OAKLAND, Calif. (PRWEB)
July 26, 2021

The Rapid Response Case Management (Rapid Response) program of DayBreak Adult Care Centers (DayBreak) received honorable mention for a Business Innovation Award for helping to create an age-friendly community in Alameda County.

In the first year of the program, Rapid Response improved healthcare and social support services for 70 clients, which reduced their frequent use of 911, EMS and emergency rooms, resulting in an estimated $2 million savings in hospital costs.

The innovative model demonstrates the catalyzing role that community-based organizations like DayBreak can take to drive meaningful change.

Business Innovation Award, Honorable Mention:

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging’s (n4a) Aging and Disability Business Institute presented DayBreak with The John A. Hartford Foundation 2021 Business Innovation Award Honorable Mention for its Rapid Response Case Management program. The award was presented at n4a’s 46th Annual Conference and Tradeshow on July 21, 2021.

“Rapid Response is a model for how local agencies, community organizations and nonprofits can work together to improve lives,” said Ofra Paz, Executive Director of DayBreak. “We are honored to be recognized by n4a’s Aging and Disability Business Institute and The John A. Hartford Foundation. They share our commitment to better care for older adults that lowers overall costs.”

“We applaud the nominee organizations, all of whom are indispensable to their communities and have shown great ingenuity resilience and resourcefulness,” said Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of The John A. Hartford Foundation. “This award hopes to inspire all community-based organizations to create age-friendly partnerships with hospitals, health plans and with one another through regional networks.”

Rapid Response Improves Lives and Communities:

In many communities, there are people who call 911 frequently because they lack access to health care and social services. Instead, they use emergency medical services weekly or more frequently. Frequently, these are vulnerable, older adults with complex health and social needs, who are also low-income.

Rapid Response addresses the needs of these high-utilization people. Rapid Response connects clients with much-needed health and social supports and provides ongoing case management, reducing the use of 911 and hospital emergency rooms for these needs.

In Alameda County, California, the Rapid Response partnership includes Alameda County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), area hospitals, fire departments, Adult Protective Services, community-based organizations, and DayBreak. This strategic partnership of 20 organizations launched in 2018, with the goal of reducing the high utilization of EMS by older adults for non-emergency issues.

DayBreak facilitated the design process for Rapid Response. DayBreak invited local partners to an ongoing series of workshops to design the solution together.

Key to the program’s success in Alameda County is fast referrals. DayBreak professionals meet clients at the hospital shortly after the client calls 911 and EMS is contacted.

At the hospital, DayBreak assesses the person’s unmet needs. DayBreak then draws on the local network to bring in the needed services and supports. This allows the client to leave the hospital and safely go home, where they can live independently and healthier – with the right supports in place. DayBreak continues to follow-up with each client to ensure their wellbeing.

Replicating Rapid Response:

“Our goals are to help more elders in the East Bay, and to support other communities in designing Rapid Response for their specific needs. We view our role as that of facilitator, not program owner. We guide disparate teams to find common ground and co-create solutions. These solutions improve health, energize teams and lift-up communities,” said Ofra Paz.

Beginning with only a small amount of seed money in 2018, DayBreak secured additional grant funding and hired a team of full-time staff to support the program.

About DayBreak

DayBreak Adult Care Centers (“DayBreak”) improves the lives of vulnerable older adults and their family caregivers. In addition to the Rapid Response Case Management program, key programs include:

• 
  Co-op adult day community pilot program, where caregivers can donate volunteer hours in exchange for respite care;
• Caring-for-the-Caregiver education series;
• Senior injury- and fall-prevention programs;
• Phone counseling and assistance for seniors and caregivers.

Learn more at DayBreakCenters.org.

About The John A. Hartford Foundation

The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. For more information, visit johnahartford.org and follow @johnahartford.

About n4a

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is a 501(c)(3) membership association representing America’s national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and providing a voice in the nation’s capital for the more than 260 Title VI Native American aging programs. n4a’s primary mission is to build the capacity of our members so they can help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For more information, visit n4a.org and follow @n4aACTION.

About the Aging and Disability Business Institute

The mission of n4a’s Aging and Disability Business Institute is to build and strengthen partnerships between aging and disability community-based organizations and the health care system. The Business Institute receives funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, The SCAN Foundation and the Administration for Community Living and is led by n4a.