HAMV’s accomplishments in FY24 have included:

 

• Progressing our Action Plan for the 6 major priorities, achieving numerous plan milestones. Strengthening partnerships with Island organizations, including the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, COAs, IEH, MVC4L, MVC and others to execute and evolve our plan.

 

• Preparing for our organizational evolution to a 501(c)3 as of July 1, 2024 (FY2025). Identifying financial, legal, HR, insurance and IT resources necessary for the launch.

 

 Coalitions/Programs:

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• Opportunistically bringing the four Island Councils on Aging together to obtain $75,000 from ARPA funds for a new program to provide technical assistance to Older Adults; “Call the Tech Pro” which brings one-on-one assistance for cellphones, tablets and computers in Older Adults’ homes or at COAs. It also provides devices as appropriate. This complements the technical support provided by the libraries and COAs and addresses an unmet need. Between when the program began in Jan, 2024 and June 30, 2024, 135 home visits have occurred in addition to numerous group sessions at the COAs. In addition, working with Older Adults and coalition members to sign up Older Adults for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for no cost internet. Working with MVH to provide Patient Gateway training sessions for Older Adults. educational programs to complement one-on-one technical assistance programs for Older Adults.                                                                                                               

             

• The Home Safety Modification Program for 60+ homeowners (or adults with disabilities) continues, working with Martha’s Vineyard Builders Association and local contractors. The program is referral based (from COAs, MVH, MVC4L, Elder Services etc.) and includes conducting a home assessment for minor home safety renovations (i.e. grab bars, stair railings, improved lighting, pull-out shelves etc.), matching the participant with a willing contractor to conduct the renovations, and providing a post-renovation assessment of the project. Obtained grant funding in excess of $100,000 from MVH, MVBCF, Cape Cod 5 Bank, Rockland Trust, and private donations to fund this program. As of June, 2024, 135 Older Adults have participated in this program. Projected medical costs savings from falls reduction post modifications is in excess of $1.4M.

 

• Continuing the 3rd year of the Aging Adult Transportation Coalition leading monthly meetings and smaller workgroups, consisting of over 15 service agencies including the VTA and Steamship Authority, to address the needs for alternative transportation options for Aging Adults, both on- and off-island. The coalition has 4 pilot programs for alternative transportation options for Aging Adults including:

 

• GoGoGrandparents on-demand rides (on-island) 4,536 rides in FY 2024

• MVC4L adult supportive day program (on-island) 2,940 rides in FY 2024

• COA Shopping Shuttle transportation (on-island) 783 rides in FY 2024

• Shuttle (including escorts) for islanders who are having cataract surgery (off-island) – 44 rides

 

 In FY2024, our programs provided over 8,000 rides in total.

 

• Convening bi-monthly meetings with the Falls Prevention Coalition and executing island-wide efforts for Falls Prevention Month (Sept), developing a host of print and media assets on awareness, education, and empowerment available to all island service agencies. Sept activities included in-person educational sessions across the island on “Medication and Risks”, “Falls Prevention Trivia”, and “Pain-Free Movement and Balance Screening” as well as dissemination of printed materials. A new addition to our September activities are the weekly walks cosponsored with MV Trails to introduce Older Adults to the most accessible walking trails on the island. HAMV publishes an annual report describing impact on falls prevention reduction island-wide as a result of our efforts.

 

• Continuing a new-to-the-island evidence based pilot program, Matter of Balance, in collaboration with the COAs which has been extremely well received in our community. Offering a minimum of two workshops per year, securing over $5,000 in funding to identify and train coaches (COA and MVH staff as well as volunteers). This program is specifically designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among Aging Adults and addresses an existing service gap in supporting those who have fallen or fearful of doing so and are restricting their activities as a result. HAMV is the licensee of this program on the island.

 

• Introducing a new initiative – “Beach within Reach” - HAMV, the Island Disability Coalition and the County Commissioner for Disabilities are working together to improve accessibility of our island’s beaches. Starting with a Beach Manager survey, it is part of a multi-perspective review of the state-of-our beaches to raise awareness of the current levels of beach accessibility, identify priorities for improving beach accessibility and collaborate with towns on the development of short and longer term action plans. In addition, we plan to provide a curated printed directory of information on beach accessibility for the general public.

 

• Continuing to raise awareness and provide educational seminars for Advance Care Planning, strengthening our partnership with MVH, MV Hospice, and other health care providers.

 

• Executing Project Happiness 3.0 providing gardening kits to the COAs in partnership with IGI for homebound Older Adults.

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Other Activities

 

• Advocating on behalf of other island agencies to raise awareness of Older Adult needs and to obtain funding and demonstrate legislative support for key initiatives.  

 

• Providing subject-matter-expertise to community working groups and committees on Older Adult data to support long term planning (e.g. providing feedback to the Joint Transportation Committee for the regional transportation plan etc.)

 

• Hosting the in-person Community Mobilization Summit in Nov, 2023 with almost 200 attendees, providing an overview of the next 10 years of Aging on Martha’s Vineyard: challenges and opportunities

 

• Contributing member of numerous regional, statewide and national organizations/committees representing the Vineyard’s perspective on Aging Adult issues (e.g. Dukes County Health Council (DCHC), AARP Rural Labs, MARCH, MA Healthy Aging Collaborative, co-chair of Patient Family Advisory Council at MVH).

 

• Supporting the development of the Green House model nursing home, working with MVH and Navigator Homes to bring this 10+ year journey to completion, resulting in a 60+ bed skilled nursing     home facility on-island that is available to residents at all income levels.

 

• Applying and receiving a two-year Vineyard Vision Fellowship to address community engagement/volunteerism opportunities and challenges for Older Adults ($100k).