Meaningful partnership

Since being founded in 1995, Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice has awarded grants of $80 million in the areas of arts and culture, health and human services, education, civic affairs, and the environment. It has assets of more than $250 million and has a staff of 15. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County was created in 1979. The foundation has a staff of 20 and assets of $157 million. It has more than 520 active charitable funds. Last year, the foundation issued grants and scholarships totaling more than $10 million. The two community foundations serve the county of Sarasota, Florida, which is located about 60 miles south of Tampa. Both community foundations have long been engaged in initiating and supporting numerous aging activities. A prime example is the Community for All Generations Leadership Council. Both community foundations, the United Way of Sarasota County and Senior Friendship Centers are founding members of the Leadership Council. Its goals are similar to those of Community Experience Partnership: ”Expand opportunities for older adults to become engaged as vital civic resources in their communities.”

Sunny side of life

When thinking of Florida in demographic terms, “retirement” often comes to mind. For decades gerontologists, demographers and the popular press have called Florida “the laboratory for the nation” because 22.7 percent of its residents are age 60 plus. Even by Florida standards however, Sarasota County stands out. Adults age 60 and older account for 38 percent of the County’s total population of more than 370,000, yet they remain an exceptional resource that is underutilized by businesses, governments and community organizations.

This project will create a localized approach, engaging and building upon the assets of community partners working together to address the needs of an aging and sometimes disabled population.

— Wendy Hopkins

For more information

Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice
W. Michael Bigner, Foundation Representative
941-302-2891

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Wendy Hopkins, Vice President of Grants & Programs
941-556-7152

A community for all generations

Sarasota County is at the absolute forefront of a “longevity revolution.” The ability of government to support the rapidly growing population of older adults is more limited each day. Future trends project Sarasota’s 60+ population will increase to 44 percent by 2030. Even more dramatic is the fact that greater than 10 percent of residents are 80+, an age group very vulnerable to frailty and disability. The 85+ age group in Sarasota is also projected to triple in the next 10 years. The need for a new initiative, focused on mobilizing older adults in support of family caregivers, is essential for our community’s future and will have broad implications to the long-term care systems of this nation.

Older adults can change the face of caregiving

The Phase I assessment determined that Sarasota’s older adult population desired more meaningful opportunities for civic engagement. National data confirm that older adults want significant engagement opportunities that will create social change. One of the most compelling issues facing older adults is the care of their aging parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends, providing an excellent personal connection to this issue. Therefore, the process will be to identify how older adults can generate, plan and deliver an innovative, coordinated and sustainable system of community engagement that supports caregivers and their loved ones.

A call for action

In an era of declining resources and growing needs, this project will create a localized approach, engaging and building upon the assets of community partners working together to address the needs of an aging and sometimes disabled population. Here are some examples of how the talents of older adults may be utilized to more effectively educate and support caregivers:

Serve on planning/advisory teams to create a comprehensive system of caregiver supports, both formally and informally driven
Create and deliver volunteer-driven programs/services including training and educational support of volunteers and caregivers
Mobilize faith-based communities to create and deliver supports especially in helping caregivers identify needs and early interventions
Develop a multi-functional website and information referral publications for caregivers and volunteers to access resources and social connections
Investigate an easy access “Single Point of Entry” Information and Referral System
Develop and teach caregiver support training, facilitate support groups, and offer caregiver sustainability courses which create respite and health benefits
Develop and implement a public education campaign/community outreach plan for reaching caregivers and targeted audiences, including but not limited to medical practices, selected long-term care living options, and other human service organizations
Build on the capacity of area caregiver resource centers to support, educate and connect caregivers by various programs and volunteer resource specialists who offer assistance, friendship, and counseling if needed
Develop and implement a caregiver outreach program which includes educational opportunities around various caregiving topics as well as pursue community engagement partnerships
Provide direct respite services and other services requested which can aid the caregiver in the home setting

Hopeful outlook

There are inherent obstacles in encouraging greater older adult involvement in support of caregiving throughout our community. Examples include transportation, health factors and other issues. However, out of this body of work, the two foundations are beginning to transform the community and accomplish several things. One is to embark on changing community mindsets about caregiving for and by older adults, their potential and their contributions through civic engagement. Another is to expand employer and volunteer management practices that focus on match of skills, learning and assignment flexibility to address caregiving issues and opportunities within their organizations. A third is to facilitate conversations that advocate for caregiver system changes and promote related public policy changes within Florida and nationally.