February 25, 2013 - O4AD, the Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging & Disabilities has released “Listening and Visioning Project on Long-Term Care,” the outcome of the foundation supported project to look at the future of long-term services and supports in Oregon for seniors and people with disabilities.
This unique project, funded by the Meyer Memorial Trust and the Oregon Community Foundation, engaged long-term care stakeholders to develop a usable and meaningful vision and related policy recommendations that could help lead to a revitalized and workable long-term care system for Oregon’s seniors and people with disabilities.
The project was distinct from other past efforts in that a third party facilitator led the process in order to insure equal voice and input from stakeholders. The report, available at www.o4ad.org, describes the process that was undertaken, the points of agreements and disagreement and findings from focus groups to obtain consumer voice. The project was designed to report the outcomes as they occurred with no preset direction or assumptions as to the overall final recommendations or outputs of the process. Utilization of a third party facilitator allowed for real and frank conversations and policy recommendations that are endorsed by all members of the Project Committee for the future of long-term care in this state.
Jerry Cohen, Director of AARP Oregon and a project participant, commented, “Representing Oregon’s largest non-partisan, non-profit membership organization, AARP Oregon was delighted to work together with such dedicated leaders. We share a vision of how Oregon can sustain and enhance the ideals and values of Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 410, Oregon’s commitment to “independence, choice and dignity” for all of us as we age or face disabilities.”
Mary Jaeger, Oregon Long-Term Care Ombudsman and project participant, also added, “Providing effective services prioritizing independence, dignity, choice and safety requires our system to look carefully at our vision for the future and how we can work together to make sure Oregon's system evolves in a positive direction. We have now had that opportunity to look forward, take what we know from the past and begin the creation of the future for the long-term care system in our state. It was a privilege to be involved and bring the perspective of Oregon's office of the long-term care ombudsman to this thoughtful process and look forward to the impact this report and recommendations may have as Oregon moves ahead."
