The Link - August 2018

Week of July 30, 2018

Natural disasters are unpredictable and often have a devastating impact on Iowa towns and the communities within them. There are a variety of resources available in the State of Iowa to aid in recovery: https://www.iowa.gov/disaster-recovery-resources
An on line storm damage report, used to inform Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, is available to report damage to property, roads, utilities or any other storm-related information: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/162782ba447e494a8a82fdae29625fd4
Eldercare Locator offers a fact sheet about helping older adults weather the storm before, during and after disasters: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Resources/Brochures/docs/Critical-Conversations-weather-storm-508.pdf
Heat safety for older adults:
From the National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-weather-safety-older-adults
From the National Institutes of Health: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/heat-related-health-dangers-older-adults-soar-during-summer
Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) unites homeless service providers, advocates, veterans, and concerned citizens toward the goal of meeting the evolving needs of veterans who are homeless. Community partners are encouraged to take the CHALENG survey that assesses local challenges faced by homeless veterans, identify unmet needs and encourage partnership action to meet those needs: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4305931/CHALENG-2018
National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) is seeking input from state and local stakeholders to inform the future of transportation coordination.Your feedback will help shape work group plans and focus areas by identifying promising practices, barriers and challenges around coordinated transportation: Transportation Coordination Survey
This report focuses on ways to support Americans as a newly recognized Longevity Economy becomes an increasingly important part of this nation's economic activity. From the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and Bank of America Merrill Lynch: Longevity Economics Leveraging the Advantages of an Aging Society

Nearly 60% of eligible seniors are not enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This "senior SNAP gap" is fueled by misunderstandings about the program. The fact sheet offers vital information for older adults who worry SNAP isn't for them: Download the fact sheet
An online course includes 1) how to define food insecurity; 2) risk factors for food insecurity among older adults; 3) negative health outcomes that food-insecure patients face; 4) Hunger Vital Sign screening tool; 5) SNAP and additional nutrition resources. From FRAC, developed with AARP Foundation: Screen and Intervene: Addressing Food Insecurity Among Older Adults
Learn language from standardized electronic health record vocabularies for food insecurity screening, assessment, intervention and billing in health care settings:“An Overview of Food Insecurity Coding in Health Care Settings: Existing and Emerging Opportunities.”

In wake of the opioid epidemic, new resources will soon be available for grandparents raising grandchildren: https://www.aging.senate.gov/press-releases/collins-casey-bill-to-support-grandparents-raising-grandchildren-signed-into-law

For older Veterans who have or are at risk for behavioral health conditions, this inventory provides an overview of resources for health and social service professionals interested in enhancing their outreach and support : https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/communityproviders/itf.asp

Access falls prevention resources, including the new policy brief, from the Iowa Department of Public Health: http://idph.iowa.gov/falls-prevention/resources

Save the Date: Older Iowans Legislature

September 24 and 25, 2018
Iowa House of Representatives chamber, Iowa State Capitol
Priority issues will be determined for advocacy during the next legislative session. Governor Reynolds and Democratic challenger Fred Hubbell are invited to speak. The Lahoma Counts Memorial Award will be presented to Representative Dave Heaton.

Webinar from the National Center on Law and Elder Rights:

August 14
Eviction Defense: Helping Older Tenants Remain at Home

Webinars from the American Society on Aging

The mission of the Iowa Department on Aging is to develop a comprehensive, coordinated and

cost-effective system of long-term living and community support services that helps older Iowans maintain

health and independence in their homes and communities.

Stay Connected with Iowa Department on Aging:

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