NATIVE ELDER CAREGIVER CURRICULUM NECC: 3.3 NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System 3.3 1

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  The “maze” of accessing elder care services is a Big Task!  How can we put all the parts of various services together?  How do we build a “system” with what we got?  How do we help our elders? & Ourselves?

Navigating the System: “The Maze”! Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System 3.3 3

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Rise above the “system” AND  Work within the “system ”

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Need to learn to navigate the system  Utilize available agencies and services !  It can be done…

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Rise above the system  Keep in mind:  PEOPLE make-up the system  PEOPLE run the system  PEOPLE know the “in’ s & out’ s ” of the system

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Work within the system  Solution:  CONNECT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WORK WITHIN THE SYSTEM!

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  OK…Where to start?

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Start with “What do we need?”  A “family needs assessment”  What does ______ need? Fill in the blank… Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, Auntie, Mom, Dad…

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Ask Yourself as a Caregiver:  What do I need to take care of him/her in the best way possible?  What do I already have to work with?  What is missing?  What would really help?

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Using a “holistic” perspective  What is needed:  Physically?  Emotionally?  Spiritually?  Socially?  Culturally?

A Holistic View Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Who are we as a people?  What services would best fit our culture?

Sharing Ideas is Important Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

Analyze the Health Care System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Develop a “picture” of YOUR Tribe’s Health and Community-based services  What are the services?  Where are the services?  Who provides the services?  How to access the services?  Who pays for the services?

Create a Picture… Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System Social Services Tribal Health Programs Community organizations I.H.S.Programs

Know YOUR “People Resources” Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Find the “Key” people in YOUR Health & Community agencies… Who know how to advocate Who know how to find out answers to your questions Who will commit to helping the elderly

Elders are the Best Resource People Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

Health Care Providers as Part of the Discussion Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  KEY PERSON !  Someone who knows “Names” in the system network  Someone who has phone numbers  Someone “who knows someone” Might Start with Senior Meals Program Staff, or Public Health Nurse, or CHR…

Put NAMES on These Circles Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System Elders & families Social worker? Tribal personnel? County State Workers? Health Care providers?

Key People in Your Community Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

More Key People Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

Elders as Key People Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

Just need to connect with ONE KEY PERSON IN THE SYSTEM… to unlock some resources! Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

More Key People Right in Your Community Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  If you don’t know the “NAMES”…  Ask around to find out from: Other families Other elderly people Community Organizations Relatives Tribal Leaders State agencies County agencies

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  An effective “Strategy”  Create a List of names and phone numbers of all elder related services and health care providers  Make laminated copies  Place at community-based outlets for other elders & families to access

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System “STRATEGIES” ( CONTINUED)  Visit with Tribal Elders’ Group  Ask for help to start support group for family caregivers  Brainstorm Solutions!  Utilize Tribal College resources for accessing information & other resources

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System Another effective “Strategy” *  Each time a doctors office’ or community agency is visited…  Pick up a business card from that office  Keep it in a recipe box at home You will often be able to find a phone number to call from your cards… for any kind of need that comes up  *idea from the NFCA

Bringing the People Together Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  “Share-holders Talking Circle”

Community Share Holders Holding Discussion on HCBS Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System STRATEGIES  Utilize variety of elder-related websites *  Examples of just a few:  National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA)  National Resource Center for Native American Aging (NRCNAA)  IHS Elder-care Initiative (IHS)  State Health Department websites

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System Helpful Websites: (continued)  Agency on Aging (AOA)  American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)  National Family Caregiver Association (NFCA)  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS)

Communication & Advocacy in the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  The maze can be confusing…  But there is a way to go through it  And a way to rise above it!

Successful Navigating! Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System Build in the direction that fits YOUR Community !

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Expect a few “wrong turns” … but realize…  “wrong turns” often point to a better direction!

Agree on the Direction to Go Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Then set sail….

Navigating the System Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System  Important to remember:  People are the strength of “systems”  One person can make a difference!

Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System