2023 Ventura County Area on Aging (VCAAA) Advisory Council Annual Report Submitted by:
Carmen E. Reyes and Nancy Rowe
January 24, 2024
Departmental News:
In April, the Board of Supervisors approved a plan to align the VCAAA with the Human Services Agency unifying all of the County’s adult services under one roof. VCAAA believes this change, which comes as a result of conversations between the VCAAA and HSA, greatly benefits those served by integrating all of services into one department. Implemented to streamline the work, increase collaboration, and make accessing information simpler for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers throughout the County. VCAAA believes this is a positive move for the agency and it fits with the blueprint that has been laid out by the County’s new Master Plan for Aging. Full realignment could take up to a year with no service interruptions
The newly formed Aging and Disability Department oversees both the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) functions and programs, and in a phased manner, assumes oversight of four programs currently managed by the HSA: In-Home Support Services (IHSS), IHSS-Public Authority, Adult Protective Services, and Public Administrator. Transition continues to evolve to include a new logo and THREAD account (META) must have Instagram account to access.
Program Highlights (for more information visit https://www.vcaaa.org/) VCAAA’s continuum of Case Management Programs (CMP). Overview of existing CMPs and CalAIM program
• Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) MSSP - Care Managers coordinate a wide range of services based on the client’s needs
• Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Program - provides home-based services including ongoing care management, referrals, and personal care services to individuals on Medi-Cal with no share of cost who need regular monitoring. • Specialized Case Management for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia (ADRD) - aims to prevent premature or inappropriate institutionalization of adults who live alone and have Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia (ADRD) or adults that have an intellectual or development disability and have a diagnosis of or are at risk of developing ADRD
• Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) – a national evidence- based program for late-life depression.
• Elder Abuse XE and the VCFJC - provides elder and dependent adult abuse victims with emergency shelter and assistance, transportation, respite care (for caregivers to attend court proceedings), counseling, and referral services offered in partnership with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Ventura County Family Justice Center (VCFJC)
California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) - a long-term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi-Cal, offering Californians a more equitable, coordinated, and person-centered approach to maximizing their health and life trajectory. (NEW PROGRAM): CMS approved the CalAIM Section 1115 demonstration and CalAIM Section 1915(b) waiver on December 29, 2021, both effective through December 31, 2026.
What is CalAIM? -
CalAIM is a five-year initiative by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of the Medi-Cal population by meeting people where they are in life, addressing social drivers of health and breaking down barriers in accessing care. CalAIM offers Medi-Cal members coordinated and equitable access to services that address their physical, behavioral, developmental, dental and long-term care needs. CalAIM is a population health approach that prioritizes prevention and whole-person care. It extends services and supports beyond hospitals and health care settings directly into California communities. The initiative leverages Medi -Cal as a tool to help address many of the complex challenges facing California’s most vulnerable residents, including individuals experiencing homelessness, children with complex medical conditions, justice- involved populations with significant clinical needs and the aging population. Approximately 25,000 older adults in Ventura County are on MediCAL.
Informational Items:
• ADRC Center Committee (to provide oversight of ADRC Center activities) established, recruited four members. Meet fourth Wed of the month.
• VC Community Hospital submitted proposal to build Behavior Health Center across from hospital site.
• New Home Delivered Meal Program (Title IIIC2) Grant to Senior Concerns for the remainder of FY 2022-2023 and FY 2023-2024.
• Advisory Council Executive Committee approved Task Force Recommendations for FY 2023-2024 New Grants for Legal Services, Long Term, Care Ombudsman, Senior Support Line, and Family Caregiver Centers
• Advisory Council Executive Committee approved Task Force Recommendations for FY 2023-2024 New Grants for Legal Services, Long Term Care Ombudsman, Senior Support Line, and Family Caregiver Centers.
JUSTICE IN AGING: Statement on Governor’s 2024-25 Proposed State Budget2024-25 CA State Budget – “Governor Newsom released his proposed 2024-25 state budget. Despite a large state budget deficit, Justice in Aging is appreciative that many critical programs and services serving older adults were not substantially cut. For older adults and people with disabilities, there were no cuts to Medi-Cal, IHSS, or SSI/SSP. We were disappointed to see delays in spending in certain areas, including: Home Safe Program, Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, and implementation of SB 311 (Eggman) Part A Buy-In. Specifically Home Safe and HDAP stabilize housing for disabled and at risk individuals, saving costs and preventing homelessness. We are appreciative that the Administration plans to continue implementing the Medi-Cal transitional rent proposal, as well as making some increases to slots in the Assisted Living Waiver and the Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver. “
ANNUAL LEGACY AWARD WINNERS - The 2023 LEGACY Awards, which recognize the contributions of Ventura County residents and organizations that dedicate their lives to helping older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to live optimally. Since 2018, the Advisory Council’s Optimal Aging Committee has annually presented LEGACY Awards to a local business/organization, to Dementia Friendly business/organizations, and to community embers/volunteers. 2023 winners:
• Chef David’s Kitchen & Catering (business/organization) • Maywood Acres Healthcare (Dementia Friendly business/organization) • George Lopez (community member/volunteer)
• Andrea Ortiz (community member/volunteer)
California Senior Legislators (CSL) proposed Top Legislative Priorities for 2024 (attached)
October 30, 2023
California Senior Legislature
Press Release
1 STATE OF CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA SENIOR LEGISLATURE
1020 N Street, Room 527, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 552-8056
www.4csl.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2023
The California Senior Legislature Announces Top Legislative Priorities for 2024
(Sacramento, CA) The California Senior Legislature (CSL) adjourned its 43rd Annual Legislative Session and announced the Top State Legislative Proposals last week.
Members will advocate diligently during the 2024 legislative session to have state lawmakers support these priorities. Each priority has the Governor’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA) goal referenced.
The following were listed as the top ten State Legislative proposals:
AP-2: Hospitals: Patient Discharge Summary – MPA Goal 2: Health Reimagined (Senior Assembly Member Gene Dorio, Santa Clarita, CA)
This measure would enact legislation that would require a hospital to standardize the patient discharge summary, including specified information, in order to improve communication and provide continuity of medical care during the patient’s transition to the home or another facility.
SP-6: Ralph M Brown Act: Teleconferencing – MPA Goal 1: Housing for All (Senior Senator Stefan Lipson, El Cerrito, CA)
This measure would authorize teleconferencing with respect to county based Advisory Councils, Committees, Commissions, and their attendant Work Groups, Committees, and Subcommittees established for aging and disabilities issues in the same manner as it was during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
AP-8: Hospice Standards – MPA Goal 2: Health Reimagined (Senior Assembly Member Joan Yacovone, Agoura Hills, CA) This measure would require the State of California to make various reforms relating to hospice, including strengthening hospice standards by requiring inspections every 3 years, as specified, requiring the recertification for hospice-enrolled patients to be conducted by at least one independent physician in conjunction with the hospice physician, and adopting recommendations provided in the California State Auditor Report 2021-123 to require collaboration between specified State Departments to address fraud and abuse identified in the report and protect patients.
October 30, 2023
California Senior Legislature
Press Release
2 AP-7: Confidential Marriage – MPA Goal 3: Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation (Senior Assembly Member David Tetzlaff, Mission Viejo, CA) This measure would protect elders from abuse by providing a contestability provision for family members to void a confidential marriage due to misrepresentation or abuse within 4 years of the deceased elder’s death.
SP-8: Personal Needs Allowance – MPA Goal 5: Affording Aging (Senior Senator Helen Lopez, El Centro, CA)
This measure would increase the personal needs allowance from $35 to $50 per month.
AP-1: Grandparents: Caregivers Support – MPA Goal 4: Caregiving that Works (Senior Assembly Member Mark Cox, Yucaipa CA)
This measure would require the CA Department of Aging, in consultation with the Department of Justice, the State Department of Social Services, and Stakeholder Groups, to conduct a study to examine the issues faced by grandparents who are 60 years of age or older and are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren.
SP-3: Healthcare for Older Adults and People with Disabilities – MPA Goal 2:
Health Reimagined
(Senior Senator Karen Gorback, Thousand Oaks, CA)
This measure would authorize a State Study for the purpose of designing public policy addressing the development, deployment and regulation of Artificial Intelligence in the field of Health Care, particularly in relation to the care of Older Adults and People with Disabilities.
SP-10: Skilled Nursing Facilities: End-of-Life Privacy – MPA Goal 2: Health Reimagined
(Senior Senator Antonio Rodella, Anaheim, CA)
This measure would require the Administrators of Skilled Nursing Facilities in the State to work with a resident who has been diagnosed as having less than 5 days to live, or with the resident’s family, to provide sufficient privacy for the dying resident so that the family or clergy or both may be with the resident and provide a dignified death and giving of the last rites.
AP-5: Automated External Defibrillators – MPA Goal 2: Health Reimagined (Senior Assembly Member Milissa Meyer, Indian Wells, CA) This measure would require any recreational building, as specified, in a Senior Living Community to maintain an AED on the premises. This measure would also request that the legislation require the entity in charge of the buildings to provide training to employees related to the use of an AED.
SP-9: End of Life Advance Directive – MPA Goal 2: Health Reimagined (Senior Senator Steve Mehlman, Beaumont, CA)
This measure would permit an individual who is diagnosed with terminal dementia to make an advance directive requesting aid-in-dying drugs, if at a later date, the individual becomes likely to die within 6 months. This would also require that an individual suffering from t erminal dementia is not required to self -administer the aid- in-dying drugs. This measure further proposes that the State Department of Public Health update its Annual October 30, 2023
California Senior Legislature
Press Release
3 Report on the End of Life Option Act to include information related to patients that make those advance health care directives.
The California Senior Legislature put forth one Federal Proposal for 2024.
SFP-1: Federal Personal Needs Allowance
(Senior Senator Helen Lopez, El Centro, CA)
This proposal would increase the Federal minimum personal needs allowance to $50 per month.
-END-
MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
For more information contact Janice Bailey, Executive Director, at (916) 767-4382 or [email protected]
.