Aging & Developmental Disability-Just the Basics

OPADD NIAGARA Beginnings Creation of Niagara Region OPADD 7 Representatives from Developmental 6 Representatives from Seniors Sector

Committee Representation

CCAC CL Associations Alzheimer's Seniors Community Services Access Centers Networks of Specialized Care Long Term Care Psycho-geriatric Resources MCSS Program Supervisor Specialized Clinical Services

Beyond Committee Formation Getting the word out about OPADD

Provincial & Niagara Network Initiative March 2007 joint sector workshop hosted

Purposeful Planning-Just the Basics Developmental Sector –

*Aging 101

The natural aging

process

Purposeful Planning-Just the Basics Seniors Sector-

*Developmental Disability 101

Start at the very

beginning

Purposeful Planning-Our Ultimate Vision

Bring them all together towards Building Effective Partnerships

Why?

So that every older adult with a developmental disability would have the same rights to supports and services as all older Ontarians.

Each sector would become dedicated to ensuring quality of life for older adults with developmental disabilities through transition planning that includes equal access to seniors' community and residential programs.

Questions?

The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society NOW: 500,00 Canadians

- 1 in 11 persons over 65 have Dementia- 72% are women- Not all are old - 71,000 < 65 (14%)

- 50,000 < 60 (10%)- Brain changes of AD (plaques and tangles)

are found in 100% of adults with Down Syndrome over age 30

Some Other Interesting Statistics… A new case every 7 seconds (world) A new case every 4 minutes (Canada) 3rd most expensive disease in Canadian

Healthcare (causes > 70% Nursing Home admissions)

1 in 4 Canadians have a family member 1 in 2 Canadians knows someone with dementia The prevalence of dementia in Canada will

increase in the next twenty years from the current 450,000 to approximately 750,000

First Link®: Purpose

An active referral program to help support persons with dementia and their families throughout the course of the disease.

First Link®: Why was it started? To link newly diagnosed individuals and

families to learning, support, services To maintain linkages and provide support

throughout the continuum of the disease To increase effective utilization of community

resources To reduce incidence and intensity of

caregiver stress To raise community awareness about ADRD

Key Elements of First Link®

Direct referrals Early intervention and on-going support Community collaboration Learning opportunities All services are FREE

Community Collaboration

Community partnerships are essential to the success of dementia services and supports

Increased communication through initial referral process and referral follow up

Reduced duplication of services Access to the right provider at the right time Families appreciate and benefit from learning

from different health care professionals

Dementia Education Series’

First Steps – (PWD and care partner) First Steps for Family and Friends (early

stage information) Care Essentials (day-to-day challenges - mid

stages) Options for Care (mid to late stage) Care in the Later Stages (end-stage)

Currently…

A referral to First Link® is considered best practice in the provision of dementia care

26 Alzheimer Society Chapters are offering the First Link® program in Ontario: the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan and of British Columbia are also offering First Link®

Anywhere in Canada, the Alzheimer Society should be the health care providers first contact after diagnosis

OPADD Hamilton

Hosted a regional forum 2004 Sponsorship from OPADD Local communities identified local priorities Developed a project workplan Developed Hamilton Steering Committee

MCSS Innovation Fund

Short term fiscal funding 2006 1 of 4 keystones: Aging & Developmental

Disabilities Key Activities: a) build on previous work from

community forum

b) assessing needs – use of service provider surveys

c) literature review

Definition

Adults with a developmental disability who are experiencing the losses/impacts typically associated with the aging process

Survey Findings

Numbers of people with a developmental disability in LTC

Numbers of people with a developmental disability over age of 65 in DS agencies

Needs of target population

Best Practices Findings

Range of service and support options

Flexible support model

Major Themes

Continuum of care and support options

Building capacity through training and working collaboratively across two sectors

Supporting the family and individual through change

Key Areas for Action

Training

Collaborative service models

Advocacy and planning

Approach

Collaborative regional committee with representation from both sectors

Promote and sponsor local and regional training

Strengthen cross-sector involvement Share knowledge, experience, resources Identify key issues

From Institution to Community Journey to community after 70+ years

Meeting

Planning

Transition

Transition System Issues

Role of each partner Policies and procedures of each sector Employee issues Training Reporting, accountability Integration

The Experience

Supports

Relationships

Quality of life

Living Began at 80 years +++