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May 2008 May 2008 Newsletter In This
Issue:
Over the past year I've been seeking the widest input possible on the best models for modernizing aging services to meet twenty-first century needs. It's clear to me that the vision of a service system that is consumer-centered and dedicated to promoting health and independence is largely shared. The enhancements proposed through modernization will strengthen our ability to develop this focus and contribute immensely to the City's age-friendliness. I look forward to working with community agencies and all the many stakeholders who have expressed interest as we continue this process of shaping a bright future for the City's seniors. As always, I look forward to hearing from you. Also, call 311 to learn about the Department's services for seniors or read more at nyc.gov/aging.
Accord Reached with City Council and Stakeholders on Pace of Senior Center Modernization
The goal of senior center reform is to realize the potential of senior centers to offer vital programs focused on wellness, where seniors could participate in a range of health, nutrition, recreational, social and cultural activities. However, the City will allow two models of centers in the RFP that will be released in the fall. Proposers may propose comprehensive multi-service health and wellness centers that offer a programming array or they may propose smaller neighborhood senior center that focus on core services but incorporate health and wellness components into activities. For the past year and a half the Department for the Aging, representing the Mayor's Office, has been speaking to seniors, community partners, the City Council and community groups all across the City to develop this vision. Response was generally positive. However, centers were concerned that too much was expected too quickly. The April 9th agreement allows for fuller discussion of the best process for ensuring a transition that promotes change while recognizing current capacity limitations.
Mayor Bloomberg Celebrates Earth Day at Leonard Covello Senior Center
Seniors are vital to the City's campaign to "go green," Mayor Bloomberg told the Covello audience. They responded warmly and were delighted with the reusable bags for groceries that were distributed. Covello has been promoting "green" awareness for many months. Center members participated in a Green Cookbook project with Mt. Sinai Hospital and members of other centers through a Borough President East Harlem initiative. Many center members are now using refillable water bottles, replacing light bulbs at home with energy friendly bulbs and taking other steps to "go green." Department for the Aging Commissioner Edwin Mendez-Santiago and Suleika Cabrera-Drinane, Director of the Institute of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Elderly which sponsors Leon Covello Center, were also on hand to greet the Mayor. Serving of a "Let's Go Green" cake added to the day's festivities.
Case Management Transition Now Underway On July 1, DFTA's enhanced case management system will go into effect. As a result of competitive contract awards made last January, twenty-three programs will deliver case management services to the City's elders. Each program will provide modernized case management focused on comprehensive and holistic client assessment, care planning, service arranging and resource linkages. In addition, whereas in the old system case management was not a pre-requisite for home-delivered meals in some communities, case management will now be the entry point for all of the Department's in-home services throughout the City. To facilitate change to the enhanced system, DFTA launched an unprecedented three month transition period beginning April 1. During the transition, both former agencies and the in-coming agencies that will be assuming care of clients previously served by these out-going agencies will be funded. The transition will take place agency-by-agency over the three months to ensure that any outstanding issues are resolved before clients are permanently transferred. DFTA will also hold planning meetings with home-delivered meals providers transferring clients and in-coming and out-going case management agencies to work out transition issues. Other aspects of the transition include upgrading of the computerized system used by case management agencies to maintain client and performance data, and training for new case managers on this data system and for all case managers on DFTA policies and procedures. A DFTA transition team will also provide personalized on-going technical assistance for all in-coming case management agencies. DFTA has hosted three job fairs to connect displaced case managers from out-going agencies to in-coming case management agencies. To date 90 former case managers have found jobs with new case management agencies.
New and Expanded Activities Planned for Age in Action
Trolley Rides around the park will be taking off throughout the day. "We'll keep four trolleys busy, and every single trip will be packed," says Josette O'Neil, Event Coordinator. Even waiting to board will be fun, since Secure Horizons and Evercare, joint sponsors of the rides, will be providing exercise activities in the tent waiting area. Artisans Market expands on last year's highly successful juried art show. Photography will join the other media featured in the show - sculpture, watercolors and oils by senior artists from around the City. The Bronx Council of the Arts helped DFTA identify some of these artists. Elders Share the Arts will jury the art work and renowned photographer Chester Higgins will judge the photography entries. In addition to items entered into the competition, crafts will be on display at dozens of tables in the Market area. A Technology Tent will offer laptops with Internet access. Seniors will be able to surf the web, check e-mail, play games and receive some hands-on computer tips from DFTA's IT staff. They will also learn how to use ACCESS NYC, a free on-line benefits screening tool, and be introduced to the Jitterbug cell phone which offers big backlit buttons and other senior-friendly features. The Healthy Aging and Community Resources Tent will be packed with representatives of dozens of NYC agencies and not-for-profits providing how-to's on topics that range from Going Green to avoiding identity theft. The IRS will be on hand to answer questions about the economic stimulus payment, the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority will teach seniors how to save money on electric bills, doctors from several hospitals will conduct free health screenings, and Elmhurst Hospital Center's smoking cessation program will distribute free patches and gum. Senior University in a Recreational Format (SURF), a new addition to the Age in Action line-up, will offer attractions for the mind, body and spirit. Charles Nardozzi of the National Garden Association will introduce a "Go Green" theme. Mr. Nardozzi has volunteered to provide four 45 minute sessions for seniors on container gardening with edible and decorative greens, like parsley and basil. He will also distribute seed packets donated by the National Association to all participants. Sessions on stress reduction using modified Yoga techniques will not only teach seniors how to relax, they will demonstrate environmental boosts to well-being. Finally, jewelry making will show seniors how they can "recycle" buttons, chording, yarns and other everyday materials into pendants and bracelets. All participants will receive a bag of items to take home for projects. A Fifties-Themed "Soda Shoppe" will be offered by Health Care Partners IPA. Staffers will wear poodle skirts, slicked back hair and shirts that say "you're never too old to rock and roll" as they pass out sodas and ice cream while a juke box entertains. "Laugh for the Health of it", a comedy show, will demonstrate through comedy routines that laughter is good for the health. "Nothing like a little laugh therapy and clowns to encourage people to take advantage of the health screenings also on offer in the HIP-GHI Wellness Pavilion," says Ms. O'Neill. As in past years, main-stage attractions and surprises will set a festive tone. In addition to HIP-GHI, Secure Horizons/Evercare and Health Care Partners IPA, other sponsors of the day's events include Touchstone Health, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, WellCare and Forest City Ratner Companies.
Reaching Out to Families of Seniors Who "Wander" The New York Police Department's Bureau of Missing Persons receives about 30 calls a month reporting elders with Alzheimer's disease who have wandered away from their homes or from nursing or adult homes. The "wandering" behavior of Alzheimer's patients is a serious safety risk and a huge caregiver worry. Since last April, the NYPD and DFTA's Alzheimers' and Caregiver Resource Center have been tackling the problem together. When the Bureau of Missing Persons learns a senior with Alzheimer's is missing it calls the Resource Center with contact information for the person reporting the incident. The Resource Center then reaches out to that person with information about the Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return program and community resources for caregivers. Persons who register with Safe Return receive an ID bracelet and 24-hour support assistance in the location of missing persons with Alzheimer's or other dementias. "Response to our phone calls telling them we're working with the NYPD to offer help runs the gamut, from families who are so grateful for the information they can't thank us enough to families who had no idea that help was available. We send them a packet of caregiver information anyway," says Robin Fenley, Director of the Alzheimer's and Caregiver Resource Center. The Department has been maintaining a "missing persons" profile of the 292 cases referred by NYPD over the past year. Referrals were at their height during the summer months (particularly May and July). The Missing Persons Initiative grew out of another ongoing collaboration involving the Alzheimer's and Caregiver Resource Center, the NYPD, and NYCHA. At NYCHA buildings across the City, residents, resident leaders and NYCHA staff are learning about the Safe Return Program and caregiver resources, thanks to this joint project.
Commissioner Hails SNAP's Outreach to Indian Community
Both India Home and SNAP anticipate that, with time, the Indian members will attend more often and integrate with the Center's existing membership. In the meantime, "older" members will be exposed to Indian cultural/social activities taking place for "new" members and "new" members will get a taste of ongoing Center activities. Commissioner Mendez-Santiago congratulated the partners on their initiative and the careful planning lasting more than year that preceded the April 16th kick-off.
Age-Friendly City Tackles Pedestrian Safety
Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Edwin Mendez-Santiago of the Department for the Aging and DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan announced the initiative last January in Brighton Beach, on a block that houses a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community and that is already receiving traffic upgrades. Making City streets safe for seniors goes hand in hand with the new All Ages Project also announced by the Mayor in January. The All Ages Project is re-envisioning how New York City can support its growing older population by promoting seniors' well-being, safety and independence. The Department for the Aging is working with DOT on the project to identify senior centers in the communities where the projects will be undertaken. DOT will then offer safety education sessions explaining the improvements to center members. Preparing for a walk, pedestrian visibility and alertness, and ways to safely navigate an intersection are just a few of the topics included in a Safety Education presentation.
HIICAP Director Lauded as "Standard of Excellence"
An afternoon ceremony at DFTA for Ms. Bernstein was attended by her DFTA colleagues, honored guests from the Fund and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Selection Committee Co-Chairs Kennedy and Sullivan. An evening ceremony at Cooper Union paid tribute to all six recipients. "They each, in their own special way, give government a caring, human face as they define the standards of excellence in public service," said Mary McCormick, president of the Fund for the City of New York. Ms. Bernstein was honored for her work helping the City's seniors navigate the complex government programs offering them health insurance and other coverage "with calm, grace, humor and creativity."
Program Spotlight: New York Foundation for Senior Citizens The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens (NYFSC) will be expanding its case management services for frail and homebound residents of Manhattan as a result of DFTA's reorganization of case management service. NYFSC has been providing case management services in lower Manhattan since 1979 and DFTA-funded case management since 1987. Its new service area covers the Battery to 59th Street from the East River to Columbus Avenue and the Battery to 14th Street on the West Side. "Our commitment is to leave no one underserved or unserved," says Linda Hoffman, President of New York Foundation. To marshal the resources needed to ensure that every client gets the services he or she needs, NYFSC is partnering with an array of community organizations, including providers of such services as medications management, mental health counseling, emergency call systems, friendly visiting, respite care, financial management, escort and transportation service as well as homecare, home-delivered meals and social adult day services. Partnerships with Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) to assess clients with medical needs and with SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) for case manager training will support comprehensive and culturally competent service provision. In February, NYFSC held the first meeting of its Community Advisory Council, comprised of over 20 collaborating agencies that provide services to older adults in the communities NYFSC will be serving. NYFSC is also preparing for new contract start by hiring new case managers and risk-stratifying transitioned clients to ensure that those who need assessment or are difficult-to-serve are managed by experienced NYFSC case managers.
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Consensus was reached April 9 on changes to the City's plan to strengthen and enhance senior centers. The agreement includes a delay in release of a Request for Proposals to provide congregate activities at senior centers, a phase-in of full-scale health and wellness centers, and the availability of technical assistance for community-based sponsors of current senior centers. The agreement was the result of extensive dialogue with seniors, the City Council including Chairs of the Aging Committee and the Sub-committee on Senior Centers, and the umbrella organizations representing providers.
In celebration of Earth Day and to encourage seniors to "help make New York City greener," Mayor Bloomberg visited Leonard Covello Senior Center in Manhattan, April 22nd. The occasion also celebrated the one-year anniversary of PlaNYC, launched on Earth Day, 2007, which lays out the City's goal of reducing carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and making New York City cleaner, healthier, more reliable and more sustainable for generations to come. 
Seniors arriving at Queens' Corona Park May 8 for this year's Age in Action Festival will find a richer variety of activities to enjoy than ever before. As word of these attractions gets out to the City's senior centers, excitement is building and registrations are pouring in. Last year, attendance at Age in Action hit 10,000. This year DFTA and the Aging in New York Fund, co-sponsor of Age in Action, anticipate record turn-out for the following: 
Commissioner Mendez-Santiago welcomed center members and guests at a kick-off event April 16 that introduced 25 seniors from the Indian communities of Eastern Queens to SNAP Senior Center. The Indian seniors will come to the Center once a week by van, thanks to a partnership between the Center and India Home, an organization dedicated to meeting the medical, spiritual and social needs of older Indian immigrants living in Queens. SNAP has arranged for a local Indian restaurant to deliver meals for the new participants, although the Center also hopes to win them over to its own vegetarian menus. SNAP will also offer casework assistance in obtaining benefits and entitlements to the newcomers.
To enhance pedestrian safety for seniors, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will be carrying out various engineering improvements in 25 high-accident areas which are especially problematic for seniors. This Safe Streets for Seniors initiative will extend pedestrian crossing times at crosswalks, shorten crossing distances, alter curbs and sidewalks, restrict vehicle turns and narrow roadways to make the communities more walkable for older residents. Engineers will look at variables like visibility, lighting, drivers' compliance with traffic and pedestrian signals, and the width of the roadways to determine which changes each area needs.
On March 12, Amy Bernstein, Director of DFTA's Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP), received a coveted Sloan Public Service Award given annually by the Fund for the City of New York to honor city employees "whose daily commitment to excellence is exceptional and whose accomplishments are remarkable." The six winners this year were selected by a panel led by Caroline B. Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, and Joseph M. Sullivan, a retired auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Brooklyn. The Sloan Award, which carries with it a cash prize of $7,500, has been called "the Nobel Prize of public service."