National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Introduction
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) advocates for issues addressed by agencies representing aging citizens in the country. The main issue addressed by this stakeholder organization is to advocate for provision of information on health and personal care for the elderly. The organization works with other stakeholders to provide the care services to these individuals.
This is an umbrella organization for various agencies on aging and aging programs in the United States. The organization is has its presence in large areas and usually advocates on behalf of the various aging agencies in local areas to make sure that the support services and resources required are availed to the older American citizens. The organization established 800 as a toll-free number that is used to identify Information and Referral services that are offered by the Area Agencies and Washington D.C. The service is financially supported by U.S Administration on Aging and this is done through corporation with National Association of State Units in Aging (N4a,2017). The organization seeks to address various issues affecting the elderly people such as food delivery, information and referral services, employment services, transportation m adult care and providing long-term health care through the ombudsman program. To achieve these objectives, the organization represents area agencies on aging so that they are able to coordinate and provide support for the aforementioned community and home services. The organization also offers general training, technical and administrative assistance associated with the management of the various programs to area agencies. It also offers other efforts related to assisting friends and families find relevant information concerning community services for the elderly. In essence, the organization focus providing various services that are necessary for the wellbeing of older people by supporting various agencies whose mission is to do the same. Through such assistance, coordination of services directed towards the old is achieved throughout the country. By addressing the issues concerning the older people, the organization ensures that these people are provided the right care services using the available resources (N4a,2017). The elderly represented by various aging agencies become aware of the various services provided including community-based and in-home services and hence can benefit from the services.
The organization works in conjunction with various stakeholders in providing support and assistance to the elderly citizens and especially in running various programs that are focused on these individuals. The government provides assistance to the organization efforts through programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and different caregivers. Medicare is a program for health insurance for those individuals with 65 or more years of age including those who have End- Stage Renal Disease especially kidney failure the needs transplant and dialysis. Medicaid program provides health insurance for the needy and low-income, disabled for the aged. The organization also employs the services of care givers who are either paid or unpaid people who assists the elder by providing personal care, household tasks and even companionship. Hence, they provide medication services such as medication reminders, ambulation and exercise; meal preparation, cleaning and other errand needed; gives a listening ear and helping the elderly to attend to their personal matters such as appointments and other outings. Through various programs such as SCSEP run by the U.S Labor Department and in conjunction with other employers, the organization helps the elderly job seekers to find employment (N4a, 2017). It also helps in finding training opportunities that can go a long way in ensuring that they gain economic independence and even security. There is a link created between the elderly person who is a victim of abuse and the criminal justice system through the Senior Victim Advocate Program.
Life Matters LLC is a firm with an exclusive focus on the unique financial issues related to a long life of an individual. The organization assists the elderly people and their relatives or families in negotiating through various challenges associated with long life. When the elderly citizens encounters the increasing cost associated with long-run health and personal care, the organization provides an avenue for these individuals to access objective, compassionate and professional guidance. The organization listen to the individuals who are elderly and try their best to understand their desires , needs and other pressing financial scenarios and pressing persona needs (Life Matters LLC, n.d). The aim is to assist the clients in preventing possible future financial devastation that may be brought about by the cost related to long-term care. As an insurance brokerage for the senior healthcare, the organization specializes in Medi-gap or Medicare Supplement which are important for the wellbeing of the older persons in the society. With a goal of averting financial devastation, the organization embarks on devising strategies that are aimed at protecting the assets of the client in case a long-term care is required in the future. The strategies are devised in case of a preventive planning situation before any long-standing care costs can be incurred by the individuals. In addition, even where the family is already experiencing cost related to long-term care costs, the organization goes ahead to plan for mitigation of effects involving such a situation. This is in line with N4a’s desire that involves ensuring the elderly people are provided with best healthcare while retaining their financial and economic independence. In conjunction with 4Na as a representative of the aging agencies, the firm utilizes the network of professionals and providers of care for the elderly to offer the best services to the clients (Life Matters LLC, n.d). Therefore, through Medicaid planning, financial assessment, long-term cares planning and asset protection the firm is able to offer the best services to the older persons.
The Life Matters firm is under the leadership of Scott Thompson who is the Chief Executive Officer and also the founder of the organization. Scott Thompson graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and has been a founder and leader in various firms. His leadership experience can be demonstrated in his experience in strategy, finances and operations and he has been recognized and awarded for the same (Life Matters LLC, n.d). His duties involve overseeing strategy development and ensuring the implementation of the strategies in the organization. He undertakes the responsibility of ensuring that the members of the team working under him perform their function in accordance to the goal and mission of the organization. Given that his organization has an interest in providing health insurance to the elderly and other health related care, his leadership experience and skills align with the need to provide personal and health care to the elderly persons. The management position is important since important decisions on stakeholder relations are made at that level. Knowledge and skills on management are important in establishing supportive collaboration with various stakeholders including aging agencies and formulating strategies that involve providing health and personal care to the elderly. The person pursuing a career in management has the capacity to formulate strategies that will bring together various stakeholders in the health care system to have a common aim of improving health services.
Conclusion
Personal and health care services for the elderly can be improved through collaboration among various stakeholders who provide them. Provision of information on these services to the elderly is necessary so that they can access these services. Management knowledge and skills are necessary in formulation of strategies for provision of health care services to the elderly.
References
Life Matters LLC, (n.d). Retrieved from: http://longlifematters.com/
N4a, (2017).Area Agencies on Aging. Retrieved from: https://www.n4a.org/Files/LocalLeadersAAA2017.pdf
