ASHE SERVICES FOR AGING INC

GENERATIONS ASHE PROVIDES VARIOUS SERVICES FOR OLDER AND DISABLED ADULTS IN ASHE COUNTY INCLUDING A VIBRANT SENIOR CENTER, THE COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (CAP),AN INTERGENERATIONAL DAY PROGRAM, IN-HOME AIDES SERVICES, NUTRITION SERVICES, AND AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY. THE SENIOR CENTER IS A HUB OF VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND IS WELL-UTILIZED IN THE COMMUNITY WITH NEARLY 2000 REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS AND OVER 200 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH EACH DAY. THE COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM MAINTAINS A STEADY CENSUS OF PARTICIPANTS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, A CHANGE IN THE STRUCTURE OF CASE MANAGEMENT PAYMENTS FROM MEDICAID SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THE REVENUE IN THAT DEPARTMENT. THE OVERALL CASELOAD IN THIS DEPARTMENT HAS DECREASED AND CORRESPONDING CASE MANAGEMENT STAFFING HAS BEEN REDUCED. THE NUTRITION DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ATTRACTING PARTICIPANTS BOTH FOR HOME-DELIVERED MEALS AND CONGREGATE NUTRITION. IN ADDITION, MORE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COMMUNITY ARE BEING REACHED FOR SERVICES. THE COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ASHE COUNTY SHARING CENTER TO PROVIDE WEEKEND BACKPACKS AND FRESH PRODUCE TO OUR CLIENTS MOST IN NEED. WE CONTINUE TO NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS TO REACH THOSE IN NEED OF MEALS AND CONTINUE TO NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF GETTING MEALS TO OUTLYING PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS DEPARTMENT HAS STABILIZED WITH GLENDA LUTHER, SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR, SUPERVISING AND ELEVATING SEVERAL LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES TO MORE ADVANCED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. THIS PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE IDENTIFIED BY DONORS AND GRANTORS AS WORTHY OF INVESTMENT. IN-HOME AIDE SERVICES CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM A SHORT-SUPPLY OF AVAILABLE WORKFORCE PARTICIPANTS. NONETHELESS, THE EXISTING EMPLOYEES IN THAT DEPARTMENT ARE RELIABLE IN REPORTING TO WORK AND SERVING THEIR CLIENTS. MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN CONSOLIDATED TO SUPERVISION BY ONE RN WITH CLERICAL SUPPORT. ADDITIONAL CHANGES MAY BE NECESSARY AS RECRUITMENT CONTINUES TO BE CHALLENGED AND LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES BEGIN TO RETIRE. THE INTERGENERATIONAL DAY PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE A POPULAR CHOICE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS A WAITING LIST FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND THE ADULT DAY CARE POPULATION REMAINS STEADY WITH MANY PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE CONSISTENTLY PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM FOR YEARS. RECRUITMENT EFFORTS FOR PARTICIPANTS ARE CHALLENGING. BARRIERS FOR OLDER ADULTS INCLUDES THE STRAIN ON CAREGIVERS TO GET PARTICIPANTS TO THE PROGRAM. FUNDING SOURCES LIMIT PARTICIPATION FOR EAGER YOUNGER ADULTS. FINALLY, THE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE CONTINUES TO BE CHALLENGED WITH STAFFING. THE PROGRAM STILL DEPENDS HEAVILY ON VERY EXPENSIVE CONTRACT STAFFING TO MEET RATIOS FOR CARE. TURNOVER IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THAT DEPARTMENT HAVE MADE RESIDENT RECRUITMENT CHALLENGING. RATES HAVE CHANGED AND NEW POLICIES FOR ADMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES HAVE HAD A POSITIVE FINANCIAL IMPACT.