Census 2020



DARS AGENCY AND DCL DIVISION UPDATESContents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Census 2020 PAGEREF _Toc50536640 \h 1Congregate Meals Update PAGEREF _Toc50536641 \h 1Dementia State Plan PAGEREF _Toc50536642 \h 1Governor’s Conference on Aging Webinar Series PAGEREF _Toc50536643 \h 1Grant Updates PAGEREF _Toc50536644 \h 2Falls Prevention Update PAGEREF _Toc50536645 \h 3Medicare Open Enrollment PAGEREF _Toc50536646 \h 3Native American Tribes PAGEREF _Toc50536647 \h 3No Wrong Door Updates PAGEREF _Toc50536648 \h 4Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board PAGEREF _Toc50536649 \h 5Respite Care Voucher Reminder PAGEREF _Toc50536650 \h 5Report: 2020 AAA National Survey and Toolkit PAGEREF _Toc50536651 \h 5Report: Direct Care Workers PAGEREF _Toc50536652 \h 5Report: Home Modifications and Repairs PAGEREF _Toc50536653 \h 5Report: Older Adult Population PAGEREF _Toc50536654 \h 6Report: Profile of Older Americans PAGEREF _Toc50536655 \h 6Report: Rural Home Accessibility PAGEREF _Toc50536656 \h 7Webinar: Benefits Access and Enrollment During COVID-19 PAGEREF _Toc50536657 \h 7Webinar: Social Isolation and Loneliness PAGEREF _Toc50536658 \h 8Census 2020Don’t forget to complete your 2020 Census and remind your friends, family, coworkers, and clients to do so as well. The Census figures heavily into determining how much the Commonwealth of Virginia receives in Older Americans Act funding! Congregate Meals UpdateDARS’ Office for Aging Services, in consultation with an AAA workgroup, developed and disseminated a Congregate Site Reopening Best Practices resource for the AAAs to utilize. This tool is a reference for the AAA Directors when determining the best course of action for each program when considering congregate sites reopening. This will be available on the OAS Provider’s Portal for easy access to all AAAs.This document was created with the help of a dedicated workgroup comprised of:Kathy Miller, DARS Director of ProgramsKimberly Taylor, Alexandria AAAJordan Miles, Piedmont Senior ResourcesSteve Zollos, Senior Services of Southeastern VAMissi Boyer, Senior ConnectionsGerald Patesel, Peninsula Agency on AgingKelly Wright, DARS Nutrition Program CoordinatorDARS OAS would like to thank this workgroup for their quick convening and their efforts in getting it done.Dementia State PlanThe Virginia Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission has released the Dementia State Plan 2020-2024: Building a Dementia-Capable Virginia. The Dementia State Plan 2020-2024 serves as a blueprint for a dementia-capable Virginia that is ready to meet the challenge of the rising numbers of citizens of the Commonwealth living with dementia or caring for individuals living with dementia. The Commission updates the plan every four years. Previous editions of the plan are available below.To view the plan, visit this link. Governor’s Conference on Aging Webinar Series The Governor’s Conference on Aging Planning Committee is hosting a webinar series. Webinars are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can sign up for the mailing list here. You can access the previously recorded webinars here. Achieved webinar topics include: Social Isolation in Long Term Care Facilities (August) Join speakers Melissa Andrews of LeadingAge Virginia, Sarah Lineberger with Virginia Department of Health and lead support to the Governor's Long Term Care COVID-19 Task Force and Secretary Richard Prudom, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, as they discuss how COVID-19 has affected those living in Long Term Care Facilities and how they are attempting to combat social isolation while keeping their residents healthy and engaged. Melissa and Sarah shared insight on data and functionality in LTC facilities across the Commonwealth, while Secretary Prudom shared what Florida is doing to combat their quickly rising infection numbers and ensuring residents still have contact with loved ones outside of their living facilities through Project VITAL.Social Isolation in Community Based Services (July) The July session) focuses on social isolation in community based services. This was an interactive panel discussion and speakers shared first hand experiences, lessons learned and proposed solutions to address isolation. Speakers included: James Sawyer, Executive Director, InnovAge Virginia PACE – Richmond; Kathy Vesley, Executive Director, Bay Aging; and Moderator Regina Sayers, Executive Director, Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens. Issues Revealed for Older Virginians by the Pandemic (June)A panel discussion moderated by Pamela B. Teaster, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology, will explore a variety of issues uncovered by the COVID-19 pandemic that older Virginians have faced/are facing--from isolation, to access to legal representation, to specific impacts of COVID-19 on long-term care facilities. Dr. Teaster lead panelists Dr. Richard Lindsay, Joani Latimer and Veronica Williams, J.D., in a dynamic, hour long conversation framed by ethics and how to approach the treatment and care of older adults as we move forward. Using an interactive format, speakers shared their experiences in their respective areas of expertise, the impact, and what they have learned during crisis management, followed by the steps needed moving forward to create a safer space and community for older adults and those working with and on behalf of them across the Commonwealth.Grant Updates Congress awarded ACL more funding for the SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) than was originally budgeted. As a result, all 52 SHIP programs received administrative supplement awards. Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), the Virginia SHIP, was awarded over $115,000 in addition to the original award of over $1 million for grant year April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. These funds will be utilized to carry out ACL approved grant activities. DARS received an award for the new 1-year Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grants, which include over $600,000 for priority areas: SHIP, AAA, and ADRC. These grant funds enhance VICAP efforts for outreach, education and one-on-one assistance to beneficiaries who are likely eligible for the Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or Medicare Savings Program (MSP) benefits. These funds also support Medicare Part D benefits and enrollments and activities targeting preventive and wellness services.ACL awarded DARS a one-year No Cost Extension (8/1/2020-7/31/2021) for its 2017 Falls Prevention Grant. Due to COVID-19, and MaineHealth’s decision to discontinue the A Matter of Balance (MOB) program until further notice, DARS has a balance of grant funds remaining. DARS, along with its AAA grantee partners, will introduce Bingocize to the Commonwealth, while continuing to spread MOB (whether in person or virtually) when the time is right.The USDA awarded DARS a third and final allocation for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). With an additional $5,000, this brings 2020 funding equal to 2019 funding. This program, along with the WIC component, has the potential to infuse over $465,000 directly into each participating community by supporting the farmers in Virginia, as well as low-income seniors and WIC participants, by providing fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the farmers’ fields to the recipients via farmers markets and/or roadside stands. To date, DARS has approved 201 farmers, 22 new growers, 62 participating farmers markets, and 32 roadside stands. Although this program is not funded statewide, DARS receives hundreds of calls each year from interested parties inquiring how they can participate. To learn more about the program’s reach throughout the Commonwealth, click here. Falls Prevention Update A virtual second meeting of the newly merged Virginia Arthritis and Falls Prevention Coalition was held in August 2020. Falls Prevention Week is September 21-25, 2020. The Virginia Arthritis and Falls Prevention Coalition (VAFPC) is putting together a calendar of virtual Falls Prevention Presentations for the week. For updates on this, visit this link. Medicare Open Enrollment Plan year 2021 Medicare open enrollment period (Medicare Advantage & Part D) runs: October 15, 2020 – December 7, 2020 for changes effective January 2021. The local VICAP Program can provide you with FREE, unbiased, confidential and personal assistance. You will speak to a trained counselor who will walk you through the steps to maximize your benefits. To get in touch with a VICAP counselor in your area, contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). To find your local AAA, visit this link. Native American TribesDARS staff are involved in ongoing discussions around ways to partner and share technical assistance with the Chickahominy Tribe. The Chickahominy Tribe received Older Americans Act (OAA) Title VI grant funding on April 1, 2020 from the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The Tribe's service area includes: the counties of Charles City, New Kent, James City, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and Prince George. These areas coincide with those served by three area agencies on aging (AAAs), Senior Connections, Crater District AAA and Peninsula Agency on Aging. No Wrong Door UpdatesThe No Wrong Door (NWD) team is excited to roll out a new verbal consent workflow for obtaining consent to share client/consumer information between partner agencies on the technology. Allowing partners to use a verbal consent streamlines access to community-based services and is an enhancement to the system much anticipated by all of our end users. DARS was pleased to announce that seven organizations across the Commonwealth were selected to receive relief funding for COVID-19 Pandemic response to support local NWD networks in providing critical and lifesaving supports to Virginians. Through a grant opportunity provided by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), funding was available to build the capacity of NWD lead agencies and NWD certified partner organizations in Virginia to improve local NWD functions to respond to COVID-19. Awarded grant amounts range from $15,000 to $20,000, based on number of people projected to be served during the grant period. Applications were considered on a rolling basis between May 29 and June 15, 2020. A total of $115,000 is being distributed to two Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), four Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and one non-profit organization.Virginia’s No Wrong Door initiative worked collaboratively with the state’s Assistive Technology Act Program, the Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS), to develop and implement a series of assistive technology kits to address the independence, personal safety, and social inclusion needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities (Emergency, Social Inclusion, Training). Specifically, the teams developed a Social Inclusion kit to address social, cognitive, communication, sensory and mental health needs of individuals during the current or future pandemic/epidemics. The Social Inclusion kit contains low – mid tech equipment and is available for checkout for NWD partners from VATS. VATS will be collecting data to determine demand and consumer needs. These kits will be available statewide through Virginia's No Wrong Door system. On Friday, August 7th, DARS and VirginiaNavigator launched the No Wrong Door (NWD) Direct Connect tool for providers to receive referrals directly from an individual or consumer seeking services and/or supports statewide. NWD Direct Connect offers older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and their families and caregivers a way to send referrals directly to the network of No Wrong Door certified partners on the technology system that "opt in" to this feature (via ). Additional information about Direct Connect is available at the following links:Learn moreRead the FAQ HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" Download a printable one-sheet?explainerNWD Virginia also continues push out weekly COVID-19 e-newsletters to all partners and system users. This week’s newsletter may be accessed on the NWD Partner’s Portal here. Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory BoardThe Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board adopted its 2019 Biennial Report. It can be found at this link.Respite Care Voucher ReminderDARS continues to operate the Lifespan Respite Voucher Program which provides reimbursement of up to $400 per family caring for individuals in need of respite services. DARS is just beginning the last year of a 3-year grant. Applications are available on the VDA website found here.Report: 2020 AAA National Survey and Toolkit Every three years, ACL funds a National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging. This survey identifies trends and issues in the Aging Network and looks at how AAAs are responding. This new report details the findings of the 2019 survey and includes information on staffing, funding, services, partnerships, and innovative programs. The report is accompanied by the AAA National Survey Report Toolkit, which includes reports with state-level data, a one-page fact sheet with key survey findings, a customizable PowerPoint with survey information, and sample newsletter articles and social media posts related to the survey data.Click here to access the report and toolkit.Report: Direct Care Workers“Direct Care Work Is Real Work: Elevating the Role of the Direct Care Worker” is the third report in a year-long series that provides analysis of the direct care workforce and its critical role in the long-term care system. The report was put out by PHI, with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Woodcock Foundation. The report can be found here. Report: Home Modifications and RepairsHome Modification and Repairs for Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for State Units on AgingThis report shares findings from a 2019 Survey of State Units on Aging conducted by USC and ADvancing States to determine home modification and repair activities for older adults and people with disabilities of all ages. This national survey is part of the Administration for Community Living project, “Promoting Aging in Place by Enhancing Access to Home Modifications.”The National Directory provides home modification and repair resources (such as featured programs, funding, service providers, and consumer materials) for each state. Click here to access the report and click here to access the National Directory. Report: Older Adult Population HRSA Releases Study on Rural and Urban Older PopulationsA new study found that rural populations are older, on average, than urban populations. Across the U.S., people 85 and older make up 1.9 percent of the population. In rural counties, they make up 2.4 percent of the population. Researchers studied rural-urban older adults based on four different domains: demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, health care access and use, and health characteristics.The study revealed that the proportion of older adults is increasing more quickly in rural communities due to declining birth rates and migration patterns among younger adults.Given that the likelihood of living alone increases with age (PDF – 1 MB), research in this area is vital to ensure people have appropriate support and resources. The study was released by the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, which is funded by HRSA. The study can be found here. Report: Profile of Older Americans The Profile of Older Americans is an annual summary of the available statistics related to the older population in the United States. Principal sources of data are the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.The Profile illustrates the shifting demographics of Americans age 65 and older. It includes key topic areas such as income, living arrangements, education, health, and caregiving. This year's report includes special sections on obesity as well as aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities.Select Highlights:Between 2008 and 2018, the population age 65+ increased 35%. It is projected to reach 94.7 million in 2060.The number of Americans age 45-64—who will reach age 65 during the next two decades—increased by 7% between 2008 and 2018.Racial and ethnic minority populations have increased from 7.5 million in 2008 to 12.3 million in 2018, and are projected to reach 27.7 million in 2040.In 2019, 69% of older men and 47% of older women were married.As of 2019, about 28% of older persons lived alone. Among women age 75+, 44% lived alone.The median income of older persons in 2018 was $34,267 for men and $20,431 for women.In 2018, the percentage of older adults age 85+ who needed help with personal care (21%) was more than twice the percentage for adults ages 75–84 (8%) and five times the percentage for adults ages 65–74 (4%).The 85+ population is projected to more than double from 6.5 million in 2018 to 14.4 million in 2040.The profile can be found here. Report: Rural Home Accessibility Living at Home in Rural America: Improving Accessibility for Older Adults and People with a DisabilityHHS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Agriculture have released a joint bulletin (PDF - 283 KB) describing federal resources available to improve health and housing outcomes for older adults and those with disabilities in rural America.The bulletin supports the HHS Rural Health Task Force, an HHS-wide effort to improve health care and access for rural America. Read the full announcement.HRSA was part of the HHS team that worked on the bulletin with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Administration for Community Living, and the CDC.The bulletin can be found here. Webinar: Benefits Access and Enrollment During COVID-19The National I&R Support Center at ADvancing States is hosting a webinar on benefits access and enrollment during COVID-19. This webinar is scheduled for?Wednesday, September 30, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.COVID-19 is a long-lasting and complex disaster situation involving a public health emergency and an economic crisis, with particularly acute impacts for older adults, people with disabilities, and others with certain health conditions. In response, the federal government and state and local agencies have sought to address basic needs, provide access to certain benefits, and modify service delivery for vulnerable populations. Due to changes in federal regulation and law, states are responding with changes in policies and procedures to ensure individuals have access to public benefit programs, such as the Medicare low-income subsidies, SNAP, and LIHEAP. Presenters will describe examples of opportunities and adjustments that states have made to connect older adults and persons with disabilities to critical benefit programs during the pandemic. Data from an ADvancing States COVID-19 membership survey will be shared. Additionally, Massachusetts' SHINE program will describe how they are operating and responding during the pandemic to continue to connect consumers to benefits such as Medicare and the Medicare low-income subsidies.Click here?to learn more.Webinar: Social Isolation and Loneliness The Administration for Community Living has partnered with the CDC, HRSA, and National Institute on Aging for a webinar series on aging. As part of this series, they are hosting an upcoming webinar on how social isolation and loneliness affect older adults' health and well-being. Specific focus will be placed on how COVID-19 has impacted older adults and the effects of health disparities. This webinar will also discuss social isolation and loneliness in the context of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.The webinar will be held Monday, September 28 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET.Click here to learn more. ................
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