by Barbara Stinson Lee and Priscilla Cabral Intermountain Catholic SALT LAKE CITY—Irene has always been a pretty girl and at age 84 and with Alzheimer’s disease, she still manages to shower, put make-up on, and get her hair done to look good. "She has a harder time choosing what to wear," said Cal Gaddis, her husband of 64 years. "But she is pleased when I approve her outfit," he said. Even though Irene’s passion for high-maintenance has not changed over the years, other things have. "You have a different person altogether, than the one you married," said Gaddis referring to the many ways Alzheimer’s disease has affected his wife. "She has little or no short-term memory. Sometimes she is not able to reason. She hears well, but you would think she doesn’t because she can’t process the words. She walks, but not steady… She is gradually slipping away," he said. Gaddis says a caregiver has to change also. "Never argue because no matter what, they’re always right," he said. "You need love, patience and respect for the patient." Facing the illness of a spouse is never easy, and it gets more difficult as you age. But the Department of Human Services is standing by with an understanding ear and resources that can make your life easier. Under the direction of Lisa-Michele Church, executive director of the Department of Human Services, the Utah State Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) is sensitive to the issues of aging, said Alan K. Ormsby, a lawyer and director of DAAS. With Nels R. Holmgren, assistant division director, Ormsby and his staff look to the continued independence of Utah’s elderly population living in their homes, and Diane E. Stewart, Adult Protective Services director, investigates any allegations involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation of Utah’s vulnerable adults. DAAS has a number of services we can offer older adults, said Ormsby. "We have services provided by the Federal government through the Older Americans Act, like Meals-on-Wheels and meals in senior centers, and we have additional services to keep people healthy and independent at home." According to the DAAS 2007 Annual Report, "Older Americans Act Title III-B funds are used to provide a wide variety of services that enable Utah’s seniors to maintain their independence. Remaining at home in a community with which they are familiar is a high priority for Utah seniors. When illness or disability limits seniors’ ability to perform tasks necessary to live independently, outside assistance is requested. With funds made available from the Older Americans Act in the categories of access, legal, in-home, and optional services, the (Aging and Adult Services) provide services to help families and caregivers maintain seniors in their own homes and communities. The agencies also provide information and presentations on a wide range of topics of interest to seniors, such as health and medical issues, taxes, budgeting and personal finance, insurance, Medicare, estate planning, consumer fraud, etc." "For more vulnerable adults, anyone over the age of 18 who have substantial limitations or are at risk of abuse or financial exploitation, the services of Adult Protective Services are called in to find the vulnerable adults and make sure they are protected," said Stewart. Sadly, Stewart said, adults in danger of abuse or neglect or those experiencing exploitation of funds is one of the fastest growing areas of concern. "Typically, it is family members who are exploiting them." Ormsby said sometimes total strangers take advantage of the elderly, so the office of Adult Protective Services keeps a wary eye out for scams directed at the elderly. "All of the services we provide in Salt Lake City are also provided at the local level throughout the state," said Holmgren. "The state is divided into 12 geographical areas, each with organizations to provide services. For example, there is a six-county area that has an extension of the DAAS. We use a triage model. We evaluate every client to determine the best approach for them." Whether the client needs the services of a caregiver who comes into the home or simply nutritional support of Meals-on-Wheels, DAAS can assist them. Ormsby said they even have an office that deals with nothing but questions about Medicare part D. "We try to guide people through the process and help them find the best program for them." "A lot depends on whether a senior is Medicaid qualified or not," said Ormsby, "and what level of care is needed. Elizabeth Sollis, public information officer for the Utah Department of Human Services said DAAS even offers volunteer services – helpful seniors who can offer other seniors transportation options. Holmgren said another important facet of the DAAS is the system of senior centers throughout the state. "At the senior centers, people get that very important social interaction they might not get at home," he said. "We also offer state legal services and counseling. Again, people can get access to all these services by calling their local Department of Human Services Office or the DAAS office. The Salt Lake County DAAS office is something of a flagship for the whole system, Holmgren said, largely because of the number of people they serve. The Department of Human Services and DAAS have a toll-free phone number, 1-877-424-4640, that will route callers to the correct offices in their given areas, Sollis said. If Adult Protective Services are needed, their toll-free number is 1-800-371-7897. Ormsby said DAAS depends on families, neighbors, and people in the community to help them fulfill their vision statement: "Offering choices for independence." "Sometimes it’s neighbors or other people who notice that a vulnerable person is becoming isolated," he said. "They notice their neighbor has stopped attending community activities or church, which makes the social aspect of their lives limited. Socialization is very important to the elderly and the vulnerable, but sometimes it’s hard for them to ask for help, or they think someone else needs the help more than they do." One activity, the centenary celebration, is sponsored annually by DAAS. Ormsby said DAAS tries to gather together all of the people in Utah 100 years of age and older for a celebration with Governor Huntsman. "We do an extensive search," he said. "We know we have about 140 centenarians in the state, and we communicate regularly with about 124 of them. The majority of them are women. While we may not get them all to the party, they all seem to enjoy the invitation. We provide a brunch for them, and the governor visits with each of the tables. We have a few who can still dance." "It’s exciting to see who will show up each year," said Holmgren. Most of them come with their children, but some also bring their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We remember them from year to year and look forward to seeing them again." The mission statement of DAAS is to: provide leadership and advocacy in addressing issues that impact older Utahns, and serve elder and disabled adults needing protection from abuse, neglect, or exploitation; to fulfill their vision of offering choices for independence by facilitating the availability of a community-based system of services in both urban and rural areas of the state that support independent living and protect quality of life; and to encourage citizen involvement in the planning and delivery of services. Manuel Romero, community relations and program manager for the Department of Human Services, said investigations into the welfare of the elderly and the vulnerable are always done in keeping with the wishes and the dignity of the client. "The client is primary in the work we do," said Sollis. They allow us to tie them into other services they might need, or they can decline our services. Ormsby said keeping the needs and the wishes and the dignity of the elderly and the vulnerable people in Utah must come first. "These are people who have lived long lives, most of them. Their independence is important to them. Their safety and their security are important to us."
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