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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information "Organizations to aid Elder Intervention, Money Management Assistance programs"
By Louisa Weeden
Many Berkshire County elders are at-risk of losing their independence, because they are unable to live safely in the community without specialized intervention. Others need assistance to manage their financial tasks. In response to these needs, Elder Services developed the Enhanced Elder Intervention and Money Management Assistance programs. Over the next year, four local entities: Berkshire United Way, the City of Pittsfield, Northern Berkshire United Way, and the Williams-town Community Chest, will provide funding to enable Elder Services to continue to provide these two programs to elders in need.
The Enhanced Elder Intervention program was created by Elder Services to address the needs of at-risk elders who, due to a variety of personal challenges, are unable to live safely in the community without assistance. In many cases, the elder exhibits extreme self-neglect, has undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues, denies having a problem, or resists receiving help. Trust must be built and a rapport established before the elder will consider accepting help.
There has been a remarkable increase in the percentage of the Berkshire population over age 75. While the U.S. Census figures from 1990 and 2000 show the overall Berkshire population has declined by 3.2%, the percentage of those over 75 has risen by 16.5%, from 10,543 to 12,630. This group is most likely to be frail, homebound, or in need of community-based services such as Enhanced Elder Intervention. Eighty-two percent of the individuals currently served by the program are 75 or older, and more than half are over 80.
The Enhanced Elder Intervention program benefits local communities by providing a safety net for fragile Berkshire elders. The program supports police and fire departments and other community organizations when they become involved in situations involving at-risk elders requiring interventions for which they may not have the resources. The existence of the Enhanced Elder Intervention program frees municipal workers, such as members of the police and fire departments, to focus on fighting crime, responding to emergencies, and putting out fires.
Enhanced Elder Intervention allocations for the fiscal year July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005 are: Berkshire United Way, $30,896 to help elders in Central and Southern Berkshire County; City of Pittsfield, $24,706 to assist Pittsfield residents; Northern Berkshire United Way, $12,000 to help at-risk elders in Northern Berkshire County, and Williamstown Community Chest, $5,408 for Williamstown.
The Money Management Assistance program assists elders with monthly financial tasks while enabling them to maintain autonomy over their financial matters. The program pairs trained volunteers with elders to help organize monthly bills, write checks at the elder’s direction, balance the monthly checking account statements, and develop a workable budget. They often serve elders dealing with unpaid bills, threatening notices, and the fear of eviction. The volunteer sees that bills are paid, budgets followed, and independence is maintained.
The Money Management Coordinator works in conjunction with local human services organizations, housing authorities, Councils on Aging, and financial institutions to identify elders in need of this service. Referrals also come from service providers such as the Visiting Nurse Associations, the Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse of the Berkshires, and religious institutions. Increasingly, elders in need of service are referring themselves.
Because Money Management volunteers have frequent contact with clients, they can let the coordinator know when a client might need additional services such as Meals on Wheels, homemaking, or personal care. Occasionally, a volunteer discovers evidence of financial or other exploitation, and a referral is made to the Elder Services Protective Services team to investigate the situation.
Money Management Assistance allocations for fiscal year 2005 are: Berkshire United Way, $7,500 to assist elders in Central and Southern Berkshire County; Northern Berkshire United Way, $4,000 to help Northern Berkshire County elders manage their personal finances, and Williamstown Community Chest, $2,755 for Williamstown.
The support provided by Berkshire United Way, the City of Pittsfield, Northern Berkshire United Way, and Williamstown Community Chest will enable Elder Services to reach out to Berkshire elders who have nowhere else to turn for help.