County's Aging & Independence Services

Measures Its Successes

By Pamela B. Smith,
Director, County's Aging & Independence Services

The woman was desperate. She felt deeply alone, that she could die in her apartment…by her own hand. Instead, contact from a County Senior Team social worker Charlotte Hajec and Supervisor Nancy Garcia-Drew "made all the difference," she said later. "(They) might have kept me from committing suicide. I would like to share that there are no words to express how much they helped."

In another situation, a daughter's mother was rapidly declining in health. The older woman's wish: to go home from the hospital, not back to the nursing facility. "She said that she didn't want to die in that hospital. I had no idea it would be so soon on losing her." An Aging & Independence Services care manager Arnold Ashley come to the hospital on his day off and made sure the woman got her wish. "After getting my mother home, she only lived one day," the daughter says, "but we did get her home. I can't thank Arnold enough."

The disabled man stayed in his apartment all day and night. He barely had money for food. Adult Protective Services workers Carol Castillion and Vicky Rivero helped the man get Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal. And he enjoyed their visits. "I will be thinking of you both and asking God to give you the joy and comfort you have so generously given to others," he said.

When people ask, 'What does Aging & Independence Services do?' it is a privilege to tell them about people our folks have met and helped. Not only did we help, but we rescued, we made wishes come true, and we provided hope. That's what we do.

When corporations write their annual reports, they point to the bottom line of fiscal savings. As a County department of Health & Human Services Agency, we are also careful to be frugal with our $255 million annual budget, as we taxpayers would want.

But our bottom line includes the human benefits for the dollar.

The three clients/families mentioned above were among thousands of people assisted by AIS this past fiscal year. We received many, many notes, emails and phone calls this past year, thanking us for exceptional service.

A veteran writes: "I can say without a doubt that Mike (Schuster, with the Vista Veterans Services office) has done more for me in the last two years than I was able to get at my previous Chicago address. The retirement years for my wife and I will be better, for which I can thank you and Mike."

An IHSS client: "After answering many questions about my (disabled) sister and discussing her situation, my stress and feelings of hopelessness were completely taken away by (In-Home Supportive Services social worker) Sara Cooper. Many times we go about our busy day in such a hurry, however some people make an impact and I want you to know that Ms. Cooper is one of those special ones."

A Feeling Fit Club participant: "Climbing stairs, like a well-fit individual because of the exercises, is a grand result. These professionally conducted classes have brought about the emotional and physical well-being of many senior citizens."

As we tally our successes for Fiscal Year 2004-05, we might talk about numbers and programs, but we continue to focus on people.

The following are a few highlights from the last 12 months:

• Began construction on the new Edgemoor.
• AIS Call Center received nearly 67,000 calls this year.
• Veterans Service Office retained the distinction of being the most productive such program in California, holding this top position for seven straight years.
• Partnered with the District Attorney's office and to create the first Consumer Protection Day.
• Increased the percentage of IHSS clients served by the federally funded Personal Care Services Program
• Public Administrator/Public Guardian Personal and Real Property auctions totaled more than $12 million.
• No more than 10 percent of APS cases with substantiated abuse have been re-referred within six months.
• The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program investigated more than 1,873 cases this year and performed assessments on nearly 676 licensed facilities.
• AIS submitted the four-year Area Plan; cited as most comprehensive, integrated service plan in state; incorporated large stakeholder feedback from public hearings
• Successfully managed flu hotline, responding to a first day response of 3,000 calls compared to historical average of 22 calls, staffing went up from 3 to 12.
• Implemented the Legacy Corps program, pairing of foster youth with active older adults to provide respite services for caregivers
• More than 2,300 participants attended this year's Vital Aging Conference and gave it great ratings.
• The number of Retired and Senior Volunteer Program volunteers grew by 30 percent over last fiscal year. They're being helped to find opportunities that match their special skills and interests.
• Conducted three annual AIS volunteer recognition events, including the advisory board lunch (AIS, IHSS, RSVP and Veterans boards); RSVP lunch for more than 650 volunteers; and the Ombudsman lunch for more than 200 volunteer.
• Intergenerational Games held in South Bay and East County. Teams were made up of one student and one active older adult who were partnered for the entire event.
• Awarded 11 Caregiver OTO contracts worth more than $239,000 for new, innovative caregiver programs.
• Formed the East County Elder Abuse Council with the District Attorney's office
• Coordinated in conjunction with Public Health the National Public Health Week, "Empowering Americans to Live Stronger and Longer" with events held throughout the county.
• AIS Outreach & Education Team members completed more than 200 presentations to the community.
• The Aging Summit report was sent to the Board of Supervisors and Regional Action Networks; held an Aging Summit follow-up event and presented findings.
• Installed the Q system that is being used by contractors and AIS to meet California Department of Aging reporting requirements.

County Of San Diego Health & Human Services