|
May 2021
 
Celebrating Older Americans in May
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the Nation's observance of Older Americans Month. This years theme is "Communities of Strength".
Older adults across the nation have built resilience and strength over their lives through numerous successes, failures, joys, and difficulties. Their stories and contributions to society help to support and inspire others. This year we will celebrate the strength of older adults and the aging network with an emphasis on the power of connections and engagement in building strong communities.
With the pandemic of last year it really brought to everyone's attention meaningful connection. There are many things we can all do for self-care to reinforce our strength and continue to thrive in our communities. Connection is vital and plays an important role in our health and well-being.
Follow the Iowa Department on Aging on Facebook and Twitter and share you plans and stories on how you are celebrating your Older American by using #OlderAmericansMonth and tagging the #IowaDepartmentonAging!
FEMA Assistance For Funeral Expenses Due to COVID
In early April, FEMA began providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden brought on by the pandemic.
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet the following conditions:
- The death must have occurred in the United States
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19
The following documentation/information to gather when applying for the funding include items such as:
- An official death certificate
- Funeral expense documents
- Proof of funds received from other sources (specifically for use toward funeral costs)
For more detailed information and to apply for financial assistance click here or call 844.684.6333 TTY: 800.462.7585
The Iowa Café
The Iowa Café is a new, innovative nutrition initiative being piloted in select counties across Iowa. The Iowa Café is a partnership between local Area Agencies on Aging and licensed foodservice establishments like restaurants, food trucks, cafés, convenience stores, and grocery stores with hot and cold options to provide high quality meals to older Iowans and concurrently support local economies.
Goals:
- Provide choice, quality, and nutritious meal options to food insecure, malnourished, and socially isolated older Iowans;
- Diversify meal sites, delivery methods, and food options to meet the needs or an increasingly diverse population and reach communities that lack OAA nutrition services; and;
- Concurrently support local economies struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participant Eligibility To participate in The Iowa Café, individuals must be 60 years of age or older, or a spouse of an eligible individual regardless of age. Meals are provided on a voluntary contribution basis, and individuals will be given the opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the meal.
Call for Proposals Restaurants interested in participating in The Iowa Café will be able to fill out an interest form on the Iowa Department on Aging's website here. The contracted restaurant will agree to provide meals to eligible participants. Restaurants will be loaned tablet technology with software available to track participants and meals via credit-card or keychain style participant cards. Therefore, internet access in the restaurant is required. Restaurants will be reimbursed on a per-meal basis. Contractors will contract directly with their local Area Agency on Aging, and will be provided with a detailed guide to launch their Iowa Café.
For questions and additional information, please contact: Alexandra Bauman, RD, LDN | Nutrition, Health & Wellness Director | alexandra.bauman@iowa.gov
Prioritizing Nutrition Security
A recently published research study calls for "a shift in focus and policies from food to healthy, nourishing food", indicating that sufficient calories and quantities of food may not be meeting the mark to address nutrition security.
The author defines nutrition security as having consistent access to and availability and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being, while preventing - and, if needed, treating - disease." To read the full study click here.
SNAP Benefits Now on Amazon!
Amazon is now accepting SNAP EBT cards to purchase items from Amazon Fresh!
For more information see the infographic below or go to AMAZON EBT FAQ or click here to view a quick video.
Unified Caregiving Strategy for Family Caregivers
The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) has developed a strategy to support caregivers across the Nation. The From Momentum to Movement report is the first reduplication of a living document and compilation of resources to help guide advocated in developing statewide caregiving strategies to address community-level needs. The report provides a strategic process to foster development of actionable goals for state plans and includes policy recommendations to coordinate alignment across key global, national, and state-level priorities to help strengthen movement toward a robust and unified caregiving strategy for all caregivers.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
The Iowa Department of Public Health is coordinating the COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort in Iowa. For more information on eligibility in Iowa and to schedule a vaccine appointment click here.
If you have general questions about the vaccine, call 211. Resource specialists are available 24 hours a day to answer basic questions.
Check with your health care provider with questions specific to your health situation.
Iowa CAPABLE Grant in NY Times
The Iowa Department on Aging received grant funding in Fall, 2020 to partner with community partners and pilot CAPABLE in Dallas, Mills, and Pottawattamie Counties. CAPABLE is an evidence-based program that combines Occupational Therapist visits, Nurse visits, and a day's work from a handy worker to provide simple home modifications to keep older individuals safe in their home. CAPABLE was recently featured in the New York Times.
The article describes one participant's experience in Baltimore, Maryland, "I feel safe and I feel secure," he said recently. "I don't have to call somebody to help me. I feel independent, and I've been independent all my life." Click here to read the full article.
 
Celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15th, 2021 is bringing recognition to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and is serving as a call-to-action for all individuals, organizations, and communities. The Administration on Community Living and the National Center on Elder Abuse are excited to share new and updated tools that were designed to help individuals generate awareness about elder abuse. Click here for more information and follow the Iowa Department on Aging on Facebook and Twitter for more ways to celebrate during the month of June.
Older Americans Month - May 2021
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - June 15th, 2021
|
