HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 101106 1
ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
October 11, 2006
PRESENT: Myra Austin, Peggy Cohn, Jack Chestnut, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Steve
Lackey, Jerry Passmore, Mary Ann Peter, Fred Schroeder, Kay Stagner, Jan Wassel,
Angie Welsh
The Joint Session of the Aging Board and the United Way Senior Issues Team was called
to order by Co-Chair Steve Lackey. Following introductions the minutes of August 9
meeting were approved upon the motion made by Jack Chestnut and the second by Jan
Wassel. Mr. Lackey announced that a United Way Senior Issues Team will be meeting
in November to discuss future funding.
The Chair asked for reports from the United Way agency representatives. OCIM’s Kay
Stagner stated that their current Meals On Wheels recipients numbered forty-seven.
Discussion followed about the variations in demand for service and referral sources. Ms.
Stagner reviewed the criteria for receiving meals and stated that there is a great need for
additional delivery volunteers. After questions about length of routes Mary Ann Peters
suggested frozen meals for recipients far from town. Ms. Stagner responded that daily
personal contact with recipients was an important part of the service. She informed the
session that Meals On Wheels Coordinator Emily Corley is on surgical leave until
November 1.
In her report on the Wellness Program Myra Austin announced that the Department on
Aging and Piedmont Health Services were co-sponsoring ‘An Evening with Dr. Carol
Klein’ at the First Baptist Church that evening. The purpose was to encourage members
of the African-American community to better utilize the medical services available
locally through the Carrboro Clinic on a sliding-scale fee basis. She also announced that
Dean Smith will help kick-off the flu shot clinic on October 25 at the Central Orange
Senior Center. She reviewed the clinic schedules at the senior facilities. The Health
Department’s Healthy Carolinians program has been awarded an ‘Eat Smart, Move
More’ grant, beginning with a workshop on November 4 for the faith-based community.
Jack Chestnut suggested that the listing of churches used for invitations could be given to
the MAP Steering Committee for input purposes.
Angie Welsh distributed poster publicizing United Way’s “211” information and referral
program targeting seniors. She thanked the Orange County participants, particularly
Jerry Passmore and Kay Stagner, for their assistance in the recent community impact bus
tour of Orange County. When asked if “211” was statewide she stated that
approximately 50% can access the service.
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Jerry Passmore referred to the Senior Center Fact Sheet that was mailed with the agenda
in providing an update on the construction projects. Jack Chestnut informed the session
that Carol Woods has proposed to contribute funding in the amount of $75,000 the first
year and $50,000 the second and third years if Orange County agrees to build space for
the adult day health center attached to the Central Orange Senior Center. He also stated
that he had presented an overview of the MAP Update to the Hillsborough Town Council
the previous Monday night.
Jerry Passmore began his MAP Update presentation by noting that the demographic data
prepared for last Monday’s Council meeting showed pockets of low-income seniors in
the Fairview and Coachwood communities of Hillsborough. Jan Wassel requested
citations for the statistics he quoted on average number of years of diminished capacity
experienced by older adults. Mr. Passmore suggested that the final presentation of the
MAP Update to the Board of County Commissioners be postponed until December in
order to allow more time for input. He listed a number of County boards and committees
that will be invited to schedule MAP Update presentations. Discussion followed on
planning issues such as services for 55+ communities and additional funding needs. Mr.
Passmore expressed his hope that the new senior centers will be designated as polling
places.
Jack Chestnut reported that the adult day health center is currently serving 13 families.
Jerry Passmore added that Piedmont Health has been awarded a PACE planning grant
and that adult day health care is a key service in that resource system. Mr. Chestnut also
announced that the Board of County Commissioners had postponed appointment of new
Advisory Board members to its October 17 meeting.
Jerry Passmore distributed the Department’s requests for the additional Home and
Community Care Block Grant funds made available for Orange County. Applications
were submitted from the Community Based Services, Eldercare, and Transportation
divisions. A committee composed of Katherine Cathey (Budget), Rosemary Summers
(Health) and Joan Pellettier (TJAAA) will review all proposals and recommend the
funds’ distribution.
Mr. Passmore distributed a copy of the new policy for transport of patients discharged
from Hospitals and Long Term Care facilities by OPT. Mary Ann Peter announced that
the Orange County rescue squad is preparing to provide convalescent transportation
utilizing volunteers. She expressed concern about OPT’s liability and supported the idea
that a responsible party accompany the patient on the ride home from the hospital.
Jan Wassel asked that the spelling of her last name be corrected in the draft of the
September 13 minutes. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary