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Don't
Forget!
Deadline to apply for an AARP Community Action Sponsorship is May 6th at 4:30 p.m.
AARP's Community Action Sponsorships will provide financial and other support to three groups within Burlington. Grants will range from $500-$2,000 per project. For more information and an application go to www.blcp.org or contact Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur at jwbrodeur@aarp.org or 951-1313. |
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PACE: An Innovative Way to Provide Long Term Care
Q&A with Frank Landry, MD, MPH, FACP Dr. Landry is the Medical Director for PACE Vermont, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the UVM College of Medicine, and practicing Internal Medicine physician in Burlington.
Q - In a nutshell, how does PACE work?
PACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a health care program that helps seniors (55+) who qualify for nursing home care remain in their homes.
Services are organized by a health team that includes a doctor, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social worker, nutritionist, transportation coordinator, and more. The PACE Center includes a physician's office, therapy gym, and adult day program.
PACE caregivers help with household chores and personal care. PACE coordinates visits to medical specialists like podiatry, cardiology, and optometry. We work closely with clinical pharmacists and pay for all medications and even deliver medications right to the home.
PACE also arranges and pays for all in-patient services, including hospitalizations and nursing home stays for respite, rehabilitation, or long-term placement.
The program is paid for by a combination of Medicare and Long Term Care Medicaid. Families that do not qualify for Medicaid can pay privately (with or without a long term care insurance policy).
Q - What are some of the key benefits to the PACE approach for patients and for the health care system/government?
The main benefit in my view is the personal attention that each patient and family receives. The entire team of professionals gets to understand the important issues and works collaboratively with the individual and family to improve health and maintain function. Each patient has a plan of care designed just for them which includes input from the entire team as well as the patient and family. In addition, the health team can respond to new issues very quickly -- often the same day.
Family members report the biggest benefit is in the wrap-around services like transportation, medication delivery, and our on-call system. Families also report they are relieved to know their loved one has a safe place to go during the day. Many find that this program costs less than the services they had previously been using.
State and Federal government supports PACE because it is cost effective. The payment structure allows the government to anticipate how much a PACE enrollee will cost. This structure allows us to focus on care that makes the most sense for the patient in the most cost-effective manner. The PACE system is the ultimate "medical home" and is what most primary care physicians envision when they speak of health care reform. What is nice for me is that I can practice in this environment now!
Q - Do you consider the sites here and in Rutland to be successful and what comes next? Further expansion...?
Absolutely! Early this year, Tara Meyer, a graduate student in UVM's Nurse Practitioner program, did a study that showed a significant reduction in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and length of stay in the hospital among PACE enrollees. This is just one example.
We are just three years old, so our focus in the next 1-2 years will continue to be filling our two centers. Once full, we can look at expanding statewide.
As a member of the National PACE Association, we support the expansion of PACE throughout the US, especially in rural areas. There are currently 72 PACE programs in 31 states. Fifteen of these programs are in rural areas. We believe this model of care provides a viable solution to the challenge of providing and paying for the care of our elders, who deserve the very best care we can offer. |
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State Legislation Makes Improvements to How We Get Around Several transportation bills considered by the Legislature this year make improvements for those who can't drive, want to drive less or just get out and safely exercise. As our population gets older, it's important that a variety of safe transportation options be available. AARP is leading a statewide campaign called Transporting the Public that has brought new organizational support and perspectives to these issues this year. AARP will continue working with a multitude of organizations and our members to raise transportation issues with state candidates during the election season.
Complete Streets
AARP championed a Complete Streets bill (H.741) to make roads safer and more accessible for all Vermonters -- regardless of age or ability or whether traveling by car, bus, bike or on foot. The guidelines ensure that state and local transportation agencies routinely plan for and design our roads to enable safe access for everyone. The House Transportation Committee took testimony on the Complete Streets bill on Friday, March 12th. Unfortunately, the bill did not get the committee's support and is not going to move any further this session.
AARP plans to work with key legislators to introduce the bill again next session. We will use the rest of the year to continue to build organizational and grassroots support for Complete Streets. If you are interested in helping, email Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur at jwbrodeur@aarp.org.
Pedestrian Safety Bill
The Pedestrian Safety bill (H.540), pushed by the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition and supported by AARP and others, sets forth a standard of care for motor vehicles passing vulnerable users on the road. It protects pedestrians as well as people using wheelchairs, cyclists, highway workers, herders of farm animals, horseback riders, drivers of farm tractors and others. It also clarifies some rules of the road for bicyclists. The bill passed both the House and Senate and is headed to conference committee to iron out differences between the chambers.
Volunteer Drivers
Volunteer drivers are an essential part of Vermont's care system. Many elders would not be able to make medical appointments or other outings without volunteer drivers. In rural Vermont, where bus service is not practical, volunteer drivers are crucial to connecting elders to their communities. AARP has many members who become or use volunteer drivers and we are supporting a bill to make sure they are not treated unfairly by auto insurance companies.
H.639 prohibits volunteer drivers from being denied motor vehicle liability insurance or paying more for coverage because he or she volunteers as a driver. This bill passed both the House and Senate and is now awaiting the Governor's signature.
Consolidation of Public Transportation Systems
AARP Vermont supported H.607, which amends the charter of the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) by allowing certain non-Chittenden County municipalities the opportunity to join CCTA and have a seat on the Board of Commissioners.
Essentially, the bill consolidates the CCTA operating system with the central Vermont-based Green Mountain Transit Agency (GMTA) system to realize efficiencies in administering public transportation services in Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille and Washington counties. CCTA and GMTA have essentially operated as one organization for the past seven years. However they were both separate legal entities, which required duplicative administrative work. This charter change creates one legal entity and eliminates the burdensome duplication of administrative functions. It was signed by the Governor on March 30, 2010. |
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Northshore Neighbors Reach Out to One Another
Keeping it simple!
Sometimes providing support and needed services to others requires a formal organization, bureaucracy, structure and even staff. Sometimes not. At Village at Northshore in Burlington's New North End, a few caring and committed residents have created a "program" that keeps it simple, but creates a tremendous network of support and valuable social interaction. That support is helping older residents stay where they want to be as they age - at home.
It's all about neighbors helping neighbors. For example, if someone has just had surgery, is away or otherwise needs help, the neighbors step right up. Someone needs to feed the cat, water the plants, take in the mail, be on call at night or just visit or run a few errands. A simple job sheet assigns neighbors to each task and lends that extra hand to a neighbor in need that can make a huge difference in his or her health recovery and daily life. Neighbors helping neighbors is not a new concept, but rarely is it so well organized and effective. According to organizer Janice Clements, the "helper brigade" of some 25-30 residents is managed via simple email communications -- but it is the caring commitment of all involved that really makes the wheels turn.
In addition, the group has organized a "First Friday" get together on the first Friday of each month, rotating to different residents' homes in the complex. BYOB and a desired snack are the order of the day while people arrive and leave whenever they like. "It's been a great success," said Clements. "It is also a way we can learn who might need a hand, who has a surgery coming up or needs a little help with a project," she said "It's great fun. When the weather is conducive we sometimes spread out on the lawn and have live (quiet) entertainment. Occasionally, we designate a pot luck supper. People who hardly knew each other after living here for years have gotten acquainted. " Clements stresses how over time people realize it's OK to ask for help and to give at whatever level is comfortable. "It really enables our neighbors to see how easy it is to both give and receive. It's building community."
Indeed, sometimes keeping it simple is the key to getting good things done. The folks at Northshore have taken a housing complex and created a neighborhood. Bravo! |
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New Affordability Index Links Housing and Transportation Costs
New research from the Center for Neighborhood Technology challenges our definition of housing affordability by factoring in the costs of transportation in urban, suburban and rural settings. Usually, when deciding if a house is affordable, buyers will consider the price, property taxes, and utilities - all information that is disclosed by the realtor. But what about the cost of transportation from that location? In Penny Wise Pound Fuelish, communities with compact neighborhoods, walkable streets, access to transit and proximity to services are considered to have a high location efficiency, and lower transportation costs. Communities with low location efficiency are almost totally dependent upon cars to get to services and work and residents have high transportation costs.
Housing affordability in this study is redefined to include transportation costs. Currently, experts consider housing to be affordable if it is 30 percent or less of household income. With transportation costs added in, it's considered to be 45 percent of income or less. The national study applies a Housing and Transportation Affordability Index to 337 metropolitan areas, including Burlington and northwest Vermont. Click on the map and see how housing affordability in our region changes when transportation costs are added in. |
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What You Need to Know About the New Health Care Law
Whether you are on Medicare, buy insurance on your own or through your employer, or can't afford health insurance, new benefits as a result of health insurance reforms will affect you. The law's new provisions bring a number of benefits to all Americans, including people over 50. The law strengthens Medicare; makes health insurance more accessible and affordable; makes discriminatory insurance practices a thing of the past; and creates new programs to help you get long-term care services in your own home.
By knowing what's in the law and when the different benefits take effect, you can take advantage of the new provisions for yourself and your family. You can check here for an outline of the law and details on how it affects you: www.aarp.org/getthefacts |
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Survey on Disposal of Prescription Medications
The Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community is currently working with UVM nursing students to gather information on how Burlington can effectively reduce the number of prescription drugs available for potential abuse. We are looking at ways to increase community awareness of the need for proper disposal of unused or expired prescription medications.
Please click on (or copy and paste into your browser) the link below to fill out a quick (2 minutes or less) survey that will help determine the best ways to implement the project ideas. Thank you so much for your time! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XWJN8RD |
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Are you willing to lead a crew or weild a pen for Habitat for Humanity?
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity is looking for some volunteers who can!
Put your carpentry/building experience to work. Four building crew leaders are needed to direct groups of 10-12 volunteers building low-income housing.
Or how about building with your writing skills? An experienced grant writer is needed. Help is also needed with articles for the quarterly newsletter. You can write from home too.
You can find many other volunteer opportunities at the United Way of Chittenden County Volunteer Center's online searchable database: www.unitedwaycc.org and click on "Volunteer Now." |
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April 20
Live @ 5:25 on Channel 17
Burlington Livable Community Project show: Innovative PACE Program Provides All-Inclusive Long Term Care with guest Naomi Galimidi, PACE Director of Intake and Marketing
5:25-6:55 p.m.
Call in with questions at 862-3966
April 21 Tilley Drive Public Recognition Action hosted by Vermont Interfaith Action
Celebrate and recognize people that helped create transportation options to doctor's offices on Tilley Drive in South Burlington
7:00-8:30 p.m.
St. Paul's Cathedral, 2 Cherry Street, Burlington
April 22
Home Sweet Home: A Monthly Learning Series on helping elders stay independent and living in the community. April's topic is Compassionate Communication for the Cognitively Impaired presented by Ellen Gagner, Harbor Program Director at the Arbors.
PACE Vermont, Fanny Allen Campus, Colchester
Free and open to the public
May 1
Green Up Day
9:00 a.m.- noon
Get started at one of 5 city hubs and help clean up your neighborhood
Miller Center, Barnes Elementary, UVM Green, DPW on Pine St., or City Hall Park
May 4
Come to Your Senses hosted by the Women's Small Business Program
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Interested in starting or owning a business? Meet graduates of the Women's Small Business Program and learn more about how WSBP can help get you started.
The Spot, 210 Shelburne Road, Burlington
Free; refreshments provided
RSVP: 951-1315
May 12
Deadline to apply for a Burlington city board or commission
4:30 p.m.
May 14
"A Taste of Home" fundraiser to benefit HomeShare Vermont
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Union Station, Burlington
$35 admission includes raffle ticket for 2 Red Sox tickets
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