OWATONNA HEALTHY SENIORS PROGRAM
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Mission Statement
The Owatonna Healthy Seniors Program dba Healthy Seniors of Steele County (HSSC) is a community-based 501 C3 non-profit agency providing needed support & services to keep seniors safely living well at home. Healthy Seniors of Steele County mission is to recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers to provide support services to help seniors 65 and older in need to live healthy, safe and independently in their own homes, to prolong the length of spending down into Medical Assistance and, to divert nursing home placements. We look at this Purpose as building an infrastructure of care to meet the increasing numbers of elderly, which involves case management, service coordination, support of caregivers, advocacy for seniors and caregivers, engaging businesses, churches, social organizations, county services, medical services, schools/colleges, other non-profits, for profits aging services, assisted living facilities and short term care facilities, to help identify at risk seniors, to overcome barriers the senior may face, and increase the number of seniors and their caregivers served in minority populations and rural areas within Steele County. There is no fee to the seniors for services but donations and memorials are accepted. HSSC is serving 1,467 clients throughout Steele County. Seniors are able to continue to live in their neighborhoods and community with dignity and quality of life. Many of our seniors and caregivers are low income, below poverty levels and cannot afford to pay for support or services to safely live well at home. Based upon 2014 Aging population census data, there is a 26% increase in seniors age 65 and older that reside in Steele County now in 2020. It is common knowledge that the nation is aging rapidly. Living Longer on Less: The New Economic (in) Security of Seniors, reports that 78% of all senior households are financially vulnerable. A fact sheet from AARP says Social Security is the only source of income for almost three in ten Minnesotans age 65+. The fastest growing segment of Minnesota’s aging population are those people over the age of 85; who are most likely to need the support of family, friends, and the community to remain living independently. As seniors progress in years, resources within the community and what they qualify for are important as they want to be able to afford to remain living independently. It is hard for many seniors to allow external persons in their home as they are afraid of being told they cannot continue to stay in their home. As Seniors begin to feel vulnerable, and are living on fixed incomes, cost of services/housing in assisted living facilities become alarming to seniors that have not properly planned, therefore, do not realize the cost as they begin needing essential core service supports to continue to live independently. In many cases, seniors do not have an informal support system in the community in which they live or they do not want to burden their children by asking for help. As time goes on, as friends move or die they become more isolated and less involved in the community. With help and support when they have a problem, knowing what resources are available, being matched up with a volunteer that enjoys doing things they do, the volunteer can be the "go to" person when they may be in need of going to the doctor, getting groceries, reviewing paperwork, helping with things as needed, relieving the burden of caregiving, and in many cases, as the friendships develops, expanding into the caregiver role. As part of the vision of HSSC, we see the individual having the option of being surrounded by family, friends and community, rather than by an institution. Service Coordinators act as case managers, making referrals and providing support to reduce stress for the participant. Stress is a major cause of disease, falling, and inability to function. Caregivers receive services enabling them to reduce stress and provide better care. HSSC empowers seniors and caregivers to be independent, maintain quality of life, by offering emotional support, connection to needed resources either volunteer or professional, and assistance in decision making. Fall Prevention Education and Safety Assessments will be used to educate seniors on home safety. There are those we serve who have issues of memory loss, dementia, anxiety, Depression, lack of clarity in processing information, or inability to move forward with large life decisions that need to be made for their own protection and in their best interest. Many do not have someone with whom to talk about these issues, no family or friends available. These decisions might involve moving, placing a spouse in a care facility, getting a homemaker/housekeeper, getting a home health aide, giving up driving, etc.. HSSC service coordinators are noticing approximately one out of every five intakes conducted, a senior is living with some form of dementia in the home.
About This Cause
Healthy Seniors of Steele County (HSSC) is a community-based non-profit agency that identifies and connects seniors with community resources, supports and volunteerism to fill in the gaps of service and to help them age well in their own home. HSSC collaborates and has established community partners including: county human and public health services, medical/public service entities, schools/colleges, other non-profits, for profits aging services, assisted living facilities and short term care facilities, to help identify at risk seniors, to overcome barriers the senior may face, and increase the number of seniors and their caregivers served in minority populations and rural areas within Steele County. Healthy Seniors of Steele County’s core strengths include: A key to aging well and healthy aging is the relationship component. • Community: HSSC staff is in the homes and communities of seniors building relationships, assessing the needs and supports they currently have and providing assistance to help create a system of support. • Volunteerism: Recruiting and coordinating volunteers to increase support and services. • Connecting Resources: through partnering and advocating for services on seniors behalf • Stewardship: Service over self and being called to help others in our community sustained through being responsible with time and resources. Services are determined by requests from elders, Steele County Human Service workers, Family Members, Public Health Nurses, Nursing Home Management, Assisted Living Management, State Department of Human Services, Owatonna Hospital & Mayo Clinic Professionals, Alzheimer’s Association, Parkinson’s Association, Clergy and perish nurses. HSSC is a participant and learns about new information regarding emerging needs provided by State and local meetings on needs and best practices which includes the Living at Home State Conference, MN Aging State Convention Age Odyssey and video conferences provided by the State Department of Human Services, and the MN Council of Non-profits. HSSC request is to provide support services and case management through a County-wide Neighbor to Neighbor program that provides the following: Volunteers serving seniors, networking & collaboration, education, Senior & Caregiver Support & Advocacy, Fall Prevention, outreach and referrals. 1. The volunteer component provides a consistent effort to recruit, train and coordinate volunteers to serve seniors in need. HSSC currently has 559 volunteers serving 1,510 seniors throughout Steele County. HSSC volunteers and staff have performed the following: respite, friendly visiting, chores, Nurse-in checks, medical escorts/patient advocates, emergency transportation, grocery shopping, appointments, caregiver support, Fall clean-up, chore requests, weekly social activities, social calling, meals and food package delivery, home safety assessments, fall prevention education, exercise to strengthen balance and prevent falls. 2. Collaboration/education with many organizations & agencies throughout Steele County. A.) HSSC partners with local assisted livings & memory care facility in caregiver support. This partnership and caregiver education helps family members and spouses cope with the stresses of caregiving, counseling, caregiver education techniques are part of the education & support provided. B.) Fall Prevention and Healthy Partners are promoted throughout Steele County collaborative partners provide fall prevention referrals for home safety assessments and a twelve week concentration of fall prevention/home safety, balance & strength exercise and chore to prevent risk of falls). C.) In Support of Alzheimer's Group through the Alzheimer's Association chapter in Owatonna. Promote education series to caregivers of agency, presentations and newsletter. D.) Riverland Community College - Human Service Field Experience for students. E.) Senior Networking - approximately 29 entities with representatives ranging from non-profit, for profit Health Care entities, MN Prairie County Human Services, Public Health, Sister Kinney Courage Center, hospice, assisted living, nursing homes and faith-based entities. 3.) Outreach is a big part of HSSC in each of the communities throughout Steele County in order to recruit local volunteers and find seniors 65 and older that are in need of needed support & services to continue to safely live well at home. We strive to provide the best possible service to seniors and their caregivers throughout the entire county. HSSC office, staff and Board of Directors live & work throughout the county to be accessible to seniors and build a strong presence by being involved in each of the communities. Volunteers are recruited and help seniors in rural and poverty situations throughout the county. A county-wide newsletter is distributed electronically and by mail to over 700 residents/businesses Spring, Summer and Winter. Partnering agencies contact information is provided. 4.) Resource and Referrals are made by HSSC representatives on a local, county and statewide level. A big portion of caregivers HSSC serves live extensive distances away from the senior in need. HSSC receives referrals through partnering agencies, Live at Home Network, police, public health, Senior Linkage Line, Steele County Human Services, Owatonna discharge planners, clinic social workers that are bilingual, and non-profit agencies. 5.) Engaging community through volunteerism by decreasing isolation and loneliness. By providing social opportunities and connecting matches gives many individuals and families a sense of purpose, Neighbors Helping Neighbors - Service is Mutual. In many cases volunteers receive as much from being involved with seniors as the senior in need of needed support to safely continue to live independently in their own home.