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A LWAYS W ATCHING FOR A T R ISK E LDERS ( A Gatekeeper Program )

A LWAYS W ATCHING FOR A T R ISK E LDERS ( A Gatekeeper Program ). A. Program Originator. A. Why did The Center want to get involved with a Gatekeeper project? Inform, educate and empower individuals in the community to help each other. A.

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A LWAYS W ATCHING FOR A T R ISK E LDERS ( A Gatekeeper Program )

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  1. ALWAYS WATCHING FOR AT RISK ELDERS (A Gatekeeper Program) A

  2. Program Originator A

  3. Why did The Center want to get involved with a Gatekeeper project? • Inform, educate and empower individuals in the community to help each other A

  4. The majority of people over the age of sixty reside in their own home or apartment • Many suffer from grave problems that put them at risk • Significant numbers have no family or friends A

  5. COUNTY TOTAL POP. % 65 & OVER COUNTY TOTAL POP. % 65 & OVER Broward 1,623,018 16.1 Marion 258,916 24.5 Charlotte 141,627 34.7 Martin 126,731 28.2 Citrus 118,085 32.2 Miami-Dade 2,253,362 13.3 Collier 251,377 24.5 Orange 896,344 10.0 Duval 778,879 10.5 Palm Beach 1,131,184 23.2 Flagler 49,832 28.6 Pasco 344,765 26.8 Hernando 130,802 30.9 Pinellas 921,482 22.5 Highlands 87,366 33.0 Polk 483,924 18.3 Hillsborough 998,948 12.0 St. Lucie 192,695 22.7 Indian River 112,947 29.2 Sarasota 325,957 31.5 Lake 210,528 26.4 Seminole 365,196 10.6 Lee 440,888 25.4 Sumter 53,345 27.4 Manatee 264,002 24.9 Volusia 443,343 22.1 A

  6. Elders don’t self refer • Often times they are not aware of information & referral agencies when trying to problem solve A

  7. Imagine your mother, sister, grandfather, best friend, spouse, someone you really care about OLD…ALONE…SICK…POOR…SCARED A

  8. Wouldn’t you want someone to care? • Someone to help? • Someone to beAWARE? A

  9. How do we prevent a crisis for at risk elders? • The Gatekeeper Program • Conceived in 1978 in Spokane, Washington A

  10. AREA AGENCY ON AGING BROWARD COUNTY • Program Partners A

  11. What is the importance of community partnering? • More eyes and ears and hands the better A

  12. Always Watching for At Risk Elders • Gatekeeper program designed to locate and identify high-risk elders A

  13. Who is a Gatekeeper? • Any employee that has contact with elders in our community A

  14. Gatekeeper Companies/Organizations • Code Enforcement • Fire Rescue • Police • Homeowner Associations • Banks • Utilities • Florida Power & Light Company A

  15. What is the role of the Gatekeeper? • To recognize signs and symptoms of an elderly person in need of assistance • What are the skills of the Gatekeeper? • Listening and observing A

  16. What situations would be referred? • Person’s appearance • Dirty, poor hygiene/body odor, inappropriate clothing • Economic problems • Lack of money for food or household expenses • Personality and social changes • Isolated, recent loss of a loved one • Mental or emotional state • Confusion or disorientation, inappropriate responses, thoughts of suicide A

  17. Conditions of the home • Old newspapers lying around • Exterior/interior of home in poor repair • Little or no food A

  18. Conditions of the home continued - • Strong odors • Pets neglected • Garbage or litter piling up A

  19. Caregiver stress or burnout • A caregiver is an individual who provides assistance in dressing, bathing, eating A

  20. Suicide • Number of people who complete suicide is higher in age 60+ • Men over 60 are a particular concern • Direct threats to harm oneself should be reported immediately A

  21. U.S. Suicide Rates by Age, Gender, and Racial Group A

  22. For Immediate Emergency Situations • 911 • Need to call police or fire/rescue • 800/96-abuse • If an elder is being abused, neglected or exploited A

  23. Mandatory Reporting (2001 Florida Statute 415.1034) • Any person, including, but not limited to: • who know, or has reasonable cause to suspect a disabled adult or elderly person has been • abused • neglected • exploited A

  24. Florida Power & Light Company • AWARE Program • Executive Endorsement A A ALWAYS WATCHING FOR AT RISK ELDERS A

  25. Who are the Gatekeepers at FPL? • Field Personnel • Collectors • Meter Readers • Residential Auditors A

  26. Do field employees receive AWARE training? • Yes A

  27. FPL AWARE Referral Process • All AWARE referrals are made on line • Name and telephone number of AWARE gatekeeper • Elder’s name, address, telephone number • Brief description of concerns A

  28. Will the gatekeeper receive feedback? • Feedback varies depending on agency A

  29. Will the gatekeeper receive recognition? • FPL recognizes the employee A

  30. What happens after the referral is made? A

  31. The Center for Information & Crisis Services, Elder Crisis Outreach Department (ECO) • Contacts client by phone and/or • Makes house visit • Coordinates services A

  32. How do I contact my local Elder Helpline? • Simply dial: • 1-800-96 ELDER A

  33. What types of services may be available for the elderly? • In-home assistance • Personal care/bathing • Home delivered meals • Homemaker • Companion • Respite • Financial assistance • Rent, mortgage, utility assistance • Medicaid and/or food stamps • Socialization • Senior Centers A

  34. What types of services (continued) • Legal assistance providers • Medicare and other insurance issues, including prescription drug coverage • Consumer protection • Access to health care • Suicide prevention • Housing and placement services • Caregiver resources • Counseling services • Transportation providers • Congregate meal sites • …..and much more!! A

  35. Will AWARE always succeed in improving the lives of referred elders? • No. Elders have the right to choose their lifestyle as long as it doesn’t harm them or anyone else around them. A

  36. It pays to be AWARE • Over 80% of the elders will learn sources of assistance A

  37. What is the process ECO follows after receiving the referral? • Paperwork? A

  38. What is the timeframe for the referral to be completed? • Contacting elder client • Feedback to partnering agency A

  39. What are the costs associated with a Gatekeeper program? • Agency • Funding sources • Partnering agency • Printing of brochures • Recognition items A

  40. Total number of FPL AWARE referrals • 2001 - 2002 • 349 (Broward and Palm Beach County) A

  41. A

  42. Reason for AWARE Referral • Exploitation • Financial • Medical • Emotional • Other A

  43. 2001 • Reason for AWARE Referral at FPL • Financial • Medical A

  44. AWARE Referrals Matrix 2001-2002 Source: A

  45. A

  46. 2003 Source: • Excel online referral form A

  47. Agency Contacts • STATEWIDE • Elder Helpline • 1-800-96 ELDER • (1-800-963-5337) A

  48. Agency Contacts (continued) • EAST Area • The Center For Information & Crisis Services • Rhonda Throop, dial 211 A

  49. NORTH Area • Mid Florida AAA, Vidya Hogan, 352-378-6649 • Northeast Florida AAA, Mary Baxla, 904-777-2106 • Senior Resource Alliance, Mable Jackson, 407-228-1805 A

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