circuit Breaker/Illinois Cares Rx Pharmaceutical Assistance. We will advocate for the continuation of the Illinois Cares Rx pharmaceutical assistance program so that seniors will have wrap-around coverage to Medicare Part D. We will also continue to advocate for additional funds for the area agencies on aging and their funded providers who continue to assist seniors with Medicare Part D and Circuit Breaker/Illinois Cares Rx applications and problems.
  
• Reshaping Long Term Care in Illinois. The Older Adult Services Advisory Committee (OASAC) has been established to make recommendations to the Director of the Department on Aging on all matters related to the delivery of services to older adults. WIAAA will continue to advocate for additional funding to provide home and community based services to help prevent unnecessary institutionalization of the frail elderly.

At the Local Level: WIAAA is planning on increasing advocacy and coordination efforts at all levels, including the local level.

• Preparing for an Aging Society. WIAAA, along with the Illinois Department on Aging and the other 12 area agencies on aging, plans to work with local governments to prepare Illinois for an Aging Society. We will assess the "age readiness" of a few of our local governments and communities and survey the baby boomers in our area to learn what are their interests and expectations for aging in the community.
  
• Maximizing Resources. WIAAA will collaborate with other organizations and government entities to build on and maximize the effectiveness of our limited resources. By continuing to work with local governments and agencies, sharing information and planning and preparing for potential disaster, we will maximize our resources. We will also utilize the expertise of other organizations for statistical information, reports and other useful data; and establish relationships with other organizations and tap into their valuable resources to help meet the needs of our seniors.
  
• Assisting seniors and caregivers. WIAAA will expand its expertise in providing Information and Assistance by continuing to evaluate current services; presenting information to the community; expanding Making the Link; participating in senior health fairs, human service committees and community events; maintaining and updating ESP; providing AIRS certification for providers and select WIAAA staff; and providing information through trainings, conferences and workshops.
  
• Living Wage and Benefits. Our service providers' employees need a living wage and benefits. Services funded directly by the state, such as the Community Care Program, have seen several Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increases during the past decade, while Older American Act services have not. 
  
• Minimum Wage Increase. The minimum wage increase from what was $5.15 in 2003 to $5.50 in 2004, to $6.50 in 2005 and now up to $7.50 on July 1, 2007. This has an adverse effect on personnel costs of our providers. Salary increases for those at minimum wage requires proportionate increases in fringe benefits that are paid. Many of our providers were impacted by this increase. While the wage increases were badly needed, implementation may well result in less service available to the seniors in need. 
  
• Home Delivered Meals. The demand for home delivered meals has increased over the years as the clients originally served congregate meals age and become homebound. We can expect more frail elderly to opt more often for in-home and community based services to replace the institutional care of the past. Our providers have made great strides with the increased funding received during the past years. They increased the number of persons who receive meals and the geographic area covered. Some providers are able to deliver an additional sack meal or frozen meals to supplement needs for evening or weekend meals. In the majority of our counties frozen meals are also available on an ongoing basis when meal recipients are located in a remote area. If our FY 2008 Home Delivered Meal funding does increase, hopefully all of our providers will be able to at least maintain their current service levels. 
  
• Caregiver Support Program. This successful program and its services continue to involve a staff coordinator, enhanced working relationships between providers, and linkages with other community organizations. In 2005, we prepared and distributed 430 caregiver packets to our 11 Community Focal Points/Caregiver Resource Centers and in 2006 & 2007 we distributed 1,000 - 1,500 packets. These packets provide information to caregivers about available services and resources for seniors and caregivers assisting them in their role as caregivers. Packets were also distributed to assist grandparents raising grandchildren giving them information and resources. In 2007 we received a $1,900 + grant from the City of Rock Island to purchase materials which we will distribute to medical offices in Rock Island as a part of our Making the Link program. If we can obtain additional funding, we may try to expand this program even more.

The Needs of Seniors in Western Illinois and 
the WIAAA Service Priorities

2008 Assessment of Needs

Livable Communities for all Ages - Preparing Illinois for an Aging Society

In preparation for the 2008-2010 Area Plan, Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA) assessed population trends and information from the U. S. Census Bureau to assist in learning more about the needs of seniors. The fastest growing segment of the population is those 85 and older who will most likely need the support of family, friends and the community to remain living independently.

It is a known fact that most Americans wish to remain in their own homes and familiar communities for as long as possible. However, this increase in the number of persons reaching retirement age will certainly create challenges for communities to provide health care, recreation, housing, transportation, public safety, employment and education. These services currently assist a broad segment of the population and have a major impact on the quality of life of older Americans. America will be dealing with the largest population of educated and skilled older adults in the history of our nation. Are we prepared for this phenomenon?

According to the nationally conducted survey, "The Maturing of America", which assessed communities and their "readiness" for the advancing aging baby boomers, only 46% of American communities have begun planning to address the needs of the exploding population of baby boomers.

WIAAA, in partnership with the Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA) and the Illinois Area Association of Area Agencies on Aging (I4a), in collaboration with other departments and offices of state government and organizations in the private sector will assess the preparedness of the State of Illinois and its counties and communities within the 13 Planning and Service Areas (PSA) of Illinois for the aging of the population. We will then prepare our report and make recommendations to government officials in the "readiness" of our communities.

WIAAA will conduct a three part survey over a three year span. During Phase I in the months of November and December 2006 and January 2007, WIAAA researched and reviewed the data from the 2000 U. S. census concerning the current population and the population projections of persons aging in Illinois. Compilation of this data has aided us in determining where the aging baby boomer population might be expected to be concentrated as the boomers retire. This information will be used to assist us in planning for services which boomers feel they will need in order to "age in place" in their communities throughout our ten county PSA.

The real core of the baby boomer phenomenon is the way which it will impact the local communities and the provision of services provided by WIAAA and all organizations and agencies in the aging network. It stands to reason that boomers, because they are the largest group of people born within a specific period of time, their generation spanning all of eighteen years, will need an expansion of services to help meet their many needs.

While many national surveys have been done pertaining to the baby boomers, WIAAA feels we must get in tune specifically with the needs of our boomers by conducting surveys regarding "community readiness" and "boomer service needs" throughout our ten county PSA.

Through the use of statistical information and graphic charts in the Phase I assessment, WIAAA has made available information on future population trends which clearly show a significant future increase in the senior population. This increase in the aging population cannot help but cause a serious strain on local communities and counties and their resources.

This Phase I of our survey process gave us an opportunity to review the census data in order to lend insight into what we, as an Area Agency, can expect in the way of increased demand for services. This in turn will give us an opportunity to inform local governments and communities on how to best prepare for the influx of the boomer population that is on their doorsteps.

During Phase II WIAAA will survey local governments and communities in our ten county PSA to determine their "readiness" for the boomers based on responses to our survey tool. In Phase III, WIAAA will seek input from baby boomers themselves via a survey questionnaire to help determine what it is boomers feel they will need in the way of services when they retire.

COMMUNITY INPUT MEETING SUMMARY

WIAAA conducted community input meetings on February 28, March 1, and 13, 2007. The purpose of these meetings was to gather information from the public before decisions were made on the FY 2008 - 2010 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 early May affords another opportunity for input and possible change at the end of the development process.

This report summarizes the comments and recommendations from the meetings. They began with a brief introduction by Deb Castillo, WIAAA Information and Planning Manager. The WIAAA mission statement was read and there was discussion regarding the new state initiative: "The Maturing of Illinois: Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population". This initiative was used as the basis for Phase I of our assessment of need for our 2008 Area Plan entitled: "Livable Communities for All Ages - Preparing Illinois for an Aging Society". There was a brief discussion of the assessment and how it will assist WIAAA in preparing for the influx of the aging baby boomers by noting past and future population trends. Hand outs were provided: The WIAAA brochure, the Community Focal Point brochure and copies of the current list of Service Priorities.

The discussion regarding the list of Service Priorities was led by Janice Stille, Executive Director at WIAAA. She gave an explanation of each service, allowing for public comment and questions.

It was explained that all of the dollars allocated by WIAAA are earmarked for particular services. Under Title IIIB, those services are Information and Assistance, Outreach, Transportation, Legal and Respite with Gap-filling funded entirely with State of Illinois General Revenue Funds (GRF). Congregate Meals are funded under Title IIIC1 and Home Delivered Meals under Title IIIC2. The service priority lists were revisited in January 2004 and were prioritized as follows:

1. Community Focal Points 
2. Home Delivered Meals 
3. Transportation 
4. Congregate Meals 
5. Legal Assistance 
6. Gap Filling

In addition, the review in 2004 prioritized caregiver services for the first time. That proposed list for 2008-2010 is:

1. Respite 
2. *Information 
3. Assistance 
4. Counseling/Training/Support Group 
5. Supplemental Services

* Please note that due to a definition change at the State level," Information" is no longer funded by WIAAA and therefore no longer a part of the Caregiver priority list and Caregiver Outreach is being added to the priority list.

Discussion was raised at each of these meetings seeking input from the participants on the services and how they are prioritized. Attendees were asked to comment on the list as it currently stands and how they felt it should be prioritized.

At all three Community Input Meetings public comment revealed that this list of service priorities should remain in the same priority order for the upcoming Area Plan. Most participants commented that these services were much needed in the community.

Several providers of the Transportation service commented regarding their major concerns about how funding has not increased for this service for many years, creating a real hardship for their budgets. They stated that fuel and other operational costs continue to rise at an alarming rate while they struggle to continue to provide services with funding that has not increased in years.

Several Directors of these transportation provider agencies commented that they would be forced to look at reducing transportation service which they stated would adversely affect the seniors who depend on this service.

WIAAA staff responded that they were very aware of the difficulties facing the providers regarding these increasing costs. WIAAA is continually seeking solutions to this funding shortage by advocating of behalf of its seniors and providers. WIAAA attempts to remain on the cutting edge of new and innovative ideas on how to meet these needs with adaptive measures and continues to collaborate with other organizations in order to find a solution. Sadly, funding increases do not appear to be on the horizon in the near future. Advocacy for additional funding is critical to help resolve these problems.

Seniors and their caregivers and families carry the greatest weight when approaching government entities for more financial assistance for senior programs. Participants of the meetings were strongly encouraged to write to the Governor and their State and Federal representatives. Something needs to happen at the State and Federal levels to see that funding is increased so that service do not need to be cut back or dropped all together.

WIAAA will hold Public Hearings in May which will afford the public another opportunity to make comment regarding the development of its 2008-2010 Area Plan:

Public Hearings

May 3, 2007 - 9:30 a.m. 
Bridges Community Center 
221 - West Etna Road 
Ottawa, IL 61350 
815-431-8034

May 4, 2007 - 9:00 a.m. 
Mercer County Senior Citizens' Center 
137 - West Main Street 
Aledo, IL 61231 
309-582-7221

Testimony may be presented verbally or in writing. If you wish to testify at one or more of these meetings, please contact Deb Castillo, Information and Planning Manager at WIAAA. You may call 1-800-322-1051 or 1-309-793-6800 or e-mail: dcastillo@wiaaa.org. For those wishing to testify at the hearings, at least one written copy of your testimony should be available for the hearing panel. Written testimony will be accepted from seniors, providers, legislators and the general public through May 11, 2007.

Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging 
Funded Services and Commitments

Service Priorities: The WIAAA Board of Directors is choosing not to change current service priorities for FY 2008. These priorities are:

Title III-B Community Focal Point/Family Resource Centers - The WIAAA's first commitment is to the eleven special senior centers throughout the ten-county area called Community Focal Points (CFP's). Each of the 10 counties has one CFP except LaSalle which has two because of its large geographic size. We require each CFP to adhere to special standards and furnish specified levels of Information and Assistance and Outreach services, in exchange for receiving guaranteed, non-competitive funding for these services and their operations. The CFP vision was initiated by the WIAAA office to give seniors and their families' local places to turn for help. We are attempting to keep service as close to the consumer as possible, to create one-stop-service shopping for seniors to the extent possible, and to nourish the grassroots vision of the Older Americans Act. In FY 2008 we plan to award $40,500 grants to each CFP (except the Rock Island Senior Center which will receive $58,750 because of its large population base). In keeping with this one-stop concept, we are calling the CFP's Community Focal Point/Family Resource Centers, as they now incorporate Information/Information and Assistance service for caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren. Separate Title III-E funding for the Information service has been allocated.

Title III-C2 Home Delivered Meals - This nutrition service is vital to the independence of countless seniors in western Illinois. Many seniors require meals for extended lengths of time, while many others need meals for a short period of time while recovering from an illness or other temporary condition. The number of seniors needing meals delivered to their homes compared to the number who are able to go out for a meal has risen dramatically over the past several years, and continues to rise. It is further indication that seniors are "aging in place" and that their needs are increasingly more complex as they do. The demand is expected to continue growing.

Title III-B Transportation - When seniors are asked to tell us which service is most critical to their independence, transportation always shows up right at the top of the list. Once someone loses the ability to drive, he/she is also losing the ability to get to the doctor, the store, her family and friends. Transportation is vital to a person's independence.

Title III-C1 Congregate Meals - The Older Americans Act allocates a great deal of money for community-based meal sites. The congregate meal program gives seniors a nutritionally balanced meal and the opportunity to socialize and stay active. Meal participants also benefit from educational programs about nutrition and other important issues. Congregate meal programs are one of the first steps in a continuum of care. The program is critical from a preventive point of view. Many of the seniors who benefit from the meals also volunteer at the sites, giving them meaningful and rewarding activity.

Title III-B Legal Assistance - Seniors are vulnerable in many ways. Legal assistance is often the only way to help assure that an older person is not exploited, neglected or abused. This service is important for the legal protection and rights of many seniors in western Illinois.

Title III-B Gap Filling Services -Funds administered by the Community Focal Points help to meet the individual needs of seniors who lack resources for items that can enable them to stay in their homes. Although funding is extremely limited, providers rate this service highly as a last resort for necessities available to seniors from no other source.

Title III-E Caregiver Respite - Respite services, both to relieve the caregiver and to allow the caregiver to attend support/counseling sessions, will be provided on the same basis as our Title III-B Respite service. This service is also available to grandparents who are raising grandchildren.

Title III-E Caregiver Assistance - This service, provided by Community Focal Points and/or other providers at both the local and long-distance levels, will enable caregivers to find services to fit their needs.

Title III-E Caregiver Counseling/Training/Support Groups - Both group and one-on-one training is provided on topics such as coping with stress, coping with behavioral problems, and personal care techniques. Individual counseling is available, as well as referrals to mental health professionals for those needing therapeutic counseling. Funding will be available for start-up and/or operating expenses of existing support groups for caregivers and grandparent relative caregivers.

Title III-E Caregiver Supplemental Services - To allow for flexibility in meeting the unique needs of individual caregivers, funds will be available for such things as minor home modifications, legal assistance, medical transportation or one-time housecleaning.

Caregiver Outreach Program - This service assists caregivers in obtaining access to the services and resources that are available within their communities. This program will help evaluate caregiver needs and will refer caregivers to any and all needed services, establishing adequate follow-up procedures, including daily phone contact with the care recipient.

Other services funded by the WIAAA not subject to the service priority list. The WIAAA funds additional services under the Older Americans Act. Title III-B Respite and Ombudsman are designated under the Older Americans Act for specific purposes. Though we have little flexibility with these services and they are not subject to our funding priorities, we believe that they are also valuable components to the continuum of care offered to seniors in western Illinois. The Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program has its own priority list.

Title III-B Respite - The WIAAA funds in-home respite, community adult day care respite and institutional respite throughout our ten counties. There is no question that seniors get most of their help from family, friends and neighbors. Only a handful of people are able to benefit, but all caregivers need to have some time free from their care giving responsibilities.

Title III-D Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services - The Older Americans Act includes this title for a variety of services that prevent disease and promote health for older people. The WIAAA has funded a number of the 12 allowable services since the Title's inception several years ago. Beginning in fiscal 2000, the WIAAA Board selected three services that may be provided only by Community Focal Points. Those services are Medication Management; Health Promotion; and Physical Fitness, Group Exercise, Music and Dance Movement Therapy. A separate grant will be issued to a single provider to provide medication management throughout all of the ten counties.

Ombudsman - The WIAAA also funds the area's Regional Ombudsman Program to help people living in long term care facilities by advocating for them when they have concerns or complaints, and by providing important information to residents about their rights. About 5% to 6% of the senior population lives in a long term care facility at any one point in time. There are 76 nursing facilities in our ten counties with approximately 6,274 licensed beds. There is one Supportive Living Facility and 10 Assisted Living Facilities in our ten counties where the ombudsman program provides services. The ombudsman program operates primarily with volunteers.

Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP) - A service which identifies and assists seniors, caregivers and persons with disabilities eligible for the Illinois Cares Rx program, the Illinois Rx Buying Club, the I-Save Rx program and the Medicare D Benefit. WIAAA staff assists with direct service in implementing these programs through disseminating information and providing assistance with the application processes.

Other WIAAA activities that benefit seniors: The WIAAA is involved with a number of additional activities beyond funding for and oversight of the services mentioned above. These additional programs are equally important to fulfilling our mission under the Older Americans Act to be a central, coordinating and planning organization for the seniors of western Illinois.

Employment Assistance - Under Title V of the Older Americans Act, the WIAAA helps people age 55 and over with employment needs. The program matches eligible seniors with host agencies that serve as job training sites. The host agencies benefit from having an additional short-term employee funded by an outside source, and the senior benefits from on-the-job training. The goal is to move seniors into the workforce once training is complete, and often the host agencies end up hiring the worker. Lack of suitable employment for seniors continues to be a concern everywhere. Age discrimination in job sites is real, though often undetectable. This program, like the other parts of the Older Americans Act, is meant to help seniors continue to live independently and with dignity.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) - WIAAA sponsors the RSVP that serves in both Illinois and Iowa. This program allows seniors to share their wisdom, expertise and time with Quad City social service agencies, schools, etc. throughout their communities on both sides of the river. RSVP has also received a Program of National Significance grant for public safety and disaster preparedness.

Systems Development Grant - The Department on Aging funds the WIAAA to help with some of the administration of the Community Care Program's purchase of service processes and administrative oversight. Though this is mostly an administrative function, our assistance helps the CCP run more smoothly and efficiently which in turn means a higher quality of service for seniors.

Advocacy - We are always involved with a number of political advocacy issues at the local, state and federal level. We are mandated under the Older Americans Act to stay informed of issues that may affect the seniors in our area and respond appropriately. There is no doubt that advocacy which makes a difference, is advocacy organized and put forth by seniors themselves. Our role is to help seniors stay informed and to evaluate the potential consequences of particular legislation to see how it will affect the seniors in our area. Many of the benefits and services now available to seniors would not exist if it were not for the efforts of senior advocates. This service is imperative to the continued well being of the seniors in western Illinois and to the preservation of critical services.

Coordination and Community Involvement - The WIAAA staff attend human service council meetings, participate in initiatives to bridge generations, offer numerous and varied training opportunities to service providers and the public, help seniors and providers with specific requests for information as the requests occur, and many other similar activities. Our work on behalf of the seniors of western Illinois goes well beyond the administration of the Older Americans Act funds.

Information Sharing - The WIAAA hosts a library, called the Greta J. Brooks Elderly Living and Learning and Facility (ELLF), full of current gerontology material that is used by students, providers, seniors, caregivers, researchers and staff. We are linked electronically with our regional library system which significantly increases our potential for circulation. We continue promotion of this valuable center as a resource for research and information.

Home Again - Enhanced Transition Project for Nursing Home Residents - WIAAA is funded to provide this new program which identifies people who desire to move from nursing homes and provides funds for relocation expenses. Those eligible for the program are Illinois residents of Knox or Rock Island Counties who are 60+ and are currently living in a nursing home and want to live independently in their own home or apartment.

Making the Link - This program reaches out to Caregivers and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren through doctors' offices, community health centers and other medical facilities. WIAAA staff visits these offices regularly dropping off new materials and replenishing previously delivered materials which the agency has purchased or produced.

Flexible Senior Services and Assistive Technology - These programs are funded by the Illinois Department on Aging to provide needed goods and services to seniors eligible for the Community Care Program. Funding is granted to the AAAs who then provide oversight and administration for the programs.

Two newsletters are issued on a regular basis: A bi-monthly newsletter ...Baseline... and a bi-weekly update to providers, legislators, board and advisory council members, What's the Word, to share information on legislative issues and aging trends as well as training opportunities and agency happenings.

We have also established a web site for WIAAA. Changes and additions have been made to the site in an effort to assure current information is available to seniors and their families. Residents of our ten-county area are urged to check it periodically for news, advocacy, events and more. The site's address is: http://www.wiaaa.org

The Greta J. Brooks Elderly Living and Learning Facility (ELLF) has established a computer center, staffed by volunteers, to teach seniors to use computers and be able to access the vast amount of information available on the internet. The ELLF also issues a bi-monthly newsletter.

Area Plan Initiatives for 2008 - 2010

Three initiatives are included in the 2008 - 2010 Area Plan. These initiatives were presented at the Community Input Meetings and have been approved by the Board.

1. Livable Communities for All Ages - Preparing Illinois for an Aging Society - (Statewide Initiative) - WIAAA reviewed U.S. Census population projection information to determine where current "Boomers" will be living. In the coming years we will assess the "age readiness" of some of our local governments and communities and survey the baby boomers to learn what are their interests and expectations for services upon retiring.
   
2. WIAAA will expand its expertise in providing Information and Assistance - by continuing to evaluate current services; presenting information to the community; expanding Making the Link; participating in senior health fairs, human service committees and community events; maintaining and updating ESP. If funding allows, we plan to by provide AIRS certification for providers and select WIAAA staff and to provide additional information through trainings, conferences and workshops.
   
3. WIAAA will collaborate with other organizations and government entities to build on and maximize the effectiveness of our limited resources - by continuing to work with local governments and agencies, sharing information, planning and preparation for potential disaster; by continuing to utilize the expertise of other organizations for statistical information, reports and other useful data; by establishing relationships with other organizations and tapping in to their valuable resources to help meet the needs of our seniors.

The number of people we anticipate serving and 
the amount of service they will receive in FY

Services to be Provided # of persons to be served Title III Units GRF Units Total Units ACCESS SERVICES Information and Assistance 8,500 8,006 6,994 15,000 Outreach 4,500 5,226 2,274 7,500 Transportation 1,550 55,077 39,923 95,000 IN-HOME 

1 Multi Purpose Senior Centers are funded through the WIAAA's 11 Community Focal Point base funding system. 
2 Elder Abuse Prevention services are provided by the area's Case Coordination Unit (case management provider). 
3 Recreation is furnished by one Community Focal Point with some of its base funding. FY 2008 Public Information Document Page 1

2008 Funding Increases, Decreases & Various Scenarios

What will the WIAAA do with funding increases or decreases during the year? The WIAAA board works diligently and conscientiously to make fair and equitable choices. The Board established a service priority list, and to the extent that it can, it bases funding change decisions on that list.

Funding Increases - Should the amount of federal or state funds increase at any time during the year, the amount will be considered by the WIAAA Board at the time of the increase. All specified Title increases will go to that Title. (Title III-B increases will go to Title III-B; Title III-C1 to C1; C2 to C2, and so forth). The Board will take into consideration: 

• the current service priorities 
• 2008 allocations 
• any additional needs-based information we may have received 
• any other pertinent data to make an informed decision at the time of the increase

Funding Decreases - Should the amount of federal or state funds decrease during the year the WIAAA Board will consider, but will not be bound by, the current service priority list in making its decisions. All specified Title decreases will come from that Title. (Title III-B decreases will come from Title III-B; Title III-C1 from C1; C2 from C2, and so forth.) The Board will then consider what its other options are and make decisions accordingly. (Note: If funds are increased during the year, then later reduced, the WIAAA Board reserves the right to first take funds away from the places it put the increases before reducing services on the priority list.)

Other scenarios and funding possibilities

Census Decline

Census 2000 figures indicate that our area's eligible population decreased by about 3,000 persons. This resulted in a decrease in funds for FY 2003, FY 2004, and an over 4% decrease in funding for FY 2005. A small decline in funding resulted when one of our counties was classified as urban instead of rural. The State of Illinois also experienced an overall decrease in the percentage of persons over 65 in poverty, but our decrease (from 5.41% to 4.10% of the state level) was greater than the overall decrease. Therefore, we received substantially less money ($175,000) from the combination of factors influencing the funding formula.

Community Based Services

WIAAA is assuming the status quo in General Revenue Funds for community-based services. The demand for service continues to exceed the resources available. Low wages, staff turnover, high utility and fuel costs have reduced the network's ability to meet the needs of those we serve. The minimum wage increase has an adverse effect on personnel costs of our providers. As an example, the demand for transportation services in our planning and service area includes greater coverage of remote rural areas and medical transportation to out-of-county locations. There is a need for additional/replacement vehicles, drivers, and fuel costs in order to meet the ever-increasing need. Legal assistance services are in great demand. Across-the board adjustments to meet the increasing costs of doing business and infrastructure costs are of greatest importance.

Home Delivered Meals Funds

The additional home delivered meal funding in past years was used for the expansion of the home-delivered meal program to increase both the number of persons who receive meals and the geographic area covered. However, the providers are now struggling to meet the current demand for home delivered meals. Due to increased costs associated with the increase in the minimum wage and high energy costs, we predict a decrease in the number of meals served if the governor's proposed increase in funding does not become a reality.

We have identified un-served areas for many years. These areas remain un-served due to the fact these areas are rural areas with a low population density. The cost of providing hot meals daily would be prohibitive. At this point in time with the rising cost of personnel and fuel prices we can not expect our local providers to expand services.

In our 10 county planning and service area we have 4 counties that currently have a waiting list for home delivered meals. LaSalle County has a waiting list of 12 people and Henderson County has a waiting list of 4 people. The LaSalle County waiting list is not in un-served areas. The existence of waiting lists fluctuates and service is usually dependent on being able to start an additional route or to rearrange existing routes. The Henderson County waiting list was started in January 2006 and is due to monetary constraints. They cannot serve additional persons with current funds. Providing service to those on the waiting list is dependent on ending service to a current client. Rock Island has a waiting list of 27 and VNA has a waiting list of 1.

The strategy for the future to eliminate waiting lists and to expand coverage to the un-served areas includes providers sharing best practices at provider meetings; increasing publicity of the availability of home delivered meals in previously un-served areas and continued technical assistance by the WIAAA staff. Our local providers have attempted innovative practices to eliminate waiting lists including: rearranging existing routes, Board of Directors voting to additionally subsidize meals to eliminate the waiting list, delivering frozen meals one time a week at a time other then the regular hot meal delivery time, and delivering a hot meal and a frozen meal on one day, on one route and then changing this the next day to another route so that seniors are at least receiving some hot meals during the week. The hope is that each provider with un-served areas will gradually keep expanding until total coverage is reached.

A listing of un-served areas, by township or municipality follows:

No meals are served in these areas but no one has requested them either.

(Provider will try to deliver in these areas if requests are received but cannot promise without additional equipment and staff.)

When requests are received from persons in the un-served townships a waiting list will be started. If the waiting list for an un-served township reaches ten individuals, a new route will be started.

Family Caregiver Support Program

The Family Caregiver Support Program came into existence with the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in 2000. Experience has shown that more funds can be used for assistance, counseling, respite and training.

Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP)

These funds were used to provide additional outreach in the planning and service area from fiscal 2001 through 2007 to aid in locating individuals eligible for the Circuit Breaker/Illinois Cares Rx pharmaceutical assistance program, Illinois RX Buying Club and I-Save Rx program. We will continue to identify eligible seniors and persons with disabilities to assist them with applications and enrollment. In addition, we will continue to serve seniors, caregivers and persons with disabilities with Medicare Part D.

Reshaping Long Term Care in Illinois

The purpose of the Older Adult Services Act is to promote the transformation of the Illinois comprehensive system of older adult services from funding a primarily facility-based service delivery system to primarily a home-based and community-based system. Such restructuring shall encompass the provision of housing, health, financial, and supportive older adult services. The Act designates the Department on Aging as the lead agency. It also established an Older Adult Services Advisory Committee (OASAC) to advise the Director of Aging, the Director of Public Aid and the Director of Public Health or their designees on all matters related to this Act and the delivery of services to older adults in general. The first major changes in community based long term care in Illinois occurred in 2007. All Case Coordination Units will be performing comprehensive assessments by the end of the year. Also, CCP services have been expanded to include: Emergency Home Response, Flexible Senior Services and Assistive Technology. III-E I/I&A Caregiver Information Waiver Request

Western Illinois Area Agency is seeking to retain a waiver under Title III-E of the Older Americans Act to provide information service directly to caregivers, both those caring for elderly individuals and grandparents raising grandchildren. Title III-E, Caregiver Information funding will be utilized by the WIAAA during this year, to disseminate informational materials to caregivers. This information may be in the form of videos, books, manuals and brochures in addition to personal responses to caregiver's questions. WIAAA has the only gerontology library in the 10-county area. This library has interlibrary and intra-agency loan capabilities.

Total I&A Title III-E budget              $3,000 
Number of persons to be served       175 
Number of units to be provided           175

III-B I&A Waiver Request

Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging is seeking a second waiver to directly furnish Information and Assistance. We will continue to seek a waiver to provide general I&A under Title III-B. We anticipate using approximately $11,000 from administratively mandated direct services to I&A for this service. Our agency, like several others in Illinois, has purchased ESP software to enhance our I&A database. We are continually adding sources of service for elderly persons and for grandparents raising grandchildren. Data entry for additional sources and keeping the information updated is very time consuming. In addition, staff at the area agency receives many calls seeking information and assistance. We have a Centrex overlay on our phone system which allows us to transfer such a call to an appropriate provider but we also answer questions directly when appropriate. This is particularly true of circuit breaker and other pharmaceutical program questions. We also expend time and other resources training I&A workers at our Community Focal Points and providing them with updates of the ESP database. The fact is that our agency has in the past and will continue to provide information and assistance services to seniors, caregivers and the general public in western Illinois. It only makes sense to assign the attendant costs to the service. The area agency budget will not change in total when this waiver is granted. Costs will simply be applied correctly to the activity being supported.

Total I&A Title III-B budget           $11,000 
Number of persons to be served         350 
Number of units to be provided            350

III-E Outreach Waiver Request

WIAAA is requesting another waiver to directly provide Caregiver Outreach service in Warren County only. We will assist caregivers in obtaining access to the services and resources that are available within their communities. To the maximum extent practicable, it will ensure that individuals receive the services needed by establishing adequate follow-up procedures. The RSVP Coordinator will conduct Outreach activities at local businesses, at churches, at community and fraternal organizations, etc. in an attempt to locate previously unidentified caregivers. The person doing the Outreach will evaluate caregiver needs and will refer caregivers to any and all needed services which are available within the community. These services include Caregiver Counseling and Support Groups which are provided (with WIAAA funding) by Alternatives for the Older Adult. Caregiver Respite is also available if the care recipient qualifies for the service. Caregivers will also be offered intensive, ongoing follow-up, which will include daily contact, by phone, with their care recipient which will relieve the caregiver of the responsibility of contacting his/her care recipient each morning. This daily contact will also provide some socialization for the isolated care recipient.

Total I&A Title III-B budget                   $3,000 
Number of persons to be served                  10 
Number of units to be provided                     20

All interested parties may testify in person or in writing on the above waiver requests.

The Vision of the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Services in the 21st Century

We envision that the years 2008 - 2010 will be a time when aging service providers will realize that the future is now. Baby Boomers are already becoming eligible for services at the rate of almost 8,000 per day! What does that mean for the future of aging services? What services will aging Boomers need to be able to remain in their communities as they age?

The implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 continues to create a tremendous need for education and assistance to seniors, caregivers and persons with disabilities by the Area Agency and the Outreach Workers in the Community Focal Points.

The reshaping or rebalancing of long term care in Illinois will place increased demands on home and community based services. It is probable that government benefits and funding will remain fairly static. Will the boomers themselves as well as church, family, volunteers and public/private partnerships be able to bridge the gap? All indications are that there will be an increased need for affordable housing options. There will be ongoing rapid technological change of all types. As we continue into the twenty-first century, we can expect the service delivery methods of the past will no longer meet the needs of the baby boomer generation.

Technology advances will continue to change the way things are done. Hopefully reporting can be done with a web-based reporting system, thereby reducing the staff time needed to process and/or prepare reports. Many younger seniors are computer savvy and expect to be able to obtain information via the Internet. We must be ready to make that information available to them. With a state-wide information system, knowledge about services throughout the state could literally be at the fingertips of all Information and Assistance providers. Monitoring of frail, homebound seniors can already be done via cameras, Internet access, etc. Some medical monitoring is also being done electronically. As the demand for new ways of providing services increases, we must be ready to adjust our service provision accordingly. 

Emerging issues within the PSA include: 

• Transportation in remote rural areas and medical transportation, often out of county;
• Continuing to provide adequate transportation in light of increased fuel and personnel costs; 
• Determining how senior centers must evolve in order to attract future seniors/participants; 
• Determining how services will need to change and expand as the baby boomers become seniors; 
• Seeking and/or creating additional funding sources for services; 
• Increasing awareness of availability of services; 
• Methods of attracting volunteers to deliver home delivered meals, to assist at meal sites and to provide out-of-county medical transportation. 
• Determining creative, more mentally challenging roles for volunteers so they might lend their resources to help fill the gaps in services created by lack of increased funding for services; 
• Seniors who receive Title III services may be adversely affected by Title III provider's dramatic increase in costs in personnel and energy due to the increase in minimum wage, heating costs and gasoline costs while funding has remained level.

These issues will be considered in our planning process and will continue to be addressed by needs assessments, provider best practice sessions at meetings, and technical assistance. WIAAA staff will strive to increase awareness of services through increased community involvement. WIAAA will continue to form relationships with other agencies and organizations in order broaden the realm of services we can provide. The need for volunteers will be addressed by continued coordination with Directors of Volunteers in Agencies (DOVIA) and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Expenditures for WIAAA Administrative Functions

A brief look at the amount and sources of funds the WIAAA uses. The table above shows the amount and proportion of administrative and administratively related direct service funds the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging proposes using for FY 2008. These funds are taken only from Title III and Illinois General Revenue Funds (GRF). They do not include several other small sources of funding administered by our agency such as Title V (a senior employment training program), SESP (a small contract we get to help administer our senior employment program), the Systems Development Contract we use to help administer the Illinois Community Care Program, and the funds we use to administer the Elder Abuse Prevention Program. These additional funding sources