HomeMy WebLinkAbout20043506.tiff YEARLY REPORT
WELD COUNTY AAA ADVISORY BOARD
Betty Jones, Chair
December 13, 2004
The year 2004 was productive and challenging for the Advisory Board members of
the Weld County, Colorado, Area Agency on Aging. The Board was productive in
following and achieving the Vision 2004 guidelines but also challenged by a
broader interpretation of the Vision as the year progressed. The many issues and
needs of Seniors in Weld County is foremost in the Board's yearly plans. A
constant guide and resource is the Four Year Plan for AAA ; we also address
immediate activities as needed. The Board achieved the 2004 Vision.
The 4 Year Plan Initiatives gained by Board-held public hearings were:
— Caregiver Related Issues.
— Consumer and Agency Provided Education.
— Advocacy and Program Coordination.
— Enhancement of Senior Programs.
-- Senior Health Care Issues.
Examples of the 2004 activities of the Board are listed below. The * denotes
programs in the Four Year Plan.
* A Family Caregiver Support Conference was planned and presented by Jerry
Kearney, AAA coordinator. Seventy participated, assisted by staff and volunteers,
with County Commissioner Glenn Vaad in attendance. An educational and
emotional feature was a panel of caregivers who care for parents, spouses, or
friends. Sponsors of the conference were AAA, Eldergarden, Alheimers
Association, Hospice, and Forest Labs providing the lunch. Additional services
were back massages, relaxation techniques, a pharmacist, and aroma therapy.
The caregivers were given special recognition at the luncheon.
* MA participated in the Weld County Senior Health Fair. The Fair was extremely
well attended by older adults. Information about AAA programs was provided,
answering questions and educating participants.
* Weld AAA Lead Ombudsman, Raegan Maldonado, introduced the Colorado
Long Term Care Ombudsman, Pat Tunnell, who was conducting an Ombudsman
Program site visit and wanted to visit our MA Advisory Board. Raegan explained
the role of Ombudsmen, and introduced her staff. There are currently three
employees and 7 Ombudsmen Volunteers who are certified at Weld AAA.
Statewide there are 27 paid Ombudsmen and over 128 volunteers.
* The new Medicare Prescription program was presented. Actual Medicare
0 o c n t O .'cD n S 2004-3506
Prescription applications were handed out, and the steps a senior would need to
take to access the program was discussed. There were many questions and
concerns from the board regarding seniors who haven't heard about the plan or
seniors who do not understand how to access the Medicare Prescription card
benefits.
* A survey by the AAA Advisory Boards' Health Committee of Senior Centers'
Health Services & Needs was achieved, with the results presented to the AAA
Board. All county Centers were sent a questionnaire asking if they provide
services such as nutrition, foot care, hearing aid cleaning, hearing tests, blood
pressure monitoring, and 17 additional categories. The survey was compiled and
analyzed by Chris Miller, UNC intern, and Ackerman &Associates. The outcome is
Barb Ellis, RN, has developed a medication awareness program and is actively
presenting the information to the senior sites throughout the county. She has also
researched pharmacists with the help of the board.
* The budget for the State Fiscal 2005 services was presented by Eva. The line
items were discussed, and the Board reminded that State dollars were cut for
2005, which resulted in a $70,000 dollar reduction for Weld AAA.
* Funds from the state to Weld Co. MA are used to:
Provide dental/vision/hearing services to low income elderly
Provide additional home health services to frail elderly
Support four small rural senior centers that were in danger
of closing their doors
Maintain the senior nutrition program in Ft. Lupton and Grover
Maintain outreach programs to lonely and isolated seniors through
the senior centers
Provide a chore program to frail elderly.
This yearly report covers only some of the education and activities the Board was
engaged in for 2004. The year was successful with accomplishments that follow
the Four Year Plan.
There are a few future challenges which is not unusual in any organization:
The Legislative committee was inactive most of the year.
The Media committee was successful in setting goals and started actively working
towards increasing public awareness by newspaper articles, etc.
The Board visited a variety of AAA programs, facilities, meal sites, and volunteered
information of services provided by Weld County MA. Overall, 2004 was an
educational, busy, and successful year for the AAA Advisory Board.
The AAA Board thanks the county commissioners and state legislators for
supporting senior issues and understanding the growing needs for our elderly
citizens.
Hello