Learn more about the five 2020-2022 priorities at Link .

[TRANSCRIPT & DESC: Jenny is standing.

JENNY: The priority is titled “Eliminating Barriers to Quality Care for Deaf Seniors”.

The problem to be addressed is that the current iteration of Deaf Seniors Task Force has worked very hard the past two years and has much more to do. The current NAD structure requires all committees and task forces to wind down as conferences approach. But because of the progress the task force has made and the fact that they have much more to do - the task force should be able to continue past the 2020 COR.

Our survey/interview results found that most people struggle with finding facilities that are fully
accessible and finding caregivers that are able to communicate with them. There is no
centralized resource for the caregiving profession even though most people prefer to live
independently with the assistance of a caregiver.

The proposed solution is to see DSA and NAD continue their work with the Aging issues among the deaf and senior population beyond 2020 COR with its current members intact providing they are still interested in serving on the task force. To continue the NAD Senior Citizen Task Force for as long as deemed necessary, as they will be aligned with Deaf Seniors of America (DSA), as well as aligning with Deaf State Associations.

The rationale is because there is a need for a centralized task force to address continuing issues, as well as recent issues involving resources on how Deaf senior citizens can deal with world pandemics and national emergencies. Such resources may also involve healthcare, housing, and accessibility to information from local and state governments.

The proposal was made at NAD Conference in Hartford, Connecticut two years ago and was carried. It is still ongoing so we need to continue this task due to high population of senior
citizens all over our country. The population of Deaf seniors is booming and their accessible
rights at assisted living facilities, nursing home, long term care services and so on continue to
be denied - and the work of the Task Force remains critical at this time. To minimize lag time in
creating new committees after conferences, we are asking that the current task force remain
intact with all of its members.

The Task Force will: 1) Promote relationships between state associations and local deaf senior groups; 2) Ensure that the Administration on Aging and State Departments enforce ADA regulations for all types of Senior Care at the city, county, state and federal levels; 3) Provide the Deaf Senior groups working with the State Associations and State Commissions, with relevant research findings and tools for advocacy; 4) Capitalize on providing webinars on specific issues that Deaf Seniors face such as preparing for the Golden Years, accessing healthcare information, identifying facilities/aging in place, preparing for hospice, and arranging for caregiving; 5) Develop a directory of Elder Law attorneys with awareness experience working with Deaf-related issues; and 6) Develop a directory of health care providers and caregivers who are well versed in the needs of Deaf Seniors and, if available, fluent in ASL.
Seek funding opportunities for caregiver training programs.

The fiscal impact would be the staff time and their travel, if needed. There may be potential revenue with grants.

The NAD Board/HQ responded that the NAD is in support of keeping the NAD-DSA Seniors Task Force.]
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