From The Director

Mayor Doyle

Tom Kelly Award

Enhanced Elder Intervention

From The Director The Older Americans Act

Services under the Older Americans Act are funded at $829 million for this fiscal year, so existing services are not in serious jeopardy; although funding continues to fall short of need.

What is not happening, because of Congress' failure to reauthorize (reapprove) the Older Americans Act, is the necessary reexamination of the Act, as wisely planned by those who first crafted this key legislation.

The Older Americans Act called for the establishment of services designed to keep older persons living independently in the community; with these services developed locally by planning and service organizations covering a certain geographic area. These planning organizations are the 600 plus Area Agencies on Aging throughout the country; Elder Services is the Area Agency on Aging for Berkshire County.

Through the process of reauthorization, services offered under the Older Americans Act have increased in variety and numbers served so today they include elder law services, congregate meal sites, meals on wheels, elder rights protection, transportation services, elder employment, and the nursing home ombudsman program.

What is needed, however, is that lawmakers reexamine Older Americans Act programs; not just continue the basic funding for all the same services, with the same eligibility, the same voluntary donation requirements, and the same regulations.

The elder population is changing; Congress is asked to begin the already overdue reauthorization process, so today's Older Americans Act will best utilize the limited federal resources to address today's needs and then make certain that today's Older Americans Act offers programs and services best suited to 1998's Older Americans.

To make your wishes known on
Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security &
Older Americans Act Reauthorization, call:
THE US CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD
1-800-972-3524
1-800-962-3524

to speak to any Congressman or Senator.

A Commitment

As we move into the dawning of a new era for Pittsfield, we cannot forget those who made this a proud city with and contributed to its rich history. We owe a great debt to those who paved the way for us, and we must not ignore the unique needs of our seniors.

As we move toward a new millennium, I am mindful of my commitment to our seniors to assure them safety and security and to do my level best to meet the needs of this very important segment of Pittsfield's population.

We must plan to meet the growing needs of an expanding senior population. Certainly, I was happy to support the creation of the Ralph Froio Senior Center during my tenure on the City Council. This facility addressed an important need. We need to look at facilities such as this, however, and make certain that they have the ability to grow with the needs of the population.

Additionally, we need to assess the housing needs of our senior population. It seems there is never enough available housing, and this problem will only become more aggravating if we fail to plan and take the necessary steps now.

We have made great strides in public safety, placing an emphasis on the needs of our seniors - but we need to do more. We need to make sure that our seniors can feel safe in their homes and apartments.

As part of my downtown initiative, I look forward to a new North Street where seniors can safely and confidently walk and shop. These are priorities that I have already discussed with the Chief of Police.

As I said on inauguration day, my administration is going to be one of inclusiveness. Everyone needs to pitch in and let me hear their voice.
As Mayor, I have the benefit of input from many sources, some with expertise in issues of importance to seniors. It is, however, just as important that I hear directly from our seniors as to how they feel the city can help meet their needs. While we may have some good ideas, I'll bet my bottom dollar that there are some seniors in the community with even better ones. I need that participation if local government is to be successful in meeting the needs of its seniors and in moving into the next century.

I remain committed to our seniors and I urge each and every one of them to join me in making Pittsfield everything that we know it can be.

Volunteer Services to Establish An Award

Later this month, the volunteers at Elder Services and their guests, 300 plus strong, will be swinging and swaying to the music of the George Morrell All-Stars as they enjoy a roast turkey dinner prepared by the chefs of the Berkshire Crowne Plaza. This is Elder Services' way of saying thank you to the volunteers for all they do for us and for you.

Many elders ask us how they can thank the volunteer who drives them to the doctor or helps with their banking; the volunteer who graciously serves their meal at the center; the volunteer who buys their groceries or counsels them about insurance options. The first answer is, of course, to say the two little words that your mother taught you:"Thank you." Another is to make a donation, no matter how small, in the name of the volunteer to the Eldercare Fund. This enables Elder Services to provide services for elders when there is no other funding available; to facilitate a move, to rent a piece of equipment, to cover an emergency.

Now there is a new way.

Last month, we and his large and loving circle of family and friends lost a treasured friend in volunteer, Tom Kelly. Volunteer Services has pondered long and hard as to how to provide a fitting memorial. We have decided that what was so special about Tom Kelly as a volunteer, as those of you who were fortunate enough to know him would agree, was not so much what he did, though he did a great deal, but the spirit with which he did it.

So, we have created the Tom Kelly Excellence In Volunteering Award, which will be presented each year to the volunteer who is nominated by either the elder, the elders' family or an observing professional, to be the most cheerful and willing giver. Kelly really loved the elders that he served and that love showed through his every act of service. When his loving family became concerned that the volunteer service was too wearing for Kelly - who suffered multiple ailments, Tom replied that it was the joy of the volunteer service that was keeping him alive. He was infinitely flexible and able to figure out how to do more. Long before "an unnamed sneaker manufacturer" co-opted the phrase, Tom Kelly's motto was " Yes, I can do that!" So it came as no surprise that within weeks of resigning last fall, Kelly entered the hospital with what was to prove to be his fatal illness.

In the September and October 1998 issues of the Berkshire Senior, we will print an entry form for the Tom Kelly Excellence In Volunteering Award. We will ask the name of the nominator, the name of the volunteer, the type of services provided and, most importantly, why you think that this volunteer deserves special recognition. How well or eloquently you write is not important. If you cannot write yourself, ask a friend to write for you. It is another way for you to say thank you to the people who serve you only because they want to.
We recognize that many, if not all of the employees and contracted workers for Elder Services--the case managers, the homemakers, the nurses and all the others who bring services to you-- perform their duties in a loving and caring way. Most of us do love our work. We're just lucky enough to be able to make our living doing something that we love. But there is something very special about a person who provides service to another solely out of love. So start thinking now about the volunteers that you know and surprise them with a nomination for excellence. All volunteers nominated will be recognized. A winner will be selected by a committee to be composed of staff, friends and family of Tom Kelly, and ineligible volunteers. The award will be presented at the 1999 Volunteer Recognition Dinner Dance.

Enhanced Elder Intervention

Enhanced Elder Intervention is one of several programs under the collective title of Protective Programs, managed by Pam Burger. The other programs are: Protective Services, Elder-at-Risk, and After Hours Emergency Response. Trish Gorman is supervisor of these programs.

Burger said, "Elder Intervention has been a much needed program and fills a special need. There are other protective programs locally for the abused elderly. Also, there is another program for elders-at-risk due to self-neglecting behavior. But for elders that just aren't making it -- not doing well -- there was no program until Enhanced Elder Intervention. Initial outreach got the message out so that we get calls now when neighbors and agencies notice elders that just seem overwhelmed or in acute need."

The City of Pittsfield currently funds the Elder Intervention Program under a grant designed for Pittsfield residents age 60 or older. One case worker covers a maximum load of 10 clients a month. Initial funding last year resulted in service to 58 elders. The Williamstown Community Chest is funding a similar program for elder intervention in that town.

The sole caseworker under Elder Intervention approaches each elder with the knowledge that help is usually not wanted. The present overwhelming problem -- home maintenance, grooming, nutrition, financial, medical, or social isolation -- has been gradually adjusted to and compensated for over the years.

Burger said, "After the caseworker establishes some sort of relationship she works toward filling whatever the need is, whether it is getting different housing or income services, seeing a doctor, or any number of things that need to happen to get this person appropriate care."
Not all of the 58 referrals in the original grant period were helped despite the fact that all were contacted by a caseworker. If someone is alert and oriented and repeatedly refuses help, then the caseworker respects the person's wishes. However, if competency is in question or if there appears an immediate danger to the person, then Mental Health Services of the Berkshires is contacted.

Amanda Burrows, Elder Intervention Specialist, described a recent referral. "An 89- year old widow called the police department, saying that her house was being broken into. I managed to gain the woman's confidence by showing my Elder Services photo ID and saying the police asked me to drop by. We talked and it turned out that she had no relatives in the area and new neighbors. I smelled gas and she said her gas range wasn't working. So we had the gas company correct the problem and in the process of correcting that problem they found another -- the chimney in the house needed to be cleaned. The draft for the hot water heater wasn't adequate. All in all we were able to assess her needs and provide help for her in several ways. And the police didn't get any more calls."

The Elder Intervention Program not only helps elders, but it often can prove cost effective. Burrows described another referral from the fire department where help and dollars saved went hand-in-hand. "They had responded many times to a "life line" call from an elderly gentleman who was falling down and couldn't get up. I was able to work with him and got him a quad (four pronged) cane. This cut down on his falls as well as the need for the fire department to go out, pick him up, and make sure he wasn't hurt. He lived in a second-floor apartment and a short time later we were able to get him into a ground-floor apartment. With the savings on his new rent he got some home care help. In both of these referrals we saved the city of Pittsfield money by eliminating the need for repeated emergency responses." To refer elders in need of intervention, call 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.