2016-754-E Finance - A Helping Hand performance agreement

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DocuSign Envelope ID: E7F88FC1-7C61-4E68-8AF9-5870F711DEBC it A continued Provider's Outside Agency Application MAIN APPLICATION] As the population of seniors (65+) increases exponentially, an expansion of services is required to meet the special needs of this at-risk demographic. In 2013, one in 5 North Carolina residents were 60 and over in the state. In 2033, one in four will be over 60 and over. According to the US Census Bureau, there are approximately 13,962 individuals aged 65+ in Orange County; nearly 10% of these individuals are living at or below poverty level and are unable to afford independent living services. This augmented population of seniors is resulting in an increased demand for services on an already heavily burdened human services system. In order to reduce the public cost of caring for these individuals, it is necessary to provide services that allow a person to "age in place" with minimal barriers to service. A Helping Hand (AHH) is the only non-profit in Orange County that provides in-home assistance regardless of an individual's ability to pay. Transportation is frequently identified as the number one unmet need for seniors. In fact, the latest Orange County Health Assessment identified the lack of transportation services as a primary barrier to healthcare access. Fortunately, AHH is able to increase access to healthcare and other valuable services by filling gaps in current transportation models. As current community transportation exists, assistance is limited to"door-to-door"and is subject to geographical and scheduling restrictions. AHH's escorted "door-through-door" transportation is critical to ensuring physically-disabled or cognitively-impaired seniors are able to travel safely to doctor's appointments and have access to other vital needs, regardless of time and location in the County. Moreover, the discrepancy between life expectancy and driving expectancy creates a pragmatic need for senior transportation services. On average, men and women experience respectively, seven and ten non-driving years. Ironically, as the ability to drive decreases, the frequency of medical appointments and the need for health services increases. The natural aging process often brings about physical and cognitive limitations that require assistance in the home. The DHHS Administration on Aging reports 37% of older people are limited by a disability. Moreover, in the future, the percentage of disabled individuals is also expected to grow. A report published in JAMA Internal Medicine, showed that the proportion of baby boomers who are disabled is substantially higher relative to people from two decades ago in the same age bracket.Without assistance,these individuals will experience premature transitions to higher, more expensive levels of care and are at increased risk for injury and illness. Providing independent living services will enable these individuals to maintain self- sufficient lives and will reduce the likelihood of injury from performing unmanageable household tasks. Social isolation among the elderly is a silent and often overlooked pandemic threatening the health and quality of life of our community's older adults. According to the American Community Survey, over 3,300 Orange County seniors over age 65 live alone. Many of these individuals are geographically isolated from their families and lack necessary support networks. A report in the Archives of Internal Medicine found 43% of older adults reported feelings of loneliness which can lead to depression, other negative psychological impacts, loss of physical functioning, and even premature death. Lonely adults in the study were 45% more likely to die than seniors who felt meaningful connections with others. AHH's companionship services provide an increased opportunity for socialization and mental Main Application 1/25/2016 1:23:46 PM P a g e 8 o f 2 6