All States/Territories

Try This is a series of assessment tools where each issue focuses on a topic specific to the older adult population. Each issue is a 2-page document with a description of why the topic is important when caring for older patients on the first page, and an assessment tool that can be administered in 20 minutes or less on the second page. A publication of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, the series of over 20 assessments is accessible online and also as hard copy.

A public voice for caregivers, the Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) offers information education, services, research and advocacy programs to support and sustain the vital work of families caring for loved ones. The website offers fact sheets, audio archives, referrals, newsletters, issue briefs and reports. A newly updated resource map called Caregiving Across the States allows state administrators, policy makers, and caregivers to access state-by-state data from an interactive database.

Vermont is changing their long-term care systems and in a shift from nursing homes, the state has family members care for elderly relatives. A recent Wall Street Journal cover story details the changes. Some of the new home and community based services include the development of the Choices for Care program.

One in five people in a typical office is likely to experience a mental illness each year. Experts increasingly acknowledge how work is a key factor in supporting mental wellness, warding off symptoms of mental illness and helps throughout the recovery process. This online brochure offers information, reviews the potential risks and benefits of telling your employer that you have a mental illness, and offers links to resources that provide information on mental health in the workplace.

WV Real Choice worked in collaboration with other agencies and organizations to create improvements in long term support systems so persons with disabilities and/or long term illnesses can make their own choices and have the necessary supports to live and work in their communities. The grant worked on many recreation activities including the attached guide (and web version) created to list accessible recreation sites, features and locations of destinations for state residents and visitors.

Transition can be defined as a continuing process toward independent adulthood. This paper illustrates the time line and products developed to foster improvements in the transition process for students with disabilities as partial fulfillment for the WV Real Choice Systems Change grant. In February 2005, an initial summit was held on youth transition to accurately assess the stance of educators, other professionals and parents. The results of this and future meetings can be found in this report.

The Real Choice Systems Change grant created a turn-key curriculum to promote inclusive community support for West Virginians of all ages and all disability types. Accessible curriculum addressing advocacy, community living, self-determination and transition was developed for the public, health care and social service providers, administrators and policymakers. A writing retreat was held to create the document and the outcomes and curriculum index were made available in electronic format.

The Oregon Dept. of Human Services, Division of Seniors and People with Disabilities (SPD) contracted with Human Service Research Institute to develop a consumer survey exploring the satisfaction of people served by SPD in-home Waiver programs (seniors, people with physical and developmental disabilities). The project team worked collaboratively with SPD staff and Stakeholder Group to develop a survey instrument and process that adequately addresses the interests and concerns of all involved.

Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital has designed supports for youth with disabilities and their families as they transition from youth to adulthood. The three stage program creates a \"medical home\" for the youth age 14-21, creating relevant goals, and working with schools and community agencies to meet objectives. Resources included: initial assessment, checklists for the three areas of development (medical, psychosocial, and independent living), a parent checklist, and a bibliography.

How many hoops does a customer have to jump through to receive services? The goal of this self-assessment is to help ADRCs serve as leaders in systems change in the area of streamlined access. The paper outlines several hoops that individuals often have to navigate to gain access to information about LTC services beginning with the initial call. This report contains examples from current grantees, offers context and can be used as a tool for developing a clear strategy for streamlining access.