HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 031417 ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
March 14, 2017
PRESENT: Heather Altman, Mary Altpeter, Colin Austin, Keith Cook,Winston Liao, Donna Prather
EXCUSED: Peggy Cohn,Yvonne Mendenhall, Dick White
STAFF: Kathie Kearns, Yvette Missri,Janice Tyler
The meeting was called to order at the Passmore Center by Acting Chair Mary Altpeter. She expressed
her concern about the proposed elimination of health promotion funding from the federal budget. Colin
Austin suggested the strategy of presenting this concern to the Board of County Commissioners. The
minutes of the February 14 meeting were approved following the motion made by Keith Cook and the
second by Winston Liao.
Director's Report
Janice Tyler announced that interviews are being scheduled for the vacant Seymour Center Evening
Facility Manager position. Triangle J Area Agency on Aging's monitoring visit is scheduled for March 29
and 30.
The NC Coalition on Aging will sponsor a legislative advocacy day on April 4 and carpool arrangements
can be made. Advocates will be divided into teams this year to assure that all legislators receive a visit.
The NC Association on Aging will hold its annual conference this Thursday and Friday in Winston/Salem.
Featured presenters include Five Love Languages author Dr. Gary Chapman. More than 230 persons are
registered.
Old Business
Representatives from the Friends Board, Program Committee and staff will meet on March 20 to review
the architect's plans for the proposed Passmore Center renovations. Ms.Tyler stated that expansion
beyond those currently proposed would require additional funding. The planned addition of 3,000
homes to the Hillsborough area will double its current population and increase the need for Senior
Center space.
The Department on Aging has been working with the Department of Social Services to address the
increased demand for in-home services. DSS has agreed to take on non-Medicaid clients who need
Level II personal care services. These Departments are developing a joint statement that clarifies the
role of each entity in serving in-home care clients. Discussion followed on income eligibility, levels of
care, and funding sources.
New Business
A summary of the increased funding requests for FY 17-18 Orange County budget was distributed. The
Division summaries are:
Community Based Services (Senior Centers) -furnishings and audio equipment
Aging Transitions—additional in home service hours
Volunteer Connect—increase halftime Administrative Assistant position to full-time
The Fire Marshal limit on the number of persons who can occupy the Seymour Theater has forced
greater use of the Great Hall and there is no adequate sound system in that space. Senior Center
furniture needs to be replaced after 10 years of continual use. OC Asset Management would not include
these requests in its budget. Other suggestions included soliciting donations of furnishings and sound
equipment. The rise in the cost of in-home service is impacted by both the living wage increase and the
growth in demand. Volunteer Connect's need for additional staff is a result of the increase in the
number of volunteers and the success of Project EngAGE.The first review and prioritization of these
requests will be made by the Human Services Functional Leadership Team on March 20.
The Orange County Manager and Janice Tyler met with the agencies requesting human services funding
for senior services. This allowed these agencies to share their agencies' mission and accomplishments.
One outcome is the plan to bring together the three agencies providing meals to older adults in their
homes to standardize eligibility requirements. Discussion followed on the many and varied entities in
Orange County providing food to community members.
Ms.Tyler reviewed the status of the Advisory Board members whose terms are coming to an end.
Marshall (Dan) Daniel has not attended a meeting since September 2016. She sent him a note to ask for
his resignation. Colin Austin agreed to reappointment. Terri Driscoll has resigned and the new Nursing
Home Chair may agree to replace her on this Advisory Board. Mary Altpeter agreed to reappointment.
Keith Cook agreed to serve another year. Former member Alex Castro has applied for reappointment. A
motion was made by Keith Cook and seconded by Heather Altman to recommend these actions to the
Board of County Commissioners. Motion Carried. Chair Peggy Cohen will represent the Aging Board at
the March 28 BOCC meeting when the County advisory boards' 2016 Annual Reports are reviewed.
2012-2017 Master Aging Plan
Each of the MAP Workgroups has held four of the five scheduled meetings. Janice Tyler added that
some of the Workgroups may continue to meet after reporting their findings to the Steering Committee
on April 12. Public comment sessions on the findings and recommendations will be held at both the
Passmore and Seymour Centers on April 20. A draft of the Plan will be available for this Advisory Board
at the April meeting.
Continuing Projects
Yvette Missri announced details of Dr. Haider Warraich's April 20 presentation sponsored by the Project
Engage End of Life Senior Resource Team. Dr. Beth Rosenberg will moderate the Friday Center event.
Discussion followed on the Five Wishes end of life directives and estate planning. Colin Austin offered to
be a resource if estate planning seminars are no longer available through Cooperative Extension Service.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on April 11
at the Seymour Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary