Relieving Isolation and Loneliness of Rural Elders:

1. Relieving Isolation and Loneliness of Rural Elders: Helping Rural Elders Stay Connected to Their Communities Presented by Donna Beal, Executive Director Mercy Care for the Adirondacks

2. New Model to Ease Isolation and Loneliness • New mission sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy • Established in 2007 – Lake Placid, NY • For over 100 years, the Sisters of Mercy have responded to the need for loving care of elders and infirm persons in the Adirondacks

3. Identifying the Need • Committee established to explore rural elder needs in the Tri-Lakes region • Met with Board of local hospital, multi-faith clergy groups, Offices for the Aging in Franklin and Essex Counties, community leaders, state representatives • Priority need of rural elders identified—relieve isolation and loneliness • Long distances from services; cold and severe winters

4. Unprecedented Demand for Elder Care in the Adirondacks • MC is responding to the emergent need evolving from public health policies which are increasingly encouraging more adequate care for elders in their own homes so as to preclude or delay more expensive care in nursing homes. • Approximately 80 percent of long term care is provided by family or friends • Population of Essex County expected to grow less than 4% by 2015 • Projected 25% increase in those over age 60 • Projected 32% increase in those over age 85 • Community is clearly aging

5. Board of DirectorsLeadership Key to Success • Identify, cultivate, and recruit outstanding individuals to serve on new organization’s Board of Directors • Key qualities—leadership, courage, strategic thinkers, community stature • MC board includes: • Four Sisters of Mercy, including Vice President of the Leadership Team for the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community • Former President of St. Michael’s College (Chairman) • State Agency attorney • Private practice attorney • Bank Vice-President • Medical Doctor • Nurse Educator • Retired engineer • Community leader

6. Develop a Strategic Plan • 1. Acquire improved knowledge of status and needs of elders • 2. Establish programs • 3. Develop your organization as an effective community organization recognized as the primary advocate and promoter of quality care for elders • 4. Form partnerships • 5. Create strong development and public relations programs • 6. Develop and maintain a strong and effective Board of Directors • 7. Organize an efficient management that includes staff, office, and systems

7. Develop Statement of Mission, Vision, and Values • Values: • Human dignity • Holistic care—addresses the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of each person • Interfaith—MC offers counsel and support to elders on their spiritual journey in accordance with each one’s personal desires, values, and faith • Seeking justice with mercy

8. The Mission of Mercy Care • To offer “mercy care” to any older adult in need who may benefit from that care and to advocate for the enhancement of the quality of life of elders in the communities of the Adirondacks. • “Mercy care” is the compassionate and empathetic interest and concern for the whole person—body, mind and spirit—which is expressed through companionship, friendship, and assistance as may be needed.

9. Vision • Offering mercy care to older adults in the Adirondacks who may benefit from this care enabling them for as long as possible to enjoy a fullness of life residing in their own homes • The development in the Adirondacks of elder-friendly communities which encourage and enable elders to participate as fully as possible in the life of the community • The enhancement of the quality of life of older adults in the Adirondacks

10. Whom does Mercy Care Serve? • MC serves elders of all faiths living in their own homes or other independent living communities in the Tri-Lakes region of the Adirondacks. Services are available to any older adult in need. • Services are currently provided at no charge • There are no illness or income thresholds

11. Mother Teresa • The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.

12. Case Examples • A woman with cancer who is lonely while her family works • An elder couple who live miles from town and are no longer able to drive • An older woman who lives alone, loves her pet, and needs to take it to the Vet • A lonely woman who enjoys playing cards and board games • A woman who needs spiritual care who is no longer able to attend church • A caregiver with dementia and needs a MC volunteer to accompany her loved on walks, to stores, and to appreciate the person he is now in the context of the life he has lead

13. Mercy Care Services • MC extends friendship, spiritual care, health education and counseling through Friendship Volunteers and Parish Nurses • Volunteers provide companionship and a helping hand to elders, serve as their advocates, and help them stay connected to their communities.

14. Collaboration and Partnership • Mercy Care’s programs are offered in cooperation with churches and congregations of all faiths, and with families, community organizations, healthcare providers and agencies serving elders. • County Long Term Care Councils • Human Service Coalition • Referral Sources

15. Mercy Care Programs • Friendship Volunteer Program • Parish Nurse Program • Education and Advocacy Program

16. Friendship Volunteer Program • First year goal: Recruit and train 15 Friendship Volunteers • Results: • 40 volunteers recruited and trained • Over 600 hours of volunteer service contributed • Elders serving elders • Neighbors helping neighbors

17. Friendship Volunteer Services • Friendly home visits • Crafts or gardening • Outings together • Assistance with correspondence • Transportation to appointments/events • Recreational activities—board games, cards, physical fitness • Assistance with shopping • Art/music/literature enjoyment

18. Parish Nurse Program • First year goal: Recruit and train three parish nurses: • Results: • Five parish nurses recruited for Tri-Lakes region of the Adirondacks; trained two parish nurses from St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh • Parishes and congregations have launched programs in three separate faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran

19. Parish Nurse Services • Health educators • Referral agents • Advocates • Health counselors • Facilitators • Spiritual caregivers • Parish nurses do not perform direct or hands-on healthcare. They do not duplicate other nursing or medical services in the community.

20. Education & Advocacy Program • Brings national expertise to the rural Adirondacks on aging issues through educational forums • Promotes development of elder-friendly communities • Educates the public about the growing need for Mercy Care’s services through newsletters, brochures, and media reports

21. Educational Forums • Partnership with Paul Smith’s College • Forums to date: • “Creativity and Aging” presented by Gene Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., George Washington University • “Communities for All Ages” presented by Nancy Z. Henkin, Ph.D., Director Temple University Center for Intergenerational Planning • “Transformative Aging” presented by Sr. Ann Billard, Ph.D.,

22. Support • Grants • Individual Contributions • Annual giving program • Planned giving • Develop a Community Council

23. Where are we now? • Developing a new strategic plan • Extension of Mercy Care to other Adirondack Communities • Financial Sustainability

24. Michael J. Burgess, DirectorNYS Office for the Aging • “Mercy Care for the Adirondacks is using volunteers from faith based organizations to reach out to isolated rural seniors. Sometimes, government and private institutions under-estimate the value of “social capital” to help address problems in health care or other public needs • NYSOFA News—August 2008

25. Contact Information • Donna Beal, Executive Director • Mercy Care for the Adirondacks, Inc. • 185 Old Military Road • Lake Placid, NY 12946 • 518-523-5581 • dbeal@adkmercy.org • Web site: www.adkmercy.org