October 19th, 2022
$800,000 to improve older adults’ health and safety through community based aging services and healthcare integration
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello joined Congressman Joe Morelle, Lifespan, representatives from Rochester Regional Hospital and University of Rochester Medical Center, and community partners to announce $800,000 in proposed funding awarded to Lifespan of Greater Rochester to provide wraparound services and support for older adults, enhancing their access to healthcare. Lifespan’s proposal is one of almost 40 projects selected as part of Bring Monroe Back, Monroe County’s plan that will utilize federal funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Through the efforts of Congressman Joseph D. Morelle, and Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Monroe County is the recipient of $144,080,127 in local fiscal recovery funds.
“Each year Lifespan serves over 26,000 older adults, making it one of the largest non-profit social agencies in Monroe County. Their comprehensive services provide critical support to older adults and caregivers,” said County Executive Bello. “Lifespan’s proposal seeks to ease the burden of navigating the increasing healthcare demands that older adults face by linking clients with LPNs and social workers who will assist with a range of duties like, assisting client with telemedicine, applying for government benefits like SNAP and HEAP, and assisting with the installation of fall prevention devices that help keep older adults in their homes.”
Lifespan of Greater Rochester’s proposal will connect older adults with LPNs who will work with older adults as patient advocates and educators. LPNs will work to increase access to health care by coordinating transportation, attending medical appoints, facilitating telehealth, arranging pharmacy delivery, scheduling preventive health care screens and vaccinations. Social work care managers will work with older adults directly, conducting home visits and linking them with community based services. Social workers will also provide guidance for caregivers and help ease the stress of caregiving.
The outcomes projected for this project include connecting older adults with preventive healthcare screens, interventions, or mental health services; ensuring that they successfully attend a minimum of 85% of medical appointments, and decrease avoidable hospital admissions and emergency room visits by 25% by the end of 2026. Lifespan anticipates serving over 2,500 older adults and caregivers.
“Lifespan does extraordinary work to uplift seniors in our community, and I’m proud to have secured this funding that will allow them to provide an even higher level of care to those who need it most,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m grateful to County Executive Bello for his leadership and commitment to utilizing ARPA funding in ways that will benefit our entire community for years to come.”
Senator Schumer said, “From barriers to healthcare access to food and economic insecurity, older adults have faced several challenges that were only made worse by the pandemic. That’s why the work Lifespan does is so vital in our community – as they work to provide relief from these long-lasting negative impacts. I was proud to secure this funding in the American Rescue Plan, and I applaud County Executive Bello for prioritizing both Lifespan and Monroe County’s most vulnerable, underserved older adults.”
“Our older adult population was and continues to be severely impacted by the pandemic,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This proposal will be essential to connecting older adults with preventive medical care and ensuring they have assistance to access resources that will fully integrate their social and medical care, helping to extend their independence and better their health outcomes. I am grateful to County Executive Bello for investing in this initiative and I am proud to have fought for federal American Rescue Plan dollars to make these critical services a reality.”
“We’ve proven that linking our LPN and social work services with medical systems of care reduces unnecessary ED visits and hospitalizations 25% to 30% among our older adult clients. This outcome proves the efficacy of our work and provides an excellent basis for this ARPA funding award. Lifespan is committed to working with our health care partners, Monroe County and our representatives to make Rochester a great place to age well,” said President and CEO of Lifespan Ann Marie Cook.
About the Bring Monroe Back ARPA initiative:
Under County Executive Bello’s Bring Monroe Back recovery initiative, the Department of Planning conducted a community wide survey, held numerous public meetings and heard testimony from community organizations to determine community funding priorities. The plan is now before the Monroe County Legislature for consideration and approval. Selected programs align with one or more of County Executive Bello’s four pillars for Monroe County’s future: Public Health and Wellness, Public Safety, Economic and Workforce Development, and Infrastructure.
Pending approval by the County Legislature, Monroe County will enter into a contract with Lifespan of Greater Rochester that will commence on or about Jan. 1, 2023.
