Older Americans Act Assessment Manual

Older Americans Act Assessment Manual

Introduction • Use this section to Welcome O3A Trainees to the Aging Network! In this section, you will learn about: • The purpose and objectives of the Older Americans Act (OAA) • The Administration on Aging • The Aging Network • Oklahoma’s Aging Network (Include information about your AAA, too.) • Area Plans

It includes links to view online: • The Older Americans Act • Frequently Asked Questions about the 2006 Re-Authorization of the Act

What qualifies someone for Older Americans Act (Title 3) Services? Being 60 or older But we are not an “entitlement program”….

Rather, we place special emphasis on reaching those people who: • Live in rural areas • Have the greatest economic need • Have the greatest social need • Are low-income minority individuals (we pay particular attention to these individuals) • Have severe disabilities • Have limited English proficiency • Have Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction (and their caregivers) • Are at risk for institutional placement

The ADRC • What it is • What is it’s mission • What is it’s purpose

Options Counseling • It involves having many “world class conversations” over time about important life issues. • The problem is, people aren’t starting the conversation!

Turn in the manual to page 9 to see an illustration of what this conversation might be like… You will notice that I & As, Outreach Workers and Site managers are at the beginning end of the conversation. They are often the first point of contact.

Information and Referral Process • Step One: Contact • Step Two: Assessment • Step Three: Clarification • Step Four: Information and Referral • Step Five: Review and Follow-up

Step One: Contact When we and our partners hire people who are “first points of contact” we look for people who are: • Warm • Friendly • Approachable • Helpful • Knowledgeable • Committed We look for “people persons”.

We have added a few words about: • Safety And • Confidentiality

Step Two: Assessment • When you are talking to the person you are interviewing, address them directly. Sometimes you may have a caregiver there who wants to answer all the questions for their loved one. In this situation, gently direct the conversation back to the person you are interviewing.

We want to be “person centered”! That means: • The person being interviewed is the one making the decisions! And • We are not only concerned about what’s “important for” this person; we are concerned about what’s “important to” this person.

Active Listening Skills Tip Sheet • We have included 5 NASUAD tip sheets in the body of the manual. We have also included these as a one page handout that can be used for short training sessions. • Go over Active Listening in detail during your training. Encourage attendees to practice these skills regularly.

Document, document, document! • Remember If you don’t document it, it’s like it didn’t happen. • Go over examples in the chart of objective and subjective statements.

3 more Tip Sheets are included: • Communicating with those who have hearing loss • Communicating with those who have Alzheimer’s or other dementia • Communicating with those who have had a stroke.

Step Three: ClarificationThis is a small step, but so important • You are going to summarize what you understand the person’s need to be and repeat it back to them. • Example: “I hear you saying that you have COPD, that you would like to have help around the house, that you would like to have a home delivered meal and that you are afraid of falling, especially when you are bathing.” • The interviewee can say yes, that’s right, or no, what I really need is… or I forgot…I also need…. • Include this on the Brief Description Portion of the O3A (We’ll get to that when Virginia goes over the O3A.

Step 4: Information and Referral • Problem-solving ~ it’s time to generate some options that might be possible solutions. • You may have to say “no” to someone who doesn’t qualify for a service. • You may have to say “no” because there’s not a service available.

Last tip sheet: • Effective Communication with Difficult People

Know your Resources and Resource Experts • Introduce your I & A! • Make copies of your resource directory available • Share and demonstrate the resource flipcharts

What do you do if you’ve come up with “the perfect plan” and someone says “ no.” • Realize that they are independent and they make decisions about their own life. What seems perfect to you may not be what they want.

Also included: • Information about Advocacy • Information about Navigating Difficult Situations (with examples of what to say when…)

Step Five: Review and Follow Up • Summarize information and resources discussed. • Let the interviewee know you will follow up with a phone call to see if they were able to obtain services referred. • Ask when a good time to reach them will be. • Provide them with your contact information.

Why We Report…What is N.A.P.I.S? • This section briefly explains the National Aging Program Information System. • It emphasizes the importance of collecting accurate data and filling out forms completely (and reminds to double check that everything is completed! • It includes a brief description of waiting lists.

Go Pokes!!!

Older Americans Act Assessment Manual