[Northwest Senior Services Board]

ADVANCE MEETING MATERIALS

APRIL 10, 2018

REGULAR MEETING

1:00 – 3:30PM NORTHWEST REGIONAL COUNCIL – SKAGIT OFFICE

301 VALLEY MALL WAY, SUITE 100 MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273

Northwest Regional Council 600 Lakeway Drive

Bellingham, WA 98225 360.676.6749

Map to

Northwest Regional Council Office

301 Valley Mall Way, Suite 100

Mount Vernon WA 98273

Exit 227

Exit 227 R

ive

rsid

e D

rive

E College Way

Bellingham

Take exit 227off I-5. At the end of the exit ramp, head east on E College Way. Continue to Riverside Drive, turn right. First cross street is Roosevelt Street, turn right. There is a traffic light at intersection. Building will be on your left. NWRC is located in the South end of the building. The North end of the build-ing houses Northsound BHO.

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Roosevelt Street

Valley Mall Way

Hobby Lobby

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Date: April 10, 2018

Time: 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Location: Northwest Regional Council 301 Valley Mall Way, Suite 100

Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Agenda Time Topic Pages Action

Required 1:00-1:05 Regular Meeting Call to Order

Barbara Pesola, Chair • Pledge of Allegiance• Introduction of Guests• Roll Call• Review of February Minutes• Announcements• Public Comments• Call for Expense Reimbursement

Forms

3-6 Motion

1:05-1:10 Welcome to the New Meeting Space Welcome New Member: Denise Irey Barbara Pesola, Chair

Verbal Information

1:10-1:50 Neoliberal Long-Term Care: From Community to Corporate Control Baozhen Luo

Handout Information

1:50-2:10 WA Legislative Session Update and Federal Funding Issues Dan Murphy

7-16 Discussion

2:10-2:20 New Office Tour Shawn Devine

Verbal Information

2:20-2:30 Break

NORTHWEST SENIOR SERVICES BOARD

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2:30-3:00 NWRC Agency Update Dan Murphy, Elizabeth Anderson, Ryan Blackwell

• Behavioral Health Process• Foundational Community Supports

Contract• April Governing Board Meeting

Verbal Discussion

3:00-3:10 Caregiver Outreach Materials Strategy Stacy Malone-Miller

Handout Information

3:10-3:15 State Council on Aging Update (SCOA) Georgiann Dustin

17-20 Information

3:15-3:25 Updates from Our Communities Members

Verbal Discussion

3:30 Adjourn Verbal Motion

Upcoming Northwest Senior Services Board Meetings and Events: June 12, 2018 Regular Meeting Mount Vernon* August 14, 2018 Regular Meeting Mount Vernon* October 9, 2018 Regular Meeting Mount Vernon* October 10-11, 2018 Fall Gathering and Conference Tacoma December 11, 2018 Regular Meeting Mount Vernon*

*NWRC Skagit Office- 301 Valley Mall Way, Suite 100, Mount Vernon

Upcoming Northwest Regional Council Meetings: April 26, 2018 Governing Board Meeting Mount Vernon^ July 26, 2018 Governing Board Meeting Mount Vernon^ December 7, 2018 Governing Board Meeting Mount Vernon^

^Skagit County Commissioner’s Office- 1800 Continental Pl #100, Mt Vernon

Meetings are held in accessible facilities. For more complete information, please contact the NWRC at 360-676-6749 or 1-800-585-6749, 600 Lakeway Drive, Suite 100, Bellingham WA 98225.

Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a meeting should contact the NWRC at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting.

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Northwest Senior Services Board Meeting Minutes February 13, 2018

Guests Present: Denise Irey, incoming board member from Whatcom County

Members Present: Bill Bezanson, Carl Bender, Georgiann Dustin, Shirley Forslof, Jana Finkbonner, Joan Fortune, Wendy Gilbert, Alberta Horn, Bob Monize, Ken O’Mhuan, Barb Pesola, Tasker Robinette

Members Absent: Anna Ankrum, Baozhen Luo, Leslie Lawson, Jodi Sipes

Staff Present: Elizabeth Anderson, Ryan Blackwell, Melody Coleman, Michelle Richards, Penny Morgan, Dan Murphy

Review of Minutes: Motion was made by Bob Monize, Island County, and seconded by Tasker Robinette, Skagit County, that the minutes from the November 1, 2017 meeting be approved. The motion passed unanimously.

Announcements: There were no announcements.

Public Comment: There was no public comment.

Expense Reimbursement Forms: Collected.

Mileage/Per Diem for 2018 Elizabeth Anderson, Health & Human Services Planner

Elizabeth pointed out the changes to the 2018 NWSSB travel expense forms. Mileage reimbursement went up 1 cent for 2018. Meal rates are now reimbursed based on a flat rate. The rate depends on where you are dining. A copy of the 2018 form and details on the rates can be found in the advanced meeting materials packet.

Meeting Location Change and Certificate of Appreciation for Skagit Publishing Barb Pesola, Chair

Barb noted that this meeting will be the last held at the Skagit Publishing Community Room. She introduced a Certificate of Appreciation for Skagit Publishing for the use of their Community Room for NWSSB meetings.

Motion was made by Shirley Forslof, Whatcom County, and seconded by Georgian Dustin, Whatcom County, that the NWSSB present Skagit Publishing with a Certificate of Appreciation. The motion passed unanimously.

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MAC/TSOA Update Melody Coleman, Community Programs Director

Melody reported on the progress of NWRC’s new programs under Medicaid Alternative Care (MAC) and Tailored Supports for Older Adults (TSOA). A handout was distributed comparing the progress of the MAC/ TSOA for NWRC with state wide data for the programs. The MAC & TSOA approach is directed at the dyad of a caregiver and receiver. The program focuses on dyads that are over income/resources for traditional Medicaid or choose not to participate due to the Medicaid Estate Recovery process. One challenge for the program is that currently it is only reaching 1% of population because many do not identify themselves as caregivers.

Melody stressed that community programs has been doubling down on reaching out to caregivers; including ads, word of mouth, and the outreach work the Advisory Council subcommittee has been doing. This will aid in reaching unpaid caregivers, and help them identify themselves as caregivers, to get the assistance we have available to them and keep them in their home. The program has a small marketing budget, but most of the promotion comes through the agency and the efforts of the Advisory Council subcommittee. Dan pointed out that this advertising/publicity campaign is more challenging because our target audience is not looking for our product.

Caregiver Outreach Training Michelle Richards, Community Programs Staff

Michelle provided information on a workshop planned for Community Programs and the Advisory Council Outreach Committee on March 7th at the new NWRC Skagit office. Flyer distributed. This event will focus on the caregiver outreach presentation that the committee, and others, will take to the community at various events and locations. Michelle reported that each participant will get a tool kit and a thorough introduction to the material. Then there will be an opportunity for everyone to do some speaking, give feedback, about keep things fun and interesting. Also Community Programs has offered to provide some follow-up support for volunteers the day before their event.

W4A Advocacy in Olympia Barb Pesola and Georgiann Dustin

Barb reported that the W4A Lobby Day was a success and very informative. Shirley Forslof knew many people from her other work and helped facilitate a lot of networking on both sides of the aisle. Georgiann pointed out that she found it really eye opening how much information is not out there. Barb praised Kate White Tudor’s informative webinars which were a great help when speaking with legislators. The group’s consensus was that once the information was shared people recognize these issues are important.

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Legislative Session Update Dan Murphy, Executive Director

Dan emphasized that with around 3000 bills to be voted on in the current legislative session, constituents do matter. He praised the lobbying efforts of the NWSSB in getting our message to the legislators. A handout was distributed detailing some of the major issues for our agency. Dan explained that three of four major issues are moving in an advantageous direction.

• Health Homes rate increase - We got sponsorship in the budget in House andSenate.

• Individual Provider Employment Administrator Program - The bill haspassed Senate, but is likely to be controversial. It creates a new administrativeentity to do IP related administrative tasks like contracting, payroll, managingovertime, and IP taxes. The challenge comes with the differences in the waypublic sector runs and moving into private sector. Our agency’s point of view isbeyond politics, as our primary need is to get this work off our case managementstaff.

• Respite provider training - This bill would lower training requirements forrespite caregivers. It passed the House and is on the way to the Senate, noproblems expected.

• Long Term Care Trust Act - This bill was more controversial and will not go tothe floor this session. The program would provide a long-term care benefit forpeople employed in Washington. The coverage is financed by a 0.49% payrolldeduction on all workers. Dan commented that Hawaii has a model they aretrying to implement, which could provide valuable insight for the future of this bill.

Foundational Community Supports Ryan Blackwell, Health & Human Services Planner

Foundational Community Supports is a part of Washington State’s Medicaid Transformation Demonstration Project. The program offers supports for housing and employment stability. NWRC would like to access this program with a focus on housing supports, as the agency has staff already at Catherine Mae and Birchwood. Assistance would come in the form of pre-tenancy supports - help finding housing, and tenancy sustaining services – help people keep their housing. Eligibility criteria intersect many of the clients we are already serving in other programs. We polled case managers and care coordinators on staff and found that housing issues are very relevant for our current clients.

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NWRC Agency Update Dan Murphy, Executive Director

Dan reported the 2018 budget includes recommendations from the Advisory Council on additional staffing and approval for behavioral health services, which may be rolled out in the first half of year. The Skagit County office move is soon to be finalized and the next NWSSB meeting will be at the conference room at the new location. As of June 1st, the agency will take over the lease for the 2nd floor at the Bellingham office location. Dan also announced that the Governing Board has approved the Strategic Plan Update.

State Council on Aging Update (SCOA) Georgiann Dustin

Georgiann reported that next week SCOA has a meeting in Olympia visiting with legislators. She commented that NWSSB provides key info to make our group more effective in advocacy efforts. She related an idea for attention grabber props or gimmicks used to give “legs” to our material. She proposed that perhaps our group could brainstorm some ways to leave such an impression.

Updates from Our Communities: Members shared updates from their communities

Announcements and Adjourn March 7, 2018 is the date of the Caregiver Outreach Training in Mount Vernon.* April 10, 2018 is the next NWSSB Regular Meeting in Mount Vernon* April 26, 2018 is the date of the next NWRC Governing Board Meeting. *NWRC Skagit Office - 301 Valley Mall Way Suite 100, Mount Vernon.

There being no further business, Bob Monize, Island County moved and Alberta Horn, Skagit County seconded motion that the NWSSB adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 3:40pm.

_____________________________________ Penny Morgan, Admin Assistant

Reviewed and approved by the Northwest Senior Services Board at the February 13th, 2018 meeting.

_________________________________ Barbara Pesola, NWSSB Chair

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March 16, 2018

TO: Northwest Senior Services Board

FROM: Dan Murphy, Executive Director

SUBJECT: Legislative Session

Background Since much of NWRC’s future direction is influenced by decisions made in the state legislature, here’s a quick summary of what was accomplished when they adjourned last week. Many of you provided much needed advocacy this session, and this helped yield positive results.

Key Issues 1. House Bill 2435 - Respite Provider Training. Passed unanimously.

The bill should make it easier to increase the number of respite providers,which we will need to hit the demand for respite that will come as we rampup MAC/TSOA. The law change reduces training requirements from 35 to14 hours for workers only providing respite services for less than 300hours per year. To improve access, twelve of the fourteen hours must beonline.

2. Senate Bill 6199 - Consumer Directed Employer. Passed on a party-line vote. On its way to the Governor. This bill has significant impact onhow we work with Individual Providers. It makes three basic changes:

a. It authorizes DSHS to procure a private entity that will become thethird party employer (instead of the State) of individualprovider’s. That means the Consumer Directed Employer (CDE)will assume administrative duties now accomplished byDSHS/AAA’s, including such items as:

o Verifying IPs have met the training requirements;o Conducting or verifying background checks;o Implementing an electronic visit verification system or

monitoring a statistically valid sample of individual provider'sclaims to the receipt of services by the consumer;

o Monitoring individual provider compliance with employmentrequirements;

o Providing a copy of the consumer's care plan to the IP;o Verifying the IP is able and willing to carry out the plan of

care;

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o Taking into account information provided by the consumer orthe consumer's case manager;

o Discontinuing the IP's assignment to a consumer when theCDE has reason to believe, or DSHS or AAA has reported,that the health, safety or well-being of a consumer is inimminent jeopardy due to the performance of the IP;

o Rejecting a consumer's request if the CDE has reason tobelieve that the individual will be unable to meet the careneeds of the consumer;

o Establishing a dispute resolution process for consumers whowish to dispute the CDE's IP assignment decisions;

o Operating the IP referral registry;o Payroll, including withholding, filing and paying income and

employment taxes for IP’s.

Consumers/clients will still be considered the “managing employer” with the primary right to select, dismiss, assign hours, and supervise the work of their IP’s. The CDE will be responsible for managing overtime. Case Management programs will continue to develop and monitor plans of care, reassess and authorize services --- essentially maintaining the range of functions and authorities that are similar to other providers. For example, we would expect to interact with the CDE provider in the same ways we interact with homecare agencies.

b. It establishes a rate setting board to set the compensation rate forIP’s and the administrative rate for the CDE.

c. The process of switching the third party employer of IP’s from apublic to a private entity changes the labor rules that governcollective bargaining.

DSHS will begin steps immediately to procure the CDE provider(s) with transition of the IP administrative functions projected by July 1, 2020 to no later than July 1, 2021. It is important to keep in mind that this is a different structure and process than the transition to the Training Partnership several years ago. The Partnership is governed by a Board of Trustees and isn’t a provider under contract with the state. The CDE will be a provider under contract with the state, which gives them direct authority to establish qualifications, performance standards, and accountability. Having said that, bringing the CDE up to speed is a complex contracting process, so by no means is this a slam dunk. NWRC will be at the table to do its best to help the procurement and implementation produce at the level of success we need.

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We will not be involved in the rate setting board, just as we are not involved in the current rate setting process.

On the political side, as many of you have seen in the press, the switch in the rules governing collective bargaining associated with this bill that has attracted the most controversy and news coverage. While the labor-related politics around this bill are what gathered press, I’ve attached an Op-Ed that I sent to the Seattle Times and Olympian that highlights a take on the greatest need this bill will address --- creating an infrastructure that is up to the task of managing the increased administrative complexity of the IP program. Clearly, that workload has taken us away from dong other important tasks that benefit our clients. Worth noting that my Op-ed was not run and I suspect, in part, that is because “building essential LTC infrastructure” doesn’t grab readers as much as a headline focused on labor politics.

In our work around this issue, we asked that either:

1) We be paid adequately to do the IP work or;2) The legislature and executive branch find another way to get thatwork done and take it off our plate.

This bill choses the second path, so our challenge now is to make it work.

Three last comments on this one:

• The changes in how IP management happens does not stem from concerns about the quality of the todays work. NWRC staff (and staff across the state) do a great job. It’s about relieving the strain doing that work, unfunded, has placed on our system.

• When the CDE is operational after 2020, DSHS will reduce our funding the equivalent of a half an FTE. That corresponds to the level of funding that was ever provided for IP work and it obviously takes more time than that, so there should be a net win. We will be able to absorb that reduction easily. No one will lose their job --- we have plenty of other work to do.

• There has been a lot of misleading press about the cost of the CDE, including an implication that the CDE funding is “for the union” or “going to the union.” Setting spin aside, the DSHS Aging and Long-Term Services Administration funding for CDE is projected at around $17.6 million per biennium when it is fully implemented. None of those funds will go to the union, and that

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amount is pretty close to what it would take to fully fund IP support through the existing system. In other words --- that level of investment would be necessary whether done through the avenue of CDE or via adequately funding the AAA network to continue the work.

3. SB2533 --- Long Term Care Trust Act. The Trust Act would haveprovided a $100 per day long-term care benefit for most employedWashingtonians after 2025. For many that would take the place of (or atleast delay) the kind of impoverishment that eventually puts people whoneed LTC onto Medicaid. The Trust Act would have major (positive)implications for the LTC services NWRC provides. We can expect thisimportant bill to be reintroduced in the 2019 legislative session. Toprepare for that, AAA’s were asked by budget proviso (see attachedlanguage) to help provide options for how family members could becomeproviders using Trust Act Resources, which was one of the stumblingblocks that killed the bill this session.

4. In the Budget:

• The Health Home rate increase was included in HCA’sbudget. Finally! That gives HCA authority to pay CareCoordination agencies a rate that will keep the programsustainable. Or, put another way, it gives them authority to sendthe savings the program has produced back to where the work isbeing done. Only three sentences in the budget, but they areimportant ones:

22. Health Homes The Health Homes program integratescare within existing systems for high-risk, high-cost adultsand children, including clients that are dually-eligible forMedicare and Medicaid. Funding provided is to be used for a20 percent rate increases effective July 1, 2018 andperformance payments for care coordinator organizationsserving fee-for-service clients in the health home program.These performance payments shall be equal to 5 percent ofthe average base rate and shall reward successfulbeneficiary engagement. (General Fund-State; GeneralFund Medicaid).

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“SB 6199 is a life line our Long-Term Care system needs” By Dan Murphy

Every day tens of thousands of vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities rely on case managers employed by Washington’s Area Agencies on Aging to help them access quality care in their own homes and communities. Case managers are nurses and medical social workers. They do everything from assessing what daily activities these individuals can no longer do for themselves, to authorizing the Medicaid-funded services that help them with eating, dressing, personal hygiene, and mobility. They check in on beneficiaries to make sure care is delivered, look for changes in their health that requires different care, and monitor for signs of abuse and neglect.

Their work — especially home visits to directly observe care — is critical to ensuring that people who may not be able to look out for themselves remain safe and stable in their homes.

But increasingly, case managers are buried under mountains of paperwork, and it’s harder and harder to find the time to focus on their clients’ needs. More and more of their time is taken up with the administrative employment and payroll tasks for the 35,000 individual provider caregivers who provide the day-to-day help for their clients.

Instead of visiting clients who have dementia, or who live alone, or who have unstable health conditions, case managers must spend their time sorting through individual providers’ tax filings, employment security filings, overtime-pay calculations, fingerprint and background checks, and verifying licensure and continuing education.

This isn’t the best use of case managers’ time or training, but they do it because there’s no one else to do it. If caregivers fall out of compliance or don’t get paid, their clients suffer. Case managers are swimming as hard as they can to keep afloat with all this paperwork, but Washingtonians need to send them a lifeline.

The needs of both clients and caregivers have become increasingly complex in the largest part of our long-term care system — the state-run home care program. However, the administrative and management systems haven’t kept up with the growing workforce and the burden has largely fallen on case managers, unfunded, to try and patch things together.

That’s why Washington’s Area Agencies on Aging support the passage of Senate Bill 6199, which would take these important but time-consuming administrative and human resource tasks off the plates of case managers so they can focus on doing the critical work they were trained to do — serve vulnerable clients and ensure quality care. The bill would authorize DSHS to contract out employment and management of the program to a professional private entity. This would streamline the process and ensure that taxpayers are getting the most value out of our case managers while ensuring caregivers are paid correctly and on time.

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As is too often the case with good ideas they get caught up in a side argument, and this time it’s about union rights. Whether you like unions or not — what’s important is ensuring quality care for vulnerable residents. The current system is not working for caregivers or clients. Case managers are overwhelmed. Let’s hire professionals to manage the individual provider employment paperwork and let caseworkers get back to serving clients and ensuring they stay safe at home.

Washington State has been a leader in caring for seniors and people with disabilities, but our ability to do so depends on our willingness to invest in smart solutions. Senate Bill 6199 is a smart solution.

Dan Murphy is the Executive Director of the Northwest Regional Council which is the Area Agency for Aging for Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island counties, and is the Chair of the legislative committee for the Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

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Final Budget – AAA Family Member Proviso

Section 206, DSHS Aging and Adult Services Program, (38) $50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2019 and $50,000 of the general fund—federal appropriation are provided solely for the department of social and health services aging and long-term support administration to contract with the area agencies on aging to convene a work group to include long-term care industry members, family members who provide long-term services and supports, and other groups with interest in long-term services and supports to develop a proposal on how family members could be included as providers of long-term services and supports under the previously studied public long-term care benefit. The work group shall review options and propose:

(a) Minimum qualifications that would allow a family caregiver to serve as a long-termservices and supports provider, which may:

(i) Be distinct from the qualifications on the effective date of this act for individualproviders;

(ii) Require training based primarily on the individual needs and preferences ofthe beneficiary;

(iii) Take into account the existing relationship between the family caregiver andthe beneficiary, the duration of the caregiving experience, and the type of care being provided.

(b) Administrative program options for providing compensation, benefits, andprotections for family caregivers, considering cost effectiveness and administrative simplification. The program options shall consider how to preserve the quality of the long-term care workforce and must include worker protections and benefits.

(c) The work group shall develop recommendations and provide the recommendationsto the joint legislative and executive committee on aging and disability by November 15, 2018.

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NCOA Public Policy & Advocacy NCOA Public Policy & Advocacy NCOA Public Policy & Advocacy NCOA Public Policy & Advocacy ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ 251 18th Street South, Suite 500 ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Arlington, VA 22202 ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ advocacy@ncoa.org

Aging Program Funding (Dollars in millions)

FY17 FINAL

FY18 Administration

Request FY18

House FY18

Senate FY18 FINAL

Administration for Community Living (ACL)

Aging Network Support Activities 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 12.5

Supportive Services and Senior Centers 350.2 347.1 350.2 350.2 385.1

Congregate Nutrition 450.3 447.5 450.3 450.3 490.3

Home-Delivered Nutrition 227.3 225.9 227.3 227.3 246.3

Nutrition Services Incentive Program 160.1 159.8 160.1 160.1 160.1

Preventive Health 19.8 19.8 19.8 19.8 24.8

National Family Caregiver Support Program 150.6 150.3 150.6 150.6 180.6

Native American Nutrition and Supportive Services 31.2 31.1 31.2 31.2 33.2

Native American Caregivers Support 7.6 7.5 7.6 7.6 9.6

Protection of Vulnerable Older Americans 20.7 20.6 20.7 20.7 21.7

Elder Rights Support Activities 13.9 11.9 11.9 13.9 15.9

Adult Protective Services (APS) / Elder Justice Initiative 10.0 8.0 TBD 10.0 12.0

Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) 8.0 5.0 5.0 8.0 8.0

Elder Falls Prevention 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0

Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 8.1

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 47.1 0 0 47.1 49.1

Alzheimer's Disease Demonstrations 19.5 19.5 19.5 19.5 23.5

Lifespan Respite Care 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 4.1

DOL: Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) 400.0 0 300.0 400.0 400.0

HHS: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 3,390.3 0 3,390.3 3,390.3 3,640.3

HHS: Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) 1,700.0 0 1,700.0 1,700.0 1,700.0

HHS: Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) 715.0 0 600.0 700.0 715.0

CDC: Elder Falls Prevention 2.1 0 2.1 2.1 2.1

CNCS: Senior Corps 202.1 0.4 202.1 202.1 202.1

HUD: Section 202 Housing for the Elderly 502.4 510.0 573.0 573.0 678.0

HUD: Housing Counseling 55.0 47.0 50.0 47.0 55.0

HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 3,000.0 0 2,960.0 3,000.0 3,300.0

USDA: Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) 236.1 238.1 238.1 238.1 238.1

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March 2018

The Alzheimer’s Café Model

An Introduction for Washington State

Friendships blossom at the Alzheimer’s Café at the Frye, Frye Art Museum, Seattle WA. Photo: Olli Tumelius

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March 2018 2

The Alzheimer’s Café Model:

An Introduction for Washington State

This introduction provides a basic overview of the Alzheimer’s Café social engagement model for people with dementia and their loved ones. Read on to discover more about how an Alzheimer’s Café works and the benefits it can provide in your community!

Background

Over 100,000 people in Washington State live with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, and another 300,000 people care for a loved one with dementia.

While people with dementia and their loved ones remain a vital part of the community, they often experience social isolation. Even getting out for a cup of coffee with friends can present challenges – from wondering about how a server may respond to a memory lapse, to choosing between items on a complicated menu.

In response, the Alzheimer’s Café model aims to provide accessible, community-based opportunities for people with dementia and their loved ones to build social connections.

Developed in the Netherlands in 1997, the Alzheimer’s Café model came to Washington State in 2010 when Seattle’s Greenwood Senior Center launched the second Alzheimer’s Café in the nation. Now there are hundreds of monthly Alzheimer’s Cafés around the country, with more getting started all the time.

“Where else can you and your loved one go out and eat together, be totally relaxed, and know you are accepted before you even open the door?” Lueen M, guest at Mill Creek Supper Club, Battle Ground, WA

Alzheimer’s Cafés: The Basics

What is an Alzheimer’s Café, and what is its purpose?

An Alzheimer’s Café, or Memory Café, is a regular social gathering for people living with dementia and their loved ones, in a comfortable community setting such as a coffee shop or café. While some include education or structured activities, Alzheimer’s Cafés primarily provide the simple joy of being together, in a welcoming, stigma-free environment.

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March 2018 3

What is it NOT?

An Alzheimer’s Café is not an adult day program or drop-off respite program, it is not an opportunity for medical or professional advice, and it is not a marketing opportunity for particular agencies or services.

Who attends?

An Alzheimer’s Café is open to all, but is especially intended for people living with dementia and their loved ones. Other attendees may include interested visitors, paid caregivers, staff and volunteers, or activity facilitators like musicians or teaching artists. To foster a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, people are not typically asked about their diagnosis. People with any level of dementia symptoms are welcome. If a person needs support in order to participate, they attend with a loved one or caregiver.

Where and when does it take place?

An Alzheimer’s Café can take place in any comfortable community setting. In Washington State, many cafés take place in local coffee shops or restaurants. These venues are familiar, often free, and provide a warm, social atmosphere. Other successful settings include community centers, faith congregations, museums, senior centers, libraries or parks. Medical or long-term care settings are not recommended. An Alzheimer’s Café usually takes place for 1.5 – 2 hours, once a month, during a time when the venue is less busy.

“My husband and I have only attended once, but we really enjoyed it and will definitely go again. Ted especially! He is in the early stages of dementia and we were both happy to visit with the other people at our table. With all the changes in our lives lately, this feels like a bit of ‘normalcy’ returning.” Jan B, guest at Mill Creek Supper Club, Battle Ground, WA

What happens at an Alzheimer’s Café?

While the European model of the Alzheimer’s Café may include educational presentations, the American model aims to give people a break from focusing on dementia. The focus is relaxed, informal social interaction. So at its most basic level, an Alzheimer’s Café “agenda” can just involve arriving, taking a seat among friends, placing an order, enjoying food and socializing. Many Alzheimer’s Cafés in Washington State follow this informal model. To help foster interaction, facilitated conversations or activities can also be incorporated. Examples include sing-alongs with familiar songs, seasonal creative arts, or table games.

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March 2018 4

What are the benefits?

For the person with dementia and their loved ones, benefits include social support, enjoyment and fun, informal resource-sharing and peer mentorship, and a chance to be out and about in a familiar community setting. The café becomes a special outing to look forward to, and regular attenders often develop close relationships that extend beyond the monthly gathering. For the wider community, benefits include increased dementia awareness and reduced stigma, and the opportunity to live in a place which fosters social inclusion.

For a list of Washington State Alzheimer’s Cafés, see www.alzcafes.org. Contact any of these caféorganizers if you’d like to visit.

For a national registry, see www.alzheimerscafe.com.

For a comprehensive overview of Alzheimer’s Cafés, including templates for planning, marketing,budgeting, outreach, evaluation and more, see the Massachusetts Memory Café Toolkit:www.jfcsboston.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Memory%20Caf%C3%A9%20Toolkit/

Café guests David and Daphne Jones lead a sing-along at the Columbia City

Alzheimer’s Café, Tutta Bella, Seattle, WA. Photo: Full Life Care.

To learn more, see the companion Alzheimer’s Café Steps to Success “how-to” guide for Washington State on the Dementia Action Collaborative website: www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/dementia-action-collaborative

Where can you go for additional resources?

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