PARTNERING AND COMMUNITY ACTION FOR OLDER ADULT SERVICES

PARTNERING AND COMMUNITY ACTION FOR OLDER ADULT SERVICES Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Introductions Gloria Vasquez Director of Aging Programs Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) Linda Branch Economic Security Caseworker Well. Med Economic Security Initiative Vivian Nava-Schellinger Associate Director Strategic Initiatives & External Affairs National Council on Aging Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

OUR VISION A just and caring society in which each of us, as we age, lives with dignity, purpose, and security OUR MISSION Improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

NCOA’s Networks of Community Partners § § § National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) Chronic disease self-management education programs Falls prevention coalitions Economic service centers Benefits Enrollment Centers Hunger initiative partners – SNAP grantees, Wal. Mart Foundation § Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) § Aging Mastery Program® Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Benefits Enrollment Center Network (BECs) Since 2009, NCOA’s Center for Benefits Access receives funding from the U. S. Administration for Community Living to support the creation of BECs provide seamless systems of outreach, enrollment, and follow-up to help lowincome Medicare beneficiaries with core programs that improve economic security & health: • Part D LIS/Extra Help • Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) • Medicaid • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) • Other benefits Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Alamo Area Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging • The Alamo Area Council of Governments • • • 13 counties and 12, 582 square miles 475, 000 residents over the age of 60 Rural & Urban, income challenged AAA assists age 60+ residents Alamo Service Connection (ADRC) Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Alamo Area Council of Governments Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) § increase stakeholder/partner involvement with local governmental entities, nonprofits and churches • Aging Grace-fully § participation in local events involving older adult population—i. e. special events, health fairs • 55+ Job Fair § media strategies to include publications that include older adults, radio and television public service announcements. • KLove Radio Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Collaborative Leadership (National) BECs vary by type and model of operation: Statewide call centers Ethnic community groups Senior centers/area agencies on aging Hospital systems Faith-based groups (e. g. , Catholic Charities) Food banks All BECs have a goal of connecting low-income seniors/younger adults with disabilities to all eligible benefits Person-centered approach In person assistance Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Ensuring Elder Economic Security Through Benefits Enrollment Economic Casework: May 2018 to May 2019

Well. Med Charitable Foundation • • • Independent non profit, 501(c)3 Philanthropic partner of Well. Medical Management www. wellmedcharitablefoundation. org 11, 285 Caregivers 16 States 6 Caregiver Resource Centers 10 Senior Centers (TX, FL) 38, 287 Members

Why Senior Centers • Realization that taking care of health and behavior change don’t happen in the clinic • Holistic approach: economic security casework, peer support, physical activity, nutrition, socialization, creative arts, etc. can all lead to improved outcomes • Our Well. Med Charitable Foundation senior centers may be one of the few locations where we own the senior center data AND can compare to health care outcome data

Senior Center Activities Information & Education • Strength Training • Computer Classes Cybercafé • Art & Creative Writing • Nutrition & Cooking Classes • Needlework • • Ask the Doctor Chair Volleyball, Pool, Ping -pong • Stress-Busting For Alzheimer’s Caregivers • Movie Theater • • Advanced Directives Dances, Parties and Celebrations Supportive Services • Medicare Information Center • Food Bank Commodities • City & Well. Med Social Services • Health Screenings/Health Fairs • Virtual library • Daily Hot Lunch Recreation • Fitness Advisory on Site • Dance Classes (Zumba, Flamenco, Folklorico) • Tai Chi, Yoga

Elder Security Coalition – Veteran’s Administration Partners in Aging – Well. Med Social Services – AARP/Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Other Important Partners – Adult Protective Services – Community Action Agencies – Bexar Area Agency on Aging/ Aging & Disability Resource – Community Development Centers (ADRCs) Credit Unions – Bexar County – Consumer Credit Counseling Services – Catholic Charities/Daily Money Management – Legal services/advocates – City of San Antonio – Housing Counseling Agencies – District Attorney’s Elder Fraud Office – San Antonio Food Bank – Local elder law attorneys

• TOP ISSUES: Excessive Debt Loss of Income/Low Income Money Management No Emergency Savings Affordable Housing Rent 40 -60% of their income WCF Economic Security Initiative

Economic Security Sites & Demographics Economic Security Sites Serving older adults in three senior centers located throughout the San Antonio Area From May 2018 to April 2019 Total Served YTD 176 Demographics Gender across sites: Men 94 Female: 82 Ethnicity/Race: African American/Black— 7 Caucasian— 41 Asian American--2 Hispanic/Latino— 125 Native American— 0 Other— 1 Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Income Outcomes Increased: YTD $5, 981. 00 Sources: SNAP, SSI, Employment and Medicare Savings Program Decreased Expenses YTD $12, 762. 97 Sources: Low income energy assistance, rent reduction, debt reduction due to credit counseling (debt consolidation)

Tracking • Number of economic security assessments completed • Demographics • Referrals made to Coalition partners • Increase income • Decrease expenditures • Participant Stories

Break Out Session Building Trust • What are the ways in which communities drive trust? • What marketing or communications plans can help solve the problem of lack of trust among older adults? Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Learn More. Visit ncoa. org and sign up for news, policy alerts, new blog posts, networking with the broader aging affiliates and National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) Follow @NCOAging on social media Share NCOA’s free, trusted tools with older adults o Benefits. Check. Up. org o My. Medicare. Matters. org Gloria Vasquez Alamo Area Agency on Aging 210 -477 -3275 (local) 1 -866 -231 -4922 (region toll free) 1 -855 -937 -2372 (statewide) Linda Branch Economic Security Caseworker lbranch@wellmed. net Well. Med Economic Security Initiative 210 -339 -1513 Well. Medcharitablefoundation. org Vivian Nava-Schellinger National Council on Aging Vivian. Schellinger@ncoa. org Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging

Questions? Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 | © 2019 National Council on Aging