Hot News
Healthy IDEAS article in print!!! Check out the April 2007 edition of the Journal of Applied Gerontology for an article about Healthy IDEAS! Entitled "Healthy IDEAS: A Depression Intervention Delivered by Community-Based Case Managers Serving Older Adults", the article was authored by Louise M. Quijano, Melinda A. Stanley, Nancy J. Petersen, Banghwa Lee Casado, Esther H. Steinberg, Jeffrey A. Cully, and Nancy L. Wilson. Congratulations to all of our Healthy IDEAS partners: Baylor College of Medicine, Catholic Charities SAFE Program, Harris County Social Services, and Sheltering Arms’ Case Management program, who implemented this program, demonstrated the benefits of it, and made this positive article possible. Click here to read the abstract.
Launch of 2007 - 2008 Senior Guidance Directory- The new edition of the Senior Guidance Directory will be available starting May 23, 2007. Care for Elders is proud to be a Gold sponsor for the directory. Be sure to pick up your copy from SGD or at a Walgreen’s store.
Legislative Update: SB 199 passed the house last week, with amendments. The Senate did not accept all the house amendments, so the bill will need be discussed in a conference committee meeting with representatives from the House and representatives from the Senate. The meeting and agreement needs to happen by midnight Friday. The conferee representatives have all been picked. We have been in contact with Senator Nelson’s office and will be hoping that we hear good news soon.
Action Needed
Applicants Needed: Care for Elders Access Network is ready to implement its next phase - the Field Specialists component! Applications for full or part-time staff are being accepted for para-professionals who will assist Network clients with completing service applications, gathering eligibility documentation, and other concrete tasks needed to access services. Working under the supervision of Enhanced I&R Specialists and Case Management partners, Field Specialists are expected to have some experience working with older adults, and being bi-lingual Spanish/English or Vietnamese/English would be a big plus. Field Specialists must have reliable transportation and be willing to make home visits. Salary starts at $11.50/hour. Please direct interested applicants to Jeanette Lazarofsky at jlazarofsky@shelteringarms.org or 713-685-6568.
Experts Being Sought: While we have limited details at this time, there is an effort underway to produce a PBS special on caregiving. Film producer Dale Bell, the gentleman who produced And Thou Shalt Honor, is pursuing funds to produce a televised Town Hall Meeting on Channel 8 that will feature a studio audience of "experts" in various aspects of elder care and caregiving. Planning meetings for the event have just begun - the next one is scheduled for Monday, June 4 at 4:00pm, at Sheltering Arms. All are invited to attend. In the meantime, studio audience experts are being sought. Attached to this newsletter is a profile of the types of audience members Mr. Bell is seeking and a form to complete if you are willing to serve as an expert. Please call Honey Leveen at 713-988-4671 with any questions.
Workgroup & Other CFE Highlights
Access Network - The Access Network partners participated in Healthy IDEAS training on May 1-2, 2007. Twenty-one staff members from eight partner organizations participated in the training - an evidenced-base depression intervention that is embedded into existing case management services.
Healthy IDEAS was presented by Esther Steinberg at the Texas Conference on Aging in Dallas. The presentation was sponsored by DADS as one of the available evidence-based programs that can be replicated in the state. To learn more about Healthy IDEAS, contact Esther at esteinberg@shelteringarms.org.
Government Relations- Senate Bill 1650 was filed by Senator Ellis, in response to Care for Elders work on improving the quality of care provided by home care attendants. SB 1650 would establish a pilot project that would provide hands-on, classroom training for home care attendants. CFE testified at the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and answered many questions from members, including Senators Deuell, Patrick, and Shapleigh. While we are not optimistic about the bill being passed, this was a great opportunity to educate legislators and their staff about the need for attendant care training. All Senators supported the concept, but were not willing to provide funding for it. Many thanks to EVERYONE who wrote letters of support and made calls in support of the bill. We learned a lot through this process and look forward to the Government Relations work group continued focus on this critical issue.
Communications - Care for Elders now has a new logo and tagline, and is closing in on launching a new and improved website! Be on the look out in the next month or so! Many thanks to each of you who made it possible for BBMG’s photographer to visit your location and take great pictures of your clients in action!
UPCOMING CARE FOR ELDERS MEETINGS
PLEASE RSVP! Long-term work group members and interested/potential members please communicate with the contact person indicated below PRIOR to the meeting, so we can adequately plan for copies of materials and refreshments. All meetings are held at the Sheltering Arms building unless otherwise indicated.
Governing Council: Friday June 8th, 9:00-11:00
Contacts: Jane Bavineau (jbavineau@shelteringarms.org) or Nancy Wilson (nwilson@bcm.tmc.edu)
Evaluation Work Group: Thursday, June 14th, 11:30-1:30
Contacts: Kelley Moseley (KMoseley@mail.twu.edu) or Ilana Reisz (reisz@sbcglobal.net)
Stakeholder Education: Thursday, June 14th, 2:30 p.m.
Contact: Ellen MacDonald (emacdonald@earthlink.net)
Government Relations: Friday, June 15th, 9:00-10:30
Contacts: Chris Pollet (chris.pollet@neighborhood-centers.org)
Quality & Workforce: Tuesday, June 26th, 9:00-10:30
Contacts: Lanette Gonzales (lanette.gonzales@alliancecare.com)
Consumer Advisory Council: Wednesday, July 11th, 11:30-1:30
Contact: Dianne Long (dlong@careforelders.org)
Access & Coordination: Wednesday, July 18th, 11:30-1:00
Contacts: Lynda Collins (lcollins@tmh.tmc.edu)
COMMUNITY NEWS/MEETINGS
Neighborhood Centers Inc. is looking for partners to host its Activity Centers for Seniors (ACES) exercise program at more sites in Harris County. A partner might be a community-based and/or faith-based organization with a senior adult program that needs a regular exercise class and can share some of the cost. ACES is an evidence-based prevention program developed at the University of Washington just for seniors, click here to learn more. . It uses certified fitness trainers and is low impact, focusing on stamina, flexibility, strength and balance. It keeps seniors physically active and socially connected. Research clearly shows such seniors are able to remain living independently longer and enjoy a better quality life. Any interested parties may contact Angelique Coleman (713-669-5237) or Tiffany Shepherd (713-669-5262).
One Voice, A Collaborative for Health and Human Services, meets on the 2nd Friday of each month. The next meeting will be Friday, June 8th, from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. at the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast. Please come and share your interest and expertise to help the aging community in Harris County have a stronger voice at the legislature. For more information, visit the One Voice website: www.onevoicehouston.org.
Home Health Care Assistance- Learn more on June 26th at the Elder Service Provider Monthly Forum. The monthly forums include informative presentations on a variety of senior issues as well as networking opportunities. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 10:00am-12:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Patricia Hall at phall@unitedwayhouston.org.
How many Outstanding Older Workers do you know in Harris County? Take a few minutes and recognize this person(s) by nominating him/her for the 2007 Outstanding Worker in Texas. The 2007 Experience Works Prime Time Awards Program recognizes remarkable individuals age 65 and older who continue to make valuable contributions in the workplace while promoting their own good health and longevity by working. Click here to complete the nomination form. Deadline for all nominations is June 1, 2007.
News You Can Use is an E-Newsletter of Care for Elders. Please send information to be included to mcarnes@careforelders.org
