HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 101017ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
October 10, 2017
PRESENT: Mary Altpeter, Colin Austin, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, Winston Liao, Yvonne
Mendenhall, Donna Prather, Vibeke Tally, Dick White, Rachel Hawkins
GUEST: Alicia Nelson
EXCUSED: Heather Altman, Lorenzo Mejia
STAFF: Myra Austin, Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler
The meeting was called to order at the Passmore Center by Chair Peggy Cohn. Following introductions
Janice Tyler announced the recent passing of former Advisory Board member and Chair Jack Chestnut.
The minutes of the September 12 meeting were approved following a motion made by Keith Cook and a
second provided by Alex Castro.
Director’s Report
Janice Tyler announced her completion of the racial equity training for County and Town management
on September 20 and 21. Ms. Tyler and Mary Fraser have made Master Aging Plan presentations to
residents of Carol Woods Retirement Community and staff in the service network of the Piedmont Triad
Area Agency on Aging.
Ms. Tyler will attend a national conference of projects funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes
Research Institute. UNC has been investigating the merits of developing a Bookend Caregivers Project
that identifies school-age caregivers. She announced the October 27 UNC conference on The Business
of Healthcare: Adapting to an Aging Economy.
The first Orange County Transit Academy is being held today for service providers to become more
informed about transportation options in the community; Try Transit Week, which includes fare-free
travel on OPT buses, will be held October 23 – 28.
Ms. Tyler concluded her report by announcing that each County department is developing a Continuity
of Operations plan to outline a contingency plan in the event of disruption of normal business.
2017-22 Master Aging Plan
Janice Tyler will present the Master Aging Plan update to the Carrboro Board of Alderman on October
24. A similar presentation has already been given to the Chapel Hill Town Council.
Mary Fraser distributed the MAP Update Year 1 Goal Implementation Status grid. She stated that five of
the six Domain Workgroups have already met twice. She asked the Advisory Board liaison to give a
summary.
Outdoor Spaces: Mary Altpeter reported that this workgroup has interest in public
transportation. OC Planning Department staff Abigail Pittman shared plans for improving spaces
surrounding bus stops. A survey of older adults’ use of public spaces is being developed and could be
available at early voting sites and in the Senior Times. Arrangements are being made for a walk
designed for the visually-impaired. Ms. Altpeter will represent the Advisory Board at the
Intergovernmental Recreation Commission meeting the following day.
Transportation: Alex Castro stated that 12 individuals are currently volunteering in the driver
program. The Town of Cary utilizes scheduling software for its volunteers. Peter Murphy of Orange
Public Transportation (OPT) addressed the Committee on the delay in rural service expansion. Issues for
this Committee include working with medical appointment schedulers, designated drop-off areas for
individuals in wheelchairs, seamless transfers between OPT and Chapel Hill Transit’s Easy Rider service,
and UNC facilities located in other counties. UNC is now paying private transit providers to bring
patients to appointments. Discussion followed on possible changes in the Medicare program.
Housing: Dick White reported that the biggest challenge to developing affordable housing is
changing policy. This Committee hopes to identify sites in each geographic area of Orange County that
would be suitable for age-friendly communities. MAP now has a representative on the Affordable
Housing Coalition. An affordable housing summit is being planned for January. Cherie Rosemond will
make a presentation to the Hillsborough Town Council. Alex Castro added that Habitat is planning an
outreach event for seniors. Mary Fraser reported on the Downsizing and Decluttering event held the
previous evening at the Seymour Center.
Social Participation/Inclusion: Donna Prather reported that this Committee is composed of
representatives of Orange County and Town services. Discussions were held on inclusion of programs
for low-vision and hearing-impaired, exercise programs, and community center programming. The
number of unduplicated persons registered at the senior centers has increased by 60%in the last year.
Civic Participation/Employment: Colin Austin credited Mike Komives and Megan Peters with the
boost in employment accomplishments, including job search classes, individual counseling sessions, and
an older workers resource guide. The community college and public libraries have become involved in
these efforts. Future activities include a publicity campaign directed at private businesses. Winston Liao
spoke about the need to involve the UNC Business School. Although Orange County’s unemployment
rate is low it is not known how many older adults are seeking employment. It is also unclear about the
need for updating job seekers’ computer and social media skills.
Community Support/Health: Peggy Cohn pointed out the need for baseline data on the number
of persons utilizing the existing programs and the number of healthcare providers. There is a need for
volunteers in medical services, Project EngAGE, Seniors and Law enforcement Together (SALT). There is
a need to consider a new approach for the Nursing and Adult Care Home committees to work with
activity directors as well as administrators. Mary Fraser announced that the Long Term Care
Collaborative may be asked to administer the Direct Care Workers award program in the future.
Communications: Keith Cook states that the Faith communities are being asked to become
more involved in the senior service network. There is a need to determine which churches are providing
meals and distributing food. The key is to identify a contact in the churches other than the ministers. It
is hoped that they will become involved in the outreach meetings at UNC Hillsborough Hospital.
The next meeting of the Master Aging Plan Steering Committee will be held on November 10 at Carol
Woods Retirement Community.
Committee Progress Reports
Senior Tar Heel Legislature – Dick White announced that the STHL elected a Davidson County resident as
the new President. The Legislative priorities (attached) remain the same as last year. Several STHL
representatives will accompany Mr. White to a meeting with the new President to discuss new
strategies for the future.
Dementia Friendly Business Campaign – November’s Chapel Hill Magazine will have an article on this.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary