Part 1 – Take the High5 Strengths Test (Free via email: https://high5test.com/ (Links to an external site.)) and review and explore key 5 strengths.
Part 2 – Spend some time integrating what you know of yourself with the High5 test to be able to visualize yourself as a “young old” person at a time without significant issues or challenges. Develop an image of yourself, such as your age, STRENGTHS, relationships, living arrangements, and activities.
1. How old are you at this point in years? Discuss why you consider that age to be “young old or old-old.” What are your five top strengths from the High5 test that you still have?
2. Describe yourself at this time. How do you look and feel? How do you spend your time? Where do you live? Look around you and spot specific places, people or things.
3. What meaningful relationships do you have; what activities are you involved in? Are these satisfying for you? Why or why not? What values and traditions, such as spiritual beliefs and rituals, are important to you?
4. What else about this time of your life is important to know and understand about you and why, please describe. Are you using any type of programs or services from the community or government sources (i.e., HMO, SSA/Medicare, etc.) Are you relying on family and friends? List all the names agencies or programs/services that are part of your support systems. You may look up local senior center services in your area and use resources from course lecturers or case vignettes.
Part 3 – Now imagine yourself as a person in late life (“Old to Oldest”) dealing with a particular situation that some older people face, such as: caring for a partner or spouse with mild dementia; death of a longtime partner or best friend; high number of ADLs or IADLs, having been turned down for a paid job for ageist reasons; facing relocation to an institutional setting; or reaching your 100th birthday with little to no family members to rely on.
Reflect about the problematic situations above and describe TWO problematic situations and why you decided to choose those situations. Then, prepare answers to the following questions in the context of your choice:
1. Describe yourself. How do you look/feel? Where do you live? How do you spend your time?
2. What meaningful relationships do you have and what activities are you involved in? Are these satisfying for you? Why or why not? Are you relying on family and friends?
3. Imagine you are meeting with a social worker to help you find resources about your chosen problems above.
Part 4- Prepare a short 2-3 slide PPT about your findings to report to your fellow class mates so that everyone learns from your findings. First discuss your case scenario as an “oldest to old” person and discuss your support systems (i.e., family, friends, private or government programs/services). List at least 3 resources that will provide programs or services for HYPOTHETICAL problems identified (i.e., APS, IHSS, MOW, ACCESS, AAGLA, Convalescent Aid Society, etc). All these programs and services and many more will be discussed in class. Discuss what you learned about yourself as a result of this assignment.
You may look up LOCAL senior centers, City DOA, WDCAS, ACCESS, IHSS, APS, etc., for the area where you live depending on your needs. What kind of services do they offer to everyone? Are there any fees? How can you commute to their offices? List all the agencies or programs/services that are part of your support system.
The following are possible needs/resources you have as older adult:
Assess caregiving, healthcare, home safety and equipment needs • Link to needed resources such as meals, housekeeping and transportation • Coordinate and monitor in-home help • Plan for future care needs • Advocacy, support and guidance • Family decision-making capabilities • child care services for grandchildren • OAA title 5 for Employment Referrals • case management services for all issues • Families at a distance • Education about advance healthcare directives • APS
Transportation (City Ride, ACCESS, Metro Card) Where?
Meal Services MOW, Food Bank, Congregate Meals- Where?
Emergency Response Systems- Where?
Handy Worker Program- Where?
Counseling for clients/families- Where?
Respite Care
Social Services
Counseling for clients/families
CBAS, Adult Day Care / Support Center
Ongoing Care Management
Health and Social Assessments
Client Advocacy
Service Coordination
In-home care
HICAP for Medicare questions-
