SLCNA Report February 2020 - Report - Page 28
Some of the observations/recommendations from the stakeholders include:
• Human service agencies and government programs could do a better job of educating and promoting
their services and programs, especially for free programs and services that are underutilized; plus
work to remove barriers and “red tape” to tap into these services.
• We must increase and improve education and advocacy efforts for seniors in the marketplace and
through legislation.
• We must tap into meaningful ways to communicate to the “middle generation” (the adult child &
the sandwich generation) and gaining their attention would benefit the older generation. Find ways
to encourage them think proactively about future needs and care.
• Increase the palliative care conversations and talk with patients and families about advance directives
and living wills within the community before a crisis situation.
• Some stakeholders felt that insurance companies could do a better job of educating subscribers of
the benefits and services available to them.
• Industry leaders/stakeholders must continue to improve education, coaching, collaboration, and
community efforts by providing guidance, encouragement, preplanning, and ease of access to
services.
• Build trust, secure buy in, and use grassroots efforts to reach vulnerable populations.
• Take an educational and advocacy approach; it cannot be a sales pitch to constituents.
• Collaborate with other providers to provide a better alternative/platform/clearinghouse of resources,
such as the Aging Development Resource Center (ADRC).
• Offer seniors technology training, in particular to access healthcare portals and online resources.
Then subsequently utilize technology and build a chat room or listserv that people can share needs/
resources.
• Be mindful of using jargon, assumptions of knowledge, and the technology gap with some older
adults.
• Recommended that doctors should do more free health-related presentations/talks, along with
Q & A.
Identified Need: Workforce Challenges
When asked, “What major health issues do you see among low income or underserved senior
populations such as minority groups or people with disabilities?” workforce challenges stood out for the
key stakeholders group. Long-term care providers are much more aware of the forecast for the future
caregiver disparity than the general public is. It did not even register on the consumer groups’ radar.
Stakeholders voiced that a sufficient and quality workforce is and will continue to be a big challenge to
provide assistance and care to all groups, especially those with more limited income and access to support.
Furthermore, extremely high turnover rates within non-medical home care agencies were mentioned.
This issue is projected to only get worse. No clear cut resolutions were offered in any sessions.
Identified Need: Behavioral Health Services
Both the Stakeholder and Consumer groups expressed their concern for a lack of funding, treatment,
and local inpatient and outpatient options for those with mental health issues, particularly among low
income or underserved senior populations such as minority groups or people with disabilities.
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