Transcript Slide 1

The Aging Network
Helping Older Adults
Live Well at Home Today
Objectives
• Understand the structure, roles and funding streams for the Aging Network, including
volunteer support
• Explore the value of non-medical, in-home services in avoiding rehospitalization
• Identify critical points in care pathways to make referrals to AAA Senior LinkAge
Line® services
• Learn about the infrastructure of community-based Chronic Disease SelfManagement Program (CDSMP) and Matter of Balance class offerings
• Identify new resources for patients to develop the skills needed to manage their
chronic conditions on a day-today basis and increase self-management skills in
preventing falls
• Learn about partnership opportunities with Area Agencies on Aging to develop
additional capacity in selfmanagement of chronic disease and/or falls prevention
Structure and roles
 Area Agencies on Aging
created via the Older
Americans Act
 Nation-wide home and
community-based service
system that develops and
delivers non-medical
services to help older
adults maintain
independence at home
Minnesota’s Aging Network
MN Board on Aging designates Area
Agencies on Aging for statewide coverage:
 Six regional “AAAs” and 1 Tribal “AAA”
 Nonprofit corporations, quasi-governmental or tribal
organizations
 Experts on community services, caregiving,
volunteer support, housing options, Medicare and
public benefits
 Hub organization for local vendor networks and
broader regional “Aging Network”
Minnesota AAAs
How do AAAs have impact?

Consult on-on-one with older adults
and their families about services,
housing choices, caregiver support,
Medicare, benefits, county services

Help older adults transition across
settings

Identify needs and distribute federal
and state resources to fund
services for seniors and caregivers

Partner to develop new services
and programs
Options Counseling
 Person-centered consultation over the telephone via the Senior
LinkAge Line®, web chat or at home to:
 Evaluate complex living situations
Connect to housing options and services such as homemaker,
meals, transportation, respite, medication management, home
modifications, chronic disease self management programs
 Answer Medicare and insurance questions
 Follow-up to ensure that needs are met
 New statutory referral requirements in law for clinics and hospitals
Addressing avoidable
readmissions to the hospital

Root Cause = Absent or insufficient enlistment of short or longterm services and supports

Response = Community-based services provided Area Agency on
Aging and local Aging Network

Medication Issues: Link to Title III-funded Medication Therapy Management services and
other medication management resources; enlist SHIP counselor to resolve payment
issues/identify more cost-effective Part D plan; connect informal caregiver to training;
address memory loss

Lack of follow-up with PCP: Link to transportation provider

Additional help needed at home: Provide information about and/or arrange home health
care services, environmental modifications, assistive devices, meals/grocery delivery,
PERS, homemaker and outdoor chore services, caregiver respite, consultation, support,
training, Senior Companion, block/parish nurse, Long-Term Care Consultation/Waiver
Evidence-based Health Promotion
(EBHP) Programs
Living Well with Chronic Conditions (CDSMP) - Increase
self-confidence in the ability to control symptoms and
manage the affect of multiple chronic health issues (6
weeks, 2.5 hrs./week)
A Matter of Balance (MOB) - Reduce the fear of falling and
increase the activity level (8 weeks, 2 hrs./week)
Powerful Tools for Caregivers - Family caregivers learn skills
to care for themselves while caring for others
(6 weeks, 2.5 hrs/week)
AAAs’ Implementation Roles
– Disseminate EBHP programs through implementing
partner organizations
– Train leaders and provide licensing, start-up materials, and
fidelity monitoring
– Provide technical assistance on program implementation,
marketing materials, promotion strategies to generate
participants for classes, local referral partnerships
– Limited funding through Older Americans Act
AAAs’ experience and potential involvement
integrating care systems
 Long-term Care Options Counseling and personcentered support coordination
 Care transitions and service delivery expertise
 Evidence-based health promotion and chronic disease
management services
 Bridge connecting acute and clinical health care with
community-based services to provide better care with
follow-up; reduce health care costs; support better
health
 Partner to develop comprehensive community
approaches to care transitions that improve outcomes
for patients
Information and Resources
For Providers: Interested in becoming leadertrained to offer classes or host a class?
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging
www.mn4a.org
For Seniors: To get more information or to find a
class in your area call:
Senior LinkAge Line® 1-800-333-2433
Or visit
www.mnhealthyaging.org
Information and Resources
Lori Vrolson, MA, Executive Director
Central Minnesota Council on Aging
[email protected]
320-253-9349
Dawn Simonson, MPA, Executive Director
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
[email protected]
651-641-8612
Information and Resources
Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging
www.mn4a.org
Minnesota Board on Aging/MN AAA EBHP and chronic
disease management information
www.mnhealthyaging.org
Minnesota Board on Aging and MN Dept. of Human
Services Database
www.MinnesotaHelp.info
Next Webinar
Topic:
Meaningful Use and Electronic Health Records for the RARE
Campaign
Date: Friday August 24, 2012
Time: 12 Noon – 1p.m. CDT
Future Topics:
To suggest future topics for this series, Reducing
Avoidable Readmissions Effectively “RARE” Networking
Webinars, contact Kathy Cummings, [email protected]