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Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is comprised of Commission Officers and standing committee chairs and vice-chairs. It develops the major priorities and provides direction to the Commission. The four standing committees identify service gaps and quality-of-care issues, conduct studies to address policy concerns and service barriers confronting seniors, and work to improve strategies for effective outreach about county services to seniors and their caregivers. The primary areas on which the Commission has been focusing with regard to county policy and budget are:
1. Identifying services and resources needed for successful aging-in-place;
2. Promoting stronger communication and program integration among the organizations responsible for programs designed to serve seniors, e.g., accessible public transportation for seniors;
3. Promoting information and services related to health and wellness of seniors; and
4. Where resources are lacking, obtaining needed funding and policy support to reduce waiting lists for seniors eligible for services.
Health and Wellness Committee
In 2008, the Committee continued looking at the needs of older patients at the time of discharge from hospitals. Committee members had begun examining this topic the previous year, based on information from recent federal studies showing a need for improvement. The Committee met with heads of discharge planning departments of five area hospitals. Although many of the concerns those departments expressed are beyond the scope of the Commission, two specific needs emerged that may require further investigation: transporting patients to and from hospitals and medical appointments, and placement of patients with mental health needs into appropriate facilities. The Committee plans to pursue these issues further in the coming year.
The Committee also reviewed the proposed Community Health Improvement Process (CHIP). CHIP would establish an ongoing, sustainable method for better understanding and addressing health disparities and related health issues at the sub-county level. After receiving in-depth information about CHIP from a Commission on Health liaison, the County’s senior epidemiologist, and the county’s health officer, the Committee recommended full Commission support of CHIP. The Commission agreed and sent a letter of support to the County Executive. Based on the response from the County Executive, the Commission anticipates an initial level of activity on CHIP in 2009.
The Committee also studied two other topics related to health and safety of older county residents. Although both are affected by budget constraints, it may be possible to identify low-and no-cost outreach mechanisms for informing area residents about them, including—but not limited to—the county’s “Seniors Today” cable television program and its new Montgomery Senior Site.
- The File of Life program, run by the County Fire and Rescue Service. The centerpiece of the program is a form filled out by residents with up-to-date health and medical information and attached by magnet to the refrigerator. County rescue personnel are trained to look for the form in emergency situations and report finding them highly useful.
- “Plan 9,” an initiative of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program, concerns the ability of seniors to shelter in place during a natural or man-made emergency such as fire, flood, or an enemy attack. “Plan 9” provides simple steps residents can take to ensure that their homes are adequately equipped for such emergencies.
In the coming year, the Committee will continue to work on strategies for improving communication about these and other health and wellness topics of concern to county seniors.
Communications and Community Outreach Committee
The Communications and Community Outreach Committee plans and produces the Commission’s County Cable television show “Seniors Today: Resources for Vital Living.” There are eight shows produced annually. Each show appears daily for a month and can also be seen on the County Web site. A ninth show features the winners of the “Path of Achievement Awards” given to those seniors who had made outstanding contributions in various fields in Montgomery County.
Guests have included County Executive Isiah Leggett, members of the County Council, Directors of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Recreation, and the Fire and Rescue Services. The program features events of interest to the senior community, and coverage on topics on health, housing, continuing education, cultural events, aging in place, services for seniors and consumer protection. Various events, such as job fairs, art fairs, and information expos are featured, as well as shows on adult day centers, library services for seniors, nutrition, and many other subjects of interest to our senior population.
In addition to “Seniors Today,” the Committee works to get information out to the community by helping with press releases, the Senior Stakeholders meetings, and other activities to further communication. The Committee plans to identify additional outreach strategies in 2009 as well as opportunities for coordination with the county as it responds to communication issues noted at the Senior Summit.
Public Policy Committee
In 2008, the Public Policy Committee focused primarily on the many ongoing programs that offer assistance to needy seniors. Rationing of resources is accomplished by a mix of need and income qualifications and by utilization of waiting lists. The Committee gave particular attention to the waiting lists for the various programs. In most cases, a triage system is used, assuring that the most critical cases get moved to the front of the line. Program managers agreed that while added resources could be well spent, the waiting lists for the various programs generally are within tolerable limits.
Senior Services Oversight Committee
The Oversight Committee focused on a number of issues within its purview. Early in the year, members of the Committee met the Director of the Montgomery County Recreation Department, along with staff members responsible for senior programs. Committee members discussed planning and implementation of programs for seniors and planning for future community centers, where seniors’ programs would be located.
The Committee also met with the Chief Executive Officer, Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and heard an extensive report on issues relating to affordable housing—an ongoing issue that concerns many elements of the county government.
The Oversight Committee has an enduring interest in the administration of the Senior Nutrition Program. At mid-year, the Commission lent its voice in support of DHHS efforts to provide for competition in the award of new contracts for the provision of congregate meals—a fundamental element of the program. As a result of the competitive process instituted by DHHS, a contract was awarded to a new vendor. The Oversight Committee met with the Director of the Senior Nutrition Program, who reported on the contract provisions and the cost and efficiency advantages obtained. The Committee also heard from the Manager, Home Care Services, concerning the current status of the home care program.
One of the Commission’s budget initiatives involves support for a Geriatric Mental Health Treatment Team, a concept which originated in the Oversight Committee. In furtherance of our support for that initiative, the Committee received a report from the Program Manager, Senior Mental Health Services, on the current status of mental health treatment programs in Montgomery County.
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