| Advocacy,
Action, Answers on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging
are the only agencies serving the elderly named in federal
law - the Older Americans Act and are specifically designed
to respond to the needs of Americans aged 60 and older in
every local community. Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging provides,
monitors and coordinates services that help older adults
in Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas Counties remain in their
homes. JAAA awards approximately $1.4 million in OAA dollars
every year to other service providers in the three county
areas. Area Agencies on Aging serve as a gateway to care
options, assessing multiple service needs, determining eligibility,
authorizing or purchasing services, and monitoring the appropriateness
and cost-effectiveness of services. JAAA also provides direct
services such as information and referral assistance, health
insurance counseling, caregiver support, client assessment
and case management. Funded in part by federal, state and
local resources as well as donations from the community,
JAAA plays an essential role in keeping seniors independent
and in the surroundings of their choice for as long as possible.
Historical
Highlights
1965
- Congress
passes the Older Americans Act
1976
- Jayhawk
Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Incorporates
JAAA was incorporated in 1976, becoming
one of eleven Kansas area agencies on aging. Each area agency
on aging (AAA) serves a Planning and Service Area (PSA),
required under the Older Americans Act. JAAA’s PSA
is Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas Counties. An advisory
council (required by OAA) with members from the three county
area advises JAAA on community and planning needs.
Employees of JAAA are not state employees
but are employed by the AAA’s governing body, which
can be a governmental entity or nonprofit organization.
JAAA is a nonprofit organization, governed by a board of
directors. The Kansas Department on Aging administers many
of its programs through grants and contracts of state and
federal funds to the eleven Area Agencies on Aging. Over
655 area agencies on aging can be found around the United
States and its territories.
1993
-
State
of Kansas Implements the Senior Care Act
In 1993 JAAA received state monies under
the Senior Care Act (SCA). Senior Care Act provides for
the development of a coordinated system of in-home services
for people 60 years of age and older who face difficulties
in self-care and independent living. SCA also works to prevent
inappropriate or premature institutionalization of persons
who have not yet exhausted their financial resources. SCA
provides in-home services on a sliding scale fee to consumers.
These services, also subcontracted, include attendant care,
homemaker services and emergency response monitoring. As
of the summer of 2006, 420 seniors were receiving SCA services
through JAAA.
State funds for Case Management were also
awarded in 1993. Case Management provides a comprehensive
assessment, determination of needs, development of a plan
of care, coordination of services delivery, monitoring and
reassessment, to frail elderly. Case Management plays an
integral part in care coordination for clients and non-duplication
of services between providers.
1995
- CARE (Client
Assessment Referral Evaluation)
A nursing home may not be your only option. Legislated by
the 1994 Legislature and implemented in 1995, CARE seeks
to ensure persons considering nursing home placement be
informed of all available community-based service options.
The data collected by the CARE assessments also helps determine
the need for home and community based services. Area Agencies
on Aging, hospital personnel and other contractors perform
CARE assessments.
1996
- NAPIS (National
Aging Program Information System)
In 1996, the National Aging Program Information System (NAPIS)
was implemented. This un-funded federal mandate requires
the implementation of a data collection system to track
services and clients. Service providers and JAAA share the
costs of this mandate.
1997-
Home and Community
Based Services (HCBS)
In 1997, Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS)
transferred the Home and Community Based Services Frail
Elderly (HCBS-FE) clients (65 years of age and older) to
the Area Agencies on Aging. This program consists of consumers
who receive, or are eligible for, Medicaid. JAAA case managers
serve approximately 570 consumers under this program.
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