Projects and Reports
of the Commission

A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County: Focus on Housing 2006

A Study of Elder Abuse and Neglect in Sacramento County and Recommendations to Improve the Service System, 1985

Aging Boom, 1990 and Aging Boom Revisited, 1997

Report on Unlicensed Facilities for Adults in Sacramento County, 1997

Report on the Sacramento Community System of Protection for Senior and Dependent Adults, 2001

A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County California 2004, August 2004

Elder Death Review Team 2006

Projects

Aide Corp for the Elderly (ACE)

Caring Neighborhoods

Community Housing Coalition

Elder Escorts

Focal Points

Home Modification Coalition/Rebuilding Together

Older Adult Resource Center Residential Care Information Clearinghouse (OARC)

Community Transportation Coalition

Adult Protection System of Care Strategic Plan

Elder Death Review Team

Sacramento County Adult Multidisciplinary Team

Sacramento Financial Abuse Specialist Team (Sac Fast)

Senior Safe House

Take a Stand against Elder Abuse (TASAEA)

Reports

A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County: Focus on Housing 2006

The Sacramento County Adult and Aging Commission, as an advisory body to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, in collaboration with dozens of organizations and individuals is pleased to announce the completion of A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County: Focus on Housing 2006.
Focus on Housing 2006 is a supplement to the more general snapshot of seniors made in A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County 2004. It delves more deeply into the issue of housing and some of the challenges seniors face relative to housing as they age.
For further information about the report or to obtain a hard copy, contact Nancy Yavrom, Program Coordinator, (916) 447-7063, ext. 308 or nyavrom@communitycouncil.org

A Study of Elder Abuse and Neglect in Sacramento County and Recommendations to Improve the Service System, 1985

The deaths of Katherine West and Margaret Bowles incited agencies to take steps in addressing the issues of senior abuse and neglect. The County Board of Supervisors authorized a special panel formed by the Commission on Aging and the County Executive to study protective services and to recommend to the Board changes that would improve their effectiveness, the Elder Abuse Panel was formed. The Elder Abuse Panel was charged with conducting an “external system-wide program review utilizing independent technical experts.” The report was the culmination of that project.

Aging Boom, 1990 and Aging Boom Revisited, 1997

The original Aging Boom report was the culmination of a seven-year effort to study the senior service system in Sacramento County and develop recommendations for making it more effective. The goal was to develop a single, comprehensive, coordinated senior service delivery system that would maximize human and financial resources, avoid duplication, address unmet needs and service gaps and establishes a quality control effort.

A report published by Area 4 Agency on Aging, the Adult and Aging Commission, and other community stakeholders entitled Aging Boom, Revisited reviewed the progress made in implementing recommendations from the first Aging Boom and described the status of the senior service delivery system and recommended actions for enhanced resource allocation, service planning and public policy. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted that report in 1997.

Report on Unlicensed Facilities for Adults in Sacramento County, 1997

The Unlicensed Facility Task Force, comprised of representatives from city, county and state agencies and organizations, studied the efficacy of the residential adult care continuum. The Task Force developed a report that clarified the types, services, and licensing requirements of the many facilities providing rooming, boarding, and care and supervision services to adults in Sacramento County, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the licensing and oversight agencies. The report, also contained recommendations about how to improve the system, and was submitted/adopted by the Board of Supervisors and City Council in January 1997.

Report on the Sacramento Community System of Protection for Senior and Dependent Adults, 2001

Sponsored by the Adult and Aging Commission, this report was submitted by the Adult System of Protection Team that was formed following the 1998 Adult and Aging Commission’s “Public Forum” on the comprehensive system of protection for adults in Sacramento County. The team addressed the increasing need to ensure that seniors and dependent adults have adequate protection from neglect and abuse. The charter was to review the current systems and identify gaps, barriers, and problem areas. The report was submitted/adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County California 2004, August 2004

The first compilation of social indicator data that profiles adults ages 60 and older in Sacramento County. Includes maps, charts and graphs, population data and projections, information on income and housing, transportation, civic engagement, health, and safety net services.

Projects

Aide Corp for the Elderly (ACE)

The ACE Program recruits senior volunteers from the community and refers them to agencies that serve seniors. Volunteers are currently helping vulnerable seniors by driving them to medical appointments, the grocery store, delivering hot lunch time meals, providing companionship and conversation, assisting blind elders with their mail and bills, and many other activities that keep the outside world in reach. After a brief orientation, volunteers choose which agencies they would like to work with, and how many hours per month they would like to volunteer their time. DHA Volunteer Services Division currently manages this program.

Caring Neighborhoods

The Caring Neighborhoods Program is similar to the Neighborhood Watch Program, but instead of focusing on crime, people are encouraged to look out for the well-being of their vulnerable disabled and elderly neighbors. It encourages neighbors to know their older neighbors and provides tools to help caring neighbors monitor older adult neighbors and make referrals to appropriate social services agencies when and as needed. This program is currently housed and funded by the City of Sacramento.

Community Housing Coalition

The Community Housing Coalition addresses housing issues by creating a network of providers that are educated about one another’s programs and services. Coalition members have implemented a standard intake form that makes providing services easier and faster. The Coalition is currently hosted by SMUD.

Elder Escorts

Elder Escorts was a demonstration project designed to recruit volunteers to drive the elderly who are unable to drive themselves to medical appointments, social and recreational activities, the grocery store, and for personal business. The partners involved in the project included Area 4 Agency on Aging, Paratransit, Inc., Eskaton, Geriatric Network and the Commission. Currently this project has lost support, as there are limited volunteers as well as unresolved insurance issues.

Focal Points

Focal Points offer a “one-stop shop” where information, referral and assistance are provided, along with other services. Those usually include services such as nutrition programs, transportation, health education and screening programs, and opportunities for socialization and recreation. What differentiates a focal point from a general senior centers is the focal point’s responsibility to not only provide what services it can, but also coordinate services for local seniors delivered at other sites and by other organizations. Currently, there is no funding for designated focal points (7 exist), however the Commission has liaisons that make semi-annual visits to the focal points to ensure that the needs of Focal Points and its consumers are being met.

Home Modification Coalition/Rebuilding Together

Support the development of a Home Safety Modification program that increases the ability of low-income elderly and disabled individuals to remain safe and independent in their home. Laurie Simon, former Program Manager for the Adult and Aging Commission sits on the Board of Directors.

Older Adult Resource Center Residential Care Information Clearinghouse (OARC)

Located in the Sacramento County Adult Services Building, the OARC provides free information for consumers and families looking for residential care information.

Community Transportation Coalition

The Community Transportation Coalition meets on an ad-hoc basis for the purpose of sharing information, solving problems and exploring ways to help improve transportation for the senior population. The Coalition works collaboratively with other organizations in advocating, developing and implementing changes and making recommendations.

Innovative Programs to Address Elder Abuse and Neglect

Adult Protection System of Care Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan of Protection was presented and adopted by the Board of Supervisors on May 10. The Executive Work Group was charged with returning to the Board in 3 months having determined areas of the plan that could be implemented immediately with minimal costs, and to identify priorities of the plan. The Strategic Plan of Protection has been a community-wide effort for three years. The elements of the Plan include law enforcement, case management, health systems, housing, personal care, and community involvement. The Plan looks at the impact of aging within all of these systems and addresses what's available now, what's needed and how to reach the goal.

Elder Death Review Team

The legislation (for EDRT) was written in 2000/2001, signed by Gov. Gray Davis and became law in January 2002. The legislation allows the sharing of certain types of information between agencies in order to address the problem of elder abuse. Subsequently, the Sacramento District Attorney’s office established the first “Elder Death Review Team” in the nation to examine the circumstances surrounding questionable deaths of older county residents and to promote community efforts to reduce the problem of elder abuse and neglect. The Commission has a liaison that participates on this team and provides semi-annual updates to the full Commission.

Sacramento County Adult Multidisciplinary Team

The Multidisciplinary Team is established through the Welfare and Institutions Code 15763 (e). The MDT discusses difficult cases so that agencies can better coordinate services delivery and uses the expertise of the various agencies to develop novel solutions. It is an interactive team that is composed of a variety of members representing Regional Center, Area Agency on Aging, Easter Seals, Home Health Care, Legal Center, Long-Term Care facilities, Geriatric Network, Police, Sheriff, Mental Health, Health care systems, as well as many others.

Sacramento Financial Abuse Specialist Team (Sac Fast)

The purpose of SAC FAST is to evaluate cases of financial abuse, manipulation, exploitation of elders and propose solutions from a wide array of legal, financial, and governmental options. FAST is not linked to any government agency or body. A liaison from the Commission’s Oversight Committee participates in this group.

Senior Safe House

The Sacramento Senior Safe House Board is working on establishing a Safe House for at-risk Adult Protection Services (APS) clients. The Sacramento Senior Safe House Corporation’s goal is to establish and maintain a facility to temporarily house abused and neglected older adults in a six-bed home, staffed 24-hours per day by appropriately trained personnel.

Take a Stand against Elder Abuse (TASAEA)

TASAEA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, Senior and Adult Services Division of Sacramento County. It was formed and is supported by a coalition of individuals from the community representing non-profit, for-profit, and public organizations. Volunteers donate their time in an attempt to secure stable ongoing funding, which is necessary to maintain an acceptable level of protective and prevention services for seniors and adults with disabilities.

Please call Nancy Yavrom at the Commission office (916) 447-7063, ext. 308, or email her at nyavrom@communitycouncil.org for more information.




	Return to AAC Homepage Projects and Reports of the Commission Reports A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County: Focus on Housing 2006 A Study of Elder Abuse and Neglect in Sacramento County and Recommendations to Improve the Service System, 1985 Aging Boom, 1990 and Aging Boom Revisited, 1997 Report on Unlicensed Facilities for Adults in Sacramento County, 1997 Report on the Sacramento Community System of Protection for Senior and Dependent Adults, 2001 A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County California 2004, August 2004 Elder Death Review Team 2006 Projects Aide Corp for the Elderly (ACE) Caring Neighborhoods Community Housing Coalition Elder Escorts Focal Points Home Modification Coalition/Rebuilding Together Older Adult Resource Center Residential Care Information Clearinghouse (OARC) Community Transportation Coalition Adult Protection System of Care Strategic Plan Elder Death Review Team Sacramento County Adult Multidisciplinary Team Sacramento Financial Abuse Specialist Team (Sac Fast) Senior Safe House Take a Stand against Elder Abuse (TASAEA) Reports A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County: Focus on Housing 2006 The Sacramento County Adult and Aging Commission, as an advisory body to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, in collaboration with dozens of organizations and individuals is pleased to announce the completion of A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County: Focus on Housing 2006. Focus on Housing 2006 is a supplement to the more general snapshot of seniors made in A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County 2004. It delves more deeply into the issue of housing and some of the challenges seniors face relative to housing as they age. For further information about the report or to obtain a hard copy, contact Nancy Yavrom, Program Coordinator, (916) 447-7063, ext. 308 or nyavrom@communitycouncil.org A Study of Elder Abuse and Neglect in Sacramento County and Recommendations to Improve the Service System, 1985 The deaths of Katherine West and Margaret Bowles incited agencies to take steps in addressing the issues of senior abuse and neglect. The County Board of Supervisors authorized a special panel formed by the Commission on Aging and the County Executive to study protective services and to recommend to the Board changes that would improve their effectiveness, the Elder Abuse Panel was formed. The Elder Abuse Panel was charged with conducting an “external system-wide program review utilizing independent technical experts.” The report was the culmination of that project. Aging Boom, 1990 and Aging Boom Revisited, 1997 The original Aging Boom report was the culmination of a seven-year effort to study the senior service system in Sacramento County and develop recommendations for making it more effective. The goal was to develop a single, comprehensive, coordinated senior service delivery system that would maximize human and financial resources, avoid duplication, address unmet needs and service gaps and establishes a quality control effort. A report published by Area 4 Agency on Aging, the Adult and Aging Commission, and other community stakeholders entitled Aging Boom, Revisited reviewed the progress made in implementing recommendations from the first Aging Boom and described the status of the senior service delivery system and recommended actions for enhanced resource allocation, service planning and public policy. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted that report in 1997. Report on Unlicensed Facilities for Adults in Sacramento County, 1997 The Unlicensed Facility Task Force, comprised of representatives from city, county and state agencies and organizations, studied the efficacy of the residential adult care continuum. The Task Force developed a report that clarified the types, services, and licensing requirements of the many facilities providing rooming, boarding, and care and supervision services to adults in Sacramento County, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the licensing and oversight agencies. The report, also contained recommendations about how to improve the system, and was submitted/adopted by the Board of Supervisors and City Council in January 1997. Report on the Sacramento Community System of Protection for Senior and Dependent Adults, 2001 Sponsored by the Adult and Aging Commission, this report was submitted by the Adult System of Protection Team that was formed following the 1998 Adult and Aging Commission’s “Public Forum” on the comprehensive system of protection for adults in Sacramento County. The team addressed the increasing need to ensure that seniors and dependent adults have adequate protection from neglect and abuse. The charter was to review the current systems and identify gaps, barriers, and problem areas. The report was submitted/adopted by the Board of Supervisors. A Profile of Older Adults in Sacramento County California 2004, August 2004 The first compilation of social indicator data that profiles adults ages 60 and older in Sacramento County. Includes maps, charts and graphs, population data and projections, information on income and housing, transportation, civic engagement, health, and safety net services. Projects Aide Corp for the Elderly (ACE) The ACE Program recruits senior volunteers from the community and refers them to agencies that serve seniors. Volunteers are currently helping vulnerable seniors by driving them to medical appointments, the grocery store, delivering hot lunch time meals, providing companionship and conversation, assisting blind elders with their mail and bills, and many other activities that keep the outside world in reach. After a brief orientation, volunteers choose which agencies they would like to work with, and how many hours per month they would like to volunteer their time. DHA Volunteer Services Division currently manages this program. Caring Neighborhoods The Caring Neighborhoods Program is similar to the Neighborhood Watch Program, but instead of focusing on crime, people are encouraged to look out for the well-being of their vulnerable disabled and elderly neighbors. It encourages neighbors to know their older neighbors and provides tools to help caring neighbors monitor older adult neighbors and make referrals to appropriate social services agencies when and as needed. This program is currently housed and funded by the City of Sacramento. Community Housing Coalition The Community Housing Coalition addresses housing issues by creating a network of providers that are educated about one another’s programs and services. Coalition members have implemented a standard intake form that makes providing services easier and faster. The Coalition is currently hosted by SMUD. Elder Escorts Elder Escorts was a demonstration project designed to recruit volunteers to drive the elderly who are unable to drive themselves to medical appointments, social and recreational activities, the grocery store, and for personal business. The partners involved in the project included Area 4 Agency on Aging, Paratransit, Inc., Eskaton, Geriatric Network and the Commission. Currently this project has lost support, as there are limited volunteers as well as unresolved insurance issues. Focal Points Focal Points offer a “one-stop shop” where information, referral and assistance are provided, along with other services. Those usually include services such as nutrition programs, transportation, health education and screening programs, and opportunities for socialization and recreation. What differentiates a focal point from a general senior centers is the focal point’s responsibility to not only provide what services it can, but also coordinate services for local seniors delivered at other sites and by other organizations. Currently, there is no funding for designated focal points (7 exist), however the Commission has liaisons that make semi-annual visits to the focal points to ensure that the needs of Focal Points and its consumers are being met. Home Modification Coalition/Rebuilding Together Support the development of a Home Safety Modification program that increases the ability of low-income elderly and disabled individuals to remain safe and independent in their home. Laurie Simon, former Program Manager for the Adult and Aging Commission sits on the Board of Directors. Older Adult Resource Center Residential Care Information Clearinghouse (OARC) Located in the Sacramento County Adult Services Building, the OARC provides free information for consumers and families looking for residential care information. Community Transportation Coalition The Community Transportation Coalition meets on an ad-hoc basis for the purpose of sharing information, solving problems and exploring ways to help improve transportation for the senior population. The Coalition works collaboratively with other organizations in advocating, developing and implementing changes and making recommendations. Innovative Programs to Address Elder Abuse and Neglect Adult Protection System of Care Strategic Plan The Strategic Plan of Protection was presented and adopted by the Board of Supervisors on May 10. The Executive Work Group was charged with returning to the Board in 3 months having determined areas of the plan that could be implemented immediately with minimal costs, and to identify priorities of the plan. The Strategic Plan of Protection has been a community-wide effort for three years. The elements of the Plan include law enforcement, case management, health systems, housing, personal care, and community involvement. The Plan looks at the impact of aging within all of these systems and addresses what's available now, what's needed and how to reach the goal. Elder Death Review Team The legislation (for EDRT) was written in 2000/2001, signed by Gov. Gray Davis and became law in January 2002. The legislation allows the sharing of certain types of information between agencies in order to address the problem of elder abuse. Subsequently, the Sacramento District Attorney’s office established the first “Elder Death Review Team” in the nation to examine the circumstances surrounding questionable deaths of older county residents and to promote community efforts to reduce the problem of elder abuse and neglect. The Commission has a liaison that participates on this team and provides semi-annual updates to the full Commission. Sacramento County Adult Multidisciplinary Team The Multidisciplinary Team is established through the Welfare and Institutions Code 15763 (e). The MDT discusses difficult cases so that agencies can better coordinate services delivery and uses the expertise of the various agencies to develop novel solutions. It is an interactive team that is composed of a variety of members representing Regional Center, Area Agency on Aging, Easter Seals, Home Health Care, Legal Center, Long-Term Care facilities, Geriatric Network, Police, Sheriff, Mental Health, Health care systems, as well as many others. Sacramento Financial Abuse Specialist Team (Sac Fast) The purpose of SAC FAST is to evaluate cases of financial abuse, manipulation, exploitation of elders and propose solutions from a wide array of legal, financial, and governmental options. FAST is not linked to any government agency or body. A liaison from the Commission’s Oversight Committee participates in this group. Senior Safe House The Sacramento Senior Safe House Board is working on establishing a Safe House for at-risk Adult Protection Services (APS) clients. The Sacramento Senior Safe House Corporation’s goal is to establish and maintain a facility to temporarily house abused and neglected older adults in a six-bed home, staffed 24-hours per day by appropriately trained personnel. Take a Stand against Elder Abuse (TASAEA) TASAEA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, Senior and Adult Services Division of Sacramento County. It was formed and is supported by a coalition of individuals from the community representing non-profit, for-profit, and public organizations. Volunteers donate their time in an attempt to secure stable ongoing funding, which is necessary to maintain an acceptable level of protective and prevention services for seniors and adults with disabilities. Please call Nancy Yavrom at the Commission office (916) 447-7063, ext. 308, or email her at nyavrom@communitycouncil.org for more information.