Partnership For a Healthier Carroll County

Elder Health -

Description/Purpose

The Partnership’s strategic focus is to increase the quality and years of healthy life for Carroll Countians over age 60.

The elder health work group was developed to identify issues and opportunities that can be addressed to improve the health and quality of life for the ever expanding older adult population and their caregivers. The ripple effect of that growth is expected to be far reaching and uncertain. The following demonstrates a partial list of emerging trends in our aging community.

1. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2005, there were 164, 663 people living in Carroll County, MD.
    15.2% were over age 60
    10.6% were over age 65
    5.1% were over age 75

2. Effects of Growth on Health Issues
    a. Increased prevalence of chronic disease
    b. Disease prevention
    c. Health promotion
    d. Affordability of health care/medications
    e. Accessible health care
    f . Increase demand for health services

3. Challenges of Health and Human Services Needs
    a. Programs offered to older adults
    b. Assistance with challenges of independent living
        1. Transportation
        2. Affordable housing
        3. Affordable and available in home support
        4. Cultural sensitivity (racial/ethnical diversity)

4. Changing Profiles of Older Adults
    a. Upcoming older adult’s life experiences impacting expectations of services
        1. Driving demand for access to information
        2. Social, cultural and economic diversity
        3. Increased standard of living
        4. Need for significant societal role
        5. Loss of employer based pensions/retirement funds
        6. Outspoken, effective advocates for change
        7. Increased demand of higher level of services

5. Multigenerational caregivers
    a. Adult Caregiver support
    b. Childcare support
    c. Mentally and Physically challenged and/or dependent adults support

EH Workgroup Goals and Objectives

Study the needs of 45-60 year olds and 60+ year olds in our community to determine issues and opportunities related to health and quality of life.
Stay aware of and support the HP2010 and beyond National Health Agenda in regards to older adults. For example:
• Prevent disease, disability and death from infectious diseases including vaccine preventable diseases.
• Improve quality of life through the prevention, detection and treatment of risk factors
Include and promote networking/ sharing among all entities addressing Older Adult in Carroll County to include but not be limited to Office of Aging, Commission on Aging, AARP, etc etc etc
Study the evidence based and/or best practice approaches emerging from surrounding communities, and the broader field of older adult health and aging research and development. Incorporate that learning in our agencies, providers and general community practices

Establish long range result statement for Elder Health and a set of Elder Health indicators (as per our established indicator definition) for inclusion in the “Health Carroll Vital Signs-Measures of Community Health” results accountability system.

Accomplishments

A sub committee has been formed under the direction of Dr. Baker and in conjunction with the Center for the Study of Aging at McDaniel College. They are designing the household survey tool to be utilized in the needs assessment (Goal#1). Funding for associated expenses is in development.
A coordinated approach to increase annual older adult flu vaccination percentages will be implemented in the 2008 flu season. Under the direction of Carroll Home Care and including cooperation from DSS, BOA, CCPL, AERS, AARP, TRIAD and more Carroll Home Care will provide in home immunizations. (Goal #2)
Web links to our work group members’ home agencies are provided to encourage networking and collaboration….the foundational elements of The Partnership’s operating model. (Goal#3)
A list of links to valuable information and web sites has been established (see below). These sites have been reviewed by a member of our work group and offer links to programs, resources, and evidence-based learning opportunities regarding older adult health and quality of life. An extensive bibliography of additional sites and resource information has also been developed, and is included below with the other links (Goal #4).

Community Support Partners/ Workgroup Members

Name:	Email Address:	Telephone & FAX
Alva Baker M.D., Chairperson Episcopal Ministries to the Aging 576 Johnsville Rd. Eldersburg, MD 21784	bakera@emaseniorcare.org	Phone: 410-552-3208 Fax: 410-552-0344
Mary Jo Boylan IHAS Case Manager Family & Children’s Services of Central MD West End Place 7 Schoolhouse Ave Westminster MD 21157	mboylan@fcsmd.org	Phone: 410-840-0406 Ext: 2 Fax: 410-840-0574
Lynelle Osborn Program Services Supervisor Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Inc. Carroll County Branch 255 Clifton Boulevard, Suite 312 Westminster, MD 21157-4787	carroll@mowcm.org	Phone: 410-857-4447 Fax: 410-875-5477
Linda Fernandez Program Coordinator Caring Carroll, Inc. P.O. Box 842 Westminster, MD 21158	caringcarroll@hotmail.com	Phone: 410-876-4973
Ruthanne Lillis Coordinator, Library Link Book Delivery Program Serving Senior Citizens Carroll County Public Library Outreach Services 50 East Main Street Westminster, MD 21157	rlillis@carr.org	Phone: 410-386-4450,ext. 732
Gregory J. Lannon Executive Director Carroll Lutheran Village 300 St. Luke Circle Westminster, MD 21158	glannon@clvillage.org	Phone:410-848-0900 Fax: 410-848-8133
Diane Link, R.N. Clinical Manager Carroll Home Care & Carroll Hospice 292 Stoner Ave. Westminster MD 21157	DLink@carrollhospitalcenter.org	Phone: 410-871-7650 Fax: 410-871-7216
Mary Anne Marsalek Coordinator of Lifelong Learning Carroll Community College 1601 Washington Road Westminster, MD 21157	mmarsalek@carrollcc.edu	Phone:410-386-8100 Fax: 410-876-5869
Fran Bauernschub Program Coordinator Seniors Keep In Touch c/o Westminster Senior Center 125 Stoner Ave. Westminster, MD 21157	mfbauernschub@ccg.carr.org	Office: 410-386-3812 Fax: 410-840-0436
Captain George Jeffery Powell Chair, EMS Committee Carroll County Fire and Rescue	Paramedicpowell5@verizon.net	Cell: 443-244-2680
Joan Moser LCSW Carroll County Health Department P.O. Box 845 290 S. Center St. Westminster, MD 21158	jmoser@dhmh.state.md.us	Phone: 410-876-4900
Mary Peloquin RN BSN Community Education Coordinator Carroll Hospital Center 200 Memorial Ave. Westminster, MD 21157	MaryP@carrollhospitalcenter.org	Office: 410-871-7119 Fax: 410-871-7086
Jill W Rosner RN BSN Patient Advocate Patient Care Consulting 1615 Goldsmith Drive Westminster, MD 21157	JillRosnerRN@aol.com	Phone: 410-591-6378
Richard Steinberg Bureau Chief Carroll County Bureau of Aging 125 Stoner Avenue Westminster, MD 21157	rsteinberg@ccg.carr.org	Phone: 410-386-3803 Fax: 410-840-0436
Michael E. Stovall, Ph.D. Department of Social Sciences Carroll Community College 1601 Washington Rd. Westminster, MD 21157	MStovall@carrollcc.edu	Phone: 410-386-8206
Chaplain Judy Strayer Director, Pastoral Care Services Carroll Hospital Center 200 Memorial Ave. Westminster, MD 21157	jstrayer@carrollhospitalcenter.org	Phone: 410-871-6679
Tricia Supik Executive Director & CEO The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County, Inc. 95 Carroll St., Suite 104 Westminster, MD 21157	tricia@carrollhospitalcenter.org	Phone: 410-871-6784 Fax: 410-871-6325
Heather Robb Department of Social Services 10 Distillery Drive Westminster, MD 21157	hrobb@dhrstate.md.us	Phone: 410-386-3300

For more information about the Elder Health Work Group or to join efforts to improve Elder Health in our community, please contact Tricia Supik at 410-871-6784 or tricia@carrollhospitalcenter.org.