Creative Solutions to Senior Issues

• Manchester, N.H.: Changed state Medicaid regulations to allow some nursing-home beds to be used for temporary respite care; developed aging sensitivity curriculum in local high schools.
• Maui, Hawaii: Started job-shadowing program to encourage high schoolers to pursue geriatric fields; used public-access television to raise awareness of health care programs for older adults; retrofitted houses in rural villages to keep Hawaiian elders home for as long as possible.
• Riverside County, Calif.: Created a program to reimburse volunteers for driving older adults to and from doctor visits, grocery shopping, personal appointments, etc.
• Atlanta, Ga.: Created a fund called Thanks Mom & Dad, a vehicle to raise tax-deductible contributions for aging services in the region and recognize loved ones; changed zoning laws to favor senior-friendly housing, especially for those who want to downsize and stay in their neighborhoods.
• Broome County, N.Y.: Addressed diabetes epidemic among elderly with a community-wide weight-loss program; used mapping software to geographically explore crime patterns and services to promote multicultural understanding among seniors and determine where services were most needed.
• Waynesville, N.C.: Launched a “Drive a Friend” volunteer program with 16 churches to meet on-demand senior transportation needs, often same-day requests for trips to doctors and stores.
• Fremont, Calif.: Expanded its senior help line to include foreign-language translations; engaged teens in movie outings to assist frail seniors; trained postal workers to recognize warning signs of seniors and make referrals.

Source: Community Partnerships for Older Adults. On the Web:
partnershipsforolderadults.org