Objectives

Philosophy

• Including the family members as an integral component

• Education is the major ingredient for success

• Consumers (elders/families) are not well informed on long term care issues/services

• One organization/agency cannot do it alone

Major Components

• Community Outreach

• Community Coalition

• Business Partnerships

Strategies

• Active involvement in the larger community

• Well connected to service providers and community leaders

• Utilize a multi method approach

• Keep a pulse on trends/issues in long term care

• Advocate - Advocate - Advocate

Community Outreach

• Web Site

• Newsletter

• Involvement on Boards, Committees and Local Associations

• Presentations

Community Outreach

• Churches & Associations

• Area Agencies on Aging

• Elder Care Organizations

• Health Care Systems

• Governmental Agencies

• Media

Community Coalition- Breakthrough Coalition

• Over 125 Elder Care Organizations, individuals and companies

• Work together to improve the lives of elders in our community

• Committed to a collaborative spirit, is dedicated to life enhancement for older adults within the community

Community Coalition- Breakthrough Coalition

• 13 Years in operations

• Work is produced through several sub-committees

• Outreach; Religious Advocacy; Steering; Elder Count; Resource Guide; Education; Injury Prevention; Grandparent Network (new)

Community Coalition- Breakthrough Coalition

• Provides networking, sharing, education, and a coordinated effort

• Concerted advocacy efforts

• Produces products

Community Resource

Guide, Training Programs,

Educational Materials & Seminars

• Bi-monthly educational workshops

Business Partners

• 12 Businesses

• Over 15,000 employees

• To address the negative impact on the workplace from employed caregivers trying to balance work and family life

Caring Workplace

• Responds to Work Place Elder Care Issues

• Addresses both the Employer and the Employee needs

• Fulfills the Mission of St. Andrew’s

Caring Workplace Partners

Caring Workplace

Connects Elders/Families to

• Experts in the non health related resources and products - such as:

• Attorneys

• Financial Planners

• Moving Assistance Professionals

• Home Veterinarian Services

The Caregiver

• 49 % of the caregivers are baby boomers

• 56 % are women and 44 % are men

• 75 % have one or two children

• “Elder Care is today’s fastest growing work-family employee benefit.”

Rationale

1/2 of all caregivers are employed outside the home and account for....

• 73 percent of early departures and late arrivals

• Utilize “long and frequent” phone calls

• Have more mistakes, accidents, conflicts and poor morale

• Increased health problems

Cost of Caregiving

Employed caregivers are estimated to cost American businesses up to

• $29 billion annually in lost productivity, worker replacement, and absenteeism

Cost of Caregiving

• Individuals lose nearly $659,000 over their lifetime in lost wages, social security and pension contributions due to:

• Turning down promotions and assignments

• Taking early retirement

Business Partners

Provides…

• Family caregivers services and support

• Education

• Home Assessments

Other Partners

• Financial Planners/Advisors

• Financial Management Firms

• Elder Care Lawyers

• Realtors

• Travel Agencies

• EMTs

The Te of Piglet

Let’s find a Way

Today

That can take us to tomorrow--

Follow that Way,

A Way like flowing water.

The sun is high

The road is wide,

And it starts where we are standing.

No one knows

How far it goes,

For the road is never-ending.