Annual report Governor's Advisory Council on Aging

              • GV 52.1: 1996
Governor's Advisory
Council on Aging
ARIZONA STATE LIBRARY
ARCHIVES & PUBLIC RECORD
FEB 1 1 2005
STATE DOCUMENTS
1996
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GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
Members
1996
John J. Templin, Chairman
Sun City West, AZ
Bill Bowler
Tucson, AZ
John 1. Boyer, M.D.
Tucson, AZ
Candy Braunle
Phoenix, AZ
E. Ellsworth Campbell, Ph.D.
Yuma, AZ
Dosia Carlson, Ph.D.
Phoenix, AZ
Kermit Clark
Tempe, AZ
Jane Lange
Office of Older Adult Health
Department of Health Services
Anita O'Riordan/Elvera Anselmo
Elder Affairs Program
Office of the Attorney General
Program Specialists
Maggie Dembowski
Lupe Solis
Ex-Officio
Members
Executive Director
Anne Lindeman
Lupe Solis, Acting
(Jan.-Oct. 1996)
Virginia R. Jensen
Green Valley, AZ
Dixie M. Jessen
Phoenix, AZ
Patrick Nugent
Kingman, AZ
Barbara O'Dell
Tucson, AZ
Tony Sanchez
Tucson, AZ
Rev. Donald Schneider
Phoenix, AZ
Mary L. Walsh
Sierra Vista, AZ
David Ulrich
Department of Insurance
Art Olin
Aging and Adult Administration
Department of Economic Security
Secretarial
Helen Perez
Beverly Mata
GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
ANNUAL REPORT
1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRANSMIDAL LEDER 1
MISSION 3
LEGiSLATION 6
PLANNING 8
OLDER AMERICANS ACT SERViCES 10
ADVOCACy 11
COMMUNICATION 13
GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE 14
ALZHEIMER'S 15
INTERGENERATIONAL '" 17
PREVENTION 18
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 21
GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
1991·2000 • A DECADE OF PREPARATION
March 31, 1997
Honorable Fife Symington
Governor of Arizona
capitol Tower 9th Floor
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Dear Governor Symington:
It gives me great pleasure to submit to you the Council's 1996
Annual Report. In keeping with our mandate we continue to be
actively involved in promoting the well-being of all elderly people
in Arizona.
The state's population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate
but the fastest growth is in the 85+ population. This age group
presents the greatest challenges. Arizona's aging network works
hard to develop innovative programs to allow the oldest of the old
to remain at home, independent, for as long as possible.
Working in unison with the aging network made up of state
departments under your leadership, community agencies, and aging
advocates, we at the Council strive to follow your lead. We
continuously promote cost efficient and effective services and
place special emphasis on the development of public/private
partnerships.
The Council is well aware and promotes recognition of the
significant contributions of seniors to Arizona's community and
economy. While we applaud recent efforts to promote relocation of
affluent seniors to the state, we continue to explore how Arizona
can best meet the needs and wants of its current residents, and of
those who relocate to Arizona, especially as they age.
It is our intent, through this report, to give you and other
readers a glimpse of the many facets of aging which occupy Council
efforts. We thank you for your interest in Arizona's senior
population.
Sincerely,
ohnJl:-"i:I{
councI?' ~hairman
Site Code oo8A • P.O. Box 6123 • Phoenix, Arizona 85005 • (602) 5424710 Fax (602) 542-5339
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This annual report contains a synopsis of the major activities of the Council
during 1996. The success of these events was due in large part to the
excellent staff of the Council. Ms. Lupe Solis, Ms. Maggie Dembowski, Ms.
Helen Perez and Ms. Beverly Mata worked long and hard to ensure Arizona's
senior citizens were well represented and served during 1996.
Anne Lindeman
Executive Director
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The Governor's Advisory Council on Aging's mission is
to advise the Governor, the Legislature and all state
departments which the Council deems necessary on all
matters and issues relating to the aging, including the
administration of the State Plan on Aging.
To carry out its mission the Council plans, promotes or
develops programs and activities to improve the well being
of all older Arizonans with emphasis on the frail elderly. The
Council accomplishes these objectives in a variety of ways.
A major activity of the Council is writing or promoting
legislative proposals to create, guide or improve services to
benefit Arizona's elderly.
Another major activity is the review and approval of the
three-year State Plan on Aging. Due to the delay in the
reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in 1996,
development of the plan was postponed until 1997. Local
community hearings for comments to the new plan will be
hosted by the Council in mid-1997. The reauthorization of
the act is expected sometime in mid-1997.
The Council continuously develops and co-sponsors training
workshops on current aging issues or trends in cooperation
with the Area Agencies on Aging, the Department of Health
Services, the Department of Economic Security, the
Department of Insurance, the Office of the Attorney General
and the Department of Transportation.
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Another way the Council carries forth its mission is by
fostering and celebrating the growth and continued
development of aging interest groups and their successes.
Council staff provides legislative updates to local and
regional groups, such as the Arizona Coalition on Aging, the
Northwest and the East Valley Legislative Committees, local
committees on aging and other aging organizations to help
them achieve their legislative advocacy goals.
The Governor's Conference also provides opportunities to
highlight new programs. The Area Agency on Aging, Region
One unveiled its Domestic Violence Among Older Couples
Campaign and presented a skit to sensitize people to the
problem at the 1996 conference. The Arizona Chapter of the
Older Women's League unveiled its 1996 Mother's Day
Report, "Faces of Care: An Analysis of Paid Caregivers and
Their Impact on Quality Long Term Care" at a conference
luncheon, attended by over 100 aging advocates.
Long held Council contacts produced scholarships for
Council Chairman John Templin and members Don
Schneider and Barbara O'Dell to the Close Up Foundation's
Older Americans Program in Washington, D.C.
In addition, then Acting Executive Director Lupe Solis was
invited, at Close Up's expense, to attend the Foundation's
25th Anniversary Celebration, in recognition of efforts to
promote the Foundation's goals of civic education and
involvement.
This year demonstrated the success of Council efforts to
promote cohesiveness within the aging network, and of its
pursuit of private/public collaborations.
In the summer of 1996, the Council undertook a review of
council subcommittees' mission and goals statements in
order to update the Members' Handbook.
Throughout the summer of 1996 staff visited senior centers
in Benson, Patagonia, Tombstone, Huachuca City, Sierra
Vista and Casa Grande and reservation centers in White
River and Cibecue to view local needs first hand. The most
frequently mentioned lack was transportation for the seniors.
Even when approved for the Department of Transportation's
B-2 program, rural Senior Centers experience waits of as
much as two years for their new vehicles. The Council asked
the Department of Transportation to expedite the vehicle
adaptation process in order to ameliorate the transportation
problems, particularly in rural areas.
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The 1996 legislative session marked a busy time for the
Council. Prior to the beginning of the session, the Council
subcommittees had suggested priorities for action. The
focus was legal protections for the elderly.
The legislative session galvanized the aging network to
action. The Aging and Adult Administration of the
Department of Economic Security, the Area Agencies on
Aging, community agencies and aging organizations
statewide collaborated in advocacy efforts to obtain approval
of several legislative proposals. The following bills were
successfully included:
H.B. 2071 approved statewide expansion of a formerly
Maricopa-County-only pilot program for respite care services
for caregivers of the elderly. The bill carried an appropriation
of $185,000. Approved as session law only, it will require
legislative approval in 1997 to make the program
permanent.
Powers of attorney have a legitimate use for many business
purposes. Unfortunately, they are also often used to exploit
and defraud the principals, particularly vulnerable elderly. In
1995, the Council introduced a bill to try to correct such
inequities. Although unsuccessful, in 1996, the Council
again sought a solution to the problem of financial
exploitation of the elderly. The result was H.B. 2457
H.B. 2457 Vulnerable Adult; Financial Exploitation;
Penalties, (Chapter 274) originally drafted to attempt to
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regulate the abuses perpetrated through the use of Powers
of Attorney, was amended to target financial exploitation of
the elderly by those supposed to be safeguarding their
assets through fiduciary relationships.
H.B. 2053 defined emotional abuse as a pattern of ridiculing
or demeaning vulnerable adults in any setting in which
health care, or health-related services... are provided.
Derogatory remarks, verbal harassment and/or threats to
inflict physical or emotional harm on the vulnerable adult are
included in the definition.
The bill which became Chapter 357 was introduced by the
Attorney General's Office. It was developed in response to a
highly publicized case of abuse in a nursing home setting
where health aides had intimidated and threatened residents
for an extended period of time.
Through this bill emotional abuse joins physical and sexual
abuse, imprisonment and neglect as an abuse crime against
older adults.
The aging network was also successful in obtaining an
increase of $540,000 in the appropriation for the Department
of Economic Security's adult services budget. The additional
monies helped to meet increased demands in non-medical
home and community based services for the elderly. These
services, provided through the area agencies, support frail
elderly in their homes who, because of financial or frailty
eligibility requirements, do not qualify for AHCCCS's Long
Term Care Services.
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The dramatic growth in aging demographics nationally and
in the state presents numerous challenges. State program
planners are keenly aware of the need to create services
that are flexible enough to meet not only today's needs but
future demands.
If current state efforts to promote Arizona as a retirement
haven are successful, Arizona's service network will need to
expand and utilize the most up-to-date technology for
service development.
Arizona's experience with Youngtown and Sun City, where
many residents whose incomes were ample in the '60s, are
now facing economic hardship especially in meeting today's
health care costs, is a constant reminder for program
planners.
Although wealthy seniors are the focus of the newly formed
Arizona Office of Senior Living, eventually all older adults
may suffer health setbacks and become impaired.
Because current development efforts are being targeted to
rural areas, it will be ever more important to ensure
availability, accessibility and affordability of services. Even
well off seniors may find themselves hard-pressed to find or
pay full cost for services needed.
Although all segments of the state's population are growing
significantly, the 85+ group is growing the fastest. Today,
69,798 persons 85 years of age or older reside in Arizona.
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By the year 2010, this age cohort will total 132,950 - a 200
percent increase. It is well known that frailty levels are
highest among persons 85+ years old.
The scarcity of services in some rural areas exacerbates the
problem. The Council recognizes the challenge and holds in
high priority the need to meet not only the needs of a local
population which is growing older, but the needs of those
being actively invited to choose Arizona for their retirement
years.
Demographic projections spur the Governor's Council to
continued emphasis on increased development of publicI
private partnerships and innovative projects. Thus, projects
such as the respite care program for caregivers, MEAPA,
the Maricopa County Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance and
Maricopa County's Office of Long Term Care's Supportive
Residential Living Pilot received the Council's ongoing,
active support.
The State Plan on Aging, developed by the Aging and Adult
Administration of the Department of Economic Security,
includes strategies for the development of innovative
projects and also tracks units of service provided to
Arizona's elderly.
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The Aging and Adult Administration of the Department of
Economic Security, the state's unit on aging, reports the
following services funded by the Older Americans Act for
FY-96:
ACTUAL '96 ESTIMATE '97
Home Delivered Meals
Number of Persons 8,737 9,076
Number of Meals Units 1,580,532 1,643,030
Congregate Meals
Number of Persons 34,596 46,180
Number of Units 1,493,260 1,123,619
Legal Services
Number of Persons 2,975 2,727
Number of Units 15,905 14,585
Transportation
Number of Persons 8,730 9,460
Number of Units 948,757 1,002,884
Adult Day Care
Number of Persons 326 301
Number of Units 410,325 379,363
Respite
Number of Units 47,149 37,202
Health Promotion
Number of Units 10,603 6,554
Multipurpose Center
Number of Persons 15,295 24,827
Number of Units 104,948 170,264
Home Repair/Adaptation
Number of Persons 38 26
Number of Units 777 515
Long Term Care Advocacy
Number of Persons 1,588 1,562
Number of Units 23,186 22,806
Coordination
Number of Units 42,890 23,653
Counseling
Number of Persons 3,131 2,422
Number of Units 25,631 22,742
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Poverty in Arizona, a report of the Arizona Community
Action Association, Inc., published in 1996, indicates that
poverty rates among Arizona's elderly have decreased since
the '70s when poverty rates were higher among the elderly
than among children.
But, although the current poverty rate for those persons 65­75
years of age is 9.3 percent, the rate for those 75 and
older is 13.2 percent. Furthermore, variations by county and
for minority populations are dramatic. The variances are
significant and indicate an uncertain tomorrow particularly for
minorities and low-income elderly.
Current societal attitudes that emphasize self-determination
and shared-responsibility are redefining or diminishing
traditional safety nets. The impact of these changes is
usually negative or, at best, uncertain.
Last year, for example, the cuts to the General Assistance
Program severely impacted elderly program recipients who
depend on this stipend while awaiting disability
determinations. The passage of the Welfare Reform Act by
Congress also gives rise to concerns over the fate of frail,
low income legal residents who will lose their Supplemental
Security Income and may lose their long term care
coverage.
The Governor's Council continues to insist that all reform
proposals must review all possible scenarios and analyze
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impact projections, particularly for the elderly, before
decisions are made.
Although the aging community welcomes efforts to enhance,
reform and redefine concepts of self-determination and
independence for government programs, safety net
programs are and will always be needed. They fill the gaps
for those segments of our population who, because of
financial hardships and physical or mental disabilities, are
least able to sustain themselves, namely children and the
frail elderly.
Congressional activity in 1996 set in motion an expected but
worrisome trend. Federal budgets were not approved until
late December; agencies were forced to operate programs
under continuing resolutions - always under threat of cuts
and reduced budget authorizations.
Area Agencies on Aging managed to maintain services and
calm people's anxieties about service continuance. They
made hard decisions in order to maximize dollars and
minimize deleterious impacts. The Council promoted the
preservation of Older Americans Act programs and
advocated for budget appropriations sufficient to the needs.
In August, Congress passed the Welfare Reform Act.
Although not primarily aimed for older adults programs, its
passage requires watchful scrutiny by the aging network.
The Governor's Council began a review to try to understand
the changes welfare reform brings and how best to serve
people within the new guidelines and constraints.
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September saw the introduction of a new Council newsletter,
the Council Update. It will be published quarterly. It is
intended to inform the aging network of Council activities
and efforts.
Once again the World Affairs Council asked the Council to
acquaint foreign visitors with U.S. aging policy and state
aging services. Foreign officials came from Japan and
Turkey. As usual, they were eager to learn how aging
services work in Arizona and expressed amazement at the
sophistication of the service system.
It is also common for the Council staff and members to be
invited to address groups and participate in panel
discussions. 1996 was no exception. Council staff and
members attended and/or presented at the National Indian
Conference on Aging in Prescott in April, the National
Academy of Aging meeting at the University of Arizona in
early May, the Senior Connection meeting in Casa Grande
in July, the Phoenix Mayor's Forum in August and University
of Arizona and Phoenix College ASMAT classes on
women's and other aging issues. Council members
represented the Council in meetings statewide.
By invitation, Council staff attended the Domestic Abuse
Conference hosted by the American Medical and the
American Bar Associations in Palm Springs in early March.
Information received will help the Council explore strategies
to counter the prevalence of domestic violence among the
elderly.
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In early May, over 600 people attended the 8th Governor's
Conference on Aging, "Aging in Arizona: Diverse Peoples,
Diverse Places," held at the Mesa Community and
Conference Center. Attendance ran approximately 50
percent seniors and 50 percent professionals in the field of
aging.
The conference marked the first major collaborative effort
between the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging and the
American Association of Retired Persons who co-sponsored
the conference.
The evaluations indicated a high level of satisfaction with
program quality and content, speakers and topic diversity.
The eight tracks: Lifestyles, Intergenerational Issues, Elder
Protections, Disease Management, Continuum of Care and
Life Choices were a perfect corollary of older adults'
interests and concerns. Idea exchanges, poster sessions
and round table sessions explored innovative programming
ideas. The 63 workshops represented the latest trends and
ideas in the field of aging.
The Governor's banquet keynoter, Dr. Stephen Sapp of the
University of Miami, captured the audience's interest with his
"What Does One Generation Owe Another" speech.
The conference was developed with the help of numerous
agencies, academicians, volunteers and advocates who
collaborated to make it a huge success. Over 150 volunteers
participated in the two-day event which received generous
corporate financial support.
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Alzheimer's disease affects over four million persons in the
United States. In the initial stages most of these people are
cared for by their families. But the unrelenting physical and
emotional demands placed on their caregivers leads to
burnout and to premature placement of Alzheimer's patients
in institutions.
The Alzheimer's Demonstration Project was approved by
Senate Bill 1143 in 1995. The pilot was to develop social
model settings of residential care specifically designed for
persons in the early and middle stages of Alzheimer's and
other dementias. The facilities were to offer activity-oriented
programs for persons in the early and middle stages of the
disease while promoting the families continued involvement.
In 1995, the Council received a Flinn Foundation grant to
provide technical assistance to facilities seeking to become
part of the demonstration project. The goal was to help
develop preventive and risk reduction settings where care
could be provided to these patients at a lesser cost than in
skilled nursing care facilities.
By the end of 1996, 11 facilities, including one in Prescott
and one in Tucson, were participating in the demonstration
project. Four others are scheduled to come on board in early
1997.
The Legislative Oversight Committee is expected to make its
report and recommendations at the conclusion of the
demonstration project period in 1998. The Council
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participates in the Oversight Committee and continues to
facilitate the implementation of their recommendations.
The Council also actively continues to facilitate the public
policy efforts of the Alzheimer's Association Chapters and is
pleased to recognize the increasing strength and
sophistication of the three state chapters located in Tucson,
Prescott and Phoenix.
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In November the Council co-sponsored the 9th Conference
of the Arizona Intergenerational Advocacy Program (AIAP).
This event is a collaborative effort between the Area Agency
on Aging, the Governor's Council and both the national and
the Arizona Close Up Foundations. This year corporate
support came from FHP and The Salt River Project. Close
Up has provided seed funding since the Council initiated this
event in 1988.
The conference was a unique gathering of 50 high school
students and 50 senior adults. They met for a day and a half
to learn how to review issues and create change.
"Age Stereotypes, How They Are Formed and How We Can
Change Them," provided the perfect topic to analyze
stereotypes. Participants discussed the part news media,
advertising and entertainment play in shaping and
developing public policy and private sector practices.
For example, employment stereotypes may hold that one
can be either too old to learn; too young to have experience;
too unreliable, if young; too sick, if old. The harmful aspects
of long practiced biases can be reduced and corrected only
if we are aware of them and their effect on society.
Participants' comments indicated a successful meeting:
o I'll be more tolerant of all age groups - minus the
"labels"!
o I'll be more conscious of age stereotyping - both
positive and negative.
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Suicide prevention efforts were the focus of renewed
Council attention in 1996.
The rate of elderly suicides in the state continues to be high
and sadly their suicide attempts are more successful than
those of other age groups. Suicide attempts among the
elderly succeed three out of four times, as compared with
more unsuccessful attempts among teenagers.
The 1994 "Shadows in Life: Suicide Among Older Adults,"
Council conference issued a recommendation to sensitize
the public and medical care practitioners to at-risk behaviors
and warning signs. Throughout 1995 and 1996, the Council
supported Department of Health Services efforts to
implement this recommendation by developing workshops
statewide for primary care providers.
A Suicide Prevention Task Force organized by the Office of
Older Adult Health and chaired by Lupe Solis, the Council's
Senior Program Specialist, conducted workshops in
Prescott, Mohave County and the Miami/Globe area. The
workshops were developed with local assistance and utilized
curriculum developed by the Task Force whose membership
was made up of aging organizations statewide. The
curriculum is available for future presentations. As a
continuation of its work in the area of suicide prevention the
Council presented a "Depression and the Elderly
Conference," in Sierra Vista on December 4.
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The conference brought together 130 medical and mental
health professionals, case manager, caregivers and others
to discuss ways to combat depression and suicide among
the elderly. Local and area experts presented valuable
information. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants
were able to 1) recognize the prevalence signs and
symptoms of depression and alcohol abuse in seniors,
2) identify treatment approaches, 3) recognize side effects of
anti-depressant medications, 4) discuss interventions and
5) identify referral mechanisms and resources.
There is yet a lot of work to be done in this area, including
sensitizing the aging service community to the extent and
pervasiveness of the problem. The Governor's Council
continues to look for opportunities to present this message
of prevention as often as possible.
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It is the quality of life that counts and not the number of years we live.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
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Throughout 1996 the council enlisted financial and planning
support for the Governor's Conference on Aging and other
Council events from many private and public sector sources.
We are truly appreciative of their prompt and generous
response when called upon. We gratefully acknowledge the
support of the following:
Blue CrossIBlue Shield, Columbia Medical Center's Senior Horizons, Del
Webb Corporation, FHP, First Interstate Bank of Arizona, Humana Gold
Plus Plan, Intergroup, Mercy Healthcare Arizona, Salt River Project,
Scottsdale Village Square, Shamrock Foods, SmithKline Beecham
Pharmaceuticals, Southwest Gas and Sun Health.
Also community aging organizations such as:
The American Association of Retired Persons, the Arizona Area Agencies
on Aging, Arizona Association of Retired Teachers, Arizona Council for
Senior Citizens, Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Older
Adult Health, City of Phoenix's Human Services Department, Senior
Services Division, The Department of Economic Security's Aging and
Adult Administration, East Valley Legislative. Committee, Glendale
Committee on Aging, Maricopa County Council for Senior Citizens, Mesa
Committee on Aging, Mesa Senior Centers, Inc., NARFE, The National
Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Northwest Valley
Legislative Committee, Older Americans Month Committee of Maricopa
County, Pinal/Gila Counties' Senior Connection, SEAGO, Area Agency
on Aging, Region VI, Southeast Arizona Area Health Education Center,
Sun Cities Area Community Council, Tempe Committee on Aging, Tempe
Community Council, The City of Mesa, University of Arizona Center on
Aging, and others too numerous to mention.
The Council also benefited from the assistance, during the
Governor's Conference development period, of Salt River
Project's employee, Catherine Creamer. This support is the
result of continued collaborations and expresses high
confidence in the work of the Council.
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The purpose of life is to live it, to reach out eagerly and without fear.
Eleanor Roosevelt