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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1663 |
| To Your Health (Elder Services) |
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| Requester: |
Dick Jacobs, M.S., C.A.P., L.M |
Organization: |
The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc. |
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| Project Title: |
To Your Health (Elder Services) |
Date Submitted |
1/11/2006 3:10:24 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Posey |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| This project supports the purpose of the Governor's Drug Control Strategy "to protect our citizens from the dangers posed by illegal drugs" as well as the goals and objectives outlined in the Strategy. It focuses on one of the populations identified in the Strategy as being of highest risk by placing the "Treatment Emphasis on the Most Vulnerable." In fact, as stated on page 4-18 of the Governor's Drug Control Strategy, "the elderly are at risk for substance abuse due to life style events that include such things as loss of a spouse, financial difficulties or medical disabilities. Exacerbating the situation further is the fact that addiction is less likely to be diagnosed in this population. For many years, the drug treatment field has been aware of substance abuse addiction in the older male; but it is now becoming clear that addiction is a problem among elderly women as well." The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc. has been providing educational and awareness services to the elderly in Central Florida since 2001. Misuse, abuse and dependence are prevalent but frequently unrecognized conditions among the nation's over 55 population. Drug and alcohol misuse/abuse presents a number of serious health related concerns for members of the elder community, particularly when alcohol is used simultaneously with prescription or over the counter medications. These problems are further exacerbated by individual conditions of isolation, lack of support systems, no transportation, lack of positive activities, inadequate insurance and lack of education. All of these conditions result in decreased comfort and life span, increased risk of dependency and addiction, increased emergency room visits, increased admission to long term facilities (i.e. nursing homes), higher medical costs, increased stress on families, and increased accidental death and suicides. Of the estimated 10 million alcoholics in the United States, nearly one third of them are seniors 60+. 70% of emergency room visits among seniors stem from prescription-drug abuse. Rates for alcohol-related hospitalizations for older patients are similar to those for heart attacks. 17% (43,500 in Dist. 7) are affected by alcohol and/or prescription drug misuse and 20%, (50,000 in Dist. 7) experience mental health disorders that are not a normal part of aging. |
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| Recipient: |
The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc. |
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Contact: |
Stephen Hill |
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205 South Eola Avenue |
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Contact Phone: |
(850) 668-3900 |
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Orlando 32801 |
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Contact email: |
ash001@comcast.net |
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| Counties: |
Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc. proposes the establishment of a two-fold programming approach to address the problem of drug abuse (misuse of medication) and alcohol misuse/abuse among the elderly. Focusing primarily on low-income neighborhoods where the elderly receive very few support system services, The Center For Drug - Free Living's To Your Health Program will offer 1) an in-home component that will provide outreach to elderly residents, and 2) a community component that will offer combinations of health education, life management and social activities. Program staff will establish in-home, community-based and assisted living facility (ALF) health education programs for elders. Staff will access various community venues through a variety of community partnerships. Direct home service contacts will be made by establishing strong relationships with the medical community, (particularly the Visiting Nurses Association), neighborhood resident associations as well as other existing community networks who can identify seniors in need while reinforcing the trust elements necessary to provide an in-home service. Additional referrals will be sought from hospitals, churches, and neighborhood centers. Home visits will be conducted on a regular basis in order to ensure adequate education is being provided to individuals in need and to develop program awareness within the community. Case management referrals will be provided whenever appropriate. The goal of the in-home counseling component is to reduce or eliminate the unnecessary risks faced by the elderly when it comes to taking medication. If accomplished, this education will allow the individual to successfully take responsibility for his or her own health care. The second component to this program will be specialized group services at community centers for the elderly. The To Your Health Program will build a network of support locations in which this vulnerable population can receive the help and the services they need. Referrals to other needed services will also be made to those who need services not provided by The Center. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| The anticipated outcomes of this initiative are:
� To provide seniors with an increased knowledge and understanding of alcohol's effect on the human body.
� To provide seniors the opportunity to be screened for alcohol and/or drug dependence.
� To provide seniors seeking treatment appropriate referral/linkages for age appropriate services.
� To provide seniors an increased knowledge and understanding of the dangers and potential side effects of combining other drugs, i.e., prescription medication and over the counter drugs, with alcohol use.
� To assist seniors in developing a clear understanding of appropriate medication use.
� To assist seniors in developing a formal regimen to insure proper medication use.
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$250,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$300,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local |
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Cash Amount |
$50,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$250,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
The Governor's Drug Control Strategy as well as the Department of Children and Families and local co |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Orange County Legislative Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
11/14/2005 |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
