Santa Clara County Older Adult Summit Held on June, 1, 2011 Summary Report to the Mental Health Board March 12,

Presentation 2 OA Summit Origin OA Summit Event OA Summit Report Findings Implementation Plan (handout)

Introduction Call to Action from Supervisor Dave Cortese Sponsored by Mental Health Board/OA Committee Coordinated by a Planning Committee of MHD, MHB, BOS and OA agency staff 3

Purpose 4 To convene seniors, family, caregivers, providers, community leaders and government officials to discuss the mental health needs of seniors in Santa Clara County and to develop a plan of action to improve the county senior-serving system

Summit Design 1. Action-focused 2.Obtain summit participant perspectives on mental health concerns of the diverse and growing senior population 3.Identify achievable strategies to improve system for seniors, families and caregivers 4. Reduce “silos” within senior services 5. 5

The Summit Process 6 Trends and issues presented by ageing experts Facilitated discussion on needs, improvement strategies, and participant vision of ideal system.

Working Group Forums Consumers, Families and Caregivers Community and Faith Advocates Behavioral Health Perspective Health Care Perspective Social Services Perspective Self-selected groups Discussed opinions/experience of system Recommended strategies and their vision The Summit Process 7

Consumers, Families and Caregivers Most frequent comments Services Insurance Cultural competency Strengths Ethnic &Cultural Advisory Committees Future Multi-Cultural Center Family support: NAMI, Alzheimer’s Assoc. Vision Comprehensive, low cost health insurance Robust outreach efforts One-stop services Increased volunteerism 8

Community and Faith Advocates Most frequent comments Community education and access Cultural competency Most comments on “how to” Service availability by outreach to community Involve community to inform and support Importance of building senior trust Suggested strategies to build advocacy and access Through senior centers Outreach to immigrant places of worship Hotlines and warm lines Attention to family & caregiver support 9

Behavioral Health Perspective Most frequent comments on service delivery Models of service Deep end, prevention, early intervention Care coordination with other services Integration of services Quality of service Vision Cultural competency Effective community education Outreach and engagement Holistic, comprehensive system Eliminating stigma about mental illness and ageism 10

Healthcare Perspective Frequent Comments Service Delivery: Integration, Structure, Quality Insurance: Long-term care, Affordability, Benefits Vision Educated, informed patients Well-trained professionals Affordable healthcare Supported families and peers Integrated comprehensive care Elimination of stigma Improvement strategies Peer mentors Integrate with health clinics, at senior centers 11

Social Services Perspective Frequent Concerns Social supports, stigma, service delivery concerns, effective case management, In-home/mobile services, Seniors not SMI, yet require MH services Improvement strategies Language and cultural resources Community and professional education Work with policy makers Engage community-based agencies Vision Wellness Universal health coverage Coordinated care Affordable, assisted community living 12

Emerging Themes 13 The Working Groups’ input strategically organized by Emerging Themes:  Education  Outreach & Engagement  Access to Services  Service Quality & Design  Family Member & Caregiver Inclusion & Support  Physical Health  Policy  Health Insurance & Social Benefits

Emerging Themes EDUCATION Vital broad education for our communities, to empower consumers, their families and caregivers Enhance skills of essential senior services providers Education needed by all audiences ~ seniors, family members, community residents, service providers, senior advocates and policymakers. 14

Emerging Themes 15 OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT Critical importance of and necessity for active, ongoing action by individuals, families, community members and providers to engage mental health services for seniors In some cases, requires collaborative, multi- system efforts for engagement.

Emerging Themes ACCESS TO SERVICES Effective mental health services must be easily available for seniors Services need to be tailored to older adults Include supportive services such as trust- building, advocacy and transportation 16

Emerging Themes 17 SERVICE QUALITY AND DESIGN The delivery of Suitable Comprehensive person/family-centered Quality Affordable Effective Compassionate mental health services for older adults, was stressed throughout every conversation.

Emerging Themes 18 FAMILY AND CAREGIVER INCLUSION & SUPPORT Discussions highlighted critical importance: Work closely with family members and caregivers who assist seniors To gain a better understanding of their specific needs for education, training and support.

Emerging Themes 19 PHYSICAL HEALTH Attendees frequently emphasized: The value of the connection between mental health and physical health services In order to improve access to mental health To more comprehensively address the multiple, “entire person” needs of seniors.

Emerging Themes POLICY Involves action required by decision makers at all levels to implement the desired changes HEALTH INSURANCE & SOCIAL BENEFITS Attendees had many concerns about: Availability of affordable, comprehensive insurance for everyone Essential social services that greatly effect the quality of life and well being of seniors 20

Emerging Themes ADVOCACY AND STIGMA REDUCTION Engage policy-makers and stakeholders on the importance of mental health and social inclusion for elders, their families and caregivers Issues of mental health stigma, ageism, and cultural exclusion must be central to improving the system of community supports and services for seniors, their families and caregivers 21

Conclusion The Summit was extremely successful in bringing the voice of our community to the planning table. The next phase of the work was to vet the summary of input, produce the report, and prepare the Implementation Plan and report to the BOS. The report has been approved by the BOS and the Implementation Plan has been presented to the Children, Seniors and Family Committee of the BOS. The Implementation Plan will be implemented over 3 years utilizing available resources to address identified gaps and barriers. 22