Social workers resolve the social problems of vulnerable populations by investigating state and federal policies available for their clients. The social worker can use professional skills and experience to advocate for the disadvantaged by proposing new policies or changes to the current legislation affecting certain subpopulations. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the subpopulation, identify relevant state and federal policies, provide suggestions for the agency, and discuss advocacy options for the clients.
Vatsalya Adult Day Care Medical Center is located in Piscataway, New Jersey, and serves the general population of vulnerable, ethnically diverse elderly clients with physical and mental disabilities. The clients’ most common health concerns include Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetes. The subpopulation of Vatsalya’s Hispanic elderly clients with AD was selected for the intervention analysis. The Hispanic elderly population has higher rates (>50%) of AD than White seniors and is expected to grow by 224% by 2030, which will further increase disparities (Perales et al., 2017). The identified subpopulation experiences unequal opportunities, discrimination, poverty, and limited healthcare access due to their Hispanic background, as well as low life expectancy and inadequate autonomy aggravated by AD.
Senate Bill 125 is the state policy establishing the New Jersey Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission to investigate the impact of AD and develop recommendations for agencies. In 2016, the Commission published a report demonstrating AD’s impact on diverse elderly populations, caregivers, and agencies (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021b). The policy impacts the subpopulation as it informs the public, policymakers, healthcare, and social work professionals on AD’s critical issues. It also suggests that advocacy efforts are needed to address safety, healthcare access, education, and legal protection of the subpopulation. Affordable Care Act is the major federal policy that includes Medicaid public health insurance program for low-income individuals and Medicare coverage for elderly and disabled people. The reform, enacted in 2010, employs Medicare Annual Wellness Visits helping Vatsalya’s subpopulation assess the stage of cognitive impairment during a yearly exam (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021a). The policy allows the members of the subpopulation to enroll in a Medicaid Waiver and receive reimbursement for adult day care services at Vatsalya.
The agency should employ the ACA’s benefits and join a program supporting the subpopulation. One of the initiatives promoting the health and well-being of Hispanic elderly individuals with AD is Adult Day Social (ADS) Program. It focuses on community-based care for diverse individuals with AD via cognitive stimulation, memory training, and health education (Division of Aging Services, 2021). State-funded programs, such as Jersey Assistance for Community Living (JACC), Adult Day Services Program for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders (AADSP), and Statewide Respite Care Program (SRCP), also offer financial assistance. Vatsalya can also inform the subpopulation about Medicaid care reimbursement options. Based on the research by Perales et al. (2017), the agency can organize surveys to assess the experiences of Vatsalya’s subpopulation. It might be useful to provide education for the clients during Alzheimer’s knowledge sessions to raise awareness of the condition and develop coping strategies.
The main advocacy option is to raise awareness of AD prevention and management. Vatsalya’s social workers may contact the Minority and Multicultural Health division of the Department of Health to organize public campaigns to attract donations and attention to the issues of the subpopulation and Medicare/Medicaid opportunities. Policy changes and development require clear identification and understanding of social problems affecting the specific subpopulation (Garthwait, 2017). Thus, it is possible to advocate for the clients by persuading policymakers to improve access to healthcare services and increase state or federal financial support for the subpopulation. The cooperation with the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) may help develop policies focusing on advancing investment opportunities for Alzheimer’s research, care, and support of affected minority populations, including Hispanic clients.
In conclusion, Vatsalya’s Hispanic elderly clients with AD are impacted by New Jersey’s Bill 125 and the federal ACA. The policies allow the agency to advocate for the subpopulation and raise public awareness of AD. Collaboration with state-funded programs and AD initiatives may help social workers positively affect policymaking to solve the social problems of the subpopulation.
References
Alzheimer’s Association. (2021a). Health care reform. Alzheimer’s Association. Web.
Alzheimer’s Association. (2021b). New Jersey. Alzheimer’s Association. Web.
Division of Aging Services. (2021). Adult day social program in New Jersey: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) [PDF document]. Web.
Garthwait, C. L. (2017). The social work practicum: A guide and workbook for students (7th ed.). Pearson.
Perales, J., Moore, W.T., Fernandez, C., Chavez, D., Ramirez, M., Johnson, D., Resendez, J., Bueno, C., & Vidoni, E. D. (2017). Feasibility of an Alzheimer’s disease knowledge intervention in the Latino community. Ethnicity & Health, 25(5), 747–758. Web.