Interim Report to the

Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging

State Advisory Council On Aging

April 18, 2008

 

The State Advisory Council is pleased to provide a summary of the work accomplished in the past year.  2007-2008 provided the Council with new challenges.  Throughout 2007, Governor Granholm issued Executive Directives to state departments that required fiscal constraints in their operations, in keeping with the fiscal realities of the State’s budget.   As a result, the Council could not hold its June, August, or October meetings as scheduled.  In November, December, January and April 2008, the council meetings were conducted by conference calls.  A “face-to-face” meeting was held in March.  Therefore, the Council has considerable work to do in order to complete on the Commission’s charge; hence, the interim report.

 

The charge:  In early 2007, the Commission refined its charge to the Council to focus on senior centers.  Senior centers are vital community entities and are the oldest component of the “aging network.” Many senior centers pre-date the passage of the Older Americans Act and Older Michiganians Act.  The Council had just begun to explore the variety of senior centers in the spring of 2007, with an historical overview, an initial discussion of centers and a presentation from Evergreen Commons, a large, multi-purpose senior center.  Key points of these early discussions identified the various offerings found at senior centers and the variable participation by older adults.  In the April 2007 interim report, Council members speculated if attendance was related to how well the center knew the local population’s needs, interests and if costs and transportation played a role. 

 

The plan for 2007-2008 was to continue to gather information to formulate a recommendation and suggested actions. 

 

November 2007:  The November meeting, held by conference call, provided an opportunity for updates to the Council.  A budget update was given, the Council’s status was discussed and members serving on other committees on behalf of the Council gave their reports.  This was the trial for teleconference meeting with such a large group.

 

December 2007:  The Council received an update on the Community for a Lifetime project from Dan Doezema, OSA.  In response to the Council’s recommendation in 2004, OSA developed a web-based toolkit on community for a lifetime. The toolkit now includes the capability to complete the community assessment on-line.  Below is a direct link.

 

http://www.michigan.gov/miseniors/0,1607,7-234-43293_46728---,00.html

 

The Community for a Lifetime panel met to review and approve four applications.  The panel discussed the assessments, approved the applications, and transmitted them to the Commission on Services to the Aging for action at the December 14 meeting. 

 

The Council also received an update on the work of the Recovery Council, a group formed by the Michigan Department of Community Health as part of the initiative to reduce stigma and support recovery for mental health consumers.  Diane Levande, the SAC member on the Recovery Council, described the Northern Lakes CMH project, “Stigma Buster” which uses storyboards with pictures and text to tell an individual’s path to recovery.  Some of the stories are about older persons in recovery.  http://www.northernlakescmh.org/  is the web site to click on the virtual recovery center, where the stories and resources are available. 

 

SAC members Dave Ellens and Alice Snyder reported on the MI Association of Senior Centers conference held in November.  Alice reported on issues under discussion by senior centers.  Many senior centers face the question of how to serve the “young old/boomers” and the current elderly?  Centers are finding that the programs, interests and needs of the two groups are different and it’s a struggle to meet the needs of both.  Alice noted that many centers are adding new activities, which provide some excitement, opportunities, and draw the “young old” to the center.  Another issue is lack of leadership from the federal level.  There is little clarity about the role of senior centers, yet everyone agrees with their value.  Alice cited the connection between funding and function; sources of funding often determine function and a lack of clarity of function can result in funding problems.  For example, some centers receive funds from area agencies and are monitored against service standards. Many centers receive other sources of funding.  A center’s funding can determine its function.

 

Dave noted that many centers have expanded into multiple activities, from arranging trips to holding Tai Chi classes.  This is exciting.  He noted discussions about dealing with people with disruptive behaviors, depression or other issues at centers.  Again, the issue is how to meet the different needs of people at the center, on an individual basis.  He said that many center directors wear “multiple hats;” they run the trips, administer the center, and plan activities.  One of the sessions he liked was creating a welcoming environment.  Centers may offer different activities, but all wish to be welcoming.

Council members were interested in knowing about staffing levels, use of volunteers, and who provides funds to senior centers.  The possibility of conducting a survey of senior centers to gather information was raised.

 

January 2008:  Lannette Amon, President of the Michigan Association of Senior Centers, gave a presentation to the Council.  Of the top issues facing senior center directors, funding is number one. Senior centers rely on senior millages, fundraising, community charities, and donations for funding.  Programs like congregate meals are not revenue sources.  The second issue is lack of knowledge among the public about senior centers.  Centers vary in their offerings: some are congregate meal sites which are open briefly five days a week; others are more like community centers, providing activities seven days a week. 

 

Branding is the third concern.  Senior centers aren’t “branded.”  For many in the community, there is a mystery about what’s behind the center’s doors.  Often centers are located in “re-purposed” buildings, a building designed for another use, but now housing the center.  Often these are former schools, community centers, or other similar site.  In some of these settings, air conditioning is lacking, they don’t meet ADA accessibility rules and parking lots may not be located conveniently for older people.  The lack of “branding” creates an indistinct image of senior centers in the public’s mind.

 

Baby boomers are another top issue.  For some centers with limited resources, the question has become who to serve?  On one hand, the traditional attendees have been the frail older elderly with health problems.  The boomers have broader interests; they seek more social activities and are less dependent on services.  It is difficult to meet the divergent needs of both groups simultaneously.

 

Lannette discussed the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) accreditation program offered by the National Council on Aging.  The National Institute of Senior Centers has established criteria for senior centers and nationally, about 104 centers are accredited, six in Michigan .

 

In response to this presentation, Council members raised several issues. One is the targeting of senior centers by financial service providers, e.g., reverse mortgages, annuities and others, in order to make a “sales pitch” to older adults.  This happens frequently. Sometimes, the agent offers a room rental fee to the center, which makes the presentation attractive to the center.  Others state they are doing an educational overview, but give a sales pitch anyway.  Center directors often feel trapped by these arrangements.

 

Naming was discussed.  Some senior centers are dropping the “senior center” from their names.  This practice received mixed reviews from the Council.  Some felt that “senior center” is a trusted designation in the community and shouldn’t be lost.  Others thought a new name more accurately depicted the range of community activities available at the site.

 

March 2008:  The role of senior centers and what the public expects to find at them was the focus of the discussion.  Three expectations emerged from the discussion.

·        The most important factor is to meet the needs of their local older population.  The center should reflect the needs of the community with the available resources.  Senior centers become more unique as they fulfill this role.  In some areas, the center is a place for lunch and some card playing.  In others, it’s a community activity center with intergenerational programs.

·        People expect to find older adults plus people of all ages at a senior center.  The senior center’s role in the community is reflected by who attends and what is happening.  Scouting meetings, driving courses, meals and social activities indicate the role of the senior center as a community asset.

·        People expect to have choices at a senior center.  Aging is not a “one size fits all” experience.  Studies have shown that individuals are most similar around age 5; after that, people begin to develop their interests and individual traits, a process that continues throughout life.  Older adults are more varied from each other due to their unique experiences, knowledge and interests.   Senior centers should provide choices for older adults, both for activities and for services needed.

 

Council members identified the important functions of senior centers in the following order of priority.

 

1.      Socialization.  Members cited the loneliness experienced by older adults and the importance of having “welcoming” social contacts.  As indicated in the members’ comments, attached, providing socialization is the most important function.  Isolation is prevalent among older adults and centers provide opportunities for meaningful connections with others.

 

2.      Services.  Senior centers typically provide some level of services or supports, whether it is congregate meals, health screening or assistance in finding services.

 

3.      Information.  In many communities, senior centers are “focal points” for people needing information about activities, services, and assistance.  Senior centers can organize and disseminate information to their communities about aging issues. 

 

4.      Advocacy and Support.  Council members recognize that senior centers play a crucial role in helping people remain at home and can advocate on behalf of older adults. 

 

The Council’s comments about these functions, sorted by these categories, are attached.

 

Survey:  The Council has developed an Internet –based survey for senior centers, in cooperation with the Michigan Association of Senior Centers (MASC).  The Council worked on the final wording of items with Carol Barrett, of  “So What Evaluation”, at the March meeting.  The original plan was to have the survey results available for discussion at the April teleconference call of the Council. Due to scheduling issues, the survey was released to the senior centers the week of April 7 and responses are being received.  The survey results will be provided to MASC and the Council.

 

Remaining Tasks:  The Council reviewed their list from March and has offered additional issues for consideration.

·        “Shunning.”  Members cited examples of older adults with disabilities and/or coming from care facilities being shunned by a center’s regular attendees.  Members cited the importance of leadership in not allowing such practices to occur, the fear/anxiety experienced by older adults when confronted with their “possible future,” and the importance to advocate on behalf of older people of all abilities.

·        Creativity.  Members encouraged an array of services and activities at centers and cited the importance of encouraging late-life creativity.  Many people are able to tap into latent talents or have the time to pursue creative hobbies. Creative outlets are often satisfying expressions of self.

·        Variation with similar themes.  Members recognize individual differences among older adults in many facets and also note that older adults, regardless of these differences, face similar concerns: health, well-being, loneliness, and financial security.

·        Choices.  Members cited examples of increased levels of participation at senior centers that expanded the array of activities and programs.  Centers with very low attendance have become active sites by offering more choices.

·        Core Services?  Members recognize the diversity of centers, but wonder whether there should be some core services that all senior centers should, at a minimum, provide.  This topic will be discussed in the future.

·        Ethnic diversity.  Members cited the importance of being “welcoming” to all ethnic and racial groups.  Senior centers and their attendees need to overcome cultural barriers.

·        Transportation.  The survey will provide some information about senior centers’ transportation issues.

 

In June, the Council will discuss the survey results and the topics listed above. 

SENIOR CENTER ROLE

Brainstorm discussion: March 6 2008

 

Socialization

 

·        To encourage participation of seniors in the community

·        A place to engage in activities and socialize for seniors

·        Provide activities that encourage people to stay active

·        Promote opportunities for meaningful activities

·        Opportunity to meet others, socialize and find a sharing community

·        Socialization, including multigenerational activities

·        “Home away from home”

·        Socialization: eat, play, work, grieve and laugh together

·        Provide a warm friendly place where seniors can congregate and receive information on health and welfare benefits

·        Provide socialization and a sense of purpose for seniors who are often alone.

·        Provide opportunities for socialization and community building

·        Friendly place for seniors

·        Plan and implement programs, activities, and services for seniors

 

Service

 

·        To assist people in remaining at home, independent, healthy and involved in the community

·        To provide services for the elderly and make them feel wanted without reservation

·        Congregate meals

·        To bring seniors together for socialization, nutrition, education, and peer mentoring

·        To provide meaningful volunteer opportunities which add to the quality of the seniors’ lives

·        To serve as a focal point in the community for services, information and programs to older adults

·         Making connections between seniors and providing resources

·        Coordinate senior programs, provide activities

·        Focal point for senior services in community and resource for information and assistance

·        Vocational assistance and senior employment

 

Information

 

·        To serve as a central information source on services, activities and programs for seniors in the community

·        To provide information and direction

·        Organize and disseminate information of interest and concern to the community on an ongoing basis and in a timely manner

·        Provide access to information (education) and resources

·        Sharing of information among seniors

·        Resource center: answer questions and link needs to available services for help

 

Advocacy and Support

 

·        To maximize quality of life for older adults

·        To assist older adults in maintaining their independence

·        Public awareness and marketing

·        To provide an environment of validation and affirmation of the lives of and value of older adults

·        Advocacy, enrichment and sense of purpose

·        Knowledgeable advocacy for all issues facing senior citizens

·        Be multifaceted to meet the needs of the LOCAL population, e.g., information, congregate meals, health and wellness, legal issues, social issues, and opportunities for entertainment

 

 

 

State Advisory Council on Aging

 

Presenters

 

Lannette Amon

President, Michigan Association of Senior Centers

Director, Waterford Senior Center

Waterford , MI

 

Carol Barrett

So What? Evaluation

Okemos , MI

 

 

David Ellens

Evergreen Commons

Holland , MI

 

Alice Snyder

Crawford County Commission on Aging

Grayling, MI

 

Office of Services to the Aging Staff

 

Sharon L. Gire,

Director

 

Peggy Brey

Deputy Director

 

Dan Doezema

 

Cherie Mollison

 

 

STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING 2007- 08