WIXLIB

PSA 6 Area Plan Date: January, 2009Enhance Advocacy and Information SharingIncrease Visibility, Public Education and AwarenessSIGNIFICANT NEEDSIn the Spring of 2007, WCFAAA collaborated with Hillsborough County Aging Services toconduct a Needs Assessment Survey through the University of South Florida (USF) Centerfor Housing and Long-Term Care, Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging. Through thispartnership WCFAAA was able to ensure all five counties were included in the needsassessment survey.These surveys (“Population Characteristics and Projections for an Aging Society 20002030, and “Planning for an Aging Society Survey of the Population Age 40 and Older” andthe “Characteristics and Projections for an Aging Society: 2000-2030”) along with theAssessing the Needs of Elder Floridians (ANEF) survey, 2008 Public Forum information,Helpline data, CIRTS data and Census Block information assisted in the compilation of thefollowing top five PSA 6 services needs being identified: Caregiver Supportive Services: which includes respite, personal care and educationabout available resources. Continually coping with care giving responsibilitieswithout enough support can result in deterioration of the health of the caregiver andmay lead to the consumer’s early placement in a nursing home. Homemaker: A client who goes without homemaker services runs the risk of notmaintaining a standard of cleanliness that reduces health risks. Having clutterincreases the risk of falls. Pest infestations may also occur from a lack ofcleanliness. Personal Care: without the personal care needed, a senior’s basic hygiene is difficultto maintain and can impact their health as well as their attitude towards life. Lack ofhygiene can also lead to skin breakdown and dental problems – both of which canlead to more significant health issues. Nutrition: good nutrition is imperative for prevention of health disorders, allowingelders to remain in the community longer. As we age, many encounter barriers tomaintaining a healthy diet. Some such barriers may result from an inability to accessfood or prepare food. A healthy diet can lower your chances for multiple healthconditions, such as heart disease. Transportation: available transportation services for seniors are critical. They allowolder adults to be able to obtain medical services, be involved in socialization, goshopping, go to senior centers and maintain their independence. If a senior isphysically able but has no means of transportation, their world may be limited to thefour walls of their home. Lacking access to services may result in further physicaldeterioration and cause far greater expense than the initial provision oftransportation.2009 WCFAAA Area PlanProgram Module7

PSA 6 Area PlanDate: January, 2009The staff, Board of Directors and Advisory Council will continue to concentrate their effortsand implementation strategies specific to the above identified needs. In addition, theWCFAAA management will continue to ensure funding allocations are prioritized andpatterned in a manner to support the noted identified needs.KEY INITIATIVES AND CONTINUING EFFORTSIn addition to the multiple initiatives set forth in the 2009-2011 Area Plan on Aging, theOlder Americans Act mandates, and the WCFAAA Strategic Plan focus areas, WCFAAAwill continue to prioritize the following essential efforts: Evidence Based Health and Wellness Programs: PSA 6 ranks highest in the statefor elders with health and functional limitations as well as the highest for those notable to get medical care. The WCFAAA continues to develop the Health andWellness Initiative with a primary focus of empowering older persons to live full andproductive lives. The curricula for these programs are evidence-based, whichensures that participants who receive the course instruction are likely (based onresearch) to change their behaviors to positively impact their life. An additionalevidence-based program that will be incorporated into the programming in 2009 is afalls prevention program. It is imperative that WCFAAA continue to support elderindependence with these programs to ensure a holistic approach to self-care thatincludes education ranging from nutritional care to proper physical exercise. Community for a Lifetime Initiative: The Area Agency on Aging is dedicated to thecontinued expansion of the Community for a Lifetime Initiative to assist PSA 6communities in planning and implementing improvements that benefit the lives of allresidents. WCFAAA will continue to focus on expanded volunteerism opportunities,senior employment programs, and strategies for continued development of civicengagement activities. Continued Advocacy including Project 2020: The Area Agency on Aging willcontinue to address advocacy activities pursuant to state and national elder issues.One specific major policy initiative is Project 2020, which evolved from AoA andother government agencies and is based on statutory authority incorporated into theOlder Americans Act in 2006. It provides for strengthening the non-Medicaidcommunity-based care system embodied in the Older Americans Act while reducingfederal Medicaid and Medicare costs. The three-pronged program encompasses 1)person centered access to information, 2) evidenced-based disease prevention andhealth promotion activities, and 3) enhanced nursing home diversion services.As year 2020 approaches, in just 12 years, almost one in six Americans will be age 65 orolder and the size of the age 85 population will have doubled.The demographic trends make our current strategy for financing long-term care coststhrough the Medicaid and Medicare programs unsustainable. Continued advocacy is anecessity and the forward thinking approach of initiatives such as Project 2020 are stronglysupported by WCFAAA.2009 WCFAAA Area PlanProgram Module8

PSA 6 Area PlanDate: January, 2009CONCLUSIONThe demand for long term care services is projected to double by 2020. Our challenge is tocontinue serving our current client base as we prepare for the changing picture of aging thebaby boomer generation will bring with their new attitudes, experiences, cultures andlifestyle choices. As we move forward, we must find ways to give elders more communitychoices, continually improve how elders access services and information, and promoteindependence to enable elders to remain in their communities.Achieving the goals and objectives outlined in the 2009-2011 Area Plan will require thecollaboration of partner entities working together on an ongoing basis. The strength of theWCAAA remains its facilitation and coordination role to advocate for the creation ofprograms and services to aid older adults to receive the best possible services. Theleadership and staff of the AAA are poised to execute this Area Plan to serve the fastestgrowing segment of the population, our elders.P.II. Profile of the Planning and Service Area (PSA)This section contains an overview of the social, economic and demographic characteristicsof the planning and service area (PSA). Focus should be given to geographic areas andpopulation groups within the PSA with large percentages of persons with low-income,minority, limited English speaking proficiency, older individuals at risk of institutionalplacement and rural factors. (For additional instructions, click here to go to page III.)MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT OF THE AREA AGENCY ON AGINGIn 1965, the Older Americans Act became the framework for a national network dedicatedto serve the nation's 60 and older population. This network includes the Administration onAging at the Federal level, the Department of Elder Affairs at the state level, Area Agencieson Aging at the local level, and other public, private and voluntary sector organizationsthroughout the community.As previously stated, the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (WCFAAA)serves as the designated Area Agency on Aging for the five counties comprising Planningand Service area Six (PSA 6) of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. PSA 6 includesHillsborough, Manatee, Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.The Mission of the Agency is to promote the independence, dignity, health and well-beingof our elder citizens; to plan, fund and administer a coordinated continuum of services forseniors; to facilitate and enhance service delivery; and to advocate for the needs andconcerns of older Americans.The Vision of the Agency is to promote the independence, dignity, health and well being ofolder persons.In accordance with our mission, the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc.2009 WCFAAA Area PlanProgram Module9

PSA 6 Area PlanDate: January, 2009conducts activities, which include, but are not limited to the following: Identify and prioritize the needs of older adults in the planning and service area. Inventory public, private, and voluntary sector resources that are available to meetthe needs of older persons. In partnership with the Department of Elder Affairs, develop an Area Plan on Agingto assist in shaping the service delivery system to address the needs and concernsof older persons now and in the future. Award federal and state funding to local service providers to provide an array ofhome and community based services for older persons. Serve as a focal point for information, referral and assistance for older persons, theircaregivers and families through the Elder Helpline. Work in partnership with public, private, and voluntary sector organizations toaddress unmet needs and coordinate long-term care services. Act as the primary advocate for the needs and concerns of older persons.IDENTIFICATION OF COUNTIES AND/OR MAJOR COMMUNITIES WITHIN THEPLANNING AND SERVICE AREA2009 WCFAAA Area PlanProgram Module10

PSA 6 Area PlanDate: January, 2009PSA 6 is characterized by diversity in its five counties and in the needs of its seniors. Thecounties include very urban cities, smaller towns and large masses of agricultural land.The diversity of need is great and is also exacerbated by the challenge of providingservices in rural settings. Additionally, there are pockets of unserved and largelyuncounted populations of predominately Hispanic migrant workers living in these counties.The elders in these households have aged in place and historically have not sought helpfrom governmental social service agencies for fear of being deported and/or they havedifficulty in communicating due to the language barrier. These elders are low-income, andtypically have had little or no health care and are now beginning to encounter healthdifficulties. Targeting these individuals provides additional challenges due to the languagebarrier and their desire for continued discretion due to the fear of deportation.At the other end of the scale are the ‘snow-birds’ who have retired to Florida on moderatepensions and have sufficient resources to have good living conditions, access to healthcare and proper nutrition. As they have aged in place, transportation, socialization andnutrition begin to become challenges for them. Targeting these individuals is somewhateasier as many of them live in urban settings where services are easily accessible.The 60 population in PSA 6 is 478,886 of which 186,045 are 75 , 82,370 are minoritiesand 42,510 are below the poverty level. In addition, 111,195 of the 60 population livealone and 53,537, almost one-half reside in rural areas.According to current population statistics there are approximately 54,125 of the 65 population have probable Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the data from the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention indicates nearly half of those aged 85 and older arethought to have the disease. This number is staggering, as PSA 6 has a total of 48,940elders 85 plus which equates to over 24,000 probable cases of Alzheimer’s disease.Additional data from the Department of Elder Affairs indicates that of the 1,206 censusblock groups in PSA 6, 65 have very high needs, 108 have high needs and 398 havemoderate needs.2009 WCFAAA Area PlanProgram Module11

PSA 6 Area PlanDate: January, 2009Planning and Service Area 6Population DensityLand Area Persons 60 Total PopCountyin Sq. per Sq. Miles per borough lk1874.3860.2258.2Source: US Census Bureau (Profile of General Demographic Characteristics, 2000)Planning and Service Area 6 (PSA 6) is one of eleven Florida Department of Elder Affairs(DOEA) Planning and Service Areas (PSAs) and is comprised of five counties:Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Highlands and Hardee. The most populous communities inthese counties include the following cities/towns: Brandon, Valrico, Riverview and Tampa in Hillsborough CountyLakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow and Lake Wales in Polk CountyBradenton and Palmetto in Manatee CountySebring, Lake Placid and Avon Park in Highlands CountyWauchula in Hardee CountyOf the eleven Planning and Service Areas, PSA 6 ranks fifth with regards to the number ofindividuals age 60 or older. The 60 or older population is comprised of 478,886 with186,045 elders over the age of 75. This represents a tremendous growth increase in the60 or older population by 9.8 percent and 13.2 percent growth for elders over the age of 75when compared to previous 2004’s WCFAAA Area Plan statistics.The PSA is bounded by Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Pasco and LakeCounties to the north, the Kissimmee river to the east, and Sarasota, DeSoto and GladesCounties to the south. PSA 6 covers 5,333 square miles, which represents 9 percent ofthe state’s total square mileage.Land development patterns in the PSA have resulted in heavy urbanization in and aroundthe cities of Tampa, Bartow, Lakeland, Bradenton and Sebring. The major industriesproviding employment in the PSA are the service industry and retail trade. Polk County2009 WCFAAA Area PlanProgram Module12

PSA 6 Area PlanDate: January, 2009also has a large number of residents employed in manufacturing and construction while amajor employment category for Hardee and Highlands Counties is phosphate mining andagriculture (largely citrus).In 2004, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs conducted a survey of elder Floridians toassess needs. The “Assessing the Needs of Elder Floridians” (ANEF) report is the result ofthe survey conducted during the summer of 2003. Survey participants were geographicallyselected from the list of registered voters over the age of 60. Approximately 200 potentialparticipants were identified in each PSA with the goal of completing 100 surveys per PSA.An over-sampling of “hard to reach” rural poverty and minority populations was completedto get statistically valid information about the specific needs of these populations who mighthave greater economic and social needs.The “Assessing the Needs of Elder Floridians, 2004” (ANEF) survey data confirms themajority of the elder population in PSA 6 is in good physical and mental health and livesindependently on modest incomes. The statistics contained in the report, reveal thefollowing information about PSA 6 as a whole compared to the statewide results: 89.5% are able to manage their own households (86.9% statewide)81.9% still drive as often as they want (85.6% statewide)95.4% have all the food they need (96.6% statewide)83.9% are fully retired and not looking for work (73.3% statewide)80.0% are above the poverty level (78.1% statewide)80.0% live with another person (80.2% statewide)While these numbers are reassuring, when the percentages are translated to reflect theneeds of individual people, it is important to note that 10 percent of PSA 6’s 60 or olderpopulation equates to 43,593 seniors and 20 percent represents 95,778 seniors. Incomparison, of the 80 percent being above the poverty level, 20 percent or 95,777 seniorsare most likely in need because they live below the poverty level.While PSA 6 was similar to statewide results in many aspects, there were severalindicators that quantified trends and or needs which are discussed in greater detail in the“Needs Assessment Detail” section in this Plan. One example of an identified need thatexists within Planning and Service Area 6 is the need for personal care services which wasevident in the Department of Elder Affairs statewide survey, “Assessing the Needs of ElderFloridians, 2004” (ANEF). According to the survey results, PSA 6 had the second lowestresponse (87.2 percent) statewide when respondents were asked how often they are ableto do basic personal care tasks “always” or “most of the time” when compared to thestatewide average of 82.7 percent.The ANEF survey reflects PSA 6 is below the state average when those same seniorswere asked how often they had the help they needed to perform those tasks. Additionally,when the respondents that were “sometimes” or “hardly ever” able to perform their ownself-care were asked “how often they received help”, PSA 6 scored 3.1 percent, thirdhighest in the state when compared to the statewide average of 2.5%.2009 WCFAAA Area PlanProgram Module13

PSA 6 Area PlanDate: January, 2009This information indicates a comparatively frailer population in greater need of assistancethan had previously been identified.In many cases, the dependency level of our elders may increase with age. Based onnational indicators, almost three-fourths (71.5 percent) of those aged 80 or older report atleast one disability and more than half (53.5 percent) had one or more severe disabilities.Within PSA 6, the older old (i.e. elders aged 85 or older) represent 10.3 percent of the 60and older population. This proportion compares closely to other PSA’s within the state inwhich the 85 or older age group represents an average of 10.7 percent of the 60 or olderpopulation.In addition to the demands placed on services by the oldest old, further impact will be feltwith the baby-boom generation, in-migration, individuals that are “aging in place”, andminority elders. When the Baby-Boom generation begins turning 65 in 2011, there will bea rapid increase in the number of persons aged 65 or older. It is expected that just as thisgeneration had an impact on the educational system, labor market, health care system,housing market and stock market, this large cohort will transform the service deliverysystem. This segment of the population will demand more non-traditional services that areconsumer directed, cost effective and efficient, with measurable outcomes. Additionally,this generation currently has a dual challenge of caring for growing children and agingparents (the “Sandwich Generation”). This trend is already prevalent, as PSA 6 has thesecond highest percentage of parental caregivers in the state (according to the statistics inthe ANEF report.) In fact, twice as many elders in PSA 6 are caring for a parent as arecaring for a spouse.The survey data reflects that there are 50.4 per

Program Module For the Period January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2011 Revised December 17, 2008 . WCFAAA 2009 Area Plan Program Module 2 About This Program Module Template The format of this program module file differs from years past. This file was designed to be a template that when completed will become your final area plan. Since formatting is already a part of the document, you will have .