Orange County NC Website
~~ <br />Objective #33: Provide educational media programming (a minimum of one program per <br />quarter) on normal aging and good mental health through a wide variety of print and <br />broadcast media (potential outlets for the programming are television, website, newspaper <br />articles, radio programs, and symposia). (Goal I-C) <br />Accomplishment: Eldercare licettsed clinical social worker presented a session at the <br />senior centers and meal sites on using cognitive strategies to mitigate depressive symptoms.. <br />Senior Wellness Program with OC Mental Health Associative and private providers offered <br />at least one educational programs to the general community per year on normal aging and <br />mental health, Center prvgrarns are evaluated as offered beginning.7uly 'OS. OCDOA <br />Eldercare Administrator (LCSW) made presentations at UNC on dementia (2005) and on <br />geriatric depression (2006). <br />Objective #34: Develop and distribute culturally appropriate flyers on: a) Delirium vs, <br />Dementia, b) Cognitive Disorders, c) Signs and Symptoms of Depression. Distribute at local <br />pharmacies, physicians' offices, health clinics, churches/synagogues/temples, health <br />department offices, senior centers, and Department of Social Services (DSS) offices and <br />evaluate impact. (Goal I-C) <br />Accomplishment: Senior Wellness Program.• -Sept '03 a Mental Health Representative <br />appointed tv the Wellness Advisory Board. Spring '04 Commmunity Resources Contact Scripts <br />available in Senior/Community Centers. Resources available at Senior Centers and upon <br />request, In addition, educational brochures on the signs and symptoms of dementia were <br />distributed to physicians offices and pharmacies. <br />OCDOA Eldercar•es developed an early dementia screening tool which was developed and <br />used in local MD offtces. <br />Unmet Objectives -Mental Health Service <br />Overall Comment: There is no staff devoted full time to senior mental health issues even <br />though this is a growing azea. <br />Accomplishments -Senior Socialization <br />Obiecfive #35: Create and maintain senior to senior telephone networks, (Goal I-C) <br />Accomplishment: Telephone reassurance program continues 5 days per week with SO <br />seniors called daily. A, feature article was published on this as well as an editorial praising <br />the program. Two senior volunteers call isolated seniors on weekends and in the evening. <br />During severe weather (e.g. the ice storm in December 2002) eldercare .staff contacts all <br />clients to check on well-being and provide information about shelters.. <br />Objective #36: Implement a new senior center service that can meet the needs of individuals <br />who aze not independent, but do not need adult day caze service levels. (e,g,, an <br />interdisciplinary model using occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), nursing, <br />social work, medicine, divinity, psychology, dentistry, and pharmacy ). (Goal <br />Accomplishment: Afirst initiative has been the group respite program at the Nvrthside <br />Senior Center, It is managed by an occupational therapist, with donated time, from a physical <br />therapist. Staff also includes an MSW, NA, and rehabilitation counselor. It ended in 200.3 <br />with opening of the Adult Day Health Center in Hillsborough. With effort from, facility <br />managers and OCDOA Eldercare staff seniors with mild cognitive impairment are welcomed <br />into the lunch and activity sessions. <br />