SENIORS: PLAN DETAIL
Vision Statement
We envision a community that values, respects, and supports seniors and those who care about them.
GOALS
1. Older adults and their families will have access to an array of health, financial, educational, and social supports and opportunities.
A. Identify and disseminate information about resources for seniors and their family caregivers
1. Continue dissemination and update of resources lists created by SLC
2. Partner to offer community education about resources for older adults and their families
3. Identify gaps in services and resources and problem solve ways to fill those gaps
4. Assure that older adults and family caregivers are aware of ways to find and access services
5. Develop/identify opportunities to connect older adults with needed assistance, such as volunteer listings, student community service programs, etc.
6. Build on existing partnerships/networks to create a comprehensive set of resources
7. Advocate for system/application/intake simplicity and consistency to create more user-friendly access
B. Advocate for seniors’ and their families’ education on medication/legal/budget and other issues
1. Utilize existing and create new partnerships to offer education programs in the region through the Maine Medicare Education Partnership, Legal Services for the Elderly, etc.
2. Increase community awareness about how community issues affect older adults and older adult/family needs
3. Consolidate and make available information about evidence-based programs that promote health and fitness among older adults
4. Create/support partnerships to offer healthy aging initiatives for older adults and their families
5. Support/disseminate strategies for responding to elderly mental health issues
6. Support/disseminate education and programs to promote dental health among seniors
7. Increase community awareness of the Maine Medicare Education Partnership (MMEP) and the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), which assist people of all ages with health insurance questions
2. Older adults and their families will be supported in their efforts to continue to live productively and be cared for in their homes and communities
A. Generate housing options that will accommodate the large percentage of seniors
1. Create/strengthen partnerships with Avesta Housing and York Housing Authority
2. Identify needs and opportunities to improve housing options
3. Collaborate with the Housing workgroup around housing needs of older adults
B. Increase awareness and utilization of appropriate resources to facilitate independence
1. Increase family caregiver awareness of the availability of support services
2. Educate the community about available services and needs to facilitate creative problem solving
C. Seniors will have the opportunity to take part in important decisions of the community
D. Lack of transportation will not keep older adults from participating in activities
1. Identify needs and advocate for transportation options to support seniors’ community participation
2. Consult with Transportation work group to ensure needs of older adults for transportation to support health and community participation are considered in all planning
3. Support the presence of an older adult representative on the Transportation work group; assist with recruitment if needed
3. Older adults and other kinship caregivers who are raising minor children will have their needs recognized and met in the community
A. Collaborate with Family work group to ensure needs of this group are considered
B. Promote kinship parents’ awareness of community resources through partnerships with schools, physicians, and other community entities
4. Older adults will benefit from programs that protect their rights and prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation
A. Support the development of Triads to provide information and education to prevent, recognize, and report abuse, neglect and exploitation
