Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 11-27-2007 regular agenda — reading text

care costs and complement on prevention in our health care system. ' the increasing focus Promoting the healthy lifestyles of older people is vital in helping them to maintain health and functional independence and lead healthy and independent lives. Communities for a Lifetime is a tool that promotes active living through policy, programs and physical infrastructure. 12  HEALTH AND WELLNESS Suggested Team Members AARP Non- medical Services Accessibility Services Social Security Adult Day Cares Health Planning Councils Caregiver Services Alzheimer' s Program/ Centers Congregate Meal Sites County Health Department Financial Counseling eHospice Insurance Counseling Hospitals Legal Services Medical Equipment Businesses Low- income Services Nursing Homes Mental Health Providers Private Home Health Businesses Area Health Education Centers Disease- specific Foundations Ouestions 1. What opportunities are available to older adults to maintain physical and mental health, such as flu shots, support groups, and neighborhood gardens? 2. What health care services are available for low- income individuals? 3. Are there adequate mental health and substance abuse services? 4. Are there an adequate number of grocery stores that offer nutritious foods, or are residents forced to shop at near- by convenience stores? 5. ls the public water fluoridated? P"' -.~. .. . Discussion Notes : j: 13[  EMPLOYMENT As the nation's baby boomers are beginning to reach lJadulthood:' many older adults are challenging the myth that growing older means the end of productivity. The truth is that older adults remain actively involved in their communities through volunteerism, and many are still employed. Furthermore, boomers will be even more likely to look for ways to have meaningful engagement in a secondary career, while also having the flexibility in the workplace that they were unable to have during their primary careers. The workforce of the near future will include young retirees who want second careers, people who want to work beyond age 65, and people seeking an income, but not necessarily a full-time job. By 2008, 40 percent of the labor force will be age 4S and older, and workers age 55 and older are expected to increase to more than 20 percent of the labor force by 2014. With the aging of baby boomers and the re- vamping of the workforce, a significant pool of expertise will leave the workforce. Half of our current nursing staff is expected to leave over the next seven years, and one in eight government workers is between the ages of 55 and 64. For the first time in history, the number of younger workers entering the labor market will not replace those who are leaving. Human resource managers find older workers are assets because they are loyal, dedicated, produce quality work, have lower turnover rates, are crisis oriented, and have experience in a wide variety of situations. They a~so work well with co- workers and have solid reading, writing and math skills. With these' qualities being the trend among older workers, businesses benefit from evaluating how well they attract and retain older workers. By adopting a few strategies to attract older workers, employers can tap into their wealth of loyalty, experience and maturity and also help make their communities a better place for people of all ages. Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) The Senior Community Service Employment Program ( SCSEP) has two important purposes: first, to increase participants' economic self-sufficiency; and second, to increase the number of persons who may benefit from unsubsidized employment. Through SCSE~ older workers have access to services such as an annual physical examination, supportive services, job search assistance, community service assignments and job training. Further, participants have opportunities to receive assistance through one- stop career centers. This program is an important component of the Communities for Q Lifetime initiative because it affords participants ~he opportunity to remain independent in their communities. SCSEP participa'nt$'work an average of 20 hours per week and are paid the highest of federal, state or local minimum wage, or the prevailing wage. They are placed in a wide variety of community service jobs at non- profit and public facilities, including day- care centers, senior centers, schools and .hospitals. It is intended that these community service experiences will serve as a bridge to other employment opportunities. SCSEP provides subsidized" part-time community service training to low- income persons age 55 and older who have poor employment prospects. The family income of applicants cannot exceed 125 percent of the federal poverty level. Enrollment priority is given to persons over age 60, veterans, and qualified spouses of veterans. Preference is given to minorities, persons who speak limited English and individuals who have the greatest economic need. 1 14  I EMPLOYMENT ! SUGGested Team Members Experience Works Chamber of Commerce Business leaders Economic Development Council One- Stop Career Centers Local labor Agency Questions 1. What programs and/ or agencies are available to assist low- income older adults in finding employment? 2. What organizations are available to provide low or no- cost skills upgrading or computer training to older individuals? 3. Are there opportunities for older adults to take English- as- a- second- Ianguage courses to help expand employment opportunities? 4. What businesses actively recruit and retain older workers? Discussion Notes 15  INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS Communities thrive when the contributions of all generations are embraced and engaged. Our elders give us a mature, historical perspective o . f who we are, where we are, where we came from and how we got there, while our youth give us a childlike vision of the future and all that we can still be. Intergenerational programs give us the opportunity to bridge these vantage points, and create a strong sense of community and an appreciation for the contributions of each group. Communities for a Lifetime are places where these connections flourish. lnte,rgenerational Connections brings together different generations in ongoing and mutually beneficial ac- tivities such as mentoring and volunteerism. Youth and seniors share their talents and resources, supporting each other in relationships that benefit both the individual and the community. Benefits of Intergenerational Connections Improved relations between youth and older adults - as individuals learn more about each other, stereotypes and barriers disappear. Positive effect on problems - family problems (as evidenced by the recent wave of offenses by juve- . niles) can often spill over into the community with devastating consequences, but when generations work together in a positive way, everyone wins. Empowered communities - people begin to care about each other. Intergenerational programs and activities, by their very nature, address issues of family across the life cycle. Further, they foster a willingness to cross disciplinary and cuJtural boundaries to soJve problems. With the projected increase in the number of Florida retirees and the current deterioration of social interac- tion between elders and youth, the Department of Elder Affairs' goal of developing and expanding inter- generational partnerships will encourage elders and young people to make the connections necessary to enhance community resources and bridge the generation gap - bringing them together, each one helping the other. The long- term benefits derived from Intergenerational Connections are increased services to all ages, coor- dinated resource sharing and improved communication between programs that currently serve elders and programs that serve youth, and the creation of an atmosphere where elders and youth working and social- izing together are the norms - not the exception. 17 I VOLUNTEERISM AND INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS ested Team Members I Faith Leaders Senior Companion Program Local Volunteer Services Foster Grandparent Program VISTA AmeriCorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program Questions 1. What opportunities are available for meaningful volunteer contributions? 2. What transportation is available for working/ volunteering seniors? 3. What programs in the community encourage the involvement of seniors and youth? 4. What programs are available through faith- based organizations? 5. What programs or opportunities are available for intergenerational connections? Discussion Notes i 18 Community Best Practices Health and Wellness - In 2006, the department, along with the Department of Health Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, obtained grant funding to train 100 teams to deliver chronic disease self-management courses in Palm Beach, Sroward and Miami- Dade counties by the end of 2007. These evidence- based health promotion and chronic disease