Elder Care Looks to Boost Non-Government Funding

At an advisory board meeting of Elder Care Services, Inc. April 24 in Apalachicola, Dr. James Croteau, president and CEO of Elder Care, the nonprofit organization that provides support services for Franklin County's elderly residents, unveiled his strategic planning notes for 2008.

"Elder Care's first goal," Croteau said, "is to become the primary care manager for the majority of elders who need services."

He said Elder Care is seeking to establish a care management relationship with Capital Health Plan, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Capital Regional Medical Center.

"Elder Care will become the recognized first source of information, education and resources to seniors, their caregivers and the community," said Croteau.

Croteau said Elder Care is seeking "to become more proactive on the political front and become a major influence on policy and budget decisions. By 2009, strategic relationships will be established with state and local advocacy groups, including AARP, FCOA (Florida Council on Aging), CCE Coalition (Community Care for the Elderly Coalition), UPHS (United Partners for Human Services) and the United Way.

"Elder Care will operate with a balanced budget that reflects revenue sources that increase the portion of non-government funds to 50 percent by 2010, including income from a substantial endowment," he told the committee.

Specifically, his program seeks to increase non traditional grants by $100,000 per year, increase fundraising by $25,000 per year and increase endowments by $50,000 per year while controlling expenses, without sacrificing service levels.

Croteau said Elder Care plans to develop a long-range capital development plan for a new full-service Elder Care Center by 2010.

Bert Ivey, local Elder Care director, said the local program is "continuing to grow. We are hearing good comments since Elder Care began manufacturing its own meals for the Meals on Wheels Program.

"We started serving the meals in December and people love it," said Ivey. "It's more Southern food. The number of meals served is increasing. In March, I averaged about 700 per week.

"Franklin County has always given $30,000 to Meals on Wheels," he said. "This year they've cut that amount to $14,000."

Croteau said that "for every patient that goes into a nursing home, the county is responsible for $45 per day and the county is still responsible for the county health center.

"It's really a false economy to cut funding for services that allow seniors to remain at home," he said. "If you spend money on those programs, it results in a bigger saving somewhere else. Somebody living at home is just going to use money more efficiently.

"The best thing we can do for a family is to try and address their needs and identify resources in the community that can help them fulfill those needs," Croteau said. "Our obligation isn't just to the client, it's to the caregiver, as well, because they provide services we can't. We may not be able to provide you with a service, but we will try to help you find what you need."