Resource navigators are key supports for older adults
On December 10, three expert panelists joined moderator Drew Maziasz of Ideastream Public Media for a Community Conversation about the needs of older adults in our region and the support resources available.
One key thread ran through the discussion: with so many different agencies and services providing programs, a resource navigator is a huge help to anyone seeking support for themselves or a loved one.
An individual may not know what programs are out there or what they’re eligible for. But a resource navigator can identify programs matching someone’s age, disability status, veteran status, location, income level, and unique situation.
“You don’t have to become an expert in all the service resources to ask for help,” explained Orion Bell, President and CEO of Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. “That’s what the resource navigation folks are there for. You don’t have to know all the answers, you just have to know what your need is and raise your hand and ask.”
Older adults struggle to afford essentials
In Cuyahoga County, 51% of older adults do not have the financial resources to afford necessities like food, health care, and housing. In Geauga County, the number is 40%. In Cleveland, the number of older adults living in poverty increased by 18% from 2021 to 2023.
With increasing costs and insufficient retirement savings, many older adults must continue working. In 2022, nearly 532,000 people aged 65 and over living below the minimum income level for survival in Ohio did not have retirement savings beyond Social Security, and nearly 72,900 of those older adults were working.
Where to find a resource navigator
Multiple organizations in Northeast Ohio offer care navigation services for older adults, including the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, the network of 12 area Aging & Disability Resource Centers, and United Way 211.
If you or a loved one are looking for help, how do you know which one to call? The good news is that if you reach out to one, you connect to the entire network. Based on the needs of the caller, each agency will either recommend services or recommend the best next call to make.
Firstly, United Way 211 is a great place to start. It’s available 24 hours a day and has the largest database of community resources. During a 211 call, a trained navigator listens to the clients’ story and identifies the best programs for their needs. One challenge older adults and caregivers face is the need to repeatedly tell their story when seeking help and getting referrals from United Way 211 reduces this burden.
Aging & Disability Resource Centers are also important supports. These centers offer more hands-on assistance, such as helping people apply for public benefits and providing counseling about Medicare enrollment options.
There are multiple resource centers in the region. Examples are those operated by the City of Cleveland, United Way Services of Geauga County, and Asian Services in Action. If you are unsure which one to contact, Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging or United Way 211 can identify the best one for you.
The bottom line is that if you or a loved one need support navigating the challenges of aging, reach out. “We don’t want to be a secret resource; we want people to know about the programs that are available,” concludes Bell. That starts with care navigation and service coordination, which are just a call away.
What types of programs are available in Northeast Ohio?
The conversation between Orion Bell from the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, Fatima Perkins from the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, and Mark Dorony from United Way Services of Geauga County touched on some key program areas for older adults. Two of the highest areas of need are housing and food.
Housing
Housing is a top concern, with inflation and property tax increases straining the budgets of older adults on fixed incomes. Approximately half of those 75 and over are at risk of being unable to cover their health and housing costs in retirement, including both low- and middle-income retirees.
Benjamin Rose offers programming in Cuyahoga County to help people navigate buying a home, downsizing, or looking to get equity out of their home. Benjamin Rose also offers financial classes and programs to help older adults avoid taking on more debt, which can be devastating for those on fixed incomes.
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging offers home repair programs such as NailsIt!, which seek to help people age safely in their homes. Keeping properties weatherized and free from hazards and installing safety rails to minimize fall risk can help older adults remain in their homes longer.
However, the panelists agreed that there aren’t great options for someone who struggles to afford rent but whose income is too high to qualify for subsidized housing. Fatima Perkins from the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging identified this as a regional opportunity for cross-sector collaboration to develop affordable housing solutions for seniors.
Food
Mark Dorony from United Way Services of Geauga County noted that food needs for older adults in Geauga spiked sharply during the pandemic and have remained high. Food pantries are seeing visits from older adults who aren’t eligible for benefits and have never sought help before, because of rising costs at the grocery store.
Fatima Perkins added that the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging has seen an increase in the number of older adults having to choose between purchasing food and purchasing medication.
There are a variety of food assistance programs available for older adults. Examples are Meals on Wheels run by Benjamin Rose, home meals delivered by the Geauga Aging & Disability Resource Center, and local food pantries.
Other Needs
Our panelists also highlighted challenges specific to older adults. These include finding health and home support for aging in place, dealing with social isolation, and navigating the increasingly digitized health system.
With so many complex and overlapping needs, older adults and their caregivers of all income levels can find support and relief by reaching out to resource navigators.
“There’s no shame in needing help,” concluded moderator Drew Maziasz. There are many support services available in Northeast Ohio, and getting connected begins with just one phone call.
