Ideas and Ideals

Milwaukee’s Connecting Caring Communities Project                    

Partners in Connecting Caring Communities believe that:

• Older adults want to stay in their neighborhoods as they age
• Neighborhoods want older adults to stay
• Connections among community residents can make this easier

From September of 2002 through January of 2008, Milwaukee County was one of 16 communities funded nationally under the Community Partnerships for Older Adults Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  Our community partners came together to craft new ways to keep older adults active in their neighborhoods.  With additional local funding generously provided by The Helen Bader Foundation, The Faye McBeath Foundation and The Greater Milwaukee Foundation, the vision and mission of Connecting Caring Communities took shape in two local neighborhoods.

---

The Vision of Connecting Caring Communities:
Stakeholders work together to improve the care and services available to older adults, resulting in a community where older people are able to draw upon and contribute to the resources of their neighborhoods and the community at large.  When older people need long term care, it is available, easily accessible, affordable, and of high quality. 

The Mission of Connecting Caring Communities:
To strengthen the system of long term care for Milwaukee County’s older adults through developing, nurturing, and supporting partnerships with all stakeholders.
 

---

Beginnings in two Milwaukee neighborhoods

• Sherman Park (Capitol Drive to North Avenue / 35th St. To 60th St.)
• Layton Boulevard (Pierce St to Lincoln Avenue / 16th St. to 35th St.)
   

Sherman Park residents worked on programs to:

• Reduce isolation,
• Provide more information about programs and services,
• Increase safety

Results:

• The "Sherman Park Gathering Place” (space provided by Capitol Drive Lutheran Church that serves approximately 15 vulnerable neighborhood older adults three mornings a week, with programming that includes health education, service information and referral, cultural celebrations, computer usage, spirituality, trips, neighborhood reminiscence, and more.
• Regular older adult-focused monthly newspaper column appearing in Sherman Park Today, a community newspaper widely read by neighborhood residents.
• Annual community calendar of events provided to every older resident with activities specific to older adults in the Sherman Park neighborhood
  

 Layton Boulevard residents worked on programs to:

• Revitalize the 55+ Senior Center as an inviting, energized gathering place for older adults
• Increase awareness of services among neighborhood older adults
• Increase safety
• Improve transportation options

Results:

• 55+ Senior center now known as the OASIS is revitalized with new programming including a fitness center, monthly Town Hall meetings of residents, a wellness clinic, educational programming, computer classes, and more
• Door-to-door outreach conducted among 2,000 households, with distribution of informational brochures on older adult services and long term care written in English and Spanish
• Sheriff’s Sub-Station established at the OASIS
• Senior walking club with periodic escorts from the local Police Sub-Station
• Senior Shuttle in the Layton Blvd. neighborhood improved transportation to and from area merchants for neighborhood older adults
  

In both neighborhoods:

• Film Series "Perspectives on Aging"
• Peacemaking circles led to greater understanding between older adults and youth
• Technology centers with training for older adults on donated computers helps increase connectivity of those without computer skill/access 
  

---

Other Connecting Caring Communities Activities Included:

Let's Take Care Campaign

• Specialized communications campaign focused on promoting a better understanding of long term care and how to find long term care services services.   

Result:

• Let's Take Care website with communications tools for all neighborhoods
• Development of a trademarked graphic symbol and the “LTC: Let’s Take Care” tag line
• “Perspectives on Aging” Film Series and accompanying discussion guide
• Consumer Guide for LTC: Let’s Take Care businesses and services
   

Caregiver Retention Project

• Milwaukee Aging Consortium brought together different stakeholders from across the county to explore methods to improve retention of professional caregivers in Milwaukee

Results:

• Survey of employers regarding caregiver turnover across various settings
• Identification of best practices in caregiver retention
• A network of caregivers with regular meetings for information and education
• Training provided to 120 supervisors of caregivers
• Incorporation of professional caregivers into a caregiver recognition program coordinated by the Milwaukee Aging Consortium.

To learn more about current neighborhood partnerships click here  

To go to the Let's Take Care website click here