Center For The Advocacy For The Rights & Interests Of The Elderly

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OLDER PEOPLE

THE CARIE LINE IS CARIE'S OLDEST AND MOST UTILIZED PROGRAM. ADVOCATES PROVIDE TELEPHONE, ONLINE AND FACE-TO-FACE OPTIONS COUNSELING, ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY TO OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS WITH ANY PROBLEM ORCHALLENGE THEY ARE FACING. ADVOCATES HELP CONSUMERS ACCESS BENEFITS, SERVICES, AND SUPPORTS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN LIVE WITH THE GREATES TINDEPENDENCE, WELL-BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE. AS PART OF THE TRANSPORTATION SENIOR ADVOCACY PROGRAM (T-SAP) OF PHILADELPHIA CORPORATIONFOR AGING (PCA), CARIE STAFF ADVOCATE FOR OLDER ADULTS ENCOUNTERING PROBLEMS WITH THE CCT SHARED RIDE PROGRAM. GOING BEYOND THE PARAMETERS OF THE T-SAP PROGRAM, STAFF PROVIDE ELDER CONSUMERS WITH COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. CARIE LINE STAFF ALSO SERVE AS COUNSELORS IN THE APPRISE PROGRAM, PROVIDING EDUCATION, OPTIONS COUNSELING, PROBLEM-SOLVING AND APPEALS ASSISTANCE FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID RECIPIENTS. CARIE LINE STAFF REGULARLY CONDUCT EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SESSIONS FOR ELDERS AND GENERAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO INFORM THEM ABOUT ISSUES OF INTEREST AND CONCERN FOR OLDER ADULTS. DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE CARIE LINE ASSISTED NEARLY 3,000 PERSONS INDIVIDUALLY AND MANY MORE WERE EDUCATED THROUGH COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS ON TOPICS INCLUDING SENIOR SAFETY, MEDICARE, ADVANCE HEALTH CARE PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION AND FINANCIAL SCAMS. FY 21 CONTINUED TO SHOW THE DEVASTATING IMPACT ON OLDER ADULTS FROM THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC. KEY AREAS OF CONCERN FOCUSED ON ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES, HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, HOUSING, LEGAL ISSUES INCLUDING GUARDIANSHIP, AND TRANSPORTATION. WHEN THE COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS PREVENTED IN-PERSON PRESENTATIONS, STAFF DEVELOPED ONLINE OFFERINGS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ELDERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRUS AND OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES.

PROVIDING ADVOCACY FOR VICTIMIZED ELDERLY (PAVE) VICTIM ADVOCATES PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES TO ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 60 WHO AREVICTIM OR WITNESS OF A CRIME IN PHILADELPHIA. THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT OLDER ADULTS HAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND SUPPORT SERVICES AFTER EXPERIENCING CRIME OR ABUSE, INCLUDING RELATIONAL VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION. PAVE'S DAILY WORK INCLUDES PROVIDING COURT ACCOMPANIMENT, ASSISTANCE WITH THE VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAM, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, ASSISTANCE WITH VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS, RESTITUTION ASSISTANCE, CONNECTING VICTIMS TO SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND PROVIDING ADVOCACY TO ENSURE VICTIMS ARE ACCESSING THEIR RIGHTS. PAVE STAFF ALSO REVIEW REQUESTS THROUGH OUR ELDER VICTIM'S EMERGENCY SECURITY FUND (EVESF) TO REPAIR DAMAGED WINDOWS AND DOORS DUE TO CRIME AT ELDERS' HOMES OR CHANGE LOCKS FOR ELDERS GRANTED PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDERS. EARLY IN FY 20, WE BEGAN TO IMPLEMENT THE OLDER ADULT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM, A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOOD SHEPARD MEDIATION. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR VICTIMIZED ELDERS TO UTILIZE RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN ADDRESSING HARMS THEY HAD SUSTAINED. ADVOCATES ARE A VOICE FOR THOSE WHO MAY AVOID CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF SOMEONE THEY CARE FOR THROUGH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES LED BY EXPERIENCED FACILITATORS FROM GOOD SHEPARD MEDIATION, PHILADELPHIA'S ONLY COMMUNITY-BASED MEDIATION PROGRAM. DURING FY 21 VICTIM ADVOCATES ASSISTED 2,634 ELDER VICTIMS OF CRIME AND ABUSE IN PHILADELPHIA.

SENIOR MEDICAL PATROLS (SMP) ARE FEDERALLY CREATED STATEWIDE INITIATIVES TO FIGHTABUSES AND ERRORS IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. THROUGH PEER-EDUCATION, SMP EMPOWERS BENEFICIARIES TO BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR HEALTH CARE, TO PROTECT THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION, AND DETECT AND PREVENT PROBLEMS. THE PROGRAMS ENGAGE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES TO SERVE AS VOLUNTEERS, TEACHING THEIR PEERS ABOUT HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ITS PREVENTION. CARIE'S PENNSYLVANIA SMP CURRENTLY HAS 35 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS AND PARTNERS WITH ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE APPRISE PROGRAM TO EXPAND ITS OUTREACH AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH. DURING FY 21, WITH STRICT IN-PERSON BANS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WORKED TO MAKE SURE THAT BENEFICIARIES AND GATEKEEPERS WERE EDUCATED ABOUT HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ABUSE. STAFF CONTACTED MORE THAN 200 LEGISLATORS' OFFICES AND 240 CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES (CCRC). FIFTY-THREE PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE TO LEGISLATIVE OFFICE STAFF AND SEVEN FRAUD PREVENTION PRESENTATIONS WERE RECORDED AND OFFERED TO CCRCS FOR THEIR INTERNAL TV NETWORKS. THE PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO 5,300 VIEWERS AT CCRCS ACROSS THE STATE AND THERE WERE AT LEAST 350 VIEWS ON YOUTUBE. STAFF ASSISTED 108 INDIVIDUALS WITH COMPLAINTS AND REFERRALS. KEY COMMUNITY EDUCATION TOPICS INCLUDED HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MEDICARE FRAUD AND HOW TO READ A MEDICARE SUMMARY NOTICE. WHILE VOLUNTEERS WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO PROVIDE ON-SITE PRESENTATIONS, THEY CONTINUED TO WORK TO PROVIDE EDUCATION THROUGH DISTRIBUTING MATERIALS, PREPARING RECORDED MESSAGES TO SHARE WITH ELDER COMMUNITIES, AND HELPING THE PROGRAM DEVELOP WAYS TO REACH BENEFICIARIES. PROGRAM STAFF RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES FOR RESOLUTION.

THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 5,000 OLDER ADULTS IN 122 PHILADELPHIA LONG TERM CARE SETTINGS. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS VISIT FACILITIES IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS, EDUCATE FAMILY, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, AND EMPOWER THEM TO BE ADVOCATES WITHIN THEIR FACILITIES. IN FY 21, STAFF PROVIDED INFORMATION AND/OR CONSULTATION TO 309 INDIVIDUALS, EDUCATING THEM ABOUT RESIDENTS' RIGHTS DURING COVID-19 INCLUDING VISITATION RULES AND MAKING REFERRALS. IN ADDITION, STAFF MADE SIXTEEN FACILITY VISITS, 8 VIRTUALLY OR BY TELEPHONE REACHING 24 RESIDENTS AND 8 IN-PERSON FACILITY VISITS REACHING 50 RESIDENTS. OUR OMBUDSMAN ALSO ADVOCATED ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS TO RESOLVE 54 CASES RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT INCLUDING POOR COMMUNICATION BY STAFF REGARDING RULES AND REQUIREMENTS, INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGES AND REFUSALS TO DISCHARGE, FACILITY BLOCKAGE OF FAMILY VISITATION, POOR STAFFING, AND THE FACILITY TAKING A RESIDENT'S STIMULUS CHECK. THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON ELDERS IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES HAS BEEN DEVASTATING. ISOLATED FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ELDERS IN NURSING HOMES DIED NOT ONLY FROM COVID-19 BUT FROM ISOLATION AND LONELINESS AS WELL. OMBUDSMANN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE EMPLOYED TELEPHONE, TELECONFERENCING, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH INFORMATION THEY NEED REGARDING THE THREAT OF CORONAVIRUS.

THE CARIE LINE IS CARIE'S OLDEST AND MOST UTILIZED PROGRAM. ADVOCATES PROVIDE TELEPHONE, ONLINE AND FACE-TO-FACE OPTIONS COUNSELING, ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY TO OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS WITH ANY PROBLEM ORCHALLENGE THEY ARE FACING. ADVOCATES HELP CONSUMERS ACCESS BENEFITS, SERVICES, AND SUPPORTS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN LIVE WITH THE GREATES TINDEPENDENCE, WELL-BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE. AS PART OF THE TRANSPORTATION SENIOR ADVOCACY PROGRAM (T-SAP) OF PHILADELPHIA CORPORATIONFOR AGING (PCA), CARIE STAFF ADVOCATE FOR OLDER ADULTS ENCOUNTERING PROBLEMS WITH THE CCT SHARED RIDE PROGRAM. GOING BEYOND THE PARAMETERS OF THE T-SAP PROGRAM, STAFF PROVIDE ELDER CONSUMERS WITH COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. CARIE LINE STAFF ALSO SERVE AS COUNSELORS IN THE APPRISE PROGRAM, PROVIDING EDUCATION, OPTIONS COUNSELING, PROBLEM-SOLVING AND APPEALS ASSISTANCE FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID RECIPIENTS. CARIE LINE STAFF REGULARLY CONDUCT EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SESSIONS FOR ELDERS AND GENERAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO INFORM THEM ABOUT ISSUES OF INTEREST AND CONCERN FOR OLDER ADULTS. DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE CARIE LINE ASSISTED NEARLY 3,000 PERSONS INDIVIDUALLY AND MANY MORE WERE EDUCATED THROUGH COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS ON TOPICS INCLUDING SENIOR SAFETY, MEDICARE, ADVANCE HEALTH CARE PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION AND FINANCIAL SCAMS. FY 21 CONTINUED TO SHOW THE DEVASTATING IMPACT ON OLDER ADULTS FROM THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC. KEY AREAS OF CONCERN FOCUSED ON ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES, HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, HOUSING, LEGAL ISSUES INCLUDING GUARDIANSHIP, AND TRANSPORTATION. WHEN THE COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS PREVENTED IN-PERSON PRESENTATIONS, STAFF DEVELOPED ONLINE OFFERINGS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ELDERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRUS AND OTHER CRITICAL ISSUES.

PROVIDING ADVOCACY FOR VICTIMIZED ELDERLY (PAVE) VICTIM ADVOCATES PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES TO ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 60 WHO AREVICTIM OR WITNESS OF A CRIME IN PHILADELPHIA. THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT OLDER ADULTS HAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND SUPPORT SERVICES AFTER EXPERIENCING CRIME OR ABUSE, INCLUDING RELATIONAL VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION. PAVE'S DAILY WORK INCLUDES PROVIDING COURT ACCOMPANIMENT, ASSISTANCE WITH THE VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAM, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, ASSISTANCE WITH VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS, RESTITUTION ASSISTANCE, CONNECTING VICTIMS TO SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND PROVIDING ADVOCACY TO ENSURE VICTIMS ARE ACCESSING THEIR RIGHTS. PAVE STAFF ALSO REVIEW REQUESTS THROUGH OUR ELDER VICTIM'S EMERGENCY SECURITY FUND (EVESF) TO REPAIR DAMAGED WINDOWS AND DOORS DUE TO CRIME AT ELDERS' HOMES OR CHANGE LOCKS FOR ELDERS GRANTED PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDERS. EARLY IN FY 20, WE BEGAN TO IMPLEMENT THE OLDER ADULT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM, A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOOD SHEPARD MEDIATION. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR VICTIMIZED ELDERS TO UTILIZE RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN ADDRESSING HARMS THEY HAD SUSTAINED. ADVOCATES ARE A VOICE FOR THOSE WHO MAY AVOID CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF SOMEONE THEY CARE FOR THROUGH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES LED BY EXPERIENCED FACILITATORS FROM GOOD SHEPARD MEDIATION, PHILADELPHIA'S ONLY COMMUNITY-BASED MEDIATION PROGRAM. DURING FY 21 VICTIM ADVOCATES ASSISTED 2,634 ELDER VICTIMS OF CRIME AND ABUSE IN PHILADELPHIA.

SENIOR MEDICAL PATROLS (SMP) ARE FEDERALLY CREATED STATEWIDE INITIATIVES TO FIGHTABUSES AND ERRORS IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. THROUGH PEER-EDUCATION, SMP EMPOWERS BENEFICIARIES TO BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR HEALTH CARE, TO PROTECT THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION, AND DETECT AND PREVENT PROBLEMS. THE PROGRAMS ENGAGE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES TO SERVE AS VOLUNTEERS, TEACHING THEIR PEERS ABOUT HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ITS PREVENTION. CARIE'S PENNSYLVANIA SMP CURRENTLY HAS 35 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS AND PARTNERS WITH ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE APPRISE PROGRAM TO EXPAND ITS OUTREACH AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH. DURING FY 21, WITH STRICT IN-PERSON BANS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WORKED TO MAKE SURE THAT BENEFICIARIES AND GATEKEEPERS WERE EDUCATED ABOUT HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ABUSE. STAFF CONTACTED MORE THAN 200 LEGISLATORS' OFFICES AND 240 CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES (CCRC). FIFTY-THREE PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE TO LEGISLATIVE OFFICE STAFF AND SEVEN FRAUD PREVENTION PRESENTATIONS WERE RECORDED AND OFFERED TO CCRCS FOR THEIR INTERNAL TV NETWORKS. THE PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO 5,300 VIEWERS AT CCRCS ACROSS THE STATE AND THERE WERE AT LEAST 350 VIEWS ON YOUTUBE. STAFF ASSISTED 108 INDIVIDUALS WITH COMPLAINTS AND REFERRALS. KEY COMMUNITY EDUCATION TOPICS INCLUDED HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MEDICARE FRAUD AND HOW TO READ A MEDICARE SUMMARY NOTICE. WHILE VOLUNTEERS WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO PROVIDE ON-SITE PRESENTATIONS, THEY CONTINUED TO WORK TO PROVIDE EDUCATION THROUGH DISTRIBUTING MATERIALS, PREPARING RECORDED MESSAGES TO SHARE WITH ELDER COMMUNITIES, AND HELPING THE PROGRAM DEVELOP WAYS TO REACH BENEFICIARIES. PROGRAM STAFF RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES FOR RESOLUTION.

THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 5,000 OLDER ADULTS IN 122 PHILADELPHIA LONG TERM CARE SETTINGS. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS VISIT FACILITIES IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS, EDUCATE FAMILY, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, AND EMPOWER THEM TO BE ADVOCATES WITHIN THEIR FACILITIES. IN FY 21, STAFF PROVIDED INFORMATION AND/OR CONSULTATION TO 309 INDIVIDUALS, EDUCATING THEM ABOUT RESIDENTS' RIGHTS DURING COVID-19 INCLUDING VISITATION RULES AND MAKING REFERRALS. IN ADDITION, STAFF MADE SIXTEEN FACILITY VISITS, 8 VIRTUALLY OR BY TELEPHONE REACHING 24 RESIDENTS AND 8 IN-PERSON FACILITY VISITS REACHING 50 RESIDENTS. OUR OMBUDSMAN ALSO ADVOCATED ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS TO RESOLVE 54 CASES RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT INCLUDING POOR COMMUNICATION BY STAFF REGARDING RULES AND REQUIREMENTS, INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGES AND REFUSALS TO DISCHARGE, FACILITY BLOCKAGE OF FAMILY VISITATION, POOR STAFFING, AND THE FACILITY TAKING A RESIDENT'S STIMULUS CHECK. THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON ELDERS IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES HAS BEEN DEVASTATING. ISOLATED FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ELDERS IN NURSING HOMES DIED NOT ONLY FROM COVID-19 BUT FROM ISOLATION AND LONELINESS AS WELL. OMBUDSMANN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE EMPLOYED TELEPHONE, TELECONFERENCING, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH INFORMATION THEY NEED REGARDING THE THREAT OF CORONAVIRUS.