Welcome to Burrillville, RI - April 09 - RI Elderly Affairs

THE SAMARITANS: The Samaritans of Rhode Island is looking for more volunteers to help their organization deal with the expected increase in calls due to the recession. According to Denise Panichas, Executive Director for the Samaritans, it appears that more calls have been noted in the last few months due to Rhode Island’s poor economy, loss of jobs, loss of homes and Rhode Islanders not having enough income to pay bills. According to the latest statistics from the Department of Labor and Training, Rhode Island’s unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 10.3 percent. As Panichas observed, calls are made to the suicide hotline when people have lost hope, don’t feel that anyone cares, think that they are a burden to their family and think that their family would be better off without them. Volunteers help callers to realize that someone does care and that their families and friends don’t want them to take their own life.

In January of this year, the Samaritans received a grant of $200,000 from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration to help them get their message out into the community. As Panichas observed, the Samaritans are not only good listeners, but they also offer the caller some basic tools to help solve their problems. To reach the Crisis Hotline Center, call 272-4044.

The Samaritans also have a web site for those that prefer anonymity of the site, to calling on the telephone. That web site is www.samaritansri.org. According to information provided by the Samaritans, the web site has grown from 6,139 visitors in 2004 to 17,409 in 2007.

The Samaritans hold training classes every month. The next class begins on April 2nd from with an introductory session from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Other classes will run from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on April 7, 9, 14, 16 ,21 and 23. Classes are held at the First Unitarian Parish Center at Benevolent and Benefit Streets in Providence. For more information on volunteering for the Samaritans, call 272-4243.

CAREGIVER STUDY: A recent study titled “Sleep, Burden, Depression and Health of Caregivers to Stroke Victims” that appeared in the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, explores the subjective sleep experiences in order to understand the role that sleep plays in the caregiving experience. Researchers studied 267 caregivers of veterans who had experienced strokes. Results showed a greater risk of depression among caregivers that sleep less, have difficulty achieving daytime enthusiasm, use sleep medications and have poor sleep quality. Caregivers who sleep less are also at greater risk of having poor health themselves.

Programs are produced by senior volunteers and are sponsored by the Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) with the support of COX Communications. Programs are aired on Sundays at 5:00 p.m., Mondays at 7:00 p.m., and Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. over statewide Cox Communications channel 13 and Verizon channel 32.

From April 5 to April 14, NEADS Dogs will air. Libby Arron of Cranston interviews Tracey Poole, Chief of Information and Public Relations for the Adult Correctional Institution, Christie Bassett, Trainer for the National Education for Assistant Dog Services, Debbie Kaszwk and Capt. Nelson Lafabure of the Adult Correctional Institutions.

LEAD PAINT HAZARD SESSIONS: Westbay Community Action’s Lead Hazard Education and Outreach Program, in cooperation with the Healthy Kids Collaborative’s Lead Hazard Reduction Program and RI Housing will offer a free Lead Hazard Mitigation class to owners of rental properties. Most owners of pre-1978 rental units are required to take this 3-hour course.

A free 3-hour Lead Hazard Mitigation Seminar is being offered on Monday, March 30th @ 5:00 p.m., at the Cranston Public Library, located at 140 Sockanosset Crossroads, Cranston Registration is required. For more information, or to register for a class, individuals should contact the Westbay CAP Lead Program at 732-4660, Ext. 144, or e-mail cmarchand@westbaycap.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: The North Kingstown Senior Center has opportunities for Meals on Wheels drivers. The center also needs drivers and telephone workers for the Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH) transportation system. The system provides transportation to medical, social service and dental appointments for seniors in the North Kingstown area. Volunteers are reimbursed for gas expenses. The Davisville Free Library is also in need of volunteers. For information on these volunteer opportunities, call Joan McCabe at the North Kingstown Senior Center at 268-1590.

AoA BUDGET ARTICLES: Edwin L. Walker, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging announces that the Administration on Aging 's (AoA) budget for FY 2009 is nearly $78 million above last year’s level. The budget was part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 11, 2009.

The AoA budget, which totals $1.491 billion, contains a $23.6 million increase for Congregate Nutrition Programs, a $20.6 million increase for Home-Delivered Meals programs, and an increase of $10 million for Home and Community- Based Services. Modest increases have been included for Native American programs, programs that support family caregivers, long term care ombudsman programs that help nursing home residents and their families, senior legal hotlines and pension counseling projects, among others.

“These increases, in particular those for nutrition and home and community-based services, are greatly needed at a time when many older Americans and their families are struggling to make ends meet,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Walker. “This budget supports the President’s efforts to help people and communities cope with our current economic crisis. It also continues to move our national aging services network forward in its efforts to help older Americans stay healthy, remain at home in their communities, avoid costly nursing home stays, and reduce health care costs.” To view the entire FY 2009 AoA Budget, please visit:

OLDER AMERICANS ACT FUNDING: On February 25, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a modest increase in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations budget that included $154.2 million for the National Family Caregiver Support Program. This is a modest increase of $781,000 over last year. The bill also includes $2.5 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Act, which has yet to be funded. The budget includes $214.5 million for home-delivered meals (a $20.6 million increase from FY 2008), and $41.7 million for Aging Network Support, including Choices for Independence programs. As noted above, the FY 2009 budget figure for the Administration on Aging is $4.19 billion. The Senate has not yet approved this bill.

STIMULUS PACKAGE: By now, everyone has heard about the $787 billion economic stimulus package. The package, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, has many provisions that directly affect seniors and aging network agencies. Here are some of those provisions:

The 55 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries, as well as those receiving Veterans and Railroad retirement, will receive a one-time payment of $250. The payment will be delivered in the same way as your regular benefits. Hence, if you receive your benefits by direct deposit, then your payment will go into your direct deposit account. If you receive a paper check, you will receive your payment by check via the mail.

The payment will be separate and will not be added to your normal monthly benefits. This one-time benefit will be distributed in late May. By early June, all payments will be made. Please note; no action is required on your part to receive this payment.

State government employees who are not eligible for Social Security will also receive a $250 payment. The package also provides for a $250 refundable tax credit to those federal and state retirees who worked at a time when their wages were not subject to the Social Security payroll tax. They will have to file a tax return and this credit will reduce the amount they may qualify for under the Making Work Pay Credit, if the filers are still working.

For individuals who may have lost their jobs from September 2008 through the end of 2009 and qualify to extend their health insurance benefits under COBRA, the government will pay 65% of the total cost of the employer premium for the first nine months. Those who did not elect to enroll in COBRA coverage will have 60 days to enroll, if they choose to do so. COBRA is not available to people whose companies go out of business or drop the insurance.

The economic stimulus package includes $100 million in additional funding for senior nutrition programs. Within the $100 million, Congress determined that $65 million must be allocated to congregate meals and $32 million is to be available for home-delivered meals services. Three million dollars is also provided to Native American nutrition services.

In addition to the $500 million set aside for cleaning up the Social Security Administration backlog of disabilities and claims processing, the economic stimulus package also allocates $150 million to acquire and construct state nursing homes and residences, or to modify or remodel existing facilities that serve veterans.

OPINIONS ON LONG TERM CARE: A recent telephone survey of AARP New Hampshire members revealed that 84% of respondents support shifting state funding for long term care away from institutional care and towards home and community based services. In addition, nearly seven in 10 respondents said they are more likely to vote for a candidate for state office who supports increased access to and availability of home and community based services. It is important to note to that the cost of nursing home care in New Hampshire is among the highest in the nation.

OSCIL PROGRAM: The Ocean State Center for Independent Living and Housing Programs assist individuals who are transitioning from nursing facilities and relative’s homes into their own apartments. Often, these persons live on a fixed income and do not have the resources to purchase basic necessities, such as food or to set up a household. Donations to area grocery stores and to local retail department stores would be greatly appreciated. For information, call Lezlee Shaffer at 738-1013, ext. 28.

The Medicaid Global Waiver is an agreement with the federal government about how Medicaid money is spent. Medicaid, a program that funds health services for qualified elderly, disabled, children, and families, is paid for by both the federal and state governments. Under this new agreement, the federal government will relax its Medicaid rules to allow Rhode Island to spend federal Medicaid money on a broader range of services through streamlined administrative processes that would not have been possible without the Medicaid Global Waiver.

Under the current system, federal rules governing how Medicaid money can be spent do not allow for the healthcare innovations Rhode Island envisions. The Global Waiver will facilitate increased consumer responsibility and choice, more emphasis on prevention and wellness, greater reliance on home and community based care, as opposed to institutional care, and simplified administration of the Medicaid dollars. Along with improved health care, the waiver is needed to ensure that Medicaid programs remain affordable. Medicaid spending accounts for 25% of the state budget and is growing at a rate of 7% a year. With state revenue only growing at a 1.8% rate, it is easy to see that Medicaid spending is outpacing our ability to pay. That means that without changing the way we provide and pay for Medicaid services, those services are in danger of being lost. By receiving this Global Medicaid Waiver, Rhode Island will be able to preserve and improve services while keeping them affordable.

The secondary purpose of the Global Waiver is to make Medicaid programs more affordable. So, the expectation is that RI will be saving money and, ultimately, be able to serve more people. In other words, RI will better handle an influx of people into Medicaid programs through the Global Waiver than under the existing system. Although the Global Waiver has planned for many contingencies, if unforeseen and emergent conditions arise that make the Global Waiver unworkable, the State may suspend or terminate the Global Waiver.

No. The State of Rhode Island is bound to follow the eligibility rules that were in place as of November 1, 2008. These eligibility rules cannot be easily changed; any changes must be approved by the state legislature and the federal government.

No. Anyone who is in a nursing home and continues to need a nursing home can stay in the nursing home. With this new waiver, the goal is that people will not be forced to go into nursing homes because they lack choices. The Global Waiver will enable the State of Rhode Island to develop options for people so that more can stay in their homes with the proper supports if they so choose. Under the old Medicaid rules, this was not possible; now, Medicaid money will pay for more home and community-based care options.

Residents in assisted living can remain in assisted living if they so choose. Under the current system, there are limited assisted living slots. Because the Global Medicaid Waiver merges all waivers, it will open up the number of assisted living slots. In addition, the “selected contracting provision” in the Global Medicaid Waiver has the potential of paying certain kinds of assisted living differently, further opening more assisted living beds.

The Medicaid system as we know it has grown over the last forty years. Reforming that system and making it more affordable will not happen overnight; that will take a few years. The first order of business is legislative approval. After that, the Assessment Team will be assembled and new levels of care will be drafted so that Assessment Services will be operating by July 1. In the meantime, departments will be working with providers to offer more home and community based services.

There are already state regulations that dictate whether or not a person requires residential care. T1he new Global Waiver will make two differences. First of all, there will now be more alternatives to residential care so that even if a person requires a high level of care, it may be possible for him/her to receive that care in the home and community. Secondly, an assessment team of medical and social service professionals will be created that will now include the individual and family in the decision-making so that all the options can be studied and the best one chosen.

People are assessed for their skilled needs or their ability to perform what are called, Adult Daily Living Skills. If they require extensive or total dependence they are eligible for nursing home care. Now, with the Global Waiver, more supports will be created that will assist people with these Daily Living Skills in their home or in less restrictive settings.

18. We’ve heard that you’re considering a proposal for the Alliance for Better Long Term Care to send staff into nursing homes to identify candidates for return to the community and do assessments. Is that so, and what can you share with us about that?

The Alliance for Better Long Term Care has been contracted to bring good news to people in nursing homes who might want to live in their own homes or more independently. No one who is in a nursing home will be asked or forced to leave. However, those who want and are able to leave nursing homes due to new home and community based options may do so if they so choose.

Now that money is available for a different range of services, agencies and companies will make the commitment to expanding services and staff. With new opportunities created, smart companies will move toward training and recruitment to take advantage of the Global Waiver.

They would include: housekeeping, nutrition, nursing care, medication management, financial management, medical transportation, physical and occupational therapy, day care, home companions, coordinated medical care, assisted living and other non-institutional living arrangements

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced a series of initiatives to increase awareness and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the Food Stamp Program. The goal of these initiatives is to reach as many low-income households as possible and to provide much-needed help during the recession we are currently undergoing. In particular, the initiatives target the elderly, disabled, unemployed and low-income working families.

DHS is going to streamline the application process for the populations that they have identified for this outreach effort. A shorter, more simplified application and eliminating the asset test for these targeted groups will provide more food assistance to those who need it the most. To make the process even simpler and more responsive, DHS will certify clients for a twelve-month period as opposed to the six-month certification that has been used previously.

In a move designed to reach new populations, such as those persons recently unemployed and receiving unemployment insurance benefits, DHS will partner with the Department of Labor and Training (DLT) to provide information on the Food Stamp Program. DLT is now providing information to this population to enhance awareness of the SNAP. DLT expects to distribute 20,000 informational brochures to this population.

In helping to enhance the outreach efforts for the Food Stamp Program, DHS is aware of the tough economic climate and is trying to assure the necessary nutritional needs for seniors, disabled, unemployed and low-income families. According to DHS, plans to bring about increased awareness and more use of the Food Stamp Program are designed to bring more federal dollars into the state. In anticipation of the success of their outreach efforts, DHS has announced that they will seek to hire nine additional Food Stamp technicians. Current monthly income guidelines for the Food Stamp Program are $1,127 for one person and $1,517 for a couple. Some deductions are subtracted from a person’s gross income. They may include a deduction for household and telephone expenses, an earned income deduction for individuals who are working, and deductions for medical expenses and excess shelter costs. Adults who are eligible for SNAP receive their benefits using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT card is accepted at grocery and retail food stores across the state. For more information on the Food Stamp Program, call the Department of Elderly Affairs at 462-3000 or THE POINT at 462-4444.

The Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA), John O. Pastore Center, Hazard Building, 74 West Road, Cranston, RI 02920 publishes the Information Memorandum. Reader’s comments, suggestions, or items of interest are welcome. The deadline for submission of material is the first of the month for the next monthly publication. The DEA also encourages aging network agencies to reprint any articles that appear in the Information Memorandum or The Older Rhode Islander. Permission to reprint this material is not required by DEA. For additional information on DEA publications, call Larry Grimaldi at 462-0509. To send a FAX, dial 462-0503; or e-mail larry@dea.state.ri.us.

Vice President Joe Biden announced that the Department of Health and Human Services will award $100 million in Recovery Act funding to provide meals to tens of thousands of low-income older Americans in need. The funding is expected to provide nearly 14 million meals nationwide.

"Across the country, older Americans depend on senior centers and home delivery programs for regular, healthy meals. Today, more senior citizens are in need, but the programs they depend on are on the brink of reducing their services or closing down," said Vice President Biden. "The Recovery Act will help ensure older Americans are not forced to choose between paying bills and buying food."

The Recovery Act provides $65 million for congregate nutrition services provided at senior centers and other community sites, $32 million for home delivered nutrition services delivered to frail elders at home and $3 million for Native American nutrition programs. The funding will be awarded to 56 states and territories and 246 tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. States will award the funds to organizations that provide nutrition services in their communities. Funding for nutrition programs for seniors in the Older Americans Act was initially authored and championed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

The Recovery Act funding comes as budget constraints have forced states and tribes to limit community-based services and critical Older Americans Act related services, including home-delivered meals. Across the country, organizations that serve senior citizens have scaled back services and limited the number of meals served per week.

The economic downturn has also made it difficult for many seniors to afford the right foods to keep themselves healthy and active. Additionally, many seniors may be too impaired to prepare nutritious meals for themselves. Without regular nutritious meals, the health of many older Americans declines; they become more susceptible to illness;

The activities described in this release are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To track the progress of HHS activities funded through the ARRA, visit www.hhs.gov/recovery. To track all federal funds provided through the ARRA, visit