October 2009, Volume 3, Number 9

News and Events

Commission on Aging Receives Grant for Utah Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

The Utah Commission on Aging will enter into a cooperative agreement with the Administration on Aging (AoA) to make it easier for people in Utah to learn about and access the full array of long-term care options that are available in their communities. AoA will provide $230,000 per year for three years to fund this program, with the University of Utah providing significant additional support. ADRCs are a collaborative effort of AoA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to support state efforts to implement "one-stop shop" entry points at the community level. AoA and CMS envision ADRCs as highly visible and trusted places available in every community across the country where people of all ages, incomes and disabilities go to get information on the full range of long-term support options. Nationally, ADRC programs have taken important steps towards meeting AoA and CMS's vision by:

•compiling information about long-term support options throughout the state;
•providing easy access to information to assist consumers in exploring a full range of long-term support options; and
•providing resources and services that support the range of needs for family caregivers.

ADRCs target services to the elderly and individuals with physical disabilities, serious mental illness, and/or developmental/intellectual disabilities. The ultimate goal of the ADRCs is to serve all individuals with long-term care needs regardless of their age or disability.

ADRC programs provide information and assistance to individuals needing either public or private resources, to professionals seeking assistance on behalf of their clients and to individuals planning for their future long-term care needs. ADRC programs also serve as the entry point to publicly administered long-term supports including those funded under Medicaid, the Older Americans Act and state revenue programs. Click here for more information.

The Commission's Executive Director, Maureen Henry, noted, "The Commission is honored to have this opportunity to serve Utah's aging and disabled populations by building links throughout the provider community." Congratulations to Maureen on the Commission's success in receiving this award!

Don't Miss the Siciliano Forum October 28 and 29

The 2009 Siciliano Forum, "Global Aging in the 21st Century: Challenges, Opportunities & Implications for the U.S.," will be held at the Dumke Auditorium, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, on October 28 and 29. The forum will focus on three overarching themes related to global aging and the implications for the United States: healthy aging, opportunities and challenges associated with an aging workforce, and shifting intergenerational relations. These three themes are cross-cut by other dimensions that are intertwined with the dynamic process of aging; such as, immigration, contrasting policy regimes, and economic forces. 

Member Achievement

Health Care Hero

Congratulations to University of Utah College of Nursing faculty member Kathie Supiano, MS, LCSW, for her recognition by Utah Business Magazine as one of its 2009 Health Care Heroes. This annual recognition acknowledges excellence and innovation within the health care system and contributes to continuously improving the standard of care that Utah's organizations provide.

Kathie was selected in the area of Community Outreach for her role in helping grieving individuals adjust to the death of a family member or loved one as director of Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program of the University of Utah College of Nursing.

Caring Connections offers a number of bereavement support groups which run throughout the year for eight weeks in length. Each group is tailored to a specific kind of grief; for example, loss of a loved one from illness, death of a loved one from suicide, death of a loved one from murder and perinatal loss. The groups are facilitated by Kathie and volunteer professionals in the area of grief and bereavement.

About our logo: The bristlecone pine tree (Pinus longaeva) - the earth's oldest inhabitant with a life span of 4,000 years - is found only in Utah and five other western states. Its extraordinary longevity and ability to adapt and survive in extremely harsh environmental conditions above 10,000 feet embodies the investigative spirit and mission of the Utah Center on Aging.

If you have questions about the University of Utah Center on Aging, please visit us online at http://aging.utah.edu
801-585-9540 or aging@hsc.utah.edu

Best,

Mark A. Supiano, MD
Executive Director - Center on Aging