Long Term Care News and Views Sharing Information about Home and Community-Based Long Term Care Services Planning for Elders in the Central City* Volume 15 Issue 7* July 2010 On June 14th, the world lost one of its great community lead- ers. It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that Norma Satten has passed away. She left us on Monday June 14th. Norma Satten was a pillar and her loss will have rever- berations in the health justice, social justice and human rights community, as well as in our hearts. Please turn to page two for a loving tribute to one of the founders of Planning for Eld- ers. Without Norma, we would not be the organization we are today. Norma, we miss you already. Norma Satten 1922-2010 SF City Budget Update This year the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) has been ordered by the mayor to reduce its budget by over $2 million. The department is propos- ing the following cuts to programs that serve seniors and people with disabilities. Congregate Nutrition Programs: $515,000 This would close all weekend meal sites where seniors congregate and socialize with each other. Next IHSS- Health Task Force Case Management Program Funding: $300,000 Thursday July 1st Case Management is long term, one-to-one support for frail elderly and disabled adults. These services 10:30 A.M.-12:00 Noon prevent institutionalization and isolation. 1453 Mission Street Suite 520 Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center (ADCRC) Program: $243,750 Did you know you can contribute This will close the only day care programs that serve to Planning for Elders on-line? people with Alzheimer’s and dementia in San Fran- Visit our website: cisco. These clients will have nowhere to go. www.planningforelders.org Community Services/Senior Centers and Activi- and click on “DONATE.” Thank you! ties Centers for Adults with Disabilities: $294,489 This is an across the board,10.2% cut to all DAAS Inside this Issue: Community centers. Passing: Norma Satten Pg 2 Naturalization Program Funding: $200,000 News and Events Pg 3 1,410 seniors will not receive services that assist Consumer Rights for Community Living Pg 4 them tocomplete and file naturalization applications HAT Pg 5 and to prepare them to pass the required citizenship Senior Survival School Pg 6 tests. Calendar Pg 7 (cont on Page 5) Check up out on facebook: Planning for Elders in the Central City The Planning for Elders office will be And our blog: closed on Monday July 5th hospitaldischargerights.blogspot.com for Independence Day Holiday Passings: Norma Satten We are devastated by the passing of our beloved Norma Satten. Here at Planning for Elders we have many fond memories of Norma on both a personal and professional level. She made a profound impact on people because of her compassion, strength of character, infectious smile, brilliance and genuine warmth. She was such a kind person and calming presence. Words can not express our sadness and loss. Norma was part of the founding of Planning for Elders, and had been dedicated to the work through this and many other organizations. She was a key leader in San Francisco’s efforts to improve home and community-based long term care services to seniors and persons with disabilities of all ages and backgrounds. She served on the Board of Directors of Planning for Elders in the Cen- tral City (PECC) in many capacities, including President and Treasurer. Norma was also the Chairperson of PECC’s Health Task Force. She was an active consumer member and ad- vocate, first with the Long Term Care Pilot Project Task Force and then the Living with Dig- nity Task Force. She was a leader in the adult day health movement and was instrumental in creating community-based hospice programs for persons with HIV/AIDS and elders. She started the first residential home for people living with AIDS and cancer in the 80s, and she counted this as the project she is most proud of. Norma Satten did something not many women her age had done: she attended MIT in the 1940s. She studied city planning because of her interest in low-income housing and de- sire to improve the design of cities to meet the needs of poor communities. Norma took that planning experience into her work in health systems planning and evaluation. Norma was a leader who tirelessly fought for the needs of seniors, persons with disabilities and their care providers by advocating on local, state and national policy issues. She had a great talent for strategic thinking, bringing together key individuals and agencies to solve community problems and develop new models of care. Norma had many accomplishments over her professional life, but she really “hit her stride” as a senior. Her other community-building activities include her role as a member of the Health- care Action Team (HAT) singers, a group with a “songbook” that communicates issues re- lated to homecare and quality services for seniors and persons with disabilities through song. She also co-wrote an affordable housing “rap” that has been performed to seniors and service providers alike. It was an honor and a privilege to know and work with her. Norma was the treasurer of the San Francisco Section of the National Council of Jew- ish Women and chair of the steering committee of the Jewish Coalition to End Human Traf- ficking. We write this tribute to remind us all just how much Norma gave of herself to the com- munity. She followed the Jewish practice of Tikkun Olum, or “repairing the world” and left the world a better place through her work. We extend our deepest condolences to her husband Joe, her children and all of her family. Page 2 News and Events Welcome Olga, Planning for Elders newest staff member! Olga Tretyakova, a Moldova native, has lived in San Francisco with her family since 1995. After graduating from San Francisco State University in 2005 with Bachelors of Arts degrees in International Relations and German Language & Literature, Olga worked in various international non-profit organizations devoted to regional economic development in Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union, where she managed and coordinated professional exchange programs, as well as facilitated citizen-to- citizen diplomacy and civil society development. In addition to her position as Execu- tive Assistant at Planning for Elders, Olga is currently Communications & Special Pro- jects Manager at the National Council of Jewish Women, where she leads communi- cation and marketing activities and advocacy efforts on behalf of low- income women, children and families. Olga is an active member of the Rotaract Club of San Francisco and also mentors immigrant pro- fessionals in transition to US workplace through Upwardly Global. She is an advocate of human rights, in particular the rights of women and girls. When you call the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, make sure to greet her. Olga was introduced to Planning for Elders by Norma, and will miss her dearly. You may be eligible for Medicare Extra Help Under a new law, more Medicare beneficiaries could qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs because some things no longer count as income and resources. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth an average of $3,900 per year. To qual- ify for the Extra Help, a person must be on Medicare, have limited income and re- sources, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. It is easy to apply for Extra Help. Just complete Social Security’s Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). Here’s how: You can apply:  online at www.socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp;  Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to apply over the phone or to request an application;  or apply at your local Social Security office. After you apply, Social Security will review your application and send you a letter to let you know if you qualify for the Extra Help. Once you qualify, you can choose a Medi- care prescription drug plan. If you do not select a plan, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will do it for you. The sooner you join a plan the sooner you begin receiving benefits. Page 3 Planning for Elders Activities: Consumer Rights for Community Living (CRCL) July 26th - Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the ADA! In 1990, in response to years of community organizing for the rights of people with disabilities, Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in accessing public services, pro- grams and public entities. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passage of this historic act, the San Francisco Mayor's Office on Disability and the Independent Living Center SF have launched “It's Normal” - a campaign that focuses on the concept that: “Disability is a natural part of the human condition. People with disabilities come from all walks of life, in all colors, sizes, genders and ages. Those of us living with disabilities bring something to the table whether it is fresh perspective, political sav- viness, indomitable spirit, energizing presence, bold intellect, etc. We contribute to society because of who we are. Human difference and diversity enriches commu- nity. Disability is not special; it's a part of life.” Come celebrate this concept and the anniversary of the ADA! Monday July 26th, 2010 11:00am - 3:00pm San Francisco City Hall, North Light Court 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place CRCL will be there- please join us! Page 4 Planning for Elders Activities: HealthCare Action Team (HAT) SF City Budget Continued from Page 1 Forensic Center Funding: $120,000 This program helps seniors with legal cases and provides community outreach and education to seniors about their legal rights. Hoarding and Cluttering services: $100,000 Cuts a peer support program that helps people suffering from this condition. Housing Counseling and Advocacy: $137,037 This cut will eliminate housing advocacy, educational Ms. Zenaida Flores partici- sessions for residents and housing counseling for DAAS pates in statewide rally to clients. It will also result in the closure of Senior Action close corporate tax loopholes. Network. Respite Services: $8,511 HAT Leader Vicki Westlin (Institute on Aging) This cuts funding for a program that directly and totally speaks at rally for San benefits unpaid caregivers of frail elderly and adults with functional impairments Francisco Budget Justice who are San Francisco resident. Every cent is used to provide respite services, no other expense. Senior Companion Funding $22,397 (Family Service Agency) This is a cut to a program that provides helpers to frail elders. Volunteer Recruitment Services: $62,707 This will eliminate support for 122 caregivers who help LGBT seniors from Family Caregiver Support Pro- gram. Legal Services Funding: $200,000 Legal services that seniors and people with disabilities utilize will be decimated. Reduced Case Management Time Study Revenue: $103,500 This is a reduction in the number of case managers who are able to assist seniors and disabled adults. Planning for Elders is coordinating the fight for getting these cuts restored through the SF Board of Super- visors. This is part of the annual budget add back battle that we wage every year. Our amount is small in relation to the other draconian and oppressive cuts to our community services, but the impact is large. Seniors and People with Disabilities are not to blame for this budget crisis problem. Do not make them pay with their lives by balancing the budget on their backs. Contact the HealthCare Action Team (415) 703-0188 or james@planningforelders.org to find out how we can fight this attack on frail elders. HAT MEETING Wednesday July 14 , 2010 Bayanihan Community Center 1010 Mission (at 6th) 11:00 A.M.- 12:30 P.M. Please call James for more information (415) 703-0188 Ext 304 Page 5 PLANNING FOR ELDERS ACTIVITIES: Announcing a new program: Senior Survival Stories We would love to hear your story of what it’s like to be an other adult in San Francisco. Planning for Elders and Elena Portacolone, a PhD. candidate at UCSF have received a grant from UCSF to document the experiences of older adults who live alone, and how they navigate the maze of services. One story will be printed in Long Term Care News and Views every month and these stories will strengthen our work to il- lustrate the vital nature of our social services and public programs. Please call Sarah if you are interested in participating. The interview will be about one hour, it is completely voluntary and you have the right to not an- swer any questions. We will provide a small gift card in appreciation of your time. Call Sarah at (415) 703-0188 extension 302 to sign up. Congratulations to the Clementina Towers Senior Survival School graduates! We just completed one of our largest classes in history. There were nearly 100 regis- tered participants! The class was interpreted into both Cantonese and Russian, with the invaluable help of the Aging and Disability Resource center. Raymond, Elaine and Sam made the class accessible to everyone. In addition to the core topics, we talked about personal safety, the city budget, Meals on Wheels, and housing discrimination. Fiona Ma signed the certificates and Harrison Parker and Alice Dueker came to cele- brate with the class. Senior Survival School will return in August for a joint reunion with Senior University and in September for a full session in the OMI neighborhood. Look for more details coming soon. Norma Satten played a very important role in cre- ating the orginal Senior Survival School and her influence is felt to today. Page 6 Community Calendar: July 10 Consumer-Oriented Long Term Care Activities DATE ACTIVITY TIME & PLACE MORE INFO? Mon—Fri Computer Open Lab Call Ahead, (415) 703-0188 965 Mission Street Suite 550 Long Term Care Coordinating 1:00-3:00 pm Thurs. July 8 Bill.Haskell@sfgov.org Council 1 South Van Ness, 2nd Floor Thurs. July 8 Senior Action Network (SAN) 10:00-12:00 Unitarian Universalist SAN General Meeting Church 1187 Franklin @ Geary 546-1333 1:00 - 2:30 ILWU Office California Alliance for Retired Jody Reid Thurs. July 8 1188 Franklin Street # 4 Americans (CARA) 550-0828 Thurs. July 8 PECC Board of 5pm—6:30pm Alice Dueker Directors Mtg. 965 Mission St, Suite 700 703-0188 ext 306 Coalition of Agencies Serving 3 PM-5PM Patty Clement Mon. July 12 the Elderly (CASE) SF Senior Center, 481 O’Farrell Street 452-3500 11:00-12:30 HealthCare Action Team 1010 Mission (at 6th) James Chionsini Wed July 14 (HAT) Bayanihan Center 703-0188 ext 304 10:30-1 pm Sarah Jarmon Thurs. July 15 PECC Newsletter mailing 965 Mission St., Suite 550 703-0188 ext. 302 9:30 - 11:30 am Fri. July 16 Debbi Lerman HSN General Meeting Light House for the Blind and Visually 415-668-0444 Impaired, 214 Van Ness Avenue. Mayors Office on Fri. July 16 Mayor’s Disability Council 1-4 City Hall Room 400 Disability 415-554-6789 LaShaun Williams Tues. July 20 DAAS Commission 9:30 am, City Hall, room 416 355-3509 Wed. July 21 SAN Senior Housing Action 1:00 - 3pm Christina Olague Committee (SHAC) 965 Mission St Suite 700 546-1333 Fri. July 30 SSS Advisory Committee 1-2:30 965 Mission St. Suite 550 Sarah Jarmon 703-0188 Planning for Elders Board of Directors:  Harrison Parker,  Alan Coleman, MD  Pat Hess DDS (President) (Vice President) (Secretary)  Walter DeVaughn  Michael Kwok  Nader Shabahangi, PhD  Marie Jobling  Nancy Brundy Page 7 If you would like to receive Long Term Care News and Views, CLIP form and return to: PECC 965 Mission St, Suite 550, San Francisco, CA 94103 Name___________________________________________________ Organization_____________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ City___________________________________ Zip _____________ Phone:_____________ Fax: ____________email: ______________ I would prefer to get my newsletter by Mail email Enclosed is a donation (appreciated but not required) $12 $25 Other $_____ Contribute on line at www.planningforelders.org or www.networkforgood.org Long Term Care News and Views is published by Planning for Elders (PECC). Production by PECC Staff and Volunteers: Alice Dueker Executive Director, Sarah Jarmon, Senior Survival School®; Donna Willmott, Consumer Rights for Community Living, James Chionsini, HealthCare Action Team, PECC Volunteers Constance Smith, Lenny Reiter, Fran Chan, Bruce Allison, Alex Macdonald, Cordell Thomp- son, Dagny Takemura, Tricia Webb. We would like to hear from you! Send information and commentary to sarah@planningforelders.org or fax to (415) 703-0186.