Assessment on Senior Connections
Introduction
Organizations aimed at helping the old play a significant role in providing essential services to the less fortunate in the society. Numerous agencies have been established to assist them, one being the Senior Connections. The article is aimed at assessing the performance of Senior Connections and various activities they engage in. Through studying the organization’s website and other materials, we will be able to look into what they do. The topic is crucial as it shall help us understand the role it plays in assisting the elderly population.
Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit private organization based in Richmond, Virginia which was started in 1973. According to Senior Connection (2017), their mission is to empower the elderly with the aim of living with dignity and choice. Under the leadership of Thelma Bland Watson who is the Executive Director, the organization can carry out its day-to-day operations. It is governed by a Board of Directors, and its Advisory Council provides it with counseling. Senior Connection is aimed at providing services to the disabled, aged population living in Richmond. The organization offers the services at no cost.
Many services are availed by the institution with the aim of reaching out to the problems the aged undergo. Some of the services include insurance counseling, money management, senior employment, volunteer opportunities, information and assistance, caregiver support, care management, and nutrition through home-delivered meals and friendship cafes. The information and assistance program attend to roughly 25000 phone calls on an annual basis from both the seniors and caregivers who are looking for assistance (Senior Connections, 2017). Through the program, the seniors can locate services that suit their needs. They receive funding from the provisions provided under the Older Americans Act and funds from the state which are dispensed by the Virginia Department for the aging. United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg also provide financial support. The organization is in right relationship with all the stakeholders funding them. Senior connections also accept a contribution from people through the United Way and Combined Virginia Campaign- CVC code 3877. The kind of resources received are mostly money, but they also accept free services offered by the professionals in training their staff.
Clients get to hear about the organizational through referrals, and the organization also makes sure that their telephone numbers are distributed among the people of Richmond so as effectively communicate with those who need help. The establishment does not discriminate anybody in their process of administering services. The senior connection is part of a large group of organizations in the USA who are offering services to the less fortunate. They are among a group 700 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) with those located in Virginia being 25. According to William (2013), the number of people over 65 years of age by 2030 will be 72 million, an alarming figure. Organizations such as Senior Connections enables the frail elder people to avoid accumulating huge bills which may end up being overwhelming. On the other hand, the establishment offers two Employment Assistance Programs. Hence helping in reducing the old age dependency ratio.
Caregiver Support services provide various services to the elderly. They present information concerning the services available, assistance on how to access other supportive services, training of support groups to help them in solving problems and making the right decision, and they also provide emergency response systems. The Care Coordination Program arrange services according to each need. They hire people to assist in household chores, driving to the doctor’s office and shopping. Modifications are also done to accommodate those who are physically challenged by constructing a wheelchair ramp. They also help in installing safety devices. Senior Connections even cares about the meals the elderly take to make sure they obtain the necessary nutrients. Home Delivered Meals Program provides hot meals consisting of fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy foods. Special diets for those who have diabetes or vegetarians are also offered.
Finally, the establishment has an insurance counseling program called the Virginia Insurance Counselling Assistance Program with trained volunteer counselors. They assist the elderly with medical care and help them in comparing Medicare, and the benefits of various health insurance. Leatherby states that the seniors receive more medical attention than any of the demography in the USA (2016). Reports also show that by 2030 there will be an increase in medical and health insurance cost, demand on social security system will rise, and even long-term care for the elderly will be high. Consequently, should be taken to ensure they choose the health insurance that fits their needs and we come up with ways of providing them with the necessary resources in the future.
Conclusion
From the article, we can see the vital role the Senior Connection play in assisting the aging population. Through the employment program, the seniors can secure employment, and the insurance counseling program enables the aged to select the best health insurance. As a result, the seniors can live a better life.
References
Leatherby, L. (2016, February 22). Medical spending among the U.S. elderly. Retrieved November 7, 2017, from Journalist’s Resource: https://journalistsresource.org/studies/government/health-care/elderly-medical-spending-medicare
Senior Connections. (2017, November 6). The Resource for Aging Well. Retrieved from Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging: www.seniorconnections-va.org
Williams, G. (2013, November 15). 5 Tips for Helping an Elderly Parent or Relative Pay Bills. Retrieved November 7, 2017, from U.S. News: https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finances/articles/2013/11/15/5-tips-for-helping-an-elderly-parent-or-relative-pay-bills
