Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center Annual Report 2014

Our Mission The Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, Inc. develops, manages and provides comprehensive services for seniors, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities in order to maintain their independence and quality of life. 84 Progress Lane, Waterbury, CT 06705 Phone: 203-757-5449 or 1-800-994-9422 CHCP Direct phone: 203-465-1000 & Fax: 203-465-1030 Website: www.wcaaa.org

Developed in partnership with the Northwest Regional Mental Health Board

2014 Board of Directors Pat Bria, CPA, President Fenn Quigley, Vice President Dolores Winans, Secretary Atty. Michael Giardina, Treasurer Dr. Joseph DeMayo, Member at Large to Executive Committee Ed Dearborn Judy Begley Jeffrey Winter Atty. Alyson Marcucio John Boccuzzi Howard Raff Judith Hogan Ingrid Manning

2014 Advisory Council

Rita Caruso Donna-Jean Lavoie Carol Deane Carolyn DeRocco Mary Kate Gill

Ellen Durstin - President Marc Figlar – Vice President Bruno Kolakauskas - Secretary Audrey Grove Tami Ostroski Donna-Jean Lavoie Linda Pinckney Sharon Massafra Charles Rado Richard Memmott Irene Riccuito Linda Musco Sylvia Saarnijoki Anastasia Timpko

Thank you to our most faithful Volunteers Mary Agnus-Pusheffski, Nicole, Bakalar, Marcia Baldwin, Gloria Beeny, John Brink, Kathy Brennan, Agnes Britton, Phil Burdick, Janet Byrnes, Jane Canfield, Catherine Capuano, Rita Caruso, Marilyn Chaplen, Carol Corona, Peter Cronin, Marilyn Daversa, Josie Dellamaggio, Dr. Joseph DeMayo, Ellen Durstin, Francine DuVerger, Filipe Flores, Karen Gaudian, Anne Goia, Lewis Gross, Paul Hinckley, Robert Hoey, Joseph Hogan, Madeline Kenefic, Peggy Kucinskas, Bill Lowenthal, Bernice Mccary, Dawn Macary, Peggy May, Marie McLenithan, Hugh McQuillan, Nancy Merbaum, Diane Millas, Jeannette Mitrukiewicz, John Monteleone, Susan Monteleone, Cassie Murphy, Grace Napolitano, Kerry Palmer, Joe Pasquarella, Jeffrey Patrick, Caroline Pereira, Joan Peterson, Pat Pierzanowski, Linda Pinckney, Janet Porto, Coleen Poulos, Mary Repko, Linda Ricciardi, Susan Ricciardi, Louise Riley, Marilyn Rossi, Gail Seymour, Dana Sierakowski, Sandy Silano, Sheila Silverman, Mary Smith, Eleanor Spadola, Margaret Sweeney, Janet Telford, Nick Tetreault, Lucille Thomas, Phebe Thurston, Chris Tripp, Betty Wells, Marilyn Wilkes, Dolores Winans, Nancy Witkowski and Janice Zwicker.

OTHER FACTS The WCAAA’s Registered Dietitians assessed 950 MOW clients and provided 1893 hours of Nutrition Education/ Counseling. Our Social Service and Nutrition contractors provided over 705,778 units of service for over 9336 participants in FFY2014.

FROM THE WCAAA Audit - 2014 Functional Expenses

From Our President The WCAAA Board of Directors is truly a leadership oriented group of western area residents and we spend countless hours discussing the needs of seniors that can be accommodated with decreasing federal and state funds. It is truly gratifying to know that our funding helps thousands of seniors and younger persons with disabilities annually. The Board of Directors invites everyone to become involved with seniors’ services through volunteerism and we encourage contact with the

Our audited administrative rate was 6.2%.

WCAAA to explore volunteer possibilities.

Pat Bria, CPA

2014 Live well workshop (CDSMP) SPECIAL THANKS FOR TARGETED OUTREACH Thanks to the CT Community Foundation as well as another local funding source, the WCAAA initiated a special outreach effort last year to identify and provide benefits’ assistance to seniors living within targeted western area towns. In 2014, we were able to reach over 650 seniors to maximize their personalized benefits and follow through to ensure they were realized.

Counselors were able to reach out to seniors in their homes if Homebound.

Number of WCAAA Clients who Received Services directly through the WCAAA in FFY'2014

77

187 215

1007

177

NFCSP Respite NFCSP Supplemental CSRCP CHSP CHCP

Direct Services include Companionship, Homemaking, Personal Care, Home Health Aides, Skilled Nursing Visits, Adult Day Care, Personal Emergency Response Systems, Live-In Services, Services, Counseling, and Case Management. The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) has financed $29,988 for 143 clients’ respite services such as those above and $51,400 for supplemental services to assist 187 clients through September 30, 2014. Supplemental services may include minor home repairs or non-Medicare durable medical equipment.

Elderly Health Screening In 2014, there were 43 Elderly Health Screenings held at various senior housing sites and senior centers throughout our 41 town region. Approximately 895 people attended these events for dental, vision, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. Over 50% of the tests indicated abnormality status which resulted in referrals to private physicians.

Money Follows the Program The Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a federal program that helps Medicaid eligible individuals currently living in long-term facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals, and other qualified institutions successfully transition back to the community. Each plan is based on the person’s needs and at each step of the transition process, the person is given choices. The WCAAA transitioned 39 consumers from institutions into community living during the past fiscal year.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program The Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program (CSRCP) has financed $341,710 for respite services such as those above to assist 370 clients in State Fiscal Year 2014. The Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) served 177 qualifying elderly housing residents with direct services such as those above in Federal Fiscal Year 2014. The WCAAA also manages 8 Resident Service Coordinators (RSC) at 10 housing sites with over 950 apartments, some of which qualify for various financing options. CT Home Care Program (CHCP) As of July 1, 2013, the WCAAA became an Area Agency to implement the CHCP in Waterbury proper. Currently, we have 1007 active CHCP participants. Their direct contact information is (203) 465-1000 (telephone) and (203) 465-1030 (fax).

The Live Well Workshops are for people with ongoing health conditions, their family members, friends and caregivers! Live Well is a behavioral and social program designed to help people gain self-confidence in their ability to control their symptoms and how their health problems affect their lives. In FFY 2014, 8 Live Well leaders have been trained, 7 workshops were held throughout our towns, and over 55 participants were enrolled in the program.

Tech Act Project The WCAAA’s new Assisted Technology Center sponsored by Connecticut Tech Act Project works to increase access and awareness of assistive devices to remove daily living barriers. We provided 312 personalized demonstrations in the community and conducted 80 public awareness events in FFY2014.

Meals by Region

C.H.O.I.C.E.S The CHOICES program is a collaborative effort of the Connecticut State Department on Aging, the five State Area Agencies on Aging, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Services are unbiased Medicare and Related Insurance Counseling, Information and Referral, alerts under the Medicare Fraud program and benefit eligibility screening. The information is free, confidential, and can assist all people on Medicare or new to the Medicare system. The WCAAA also offers information on senior public housing, transportation services, health services, support groups, volunteering opportunities, and more. CHOICES staff and volunteers are available for presentations on Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Medicare Fraud, Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid and other benefit programs. During FFY14, CHOICES attended 119 events which included Presentations, Health Fairs, Radio Shows, Web Events, and Enrollment events. CHOICES also received and responded to a total of 6979 calls for assistance.

Aging and Disability Resource Center The WCAAA and Independence Northwest formed a partnership called Community Choices and was designated as the second Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in Connecticut. Community Choices offers the general public a single point of entry for information and assistance on issues affecting older people, persons with disabilities and their families, and caregivers. During FFY 2014, our ADRC received 649 calls for assistance. Most frequent topics addressed were information on In-home services, the CT Home Care Program, National Family Caregiver Support Program, the CT Statewide Respite Care Programs, evictions, foreclosures, homelessness, Medicaid, and Housing.

Home Delivered CNV

Elderly Nutrition Project 27% 25%

44%

21% 35%

48%

Home Delivered HV Home Delivered LH/NW Congregate CNV

Congregate HV Congregate LH/NW

In FFY 2014, our Elderly Nutrition Project providers were New Opportunities, Inc. for the Central Naugatuck Valley (CNV), CW Resources for the Housatonic Valley (HV) area, and City of Torrington for the Litchfield Hills – Northwest (LH/NW) towns. That year, New Opportunities, Inc. supplied 58,324 congregate meals and 149,374 home delivered meals in CNV, CW Resources supplied 30277 congregate meals and 68529 home delivered meals in HV. The City of Torrington provided 33038 congregate meals and 118,718 home delivered meals. Our congregate meal sites in FFY 2014 were: Torrington Senior Center, Litchfield First Congregational Church, Falls Village Congregation Church, Winsted Senior Center, Norfolk Meadowbrook Housing, Kent Templeton Farms, Town Grove (Lakeville), Harwinton Senior Center, Morris Senior Center, Prospect Senior Center, Jewish Federation of Southbury, Southbury Senior Center, Watertown Falls Avenue Senior Center, Mt. Olive Senior Center, Naugatuck Senior Center, Hispanic Coalition, Cheshire Senior Center, Middlebury Senior Center, Wolcott Senior Center, Thomaston Clare Hall, Woodbury Senior Center, Painted Pony Restaurant, Elenni’s Restaurant, Seven Villages, Montero’s Restaurant, Pisano’s Restaurant, Brass House, American Pie Restaurant, Brookfield Senior Center, Danbury Senior Center, New Fairfield Senior Center, New Milford Senior Center, Newtown Senior Center, Heritage Senior Center.

2014 and 2015 Awards by the WCAAA The WCAAA receives state and federal funds which are then awarded to local nonprofit organizations through a request for proposal process. Annually, over 25 volunteers are involved in the WCAAA’s process of reviewing applications and their recommendations are seriously considered by the Board of Directors in making final awards. FFY 2014 Almost Home Adult Day Care 12,400 Geer ADC 13,850 WCAAA I & R 79,844 Naugatuck Transp 11,157 Torrington Handi. Transp 32,097 NO Inc. Senior Comp Transp 7,000 NW Rural Transit 56,928 Beacon Falls Transp 6,500 Waterbury Senior Shuttle 26,040 Waterbury TRIAD 12,715 Independence Northwest 6,716 CT Legal Services 40,539 CHSP Management 5,787 CHSP Services 64,726 Torrington Chore 40,472 NO, Inc. Chore 33,660 Litchfield Hills Chore 39,107 Chore Services 68,526 Helping Hands Chore 33,088 NO, Inc. Money Mgmt. 10,000 CACD Emergency Fuel 12,000 NO, Inc. Emergency Fuel 20,000

Renewal House Family Intervention Ctr. Sullivan Senior Center Harwinton Senior Center Hispanic Coalition MIS System Grace Meadows Nunnawauk Meadows City of Torrington Nutrition NO, Inc. Nutrition CW Resources Naugatuck YMCA Community Hlth Center Waterbury YMCA CDSMP Waiver CT Legal Services GRG Naugatuck YMCA GRG Education Connect GRG Abbott Terrace ADC Alz. Almost Home ADC Alz. Geer ADC Alz.

5,000 34,132 8,657 9,000 17,000 66,314 4,500 21,518 753,280 986,561 521,280 18,599 10,586 5,481 15,149 15,000 15,520 12,000 10,804 10,803 10,803

FFY 2015 Almost Home Adult Day Care Geer ADC WCAAA I & R Naugatuck Transp Torrington Handi. Transp NO Inc. Senior Comp Transp NW Rural Transit Beacon Falls Transp Waterbury Senior Shuttle Waterbury TRIAD Independence Northwest CT Legal Services CHSP Management CHSP Services Torrington Chore NO, Inc. Chore Litchfield Hills Chore Chore Services Helping Hands Chore NO, Inc. Money Mgmt. CACD Emergency Fuel NO, Inc. Emergency Fuel

11,100 12,500 79,844 12,495 32,097 6,000 54,881 5,000 31,000 11,000 7,000 40,539 5,787 64,726 40,474 33,669 36,117 65,525 30,110 10,000 7,000 15,000

Renewal House Family Intervention Ctr. Sullivan Senior Center Harwinton Senior Center Hispanic Coalition MIS System Grace Meadows Nunnawauk Meadows City of Torrington Nutrition NO, Inc. Nutrition CW Resources Naugatuck YMCA Community Hlth Center Waterbury YMCA CDSMP Waiver CT Legal Services GRG Naugatuck YMCA GRG Abbott Terrace ADC Alz. Almost Home ADC Alz. Geer ADC Alz.

5,000 32,427 6,200 9,000 14,000 66,314 4,500 24,106 753,280 986,561 521,280 19,999 10,000 5,486 15,149 15,000 10,520 10,000 10,000 10,000