Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1079FY0102
To Your Health (Elder Services)
Requester:		Jerry Feulner			Organization:		The Center For Drug-Free Living
Project Title:		To Your Health (Elder Services)			Date Submitted:		1/17/2002 1:42:32 PM
Sponsors:		Andy Gardiner
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. Futhermore, it also supports the goals and objectives outlined in the Strategy. It also focuses on one of the highest risk populations, "treatment emphasis on the most vulnerable". In fact, as stated in 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 now it is now becoming clear that addiction is a problem among elderly women as well. The center has been providing educational and awareness services to the elderly in Orange County. Seniors comprise about 12 percent of the total U. S. population, yet consume up to 33 percent of all prescription drugs. 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.
Recipient:		The Center For Drug-Free Living			Contact:		Stephen Hill
		205 South Eola Drive			Contact Phone:		(850) 668-3900
		Orlando 32801
Counties:		Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole
Gov't Entity:			Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):					Yes
Project Description:
The Center For Drug-Free Living proposes establishing a two-fold programming approach to 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 will provide an in-home component that will provide outreach to the elderly and 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, neighorhood resident associations as well as other existing community networks who can identify seniors in need and also reinforce 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 so that adequate education can be provided to individuals to assure that the program is known in the community. Case management referrals will be provided whenever appropriate. The goal behind the in-home counseling component is to reduce or eliminate the unnecessary risks faced by the elderly when it comes to taking medication. This component concentrates on educating the elderly client in four primary areas - which if accomplished, allows the client 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. This will build a network in which this vulnerable population can receive 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.
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; and to assist seniors in developing a formal regimen to insure proper medication use.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$250,000
Identify items(s) in the FY 2002-03 Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:
Specific Appropriation Title:
Amount to be reduced:			$
Total cost of the project:			$325,000
Request has been made to fund:				Operations
What type of match exists for this project?					Local
	Cash Amount:		$50,000		In-Kind Amount:		$25,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Unknown
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							No
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		The Governor's Drug Control Strategy, DCF and local community needs assessment
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Orange County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:		9/17/2001