Seniors see inclusion.

Older adults in Virginia can now find more opportunities for recreation and inclusion. Fairfax County, Va.'s Senior+ Program is an innovative inclusion program for seniors with cognitive and physical disabilities. Located at two of the agency's senior centers, Senior+ bridges the gap between programs for fully independent seniors and those who require assistance. Its value is in offering a program that allows older adults with disabilities to enjoy the wide range of programming found at the county's full-service senior centers.

In 2000, Fairfax County's Long Term Care Task Force found that a growing number of seniors were requiring additional assistance in order to remain in their homes and continue to participate in community activities. This particular senior population is partially independent and while not needing the full services of an Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) facility, they are not able to participate fully in Senior Center programming without some assistance. Since the Senior Center programs require that participants be fully independent, an increasing number of senior adults were finding they had very limited opportunities to meet and socialize with their peers or participate in recreation or fitness activities.

The purpose of the Senior+ program is to assist older adults ages 55 and older in sustaining involvement in social and recreation activities in the least restrictive environment, and to improve the participants' ability to develop friendships and social relationships. Senior+ is a collaborative effort among the Fairfax County departments of Community and Recreation Services, Health, Family Services, Housing and Community Development, Systems Management for Human Services, and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. Additional partners include local schools and businesses.

In its short life span, Senior+ has already achieved dramatic outcomes. While the interdisciplinary approach enhances participant benefits, it also strengthens staff skills. The nature of the interactions between staff and participants creates a synergy that carries over into many facets of the relationship. Team members are cross-trained thereby improving each individual's ability to holistically serve clients and provide services to participants with more complex needs.

While a new system is being implemented to track program outcomes, there is substantial evidence of the program's effectiveness. Between 2002 and 2003, health-related incidents decreased 64 percent, mental health incidents fell 80 percent, and incidents of disruptive behavior were completely eliminated. Participants met 20 percent of the goals set in their 2003 individual service plans (ISPs). This number is significant, because this was the first time these participants had been exposed to ISPs. The results will be used for baseline tracking and process improvement.

Senior+ has also benefited participants by increasing their access to appropriate services, and serving as a transition between restrictive environments. Since the program's inception, 35 percent of discharged participants have been referred to ADHC, 9 percent to the general Senior Center program for independently functioning adults, and 26 percent to other county services.

As the Baby Boom generation enters its senior adult years, the demand on services for senior adults will increase dramatically. This will affect health care costs and the costs of other community services. The best way to reduce the fiscal impact on services is to support programs that enable senior adults to maintain active, healthy, social-independent lifestyles that keep them involved in their community. The Senior+ Program was developed to meet just that need.

For more information about Senior+, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec/Senior_Ctr/Senior+.htm.