Marin County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
The Coming Wave of Older Adults — Is Marin Prepared?
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 11 findings
F1
Marin has siloed and fragmented aging services that are not well integrated among County departments, thus creating confusion for older residents and family members.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Marin is not prepared to adequately serve the coming wave of Older Adults.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Today, finding the resources that an Older Adult or caregiver needs requires navigating a maze of options. There is a compelling need for a seamless and unified “doorway” or portal for older residents and family members to navigate to and access County services and referrals to Community Based Organizations for Older Adults.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
By December 31, 2023, the Board of Supervisors should direct HHS or AAS - as appropriate - to begin the design of a multilingual electronic “doorway” or portal for older residents and family members through which to access information regarding County services from a single point of entry, with initial design, operational goals and a preliminary budget defined.
F4
Based on the percentage of the HHS budget allocated for Aging and Adult Services, and its placement within the HHS hierarchy, the well-being of Older Adults is not reflected as a County priority.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By December 31, 2023, the Board of Supervisors should elevate the Office of Adult and Aging Services (AAS) to a division-level department within the Health and Human Services Department. The lead executive within AAS should be on a peer level with other directors within HHS as part of the HHS Executive team.
F5
There are not sufficient low and moderate income housing options for the Older Adult population, and current options do not fully address needs that range from low-income, and independent living to full dementia and Alzheimer’s 24x7 care assistance.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Marin relies heavily on Community Based Organizations. Additional County funding is needed by essential Community Based Organizations that partner with the County to do the necessary work for the Older Adults in Marin.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
By December 31, 2023, the Board of Supervisors should direct HHS or AAS - to create an ombudsman position within AAS to assist CBOs and non-profits which provide aging services (e.g., West Marin Senior Services, Vivalon, etc.) in submitting funding and/or services requests.
F7
With its current reporting relationship, Aging and Adult Services is not part of the HHS Executive Team. Thus, Aging and Adult Services does not have the opportunity to participate in cross-functional, and cross-departmental County teams ensuring that the needs of older residents are considered in all County projects, including those outside HHS.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By December 31, 2023, the Board of Supervisors should elevate the Office of Adult and Aging Services (AAS) to a division-level department within the Health and Human Services Department. The lead executive within AAS should be on a peer level with other directors within HHS as part of the HHS Executive team.
F8
In nearly all of the other Bay Area counties, the aging services departments report to the highest-ranking or second highest ranking leader in the organization, which is recognized as a critical member of their cross functional executive teams.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
With the projected increase of Marin’s non-English speaking populations, the County needs to ensure that all of its residents have access to services and information in the language they speak. As was seen during the pandemic, the ability to communicate in one’s native language ensures that essential information is accurately communicated to the residents in need of services and information.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Collaborative planning and adequate funding of limited aging services resources within the county is needed to preserve important healthcare options.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
By November 30, 2023, the Board of Supervisors should finish reviewing and then formally approve the IAS Study accepted at the February 7, 2023 Board of Supervisors meeting.
R3
During the FY25 budget preparation cycle, the Board of Supervisors should direct AAS and HHS to prepare a larger AAS FY25 budget consistent with the IAS Study so as to be ready for implementation during the FY25 budget year.
F11
Additional resources are needed for West Marin and other isolated areas to address transportation, food delivery, medical services, and making wellness checks and contact with isolated residents.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
By December 31, 2023, the Board of Supervisors should direct HHS or AAS - as appropriate - to begin the design of a comprehensive database-driven communication system. This should enable Older Adult County residents and/or family members to register and opt-in to receive information on aging services, and receive calls or texts as needed for natural disaster notification, wellness checks, etc.
R7
By December 31, 2023, the Board of Supervisors should direct HHS or AAS - as appropriate - to fund a “travel stipend” based on the mileage to/from San Rafael County offices to client location based on the applicable IRS mileage rate for IHSS caregivers providing services in rural areas.
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
County of Marin
Agency
Marin County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office