As we come to an end of the two-year bicentennial celebration, it seems appropriate, if not necessary, to reflect on the inspiring words of our 16th president in order to understand an incredibly troubling concern for many Hoosiers today–caring for seniors.
Preserving [Lincoln’s] past–as the Indiana State Museum will do in partnership with the Library of Congress this February–is the job of historical and cultural institutions that specialize in artifacts and interpretation, but who is it that is responsible for preserving the present? That is, preserving the very “life” that Lincoln refers to in his quote. Unfortunately for us, there was never an opportunity to tap into Lincoln’s wisdom or benevolent leadership style to address such an issue.
Fast forward 200 years and we find ourselves in the middle of a political civil war that appears to be nothing more than a platform for voter interest. A powerful tool when a political parties’ position [or lack thereof] on an issue--any significant issue--can over throw the party in power. Ironically, the very topic of senior care, more specifically Social Security benefits, has been at the forefront of a war that seemingly has the longevity of the Cold War more so than what Lincoln faced in the 1860s. And while there are many other equally [or more] concerning issues we face as a nation today, the war over senior care needs to be won sooner rather than later, otherwise we are on the horizon of the greatest battle of our time.
According to a 2007 report released by the Department of Health and Human Service’s Administration on Aging, our current “seniors” population--those 65 years of age and older--totals more than 37 million. That’s an impressive number, yes, but what makes this report [and this number] significant is how much it is expected to grow…in our lifetime.
Baby Boomers, the largest generation in U.S. history with more than 78 million, have long been a valuable crutch for our economy and social fabric, both domestically and globally. But, is our economy [and society] prepared to be the crutch for Boomers when the time comes? Even if it is able, will there be enough importance placed on senior care? Not just individual financial or medical care, but care in keeping them engaged in the communities that they [we] helped build? According to the Administration, there will be 22 and a half million more seniors, in the next two decades, hoping this will be the case. The additional 33+ million in the following three decades [by 2050] will also have a vested interest in the matter.
Currently, there are many [Hoosier] Boomers finding themselves in the role of caregiver for their own aging parents while facing fears themselves about the future of senior care [and income]. Many wonder if [or doubt that] the Social Security system is equipped to handle the unprecedented increase in claims as Boomers begin reach the magic number--a number that has all-but-vanished from the radar for countless individuals.
Thankfully, there is a significant network of nonprofit organizations and programs in Central Indiana that are preserving something more than Lincoln’s life on record. They are giving renewed life to his wisdom and benevolence by serving the [senior care] needs of Hoosier families and individuals, providing a quality of life that may not otherwise be present. Your support now can help ensure they are there for you or your loved ones when the time comes. We present five that have pioneered programs and services for Hoosier seniors.
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CICOA Aging & In Home Solutions
www.CICOA.org
Indiana’s largest area agency on aging, established in 1974 by an amendment to the 1965 Older Americans Act, CICOA currently serves the needs of Hoosier seniors [and their families] in Marion County and the seven surrounding counties, where more than 20% of Indiana’s population lives.
In 2008, CICOA and its network of 300 for-profit and not-for-profit providers provided information and assistance to nearly 40,000 individuals and families including care management services, more than 10,000 home visits and nearly 100,000 hot lunches for seniors through their Neighborhood Meals program.
CICOA has recognized, however, that need is a relative term when talking about senior care. A donation to CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions’ Lifelong Living Communities initiative enables seniors to continue living in their homes with enhanced safety and accessibility. Donations provided funding for 25 home modifications in 2008--such as the installation of ramps, grab bars, bathroom renovations and other safety measures--allowing individuals to “age in place” safely and comfortably in their own homes. In the same year, CICOA also made legal and other professional services available for more than 1,500 people.
CICOA has also launched a valuable online tool for those approaching their Golden Years who want to keep busy. Indy Creative Aging [indycreativeaging.org] connects adults ages 50 and older living in Central Indiana with information about senior friendly life enrichment activities, community services and programs. The site provides a searchable Web portal or community concierge service with links to cultural events, lifelong learning opportunities, recreation and fitness programs, and volunteer and leadership civic engagement endeavors.
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Joy’s House
www.JoysHouse.org
Did you know that one in four people are considered a caregiver for a family member or loved one? It is because of this trend that Adult Day Services (ADS) has become one of the most rapidly-growing industries in the U.S., providing a coordinated program of professional and compassionate services for older adults in a community-based group setting. Services are designed to provide various social and some health services to older adults [and their caregivers] who need supervised care in a safe place outside of the home during the day. The National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) has identified 4,601 day programs operating in the United States. This is a 35% increase from 2002, when the research by Partners in Caregiving (funded through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) counted 3,407 programs.
Here in Indianapolis, Joy’s House is among the most respected organizations offering these services. Located in the Broad Ripple area, Joy’s House was formed through the passion and determination of its founder, Tina McIntosh, a former Ball State University student who first became interested in the idea after volunteering at a Muncie-based facility. McIntosh is never hesitant to share that Joy’s House has been a spiritual journey for her, saying “Anyone who visits Joy’s House can easily believe that a higher hand was involved in the creation of such a beautiful place.”
Joy’s House adult day service, providing care for their “guests” living with physical and mental challenges, has a mission to share an embracing, safe and accepting environment while also providing caregivers peace of mind, education and ongoing understanding and encouragement. The newly remodeled “house” itself, is an ideal environment for guests as well as caregivers. It provides a home-like setting that is social and safe, allowing caregivers to continue with their days knowing that their loved ones are being taken care of and enjoying their own community setting.
“Keeping families together for as long as possible in their own homes is our goal,” says McIntosh. While services at Joy’s House often stand alone, they can also be paired with home health care, therapies or non-medical in-home companion services, and in some cases, even help guests that live in group homes or long-term care facilities.
The benefits extend beyond the family, though. Employers [of caregivers] also reap the benefits. Better rested employees who are now able to focus on jobs knowing their loved one is at Joy’s House--safe and engaged--allows the employer to get more productivity from their employee(s).
For the community, Joy’s House is most interested in helping to educate people about the option of adult day service.
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Heritage Place of Indianapolis
www.HeritagePlaceIndy.org
It’s been said before that membership has its privileges and at Heritage Place, that appears to be true for the nearly 1,500 older adults served annually. The local membership-based nonprofit, located in north-central Marion County, provides older adults with comprehensive and coordinated human services to encourage and promote healthy lifestyles, independence, well-being and quality of life. “We provide a unique combination of in-home services and center-based activities,” says Ruth Ann Schroeder, executive director of Heritage Place of Indianapolis. “The two work in tandem to help seniors remain in their home.”
As the largest station for senior companion programming in Central Indiana, Heritage Place organizes opportunities, directly or through collaborations with other service providers, for older adults to spend [on average] 20 hours per week visiting home-bound members unable to participate in center-based activities.
In addition to their mainstream services such as care management, caregiver support services, friendly in-home visiting, the occasional transport, or light house cleaning and seasonal yard work, Heritage Place also offers unique center-based activities that help fulfill their mission to enable independence among their members.
For older adults needing some “technical” assistance, Heritage Place also partnered with Goodwill Industries to offer a “computer fundamentals” class focused on job-readiness. Unlike the introductory classes offered on college campuses, Heritage Place understands that many of their members have never clicked a mouse or turned on a monitor, let alone surf the web or print a document [something that is assumed in the college courses]. Schroeder suggests that this particular program has been a valuable tool for their clients. “Thanks to our extremely fundamental instruction, when our seniors go to Walmart or other potential employers, they now have the basic skills necessary to fill out [and submit] an application at their convenient in-store computer stations,” says Schroeder. And since the Internet is part of the learning process, many members no longer feel threatened by the sometimes overwhelming world wide web experience, and can discover other ways to be independent.
Like other similar organizations, Heritage Place of Indianapolis focuses on providing their in-home services in a concentrated area [north central Marion County], however, center-based activities are open to anyone interested.
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RSVP of Central Indiana
www.ArchIndy.org
Why let a lifetime of experience go to waste? Seniors interested [and able] in volunteering can join RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), America’s largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over. Through a local partnership with Catholic Charities Indianapolis, seniors in Central Indiana may join nearly 500,000 volunteers across the country who are tackling tough issues and addressing the needs of their communities. RSVP partners with community nonprofits and public agencies [like Catholic Charities Indianapolis] to publicize and address significant community needs. Volunteers maintain the flexibility to decide which organizations to serve and how frequently. While on duty, volunteers are provided with free supplemental insurance.
RSVP offers a full range of volunteer opportunities with thousands of local and national organizations. Seniors choose how and where they want to serve as well as the amount of time to give. And since many senior like to continue learning no things, they can choose whether they want to draw on existing skills or develop new ones.
While we all know volunteering centers around helping others, it also helps the seniors and their potential caregivers. Participating in the RSVP program also leads to new discoveries, new friends, learning opportunities, and even supplemental insurance for the senior while on duty. Plus, studies show that volunteering helps you live longer and promotes a positive outlook on life.
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OASIS
www.OASISnet.org
Maintaining a sense of independence and quality of life means different things to different people. For some, life has always been centered around helping other people, committing themselves to social causes, and taking leadership roles that inspire others to do the same. Something that generally doesn’t fall into core programming and services for many agencies serving aging populations…until now.
OASIS, a national education organization dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults through lifelong learning and service, entered the landscape of providers more than 25 years ago after a pilot project funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging.
OASIS established sites in four cities [through Macy’s department stores] and pioneered educational, wellness and volunteer programs that helped older adults stay healthy and engaged within their communities. At the conclusion of the two year pilot project, OASIS expanded sites at Macy’s and other [locally sponsored] locations that now includes four sites in the Indianapolis-area. Today, they are a nationally-recognized force, winning dozens of awards from organizations and agencies like AARP, the U.S. Administration on Aging and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
OASIS offers stimulating programs in the arts, humanities, health, technology and volunteer service which allows seniors to learn, lead and contribute in their communities. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to change lives,” says Marcia Kerz, president of OASIS. “We want to increase and diversify participation in our programs, maintain program excellence, increase sustainability and ensure OASIS continues to be a leader in the field of aging.”
The OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program helps build children’s self-esteem and positive attitudes toward learning while strengthening literacy skills. Working with elementary schools, OASIS pairs older adults with young children with underdeveloped reading and language skills. The adults work one-on-one with the students each week as their tutors, mentors, and friends. Since 1989 volunteers have helped over 300,000 children learn to read and be more successful in school.
Recognizing the importance of good health to one’s quality of life, OASIS has also joined forces with hospitals and health providers to offer wellness programs like Active Generations and CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health), designed to help fight childhood obesity while maintaining their mission to engage seniors. Through Active Generations and CATCH, older adults are paired with kids in grades 3 to 5 [for up to 8 weeks] to learn about healthy lifestyles and participate in vigorous physical activity.
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