****

**AoA Update******

**Volume 2Issue****7-Administration on Aging - July****1997**

****

#### AoA Announces Two Special PilotProjects**:**Morning Mealson Wheels, and Volunteers to Spot Medicareand Medicaid FraudTwenty Projects to Serve Breakfast toAt-Risk ElderlyRetired Professionals To Spot Medicare AndMedicaid Waste Disaster Relief Funds SoughtAoA Welcomes China Delegation

****

**AoA Announces****Two Special Pilot Projects: Morning Meals on Wheels,and Volunteers to Spot Medicare and Medicaid Fraud**

**Twenty Projects to ServeBreakfast to At-Risk Elderly**

The Administration on Aging (AoA), General Mills Foodservice,and the National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition andAging have announced the programs selected to participate in theMorning Meals on Wheels Breakfast Pilot Program. 

At a reception on March 20, marking the 25th Anniversary ofthe Older Americans Act Elderly Nutrition Program, Secretary ofHealth and Human Services, Donna E. Shalala, announced formationof an innovative public-private partnership between the AoA andGeneral Mills Foodservice designed to provide at-risk olderAmericans with a breakfast to supplement the daily lunch alreadybeing delivered to their homes.

A panel selected 20 programs from over 100 applicants toparticipate in the national six-month feasibility study. Theprograms selected represent a wide diversity of meals programsacross the country. They will begin enrolling participants inAugust.

The National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition andAging, established by the AoA and located at FloridaInternational University, will conduct an evaluation focused onthe pilot programs’ impact on the individual participants;the costs of, and sources of revenue for, the meals; programoutcomes; and best practices. 

Each pilot program will receive a $500 food credit fromGeneral Mills; continuing food discounts on General Millsproducts; and support for continuing education, training, andtechnical assistance. A national report by the Center and futureexpansion of the program across the nation by General MillsFoodservice is expected by June 1998. (See page 4 for a listingof the pilot programs.)

**SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF MORNINGMEALS ON WHEELS PILOT PROGRAMS**

| ***AGENCY***                                                                 | ***CITY & STATE*** | ***SETTING***          | ***TARGETED        POPULATION***                                                                             | ***EXPECTED        OUTCOME***                                                                                            |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Bay Area Community        Services Senior Nutrition Program                 | Oakland, CA            | Urban                  | 150-200 low-income,        minority elderly with limited food access & high        nutrition risk       | Increased        food access & decreased food insecurity                                                             |
| Community Action Agency        of New Haven, Inc., Team Inc., MANNA Program | New Haven, CT          | Rural, Urban, Suburban | 100 socially isolated        elderly with high nutrition risk                                                | Reduced        malnutrition risk & increased socialization                                                           |
| Meals on Wheels Plus of        Manatee, Inc.                                | Manatee, FL            | Urban, Rural           | 100 minority,        low-income elderly                                                                      | Improved        nutritional status & increased participant        satisfaction                                      |
| North Miami Foundation        for Senior Citizens’ Services, Inc.      | North Miami, FL        | Urban                  | 25-30 high nutrition        risk, frail elderly                                                              | Reduced        weight loss & decreased malnutrition risk                                                             |
| Mid-America Nutrition        Program, Inc.                                  | Ottawa, KS             | Rural                  | 50 high nutrition risk,        functionally impaired elderly                                                 | Reduced        malnutrition risk & use of county nutrition network        to address nutrition needs                |
| Merrimack Valley        Nutrition Program                                   | Andover, MA            | Urban, Suburban        | 100 elderly with high        nutrition risk, no social support system                                        | Reduced        malnutrition risk, use of community health partnership        & intergenerational support            |
| Mystic Valley Elder        Services, Inc.                                   | Malden, MA             | Suburban               | 60 high nutrition risk        elderly                                                                        | Increased        meals to those in need, address of weight concerns, &        intensive study of group subset       |
| Meals for ME/Eastern        Area Agency on Aging                            | Brewer, ME             | Rural                  | 50-100 isolated, frail        elderly with limited food access                                               | Reduced        malnutrition risk & caregiver burden, coordinated        services with cooperative extension service |
| Mid-East Area Agency on        Aging                                        | Brentwood MO           | Suburban, Rural        | 70 high        nutrition risk elderly with functional limitations                                            | Reduced food insecurity        & improved participant satisfaction                                                   |
| ***AGENCY***                                                                 | ***CITY & STATE*** | ***SETTING***          | ***TARGETED        POPULATION***                                                                             | ***EXPECTED        OUTCOMES***                                                                                           |
| Gallatin County        Nutrition Program                                    | Bozeman, MT            | Rural                  | 35-50 high nutrition        risk elderly with functional limitations & reduced        mental capacities | Address of        weight concerns & reduced hospital or nursing home        days                                    |
| Santa Clara Pueblo        Senior Program                                    | Espanola, NM           | Rural                  | 47 elderly with high        nutrition risk & high rate of diabetes                                       | Improved        diabetic control & use of community’s        mobilization program and health services          |
| Meals on Wheels of        Stark & Wayne Counties/City                   | Massillon, OH          | Urban, Suburban, Rural | 100 high nutrition risk        elderly with functional limitations                                           | Address of        nutrition needs                                                                                        |
| Community Action Meals        on Wheels                                     | Logan, OH              | Rural                  | 90 low-income elderly        with limited food access & functional limitations                           | Reduced        food insecurity                                                                                           |
| ACCESS Loaves and        Fishes                                             | Medford, OR            | Urban, Suburban, Rural | 275 low-income elderly                                                                                        | Increased        nutrient intake & reduced malnutrition risk                                                         |
| Rosebud Sioux Tribe        Elderly Nutrition Program                        | Rosebud, SD            | Rural                  | 125 low-income elders        with functional limitations residing in assisted-living        facility        | Increased        acceptance of new foods & use of lower fat and sodium        meals                                 |
| First Tennessee Human        Resources Agency                               | Johnson City, TN       | Urban, Rural           | 50 low-income, isolated        elderly with functional limitations                                           | Increased        food intake, address of weight concerns & use of        control groups for comparison              |
| Amigos del Valle, Inc.                                                       | Mission, TX            | Rural                  | 275 low-income, high        nutrition risk, minority elderly living alone                                    | Improved        health and well being                                                                                    |
| Friends of Elder        Citizens, Inc., Jackson County Senior Citizens      | Edna, TX               | Rural                  | 25 elderly with the        highest comprehensive assessment score & high        nutrition risk          | Transition        to congregate meals program & maintenance of elderly        at home                               |
| League of Older        Americans Area Agency on Aging                       | Roanoke, VA            | Urban, Suburban, Rural | 250 high nutrition risk        elderly                                                                       | Reduced        nutrition risk                                                                                            |
| Senior Nutrition        Program Spokane Regional Health District            | Spokane, WA            | Urban, Suburban,Rural  | 100 low-income elderly        with high nutrition risk & functional limitations                          | Decreased        nutrition risk & increased food intake                                                              |

#### Go Back to Contents Menu

----

**Retired Professionals ToSpot Medicare And Medicaid Waste**

HHS Secretary, Donna E. Shalala, has announced grants totalingapproximately $2 million for an innovative program that willtrain and recruit retired professionals to identify fraud, waste,and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Thedemonstration projects, administered by the AoA, will recruit andteach volunteer retired professionals, including doctors, nurses,accountants, investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys,and teachers, to work with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Volunteers will work in their own communities and in localsenior centers to help identify deceptive health care practicessuch as overbilling, overcharging, or providing unnecessary orinappropriate services. In announcing the grants, SecretaryShalala said that the volunteers will "use their ownexperience, wisdom, and knowledge; help their peers; and assistus in saving precious taxpayer dollars."

The grants are going to 12 innovative projects as part of thetwo-year demonstration program. The Health Care Anti-Fraud, Wasteand Abuse Community Volunteers Demonstration Projects are theresult of report language authored by Senator Tom Harkin(D-Iowa), that was contained in the Omnibus ConsolidatedAppropriation Act of 1997. Project plans include development oftraining manuals, internet websites, and statewide toll-free hotlines.

"The local projects’ work will complement thedepartment’s success in expanding anti-fraud efforts,including Operation Restore Trust (ORT), and will help olderAmericans to have the information they need to identify andreport potential fraudulent practices," Secretary Shalalasaid.

Speaking about the projects, Acting Principal Deputy AssistantSecretary for Aging, William Benson, said, "We are excitedabout the possibilities that these projects present, and willwork with our grantees to identify best practices in order toreach even more older Americans in the future."

On a related note, the AoA expects to announce, in August,grants to 10 states to join the original five states in expandingORT. 

**Health Care Anti-Fraud, Waste andAbuse Community Volunteers Demonstration Projects**

| ***AGENCY***                                                                                            | ***AMOUNT*** | ***COLLABORATING AGENCIES***                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Aging 2000 Inc., Providence, RI                                                                         | $107,348     | Rhode Island Attorney General’s        Office, Department of Elder Affairs, long-term care        ombudsman program, senior health insurance program                                                     |
| California Health Insurance Counseling        & Assistance Program Association, Inc. San Mateo, CA | $188,000     | California long-term care ombudsman        programs and the area agencies on aging                                                                                                                             |
| Coalition of Advocates for the Rights of        the Infirm Elderly, Philadelphia, PA                   | $188,000     | Albert Einstein Medical Center,        Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and its long-term care        ombudsman program, Mayor’s Commission, and Executive        Service Corps                       |
| Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups,        Madison, WI                                                | $127,259     | Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office,        Bureau of Long-Term Care Resources, Association of Senior        Centers, American Association of Retired Persons, and        Retired Educators Association |
| ***AGENCY***                                                                                            | ***AMOUNT*** | ***COLLABORATING AGENCIES***                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| District III Area Agency on Aging,        Warrensburg, MO                                              | $117,410     | Missouri Division on Aging and American        Association of Retired Persons                                                                                                                                  |
| Hawaii Executive Office on Aging,        Honolulu, HI                                                  | $100,335     | Maui County Area Agency on Aging,        Moililli Community Center, American Association of        Retired Persons, and University of Hawaii                                                                  |
| Iowa Department of Elder Affairs, Des        Moines, IA                                                | $186,743     | Iowa Senior Center Coalition, Hawkeye        Valley and Heritage Area Agencies on Aging                                                                                                                        |
| Maryland Office on Aging, Baltimore, MD                                                                 | $180,000     | Maryland Association of Area Agencies on        Aging,, Association of Senior Centers, and Delmarva        Foundation                                                                                         |
| Minnesota Board on Aging, St. Paul, MN                                                                  | $178,134     | Minnesota Attorney General’s Office,        Arrowhead and Southwest District Area Agencies on Aging                                                                                                       |
| New Hampshire Division of Elderly and        Adult Services, Concord, NH                               | $187,000     | Community Services Council of New        Hampshire, Association of Senior Centers and University        of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service                                                        |
| New York State Office for the Aging,        Albany, NY                                                 | $188,000     | New York State Attorney General’s        Office, 11 metropolitan area agencies on aging, and the        Association of Senior Centers                                                                    |
| Suburban Area Agency on Aging, Oak Park,        IL                                                     | $188,000     | Illinois Department of Aging,        Northeastern Area Agency on Aging, and the Chicago        Department on Aging                                                                                            |

#### Go Back to Contents Menu

----

### Disaster Relief Funds Sought

The Mid-America Congress on Aging (MACA), a mid-westorganization representing professionals in the field of aging, isoffering aid to elderly victims of the recent flooding inMinnesota and North Dakota.

Anyone wishing to help older flood victims in these states cangive to the MACA Disaster Relief Fund. Pat Koko, president-electof MACA says, "There is a lack of funds to help olderpersons who have lost their homes and possessions and who havefew resources. Major needs are replacement equipment for seniorcenters and money for respite care for the frail elderly membersof families who need time to rebuild homes and businesses."

Checks can be mailed to the:

MACA Disaster Relief Fund Box 99 Blue Springs, MO 64013-0099Telephone: (816) 229-5078 Fax: (816) 229-1676

#### Go Back to Contents Menu

----

### AoA Welcomes China Delegation 

The AoA hosted a delegation from the China National Committeeon Ageing (CNCA), an official organization of the People’sRepublic of China, during their visit to the United States. 

The delegation visited AoA headquarters in Washington, D.C. onJune 19. The delegation had follow-up discussions with ActingPrincipal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, William Benson,regarding a dialogue, begun in May 1996, which involved possibleareas of cooperation between the two nations. They also met withrepresentatives of the Health Care Financing Administration andthe Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning andEvaluation. Additional meetings were held with the AmericanAssociation of Retired Persons and the Assisted Living Federationof America. The delegation visited Maplewood Park Place, anassisted living facility in Bethesda, Maryland, and theLincolnian, a public elementary school converted by FairfaxCounty, Virginia into moderate-income senior housing.

The delegation also visited San Francisco, California and NewYork City. The New York City trip included visits to Ridge StreetGardens, an assisted living facility; the LaGuardia SeniorCenter; and a meeting with representa- tives of the UnitedNations Programme on Aging. 

In San Francisco California, the delegation met with the SanFrancisco City and County Commission on Aging, the AmericanSociety of Aging and with AoA Bi-Regional Administrator PercyDevine. They visited On Lok, Inc., a nonprofit agency whichoperates a senior center, day care and other facilities andservices for the elderly, many of whom are ethnic Chinese. Thedelegation also toured West Lake Retirement Houses.

The number of Chinese 60 and over now exceeds 100 million, andis increasing at the rate of 3 percent a year. The People’sRepublic of China predicts that by 2040, its older populationwill have peaked, when one in four Chinese will be elderly.Additional information is available from AoA’s InternationalCoordinator, Marla Bush at (202) 619-3996. 

#### Go Back to Contents Menu

----

AoA Update

**WilliamBenson**Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging

**JudySatine**Director, xecutive Secretariat

**JuneB. Faris**Editor

**AoAUpdate**Administrationon AgingU.S. Department of Health & Human ServicesWashington, DC 20201(202) 619-0724TDD: (202) 401-7575 FAX: (202) 260-1012E-mail: [email protected]Internet Web Site: http://WWW.AoA.DHHS.Gov