Becoming Age-Friendly Joining the World Health Organization and AARP - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Becoming Age-Friendly

Joining the World Health Organization and AARP Network

• f Age-Friendly Communities

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization established the Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities in 2006 to prepare for:

• Population Aging
• Urbanization

AARP became Age-friendly affiliate in US in 2010.

Municipal Services

Top 4 on Older Adult Wish List

• Age in place – preferably in their home, otherwise in

their community.

• Affordable and accessible housing
• Variety of public transportation options – especially

when they can no longer

• Opportunities to work, volunteer and socialize

LONGEVITY ECONOMY

PEOPLE WANT LIVABLE COMMUNITIES Everybody Wants a Livable Community

JOINING the AGE FRIENDLY NETWORK TOGETHER

AARP MA Network Communities

MA Age-Friendly Network (49) Agawam, Berkshire county (32 cities/towns ), Boston, Dartmouth, Lawrence, Martha’s Vineyard (6 towns), New Bedford, Newton, Peabody, Salem, Stoughton, Wakefield, West Springfield More in process… (another 13+ early 2018) A 13-city greater Boston sub-region, Arlington, Belmont, Cape Ann, Needham, Quincy…??

AARP Age Friendly Process

Step 1: Application & Acceptance into Network Step 3: Implement & Evaluate Action Plan (Years 3 - 5) Step 2: Develop an Action Plan (Years 1 - 2)

Step 4: Commitment to Continuous Cycle of Improvements (Years 5+)

Livable Communities

Great Places for All Ages

Including Dementia Friendly

Better Together Recommendations

• Integrate from the outset Save time, money and

coordinate communication.

– DF in all planning phases – Engage dementia-specific stakeholders – Compare domains/sectors; full integration across plan – Or develop DF domain

• Existing AF Communities Include people w/dementia

and caregivers in process.

• Existing DF Communities Broaden conversation to

include needs of all residents as they age.

Better Together: Comparing Processes

• Timelines and Phases

– AF: 5-year timetable, action plan wider in scope. DF: flexible timeline

• Political Commitment

– AF: letter from elected. DF: no formal membership but readiness criteria suggests at least 3 sectors

• Stakeholders

– Both require active constituent engagement, i.e. older adults and people with dementia and caregivers; DF/dementia interest groups, AF/reps from 8 domains

Better Together: Comparing Processes

• Accountability

– AF: 5-continuous cycle of improvement, action plans submitted and approved, progress reports. DF: no formal

• versight.
• Learning Networks

– Both offer range of tools, resources and connections and they share tools. – Both encourage communities to be better places for older adults and people with dementia to live. But it’s Better Together -- an official connection strengthens the work!

Better Together: Comparing Content

• f the Work
• Flexibility

– DF: more proscriptive both in actions and in stakeholders to

• engage. AF: communities can design their approaches and

add or delete domains.

• Role of Caregivers

– DF: caregivers explicitly considered. AF: caregivers are considered but attention not comparable.

Better Together: Comparing Content

• f the Work
• Diverse vs. Specific Needs

– DF: guidance re specific needs of particular group. AF: tries to account for broad diversity of needs in older adults.

• Stigma and Social Isolation

– DF: awareness and stigma reduction at top of list but not comparable in AF work.

Other Better Together Recommendations

• THPF: Report on Demographics, Programs & Services

for an Age and Dementia Friendly Commonwealth

“… while there’s been a dramatic increase in the number of communities working to become age friendly, most of the state is not… This is unfortunate because the exchange of support, encouragement, and lessons learned is diminished because communities are not considering age friendly

• pportunities strategically.”

RESOURCES

AARP Age-Friendly Resources

• Community Challenge Grants AARP awarded grants in 2017 for

pilots/activities supporting livable community projects nationally. More money available next year.

• Quarterly Webinars
• Conferences (annual AARP Livable Communities Conference).
• TA with applications and action plans from state and national

AARP offices; conference calls; learning communities.

• Online toolkits and sample documents.
• More AARP resources in process: online action plan template,

workbooks with pullout surveys and assessments, online data survey to track AF impact in communities.

AARP Caregiver Resources & Advocacy

• Care Act (in effect as of Nov 8,2017)

– Hospital provides patient opportunity to designate caregiver; caregiver notified when patient discharged or moved; caregiver given explanation and demonstration of medical tasks.

• Prepare to Care DIY Toolkit

– Sign up on AARP Volunteer Portal for access

• Caregiver Guide (also in Spanish)

19

For More Information Valerie Spain, Age Friendly Lead vspain@aarp.org Austin Hodge, Advocacy Specialist ahodge@aarp.org Antron Watson, Program Specialist awatson@aarp.org Links

• AARP.org/livable
• AARP.org/agefriendly (link to application, toolkits and

materials)

• AARP.org/livabilityindex

Start Where You Stand: how to begin and sustain your Dementia Friendly efforts

November 9, 2017 Emily Kearns, PhD, MBA Dementia Friendly Massachusetts

Speaking of Dementia: Language Matters

• Dementia is – NOT a specific disease
• Dementia is - a general term for a decline in

mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life

• Memory loss is an example
• Alzheimer’s is the most common type of

dementia

• Some conditions creating dementia are

reversible- thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies

Reframing Dementia: Inclusion and Accessibility

World Health Organization’s Action Plan – April 2017 Dementia Action Alliance – First Annual Conference June 2017

• Dementia as living with a disability
• Dementia as a public health issue
• Language change

– Not “suffering” from dementia but living with challenges – Not “demented” but living with dementia

• Culture change – disabilities rights movement

– “nothing about me without me” – Inclusion, accessibility, being seen as a resource – People living with dementia, like all of us, need and deserve to live with purpose and choice

• Ex. Mentoring and advocacy – Dementia Action Alliance

Prevalence and Whole-Community Impact

• 1 in 10 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s

Disease (10 percent!)

• Not including other causes of dementia
• Of those living with Alzheimer’s:

3 % are ages 65 – 74 17% are ages 75 – 84 32% are 85 and older

Massachusetts

• Current: 120,000 individuals living w Alzheimer’s
• 2025: 150,000 will be living w Alzheimer’s

= a 25% increase

Source: Alzheimer’s Association 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Dement 2017; 13:325-373

Disparities

• Older African Americans and Hispanics are more likely

to live with Alzheimer’s and other dementias

• African- Americans: twice as likely than older whites
• Hispanics – 1.5 times as likely than older whites
• NOTE: genetic factors don’t seem to account for this

difference in prevalence.

• Health, lifestyle, and socioeconomic risk factors do

Executive Office Of Elder Affairs

The Response: Dementia Friendly Massachusetts

Dementia Friendly Massachusetts Goals

• Support and accelerate the creation and expansion of

dementia friendly systems and grassroots programs across Massachusetts.

• Ensure that diverse stakeholders are engaged, and that

benefits reach varied geographic and cultural communities.

• Support the integration of age-friendly and dementia

friendly efforts.

Creating Livable Communities Aligning Age- and Dementia Friendly Efforts

Livable Communities = Age-Friendly Domains w Dementia Friendly Emphases Inclusion: include people living with dementia and their care partners in the planning Accessibility: Built and Social Environments are Accessible to those living w memory impairment Examples: Housing and Transportation Planning

The Built Environment The Social Environment 8 Domains of Livability

Livable Communities: Aligning Age- and Dementia Friendly Efforts

Twitter @dfamerica_ dfamerica.org

Community Web-Based Resource

An All ll-Sectors Approach

Start Where You Stand

Step 1: Select a domain/program area to start Step 2: Create a workgroup comprised of individuals representing several sectors in your community Step 3: Include individuals with dementia in the workgroup Step 4: Assess the domain/program area for dementia friendliness

• What’s working well?
• What needs strengthening?
• KEY: Is it accessible: clear signage, training for staff and

community, etc.? Step 5: Create an action plan – identifying resources, responsible parties, task/timeline, intergenerational participation Step 6: Celebrate wins! Step 7: Slow and steady – evolving process!

Example: Transportation

• How accessible is the public transportation for

those with memory impairment – visual signs, safe bus stops, accessible crosswalks?

• Is there a volunteer drivers program?
• Are paratransit drivers trained in dementia

awareness?

• Are Uber and LYFT drivers trained in dementia

awareness?

More Examples: Environmental Design: Is your Senior Center and Its Programs Dementia Friendly? How are your

businesses?

• Goal: To design familiar features and spaces

that prompt decision making, reduce agitation, encourage meaningful activity and social interaction, reduce risks, and maintain abilities.

Environmental Design Considerations

• Signage: Use essential signs and symbols for
• rientation and wayfinding.
• Flooring and other design features: choose

contrasting color schemes

• Use materials and surfaces that support

independence and cannot be mistaken as barriers.

• Create Pathways:

– provide interesting, safe indoor and outdoor pathways with smooth surfaces for walking and to encourage mobility.

Environmental Design Considerations

• Use technology to promote independence:

– e.g., motion sensors that trigger lights to reduce falls, electronic tracking devices, communication devices, alarms triggered by water level in bath or sink in private homes, talking labels/touch screens.

We’re Here to Help! Dementia Friendly Massachusetts

• Contact us for Technical Assistance
• Join our DFMI mailing list: www.dfmassachusetts.org
• Visit www.dfamerica.org. Click “Get Involved.”
• Organize Dementia-Friendly Workgroups: Examples:

Housing, Environmental Design, and Transportation

• Organize a local educational event about dementia
• Share Dementia Friendly America’s Sector Guides

and Videos Contact Emily Kearns for more information! ekearns@jfcsboston.org

Check out our website: www.dfmassachusetts.org Emily Kearns: ekearns@jfcsboston.org or 978-604-0830

Creating an Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly Boston

Boston’s Growing Aging Population

Source: Donahue projections are prepared by the UMass Donahue Institute (http://pep.donahue-institute.org/). MAPC projections are prepared by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), an organization based in Boston. MAPC- high projections assume stronger population growth and are recommended by MAPC for use by municipalities.

The growth of Boston’s older population means there will also be more people with Dementia

What is a dementia-friendly community?

• A dementia friendly community is one that

cares about its neighbors; listens to its residents with dementia; sees the signs; understands the needs; and one that acts.

• It’s a place where people with dementia will

live as independently as possible; where they are valued and respected, engage in activities that we all take for granted and are supported as these activities become more difficult.

• Where changes in the person are noticed,

understood, and accepted.

(From Dementia-Friendly Wisconsin)

Dementia-Friendly goals

• Educate the community by increasing

awareness and understanding of dementia- type diseases

• Decrease the stigma of the disease
• Foster community involvement
• Improve lives of those with dementia and

those who care for someone with memory challenges

City of Boston Mayor’s Alzheimer’s Initiative

How it began in Boston

• In Spring of 2014 the “Aging in Boston” report

was released indicating a sharp increase in the growth of residents 60 and over. Projections estimate Boston will grow from 88,000 older residents to over 140,000 by 2030.

• New Mayor Martin J. Walsh signed on to the

World Health Organization network of age and dementia-friendly cities.

Dementia-Friendly Communities

• States with communities that have joined the Dementia Friendly

America network:

• Alabama/ Arizona/ Arkansas/ California/ Colorado/ Connecticut/

Florida/ Hawaii/ Indiana/ Illinois/ Maine/ Maryland/ Massachusetts/Michigan Minnesota/ Montana/ Nebraska/ Nevada/ New York/ North Carolina/ Ohio/ Oklahoma/ Pennsylvania/ Tennessee/ Texas/ Utah/ Washington/ / West Virginia/ Wisconsin/ Wyoming

The Rising Momentum of the Dementia Friendly Movement

Twitter @dfamerica_ dfamerica.org

51

Organizing to Meet the Goal: Web-based Tools and Resources

Our website includes sector guides, provider tools, a community toolkit and other guidance for communities working towards becoming dementia friendly.

Dementia-Friendly Massachusetts Goals

• 1. Support and accelerate the creation and expansion
• f dementia friendly systems and grassroots

programs across Massachusetts.

• 2. Ensure that diverse stakeholders are engaged, and

that benefits reach varied geographic and cultural communities.

• 3. Support the integration of age-friendly and

dementia friendly efforts.

What are the steps has Boston taken to become dementia-friendly?

• Trained all EMS/EMT First Responder

personnel

• Created first City of Boston employee team

for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Mayor Walsh serves as Honorary Chair

• Public Awareness campaign including a

brain-awareness day at City Hall

• Created an Alzheimer’s Resource Directory
• First memory screening event at City Hall
• Lunch & Learns to educate City of Boston

employees

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Boston, MA September 2015

Additional steps

• Started city’s first memory café in Roxbury June

21st, 2016

• In partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association,

complete remaining Fire & Police First Responder Training

• Complete Lunch & Learn sessions
• Safe Walking campaign in partnership with Walk

Boston & city departments

• Parks & Recreation partnership involving older

adults, including those with dementia, in design

• f new parks

Memory Café at Grove Hall

57

Alignment with Age-Friendly

Our website includes sector guides, provider tools, a community toolkit and other guidance for communities working towards becoming dementia friendly.

Age-Friendly Boston action plan

Specific dementia-friendly action items include:

• Convene a group to explore current processes for intervention for

people with dementia who have wandering behaviors.

• Deliver training to Public Housing Staff in the City of Boston
• Developed a training for city hall staff to ensure staff effectively with

people with dementia and their caregivers and provide services that are person and family centered and culturally appropriate. Teach workers how to identify possible dementia and provide appropriate referrals.

• Expanded to three memory cafes in the city-East Boston, Grove Hall

and Charlestown

• Developing an Age and Dementia Friendly business designation

Age and Dementia-Friendly lens to current city of Boston planning efforts

• Imagine Boston 2030 (City-wide Master Plan)
• Go Boston 2030 Transportation Plan
• Vision Zero
• Resilient Cities initiative Boston Creates
• BPDA Strategic Plan Areas: South Boston, Egleston

Square, Dudley Square

• Open Space Plan 2015-2021
• Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030
• Climate-Ready Boston

Age & Dementia-Friendly Boston is a team effort. We thank our partners, UMass Boston Gerontology Institute, Alzheimer’s Association, AARP and Tufts Health Plan Foundation!

Contact information:

Andrea Burns, Director, Age-Friendly Boston The Elderly Commission, Room 271 One City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4877 andrea.burns@boston.gov www.agefriendlyboston.wordpress.com Patricia McCormack, Director, Mayor’s Alzheimer’s Initiative The Elderly Commission, Room 271 One City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201 617-635-3992 patricia.mccormack@boston.gov

WELCOME

Presented by Scott M. Trenti, CEO, SeniorCare Inc.

Laying the Groundwork for an Age & Dementia Friendly Cape Ann

(Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Manchester by the Sea)

A Beginning Chapter in The Never Ending Story

Community Outreach Professional Outreach Government Outreach Research & Training Data Sources Moving Forward Board & Agency Commitment

Research & Training

2016 N4A Conference in San Diego Webinars, Presentations, Conferences Literature Review AARP / WHO / Dementia Friendly America & MA MA Healthy Aging Collaborative Tufts Conference on Age Friendly Communities Tufts Information Session – Age Friendly Communities 2017 MA Council On Aging Conference

Data Sources

2010 Census American Community Survey (2009-2015) MA Healthy Aging Collaborative Community Profiles Datausa.io UMass Donahue Institute SeniorCare Area Agency On Aging 2018-2021 Area Plan Lahey Health Community Needs Assessment Action Inc. Community Needs Assessment

Board & Agency Commitment

Senior Management Team Strategic Plan Retreats Board of Directors & Senior Management Team Strategic Plan Retreats 3 Year 2017 Strategic Plan Approved by Board including Age/Dementia Friendly goals Advisory Board & Board of Directors Approved Area Plan including Age/Dementia Friendly Goals Discussion & Updates at Monthly All Staff Meetings

Community Outreach

Comprehensive Marketing Strategy Highlights SeniorCare show Living Wisely, Aging Well on Cape Ann TV Newspaper Article, Social Media, Email Blasts ADFCA Webpage Distribution of Age & Dementia Friendly Materials Presentations to Civic Organizations Harvard Vanguard/Atrius Annual Health Fair Outreach to 350+ SeniorCare RSVP Volunteers Elders, Adults with Disabilities & Caregivers Age & Dementia Friendly Community Forums: Rockport  Gloucester  Essex  Manchester By The Sea

Professional Outreach

Lahey Health (Beverly & Addison Gilbert Hospitals) Dementia Friendly Massachusetts MA Healthy Aging Collaborative University of Massachusetts Boston Gerontology Institute Gloucester School Superintendent AARP MA In Motion Cape Ann Cape Ann Caucus Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Independent Living Center of the North Shore & Cape Ann Greater Boston and Northeast Alzheimer's Association 9 COA's for COA Appreciation Event & Cape Ann COA Directors Housing Authorities Veteran VSO's & Providers Fallonhealth Adult Foster Care of the North Shore The Open Door Food Pantry "Get Outdoors" Program

Government Outreach

Senator Bruce Tarr Representative Brad Hill Aide to Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante Mayor of Gloucester Rockport Town Administrator Manchester By The Sea Town Administrator Essex Town Administrator Presentations at Town Selectman Meetings Governor’s Council Listening Session

Moving Forward

November Community Forums Community Planning Boards Lahey Health Coordination Community Trainings & Presentations Recruit Steering Committee Members Development of Interactive Website

Thank You

Questions?