B. Annual area plan goals for past two years

C. Fiscal accountability and funding

D. Role of the board as a whole

E. Role of individual board members

F. Internal communications

G. Assessment of agency progress toward goals of previous two years comparing accomplishments with planned goals

H. Update or adjust goals if needed for the next two years

A. Vision and goals

MEAAA's vision is for seniors and their caregivers to live satisfying, productive lives with health, honor and dignity. We accomplish this through our mission of "assisting adults through the journey of aging," and by providing, caring and connecting.

B. Annual area plan goals for past two years

2008 Area Plan Goals

• Provide service to older individual with a special emphasis on those with special social and/or economic need in North St. Louis County and low-income individuals residing in rural areas
• Review operations for efficiency and effectiveness in the senior center department and implement needed changes
• Increase door-to-door transportation for frail 60+ clients
• Help Medicare beneficiaries over age 60 understand and enroll in the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, Missouri RX Plan and Social Security extra help progams
• Expand case management services for older adults and their caregivers
• Enhance agency disaster planning and preparedness
• Increase mental health awareness and education in 60+ population
• Improve awareness of Medicare benefits and prevent fraud Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP, formerly SORT) program volunteers

2009 Area Plan Goals

Continue with the above for a second year and add:

• Increase Medicaid meals
• Provide monthly community education sessions on topics such as falls prevention, weather safety and emergency preparedness.

C. Fiscal accountability and funding

Audits for both 2007 and 2008 were clean and unqualified. In addition, an audit by the State of Missouri Auditor's office completed October 2008, verified there were no major problems with the agency's fiscal accountability and funding.

D. Role of the board as a whole

The board is the governing body of MEAAA and meets on a regular basis to review financial reports, budget changes, and to make policy and procedures changes.

E. Role of individual board members

In addition to attending the regular board meetings, individual board members serve on various committees that meet during the year, respond to advocacy issues during the year, attend functions to represent MEAAA and attend functions at the senior centers.

F. Internal communications

Board members receive frequent updates on the budget status and notices on any event or legislative action which involves or affects the agency. Staff members receive information through regular meetings and e-mail updates or other written communications.

G. Assessment of agency progress toward goals of previous two years comparing accomplishments with planned goals

Goal 1: Increasing services for North St. Louis County seniors and for low- income seniors

Work is progressing on the aging resource center in North County Senior Towne to provide additional services to that area.

Home-delivered meals increased slightly in 2009, but congregate meals have declined at almost every MEAAA senior center.

2009 Medicaid meals and revenue increased from 29,934 meals and $101,105 in 2008 to 41,155 meals and $ 221,000 in 2009

Goal 2: Operations of Senior Center Dept.

In 2008, several centers were moved from on-site cooking to catering reducing the number of staff. 

In 2009, approximately 25 percent of the area supervisor's time was moved from administration to the senior center when they are filling in for senior center administrators at the various senior centers, which helped produce a reduction of $66,406 in central office administration personnel costs. Also reflected in 2009 are upgrades in senior center staff positions and a wage increase.

Goal 3:  Increase Door to Door Transportation

Jefferson County medical/essential shopping transportation has been transitioned to case managed transportation which has reduced the cost and number of units. MEAAA transportation is considered the last resort after exhausting other resources. MEAAA is participating in a pilot transportation project in Jefferson County which will make additional group transportation services available.

Goal 4: Assist 60+ Persons with enrolling in Medicare Programs, MoRx, Social Security Extra Help

Goal 5: Expand Case Management for Caregivers and Seniors living alone

Goal 6: Enhance Agency Disaster Preparedness and Planning

2008  Emergency Operations Commission Planning Meetings

          CERT Training for 3 staff members

2009  Ready in 3 brochure distributed to senior centers and home- delivered clients. Staff education on agency plan           

Goal 7: Increase Mental Health Awareness

2008  Adult Protective Services Training for I&A and SCA staff

2009  Provided MEAAA information to Mental Health Providers and listing of Mental Health resources in MAIN (Missouri Aging Information Network - www.moaging.com)

Goal 8: Increase knowledge of Medicare benefits and prevent fraud

2007  249 persons served

2008  200 persons (new staff member trained 3/20/08)

2009  902 persons received one on one counseling

116 persons reached through health fairs, presentations and an article in Aging Matters (MEAAA's newsletter)     

Goal 9: Provide monthly programs on topics of interest to seniors

2009  173 center visits by information and assistance staff in Jefferson Franklin, St. Louis and St. Charles providing information on various topics such as heat awareness, flu shots benefits, cold weather tips, falls prevention, etc. St. Louis County senior centers received information

H. Update or adjust goals if needed for the next two years

Efforts will continue to increase resources for services, streamline operations, increase community support, expand case management services, and streamline transportation services. An additional Aging Resource Center will be opened in St. Peters Senior Center. The goal is to have a resource center in each county. Jefferson and Franklin counties will be evaluated for the appropriate location. Affordable senior center locations which will help increase congregate participation are also under consideration.

We will continue to work on the mental health awareness working with Dept. of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) resources and Dept. of Mental Health (DMH). The evidence-based Healthy IDEAS program to address depression in older adults is under review.

In FY 2010 providing information on diabetes awareness has been added as a goal.