March 2008 Vol. 27. No. 3

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

For All Time Cat Haven: Del Norte couple crates a safe dwelling for pets
Budget cuts: Programs will likely be affected
Area 1 Agency on Aging: Come talk about senior needs March 18
Get ready for A Special Day of Caring ‹ for your critters
AARP Driver Safety classes set
Rx: Pets: Training to become a Pet Partner set April 25, 26

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Area 1 Agency on Aging
Come talk about senior needs March 18

by Julie Sessa

During this past year, the Area 1 Agency on Aging has collected information about the concerns and issues older adults have regarding health and human services in their communities. A1AA administers state and federal dollars provided through the Older Americans Act and the Older Californians Act to provide services through contracts and direct services for approximately 24,000 seniors in Humboldt and 5,500 in Del Norte counties.

Gathering information is the first step in the process to develop an area plan that guides the activities of the agency. The update for 2008-2009 is currently under review. A public meeting to discuss aspects of the plan is scheduled March 18 at 10 a.m. at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, 1910 California St., Eureka.

The agency has held community forums in Garberville, Crescent City, Arcata, Willow Creek and Eureka this past year. Seniors, caregivers and boomers have participated in identifying topics they feel deserve attention. In addition, discussions with service providers, senior center staff and others in the community highlight needs.

Several issues were common to many of the forums:

€ Health care: more physicians locating to this area, affordable and understandable health care insurance, access to insurance, exercise classes, preventive health care;

€ Aging in place: affordable housing, housing options, subsidized housing, minor home modifications for safety and independence, access to adult day care services, transportation options, transportation subsidies, caregiver training and support;

€ Education: older adult focused education, access to computers;

€ Disaster preparedness: personal preparation, organizational and community preparedness.

The A1AA develops its area plan with these concerns in mind. Strategies are developed to direct state and federal dollars to services such as home delivered and congregate meals, Senior Brown Bag lunches, Senior Legal Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Linkages Case Management, Elder Abuse Prevention, Alzheimer¹s Day Care and Resource Center services. Other programs and services funded are Volunteer Services, Senior Information and Assistance, the Del Norte InfoCenter, Caregiver services, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), health promotion and disease prevention programs and nutrition education.

In addition, administrative goals are developed to meet changing community needs and opportunities. Information gathered throughout the year plays a major role in influencing activities. Area agencies on aging are an integral part of the community¹s leadership on senior issues. A1AA is proposing to coordinate and collaborate with others in the community to reduce duplication of services, to improve the efficiency of services and to increase access to services.

A1AA staff will be available at the public forum March 18 to discuss planned activities. Copies of the forum materials are available at the Area 1 Agency on Aging office or by calling 800-408-4636.

Julie Sessa is planner for the Area I Agency on Aging, 442-3763, ext. 208. E-mail planner@a1aa.org.