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Self-Assessment in Promoting
Community Living for Persons with Disabilities
Iowa Department of Elder Affairs
A. Introduction
The organizational structure of the Iowa Department
of Elder Affairs consists of the following:
- Executive - includes the Ombudsman program, the
legislative liaison, and public information and assistance.
- Policy and Administration Division - includes
accounting, statistical research, program evaluation, and human
resources.
- Elder Rights and Home and Community Based
Services Division - includes elder abuse prevention, consumer
protection, caregiver support, employment, nutrition and the case
management program.
B. Overview of programs administered by the
Iowa Department of Elder Affairs:
- Advocacy (general) – To provide intervention
services to older Iowans with problems related to rights, services, and
protection.
- Advocacy (housing alternatives) - To
provide Area Agencies on Aging, Administration on Aging, and State
policy makers with administrative services so they can set policy,
allocate resources and offer alternative housing options that may delay
or avoid admission to nursing homes.
- Case Management Program for the Frail Elderly
(CMPFE) - A program that allows for the coordination and delivery of
necessary services to frail elderly individuals which allows them to
continue to live safely in their own homes and avoid or delay nursing
facility placement. The program consists of consumer assessment,
development of service plans, coordination of services, and ongoing
monitoring.
- Elder Abuse Awareness – A program that enhances
public awareness and develops programs for the prevention of elder
abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Information and Assistance – To provide
information to elderly Iowans about the services available in their
communities so they can access the services they need.
- Ombudsman - The State Long-term Care Ombudsman
is an advocate for residents of long-term care facilities and their
families. The Ombudsman office can investigate and resolve complaints
and grievances that may affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of
residents.
- Resident Advocate Committees (RAC) - The
Ombudsman office is a strong advocate of resident’s rights.
Community volunteers work to improve conditions for people who live in
long-term care facilities.
- Senior Health Insurance Information Program
(SHIIP) -This program helps older Iowans find answers to Medicare and
Medicaid supplement insurance, long-term care insurance and other health
insurance issues. Elder Affairs receives funding for this program
but it is administered through the Insurance Division of the Iowa
Department of Commerce.
- Senior Internship Program (SIP) - The Department
of Elder Affairs administers the SIP program. It is a work-training
program funded by the US Department of Labor. SIP helps low-income
job seekers age 55 and older gain skills and paid work experience needed
to transition into permanent, unsubsidized jobs.
C. Area Agencies on
Aging receive Federal, State, and local funds to administer programs
in their communities that provide elders with services that promote and
support community living. Some of the supportive services that are
offered in Iowa communities include:
- Adult Day Care - Provides personal care for
dependent adults in a supervised, protective, congregate setting.
This service includes social and recreational activities and may include
meals, training, rehabilitation, and medication assistance.
- Assessment and Intervention - Screenings and
assessments are completed to determine needs that may be provided at the
community level to delay or avoid nursing facility placement.
Impairments, situations, and problems are identified that may be
barriers to a person’s ability to function normally.
- Assistance with Transportation – Provide
assistance to persons who have difficulties (physical or cognitive)
using regular transportation.
- Caregiver Support – Group support programs that
develop and strengthen informal or family support systems in an effort
to enhance the health, happiness and comfort of elders.
- Chore – Assistance for those who have
difficulties with such activities as yard work, sidewalk maintenance, or
heavy house cleaning.
- Congregate and Home Delivered Meals – Provide
meals that meet dietary guidelines either in a congregate setting that
enhances socialization or delivered to persons in an “at home”
setting.
- Counseling – Advise and enable older persons and
family members to resolve problems or relieve temporary stress.
- Elder Abuse Initiatives – To provide public
awareness, training, system enhancements, as well as assessment and
coordination of services that support vulnerable older Iowans and those
who are victims of elder abuse and neglect.
- Emergency Response Systems – Telephonic or other
electronic service system that alerts first responders in the event of
an emergency.
- Home Repair – Improving or maintaining
residence, appliances, etc., so an elderly person can live safely in
their own home.
- Homemaker – Provide assistance with those who
have difficulty with one or more instrumental activities of daily living
that includes medication management, preparing light meals, shopping for
personal items, or using the telephone.
- Legal Assistance – Provision of legal advice,
counseling, and representation by an attorney if necessary so older
Iowans can manage their own personal and financial affairs.
- Material Aid – Aid given to older persons that
may include direct distribution of surplus food, clothing, eyeglasses,
or security devices.
- Medication Management – This service includes
medication management, screening, and education. A nurse or other
qualified individual may set up medications on a weekly basis for
persons who are unable to manage their own medications due to a physical
or cognitive impairment.
- Mental Health Outreach – An outreach program
designed to identify, evaluate, and provide mental illness treatment.
This is provided on an individual basis to those who are unwilling or
unable to participate at a Community Health Center.
- Nutritional Education and Counseling – A program
to promote better health by providing nutrition, physical fitness, and
nutrition health information. Individual advice and guidance is
given to those who are at high nutritional risk so that they can learn
to eat healthy foods and continue to live independently.
II. Self-Assessment Methodology and Barrier
Identification
- Area Agency on Aging Survey
– A survey of all 13 Area Agencies on Aging will be developed and
completed by the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs. The purpose of
the survey will be to determine what services are currently provided and
available to elder persons with mental illness, mental
retardation/developmental disabilities, or physical disabilities.
- Consumer Survey – A
consumer survey will be conducted to identify where individuals
currently live and determine the types of services needed for
individuals to live in the least restrictive environment possible.
- Projected Need – The
number of Iowans that may experience a need for services will be
estimated based on prevalence rates established with 2000 Census Data.
- Iowa Plan for Community
Development
– Review the current Iowa Plan for Community Development to determine
which recommendations the Department of Elder Affairs can be involved
with based on public input.
- Review Federal & State
Plans
- Review current federal and other state’s plans and reports relating
to their response to the Olmstead Decision and interact with
corresponding agencies in other states regarding approaches to optimize
compliance with Olmstead. Identify from this review what barriers
exist that keep Iowans with disabilities from living in the most
independent setting possible.
Strategic Action Plan Development Process
- Once the Self-Assessment
methodologies described in Section II are completed, a statewide work
group composed of consumers, providers, state agencies, advocacy
groups, consumer groups and other organizations representing the elder
Iowa population led by the Department of Elder Affairs
will be established.
- This group will be used to
develop an action plan that addresses prioritized issues described
as a result of the Self-Assessment.
- Members of this group will
include but not be limited to:
- Iowa Department of Elder Affairs
- Area Agencies on Aging
- AARP
- Iowa Department of Human Services
- Center for Disabilities and Development,
University of Iowa
- Olmstead Real Choices Consumer Task Force
-
Consumers with Disabilities
- Any interested advocacy group or organization
- Timeline
for completion of the Strategic Action Plan
December 31, 2003 - Complete Self-Assessment
January 15, 2004 - Establish workgroup to
evaluate self-assessment and develop
Strategic Plan. July 1, 2004 – Complete
development of Strategic Plan
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