Joint Meeting Governor's Advisory Committee on Aging Aging Services Advisory Committee Wednesday, October 31, 2007 (9:00am to 3:00pm) Clarion Hotel, Albany, New York
I. Call to order and attendance
In attendance:
| Governor's Advisory Committee | Aging Services Advisory Committee |
|---|---|
| Irv Appel | William Au |
| Joan Byrne | Priscilla Bassett |
| Michael Conners | Ruth Berger |
| James Chang | Elizabeth Bird |
| Loretta Donlon | Peg Corbett |
| Lore Koppell | Antoinette Emers |
| Dottie MacVean | Annette Hawver |
| Richard Menapace | Barbara Intrieri |
| Tom Nagowski | Rod Jones |
| Dan Sambol | Linda Leest |
| Lani Sanjek | Janet Long |
| Cecilia Sanz | Mary Marsh |
| Nelsa Selover | Charles Pederson |
| Irene Stein | George Pettingill |
| Doris Welch | Jerry Shroeder |
| Dorothy Zuckerman | Clifford Whitman |
Linda Leest, Chair of the Aging Services Committee and Lani Sanjek, Chair of the Governor's Advisory Committee jointly co-chaired the meeting. Dr. Leest called the meeting to order at 9 AM and welcomed the members, staff and guests. Ms. Sanjek highlighted the need to focus the work on universal approaches to accessibility, services for older New Yorkers and the disabled. Additionally, she reported on the increasing rate of poverty among older New Yorkers and that New York is above the national average of impoverished older population. The national average is 9% and New York City is close to 20%. Ms. Sanjek also asked the members to think about innovative strategies to promote cost effectiveness in recommendations for the delivery or restructuring of services in order to provide for those in need.
II. Director's Comments
Director Mike Burgess reported on the reorganization of the NYSOFA Divisions and noted that more information will be shared in the near future on the creation of bureaus within the Division of Community Services headed by Marcus Harazin and the Division of Policy Management and Public Information headed by Greg Olsen. Much of the changing nature of the office has been seen through the public information documents, including the redesigned web page and the monthly newsletter. Director Burgess noted that this product was the result of the formation of a new unit, Community Affairs and Public Participation, the first major change for the agency as part of the reorganization. Director Burgess noted that he would be filling several vacancies, including the Long Term Care Ombudsman.
Director Burgess shared the accomplishments of the agency during the time since the last meeting. He reported that he:
- Met with every AAA caucus, has improved on the relationship with the AAAs and the NYS Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and is working with staff on joint committees with the NYSAAA.
- Hosted round table meetings on several topics to promote open discussions on emerging issues, including Civic Engagement, Senior Centers and Neighborhood Empowerment. He looks forward to additional round table meetings to be planned on diversity, patients rights/discharge planning and quality.
- Improved on public relations with the distributions of over 40,000 Resource Guides, publicizing information on his speaking schedule and press releases.
- Participated in multiple advisory committees as appointed by Governor Spitzer, including the new NYS Council on Food Policy, the Geriatric Mental Health Council, and the Family Caregivers Council, among others.
Director Burgess also noted that NYSOFA was working with the counties of Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer on the implementation of the Governor's Traffic Safety Council grant, expecting training and public education activities after the first of the year. Additionally, he noted that he expected the federal government to fund the Nursing Home Diversion Grant with which NYSOFA would be working with Oneida County.
The Family Caregiver Council has met twice and has been working on recommendations for the Governor, including highlighting November as Caregivers Month. A Special Edition of the NYSOFA NEWS was dedicated to Caregiver issues for the month and the Governor issued a proclamation.
III. Update From Counsel
Jennifer Seehase, NYSOFA General Counsel, addressed the Advisory Committees and highlighted the NYS Elder Law and the federal Older Americans Act. Both documents were distributed as part of the committee members' notebook/handbook. Additionally, Ms. Seehase indicated that she was forming an internal workgroup to review regulations, last updated in 1987, and to determine if changes were needed. She expected to work with the NYS Association of Area Agencies on Aging to understand their priorities for regulatory changes and would report in the future to the Advisory Committees on a workplan as it is developed. Prior to changes, the recommendations of the Advisory Committees will be solicited.
IV. Council Member Updates on Key Activities
Members of the Advisory Committees have been actively participating in meetings and round tables and were able to share their experiences and dialog with other members of the Committees on these topics during the meeting.
- Caregiver Council - Janet Long has been appointed to the new Family Caregiver Council, staffed by NYSOFA, and described the scope of the Council's work, including identifying barriers that caregivers face and posing solutions. The Council expects to delineate recommendations for the Governor to consider by the end of the calendar year.
- Civic Engagement Round Table - Dr. Leest reported on the first invitational roundtable hosted by NYSOFA. Participants identified that most older New Yorkers wish to work, many need the income to avert poverty and some seek the challenge of lifelong learning and contributing to their communities.
- Senior Center/Congregate Services Round Table - Due to Dr. Leest's participation in this meeting telephonically, she asked Marcus Harazin to summarize the discussion. Mr. Harazin noted that invitees struggle with the need for dual programming, to reach all generations of older New Yorkers in attempts to meet the needs of the changing demographics. Certainly, the need for funding was stressed, as is the method of counting services delivered based only on meals served in congregate settings. Discussion among Advisory Committee members ensued, including the need to recruit and retain staff and the difficulty in supporting staff training, cost of living adjustments and efforts to promote services to diverse populations where language may be a barrier. Members identified that some programs receives legislative money to fund essential program components. Committee members urged NYSOFA to consider a more universal formula for funding senior centers that values and compensates for all services, rather than focusing on food services. Ms. Sanjek suggested that a more thorough discussion of congregate services be held at a future meeting.
- Neighborhood/Community Empowerment - Peg Corbett participated in a field visit that Director Burgess had in Oneida County, including a social model adult day program at the Ava Dorfman Senior Center and a new initiative in New Hartford, Sunset Neighborhood. Ms. Corbett reported that the program, modeled after the Beacon Hill program in Boston and featured in a presentation during the previous night's dinner meeting, fills some service gaps that are not being met by the County Office for the Aging due in large part to the recipients' financial status being above those that are most needy. The program allows for aging in place in a neighborhood setting by providing, through membership, a defined set of services. Director Burgess also noted that a round table on this topic brought together interested parties from throughout the state who were able to share their ideas about community-based initiatives. NYSOFA will work with the groups to provide technical assistance and best practice models that support a public-private partnership to address the aging in place needs of middle class New Yorkers.
- Workforce Listening Sessions - Ms. Sanjek reported that she and Dr. Leest participated in a well-attended workforce conference presented by the NYS Association of Area Agencies on Aging in New York City that included a NYSOFA/ State Society on Aging (SSA) Listening Session on workforce. NYSOFA and the SSA have held similar sessions throughout the state. Similar themes emerge at each session, including the shortage of geriatric professionals in social work, aging and medicine, the need to have the workforce reflect the diversity of the populations served, gerontology training is needed across all settings, housing and transportation are issues that must be addressed to recruit and retain the workforce. A final report of the workforce Listening Sessions is being prepared and will be distributed to the Advisory Committees.
V. State and Federal Budget
Greg Olsen provided an update on federal budget issues to supplement email alerts that members receive periodically. The Older Americans Act 2006 amendments highlighted the need for more community-based and disease prevention services. The President's budget proposed cuts to OAA funding streams. NYS has supported a Senate bill to add new money for family caregiver supports and home and congregate services. NYSOFA is working to increase communications with the NYS Congressional delegation to urge support for increased resources for aging services.
Greg Olsen provided an overview of the state budget process and identified that NYSOFA is developing recommendations for budget priorities to be submitted to the Governor's staff.
VI. State and Federal Legislation of Interest
Greg Olsen distributed a bill chart tracking state legislation of interest. Support was requested to provide enhanced funding to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program through a transfer of resources from the Department of Health. It was noted that the LTCOP has an expanded mission with the regulation of assisted living programs and additional revenues are expected as a product of licensure fees.
Support was requested to expand EPIC to cover disabled populations. It was reported that NYSOFA will include this as a part of its recommendations.
The shortage of health care and home care workers was highlighted as an area of concern and NYSOFA has collected information during its listening tours with the State Society on Aging on this topic. NYSOFA will continue to highlight efforts to address workforce shortages. The need to increase cash allowances for the needy was identified. It was noted that some proposed increases could have a negative impact on other benefits where limitations on entitlements are tied to income levels that are outdated.
VI. Review of Four Year Plan Material
The Administration on Aging has accepted NYSOFA's Four-Year Plan. Efforts continue to inform the public regarding NYSOFA's Plan, including distributing the executive summary at meetings and via the internet. It was noted that the Plan is designed as a strategic planning tool and will be updated periodically.
VII. Department of Insurance Elder Protection Unit
Laura Dillon and Janet Davignon from the New York State Insurance Department (SID), Consumer Complaint Bureau described the newly-created Elder Protection Unit within SID. First announced in early September by Superintendent DiNallo, this unit is comprised of SID staff from several bureaus within the agency, providing capacity to address the many issues that seniors encounter with Long Term Care insurance, Medicare Part D coverage, and a host of other insurance-related problems. Laura and Janet explained how the State Insurance Department can field questions from seniors and expedite and address their complaints.
VII. Advisory Input to NYSOFA Initiatives
NYSOFA staff presented information on NY Connects, the NYSOFA Web Page updates, NYSOFA's newsletter, the Prevention Initiative and Senior Citizens Month. It was noted that May 6, 2008 is the date set for Senior Citizens Day and the celebration in Albany, which will be followed by the next meeting of the Joint Advisory Committees on May 7.
Advisory Committee members provided guidance on outreach materials, including the need to increase font size on publications, to contact local media outlets to highlight the importance of aging services, and to work closely with the medical community to promote wellness initiatives.
Members also discussed Long Term Care restructuring and examined how to be certain that the aging network fits into the redesign and restructuring plans. It was noted that NYSOFA's collaboration with the Department of Health on NY Connects is important particularly because it helps to highlight the non-medical service delivery system. Advisory Committee members stressed the need to continue to send the message that restructuring cannot be focused only on institutional care and urged the continued development of services to promote care in the least restrictive environment.