The Aga Khan Council of the USA Social Welfare Board

Aging Gracefully: An Initiative of the

Aga Khan Council for the United States

Aging Texas WellTexas Health and Human Services Commission

May 5, 2021

The Ismaili Community• The Ismailis constitute the

second largest Shia Muslim community in the world, living in over 25 countries, and are led by His Highness the Aga Khan.

• Ismailis believe that education to the highest level is critical and that service to others is one of the fundamental ethics of the Muslim faith.

His Highness the Aga Khan, a graduate of Harvard, delivering the Samuel L. and Elizabeth Jodidi Lecture at Harvard University in November 2015

His Highness the Aga Khan

• The Aga Khan is the hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shi'a Ismaili Muslims and the 49th direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad.

• As an Imam, he is responsible for both the spiritual and secular wellbeing of his community as well as those among whom they live.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

• AKDN is the world's largest private development network.

• The mission of AKDN is to empower communities and individuals in disadvantaged circumstances to improve their quality of life.

• AKDN agencies work in the areas of health, education, microfinance, rural development, disaster mitigation, private sector

• 95,000 employees in 30 countries.

• Operates 15 hospitals and 451 health centers in 9 countries.

• Operates 200 hundred schools, serving 85,000 students.

Map of AKDN Activity

Agreements of Cooperation

• Agreements of Cooperation entered into by the Ismaili Imamat and the States of Texas, California and Illinois provide a framework of cooperation in fields of mutual interest such as education, health sciences, disaster risk management, and better cross-cultural understanding, so as to further the parties’ common goal of equitable human advancement and social justice, recognizing that poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing the global community. The agreements formalize and build on past collaboration between the States and agencies of the AKDN.

The Aga Khan Council

• The Ismaili community has Councils in 20 countries to support the community.

• The Council provides oversight and assistance under guidance from His Highness the Aga Khan.

• The Council provides guidance and assistance in the areas of health, education, economic and social well being, and opportunities for youth to engage in sports, camps, and intellectual activities.

• The headquarters of the Aga Khan Council for the USA is in Houston, with 7 Regional Councils.

The Aga Khan Social Welfare Board

The Social Welfare Board provides programs and services in Texas in 5 areas:

• Aging Gracefully – Care for the Elderly• Mental Health• Social Safety Net Services• Special Needs • Women’s group

Framework for Longevity and Aging Gracefully

Aging GracefullyFinancial Health• Financial Planning • Poverty elimination• Optimizing income generation and

financial support

Physical and Mental Health• Physical health - independence,

function• Mental and Cognitive Health• Prevention, early detection and

disease management

Social Connection & Purpose• Agency to communicate• Social engagement• Sense of Purpose, lifelong learning

Built Environment• Prayer spaces• Housing• Transportation

Our Beneficiaries in Texas

• Older adults > 65 years in Texas.

• 18 Ismaili Jamatkhanas, or Community Centers in Texas.

• Cities Served in Texas: Austin, Beaumont, College Station, Corpus Christi, Greater Dallas Area, Greater Houston Area, San Antonio, and Tyler.

Issues of Aging that our Programs Address…

Issues Financial Some living in poverty – limited financial planning, disconnect from family

Health Physical health issues – increasing non-communicable diseases Increasing mental health issues Difficulty navigating healthcare

Financial Loneliness, social isolation Increasingly living alone Redefining a sense of purpose

Aging Gracefully Portfolio in Texas

PortfolioEnrichment ProgramsTo encourage lifelong learningAging Gracefully CentersFor the mind, body and soulHOPE ServicesTo optimize financial planningiCARE ProgramTo decrease loneliness and care for the VulnerableSocial Safety Net ServicesCase management and navigators to identify resources and connect care

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS To Encourage Lifelong Learning• Learning new skills

• English, technology, banking• Music and drama• Ideas for home-based business

• Improving general knowledge• Health related – dementia, memory-boosting, fitness

Reducing loneliness with Zoom Learning

Aging Gracefully Initiative (AGI) Centers

• The need being addressed?• A desire for social connection particularly for those suffering from social isolation,

loneliness. Sedentary lifestyles and increasing NCDs. Increasing mental health issues.

• The intervention?• Aging Gracefully Initiative Centers (AGI Centers) aim to provide seniors with an

avenue to gather for support, socialization, education, and fitness. The activities at the Senior Center will help older adults remain integrated and a vital part of the community and focus on the ‘mind, body and soul’.

• What is the impact?• Majority have engaged in virtual programs during COVID.• Loneliness is significantly lower than the general US population.

Aging Priority: Address elderly poverty through prevention, identification, and support and Optimize mobility and transportation options for the elderly

HOPE Program

ObjectivesAlleviate stress and burden on families caring for the agedImprove the quality of life of the aged by providing options for careCatalyze conversation on topics to avoid stigma (e.g. caregiving resourcesMinimize familial disputes by preemptively addressing possible areas of conflictDevelop capacity among volunteers on caregiving options

ServicesEntitlements – Medicaid, Medicare, SS

Long-term care, disability options, home healthHousing optionsTransportation (City and County)

Wills planning (EBP)Financial planning (EBP)

iCARE for Vulnerable Older Adults

• The need being addressed?• Social isolation, loneliness, older adults who are marginalized due to physical or mental

disabilities.• The intervention?

• One-on-one support. • Pre-covid this was in-person visits, accompanying to appointments, assistance with

groceries.• During covid this has evolved to phone calls + assistance with pick-up of medications,

groceries and providing emotional support.• What are the results? What is the impact?

• Loneliness and social isolation are significantly lower than the general US population.• Volunteer workforce – hundreds of iCARE volunteers in Texas engaged in providing this

service.• Hundreds of older adults getting a weekly call every week since COVID started.• Optimized access to a primary care provider.

Story of Compassion and Service

Resident of Spring, TX (Spring Community Center iCAREMember) AGE 85, Lives alone in a two-story home

Social Safety Net Services (SSN)• The Need

• Older adults sometimes find themselves in a crisis or with needs to ensure a basic quality of life. Some older adults are disconnected (emotionally or geographically) from their families and don’t have safety net of their own.

• The Intervention• The SSN System provides 24/7 crisis support + case management by professionally employed and volunteer

case managers. Needs are assessed and then navigators and iCARE volunteers assist at the grass roots to connect with each community-member in need.

• The needs range from housing issues, food insecurity, elder neglect, grief and loss.

• What are the results? What is the impact?• At times of crisis like hurricanes or the recent power outage, we are able to identify and support older adults

immediately through mobilizing community-resources.• Systematically identifying older adults living in poverty and connecting them to community resources. Case

studies: • During COVID, many seniors lost their jobs and we helped with accessing benefits and stimulus checks • Pre-covid there were multiple cases of seniors requiring assistance with navigating health care or

financial services

iCARE in Collaboration with SSN

Story of lending a hand• iCARE Member of Stafford, TX• Age 77 female • Lives with Roommates

Support at its best• iCARE Member of Conroe, TX• Age 75+ male• Lives with spouse

The Ethics of our Faith Serve as Guiding Principles for our Programs and Services

Volunteerism

Caring for the vulnerable

Unconditional generosity

“…a cherished principle in Shia Ismaili culture — the importance of contributing one’s individual energies on a

voluntary basis to improving the lives of others. This is not a matter of philanthropy, but rather of self-fulfillment —

'enlightened self-fulfillment’.”

- His Highness the Aga KhanIn a Speech to the Canadian Parliament

February 27, 2015

Thank you

The Aga Khan Council for the United States of America

1700 First Colony Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479

For more information please visit the.ismaili/usa and akdn.orgwebsites