August 10, 2015
CEA Minutes 8/3
• Presentation from Shannon McGrath from Jewish Family Services (JFS)
o JFS can perform mental health (MH) assessments in the community for seniors who are already receiving case management services through the county (most referrals come from the county)
 The senior must consent to these assessments and accept the services that can be provided once the assessment is completed
• The stigma around MH is a barrier for individuals to accept the services
 The point of these assessments is to link the senior with other services they are eligible for: counseling, care coordination, socialization, etc.
• The services can be provided in the senior’s home or in assisted living facilities where services would not be duplicated
• The counseling services are paid for by insurance, so there is usually a copy, but sometimes a reduction is granted
• No charge for care coordination
• Do not perform Patient review Instruments (PRI), refer out to Catholic Charities or another agency
o A PRI may or may not be covered by insurance
o If a mental health illness is active on a PRI screen, the score moves up to a level 2 and the screen goes under a special review
• JFS works closely with Catholic Charities Project Hope
• Clients are reassessed every 6 months
o If a client is referred to JFS and there has already been an assessment and diagnosis, Shannon can perform psychosocial assessment to see what the individual’s other needs are
 Care managers will identify proper social programs for clients
• The most common MH issues are anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and hoarding
• The most common needs individuals have are socialization and transportation
• JFS has a Geriatric Psych Program with 3 clinicians who perform counseling sessions in the homes of clients
• JFS offers a caregiver support program that runs for 6 weeks
• Case discussion about a woman who is physically disabled and needs assistance with her animals
o Wellcare pays for cleaning and fumigation
• Discussion about a flow chart of how agencies operate, what services they provide, and what the referral process looks like
o Discussion about a one stop shop for elders who need services
o Members are to bring in resource lists that they have in their offices to compile the chart and pass information on
• The Council is looking for members who are interested in scheduling and running SAFE trainings in the community: talk to Kathy Kanaley
• Discussion about the impact of drug use by adult children on elderly parents (impacting Medicaid applications down the road, etc.)
o Possible upcoming speaker from the Narcotics Division
• Announcements
o The Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence (ECCAFV) is reworking their strategic plan and are looking for input. They meet the last Friday of every month
o The District Attorney’s Office is looking to hire 1 part-time and 1 full-time domestic violence advocate
o Caregivers home health aid training in Spetember
o The Salvation Army is holding an open house at their Main Street location on September 17th from 4:30-7pm
o The Tribute Garden is holding their annual Break the Cycle Walking or Biking Event on September 26th in Tonawanda from 10am-12pm
o Blondes Vs. Brunettes Charity Flag Football Game on August 23rd from 2pm-4pm at Nichols School to raise awareness and funds for the WNY Alzheimer’s Association
o Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to end Alzheimer’s in Buffalo is September 19th at Delaware Park
o Farmers Market and Chicken BBQ from 11am-1pm on Tuesdays at Absolut Care of Orchard Park
