Ashe Services For Aging Inc

CONNECTING PEOPLE, EMBRACING CHALLENGES, AND ENRICHING LIVES...FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

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 INDIVIDUAL THROUGH EACH DAY. THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE EFFECTIVELY PIVOTED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND CONTINUE TO REACH THEIR CONSTITUENTS IN DIFFERENT WAYS.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. IN FY2022-23, WE HAVE STARTED TO SOLICIT REFERRALS FROM NEIGHBORING ALLEGHANY COUNTY TO SERVE A NEED IN THAT AREA TO CONTINUE TO MAXIMIZE THE CASELOAD OUR SOCIAL WORKERS CARRY.THE NUTRITION DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ATTRACTING PARTICIPANTS BOTH FOR HOME-DELIVERED MEALS AND CONGREGATE NUTRITION. THIS PROGRAM HAS SUCCESSFULLY RETAINED VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND HAS HAD NO GAPS IN SERVICES. IN ADDITION, MORE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COMMUNITY ARE BEING REACHED FOR SERVICES. BCBS OF NC FOUNDATION FUNDS HAVE BEEN DEPLETED BUT TASTE OF THE MOUNTAINS FUNDS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ASHE COUNTY SHARING CENTER FOR OUR WEEKEND BACKPACKS AND FRESH PRODUCE PROGRAM. 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. A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STRUCTURE HAS ALLOWED US TO MAXIMIZE THE NUMBER OF SERVICE HOURS OUR EXISTING WORKFORCE CAN ASSIST.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. THE CHILDREN'S CENTER HAS BENEFITED GREATLY FROM CHILD CARE STABILIZATION GRANTS, ALLOWING US TO PURCHASE MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE FOR THE CLASSROOMS AND PROVIDE BONUSES FOR THE TEACHERS. THOSE FUNDS HAVE NOW BEEN DISCOUNTINED, AND TUITION RATES WILL INCREASE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2023 TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE QUALITY OF CARE. THE ADULT DAY CARE IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO REBUILD THEIR CENSUS FOLLOWING COVID. FINALLY, THE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE CONTINUES TO BE CHALLENGED WITH STAFFING, AND THE RECENT PANDEMIC HAS COMPOUNDED THIS CHALLENGE. CONTRACTED STAFF HAVE BEEN NECESSARY AND HAVE PROVEN TO BE A COSTLY OPTION FOR OUR WORKFORCE NEEDS. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO ELIMINATE THAT BY RAISING RATES FOR EMPLOYEES AND RECRUITING. IN ADDITION, RATES FOR RESIDENTS HAVE INCREASED AND MEDICAID ADMISSIONS HAVE BEEN LIMITED.