Family Eldercare, Austin, TX

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Project Title
A Better Way to Live At Home: Education, Resources, and Supports for Older Adults

Project Summary
The grantee, Family Eldercare, proposes a three year Community Innovations for Aging in Place project in collaboration with the City of Austin and local housing authorities, the Area Agency on Aging and five other local agencies. The program will be provided in subsidized housing with high concentrations of low-income older adults in three Central Texas communities. The approach is to deliver services through a Service Coordinator at each site, provide case management to persons at risk of premature institutionalization and provide activities, including evidenced based practices, that impact aging in place.

Goals and Objectives
The goal of the project is to promote a community in which older adults are active and engaged and barriers to aging in place are proactively addressed. The objectives are: 1) establish an effective program for promoting aging in place, 2) develop a community culture for aging in place, 3) maintain or improve the physical and mental health of older adults, 4) increase opportunities for socialization and learning, and 6) reduce the rate at which older adults move out.

Outcomes and Products
The expected outcomes are: 1) On-site staff and residents have increased understanding of the signs that older adults need additional support to remain aging in place, 2) Reduced fear of falling and improved activity levels among older adults, 3) Reduced medication problems, 3) Improved memory performance, 4) Increased older adult participation in on site activities and volunteerism, 5) Increased knowledge and skills among older adults, and 6) Increased understanding of the relationship between program activities and older adult move out rates. The products are written reports with results and lessons learned, Internet posting of information, conference presentations, and a toolkit for replicating the program.