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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 101007 1 ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT ON AGING AND UNITED WAY SENIOR ISSUES TEAM JOINT MEETING October 10, 2007 Minutes PRESENT: Myra Austin, Jack Chestnut, Peggy Cohn, Diane Henderson, Jerry Kruter, Linda Orndt, Ellen Ozier-Hayes, Mary Ann Peter, Fred Schroeder, Angie Welch EXCUSED: Jan Wassel STAFF: Lisa Berley, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore, Lauren Russell (student), Al Terry The Joint Meeting was called to order by Co-Chair Jack Chestnut. Following introductions Mr. Chestnut announced plans for a public memorial service for Florence Soltys on November 11 at the Seymour Center. He also reported that plans are underway to request that the Board of County Commissioners name the new Central Orange Adult Day Health Center in Hillsborough in memory of Ms. Soltys. The Board unanimously endorsed this proposal. Mr. Chestnut announced that the Friends of the Seymour Center, in conjunction with JOCCA, will sponsor a new soup & salad bar option as part of the noontime senior lunch program at the Seymour Center. The new service will begin on October 22, serving from 11:30 am until 2:00 pm. This is a model project that has been approved by the NC Division of Aging. The minutes of the August 8 Joint Meeting were approved upon the motion provided by Dianne Henderson and the second by Peggy Cohn. In the absence of Co-Chair Steve Lackey, United Way staff person Angie Welch invited agency representatives to give their reports. Linda Orndt announced that the Triangle Radio Reading Service had held its gala fundraiser the previous week and raised $16,000. Her agency will host an international radio reading service conference in May, 2008. The local service has already begun streaming on the web and there are plans to expand service through The Peoples Channel once an additional piece of broadcast equipment is secured. Myra Austin announced that the Wellness Program has begun several new programs since moving into the Seymour Center, the most popular being the balance class. To date, 191 persons have completed the functional fitness assessment required before utilizing the Fitness Studio. One-hundred and forty persons have completed orientation on the fitness equipment. The fee schedule was approved by the Board of County 2 Commissioners in late August and plans are underway for implementing the payment options. Ms. Austin reported that there is a need for a sponsor for the Mall Walk program, estimated at $4,000 per year. She reviewed the scheduled health screening opportunities, citing that some had not been held due to lack of interest. Mary Ann Peter suggested that a Wellness Program advisory council composed of seniors could assist in the topic selection process. Ms. Austin concluded by announcing that negotiations are underway with the UNC Program on Aging to locate a geriatric evaluation clinic at the Seymour Center ½ day per week. Angie Welch reported that the goal of the current Triangle United Way campaign $11.2 million for the Community Care Fund. She thanked Myra Austin for her assistance with the recent campaign kick-off bus tour. She also stated that the new method of fund allocation will incorporate the findings of the Master Aging Plan in its process. Lisa Berley reported on her work with the Community Centers Committee in expanding the participation of seniors in the Efland and Cedar Grove facilities. She is in the process of conducting a survey of community residents to determine what things prevent them from participating in the current programs offered. Jack Chestnut reminded the group that some of Orange County’s oldest residents reside in northern Orange County and that strengthening involvement in the community centers may lead to increased participation at the Central Orange and Seymour Senior Centers. Ms. Berley invited those present to contact her with comments. Mr. Chestnut informed the Board that a construction fence has been placed around the Sportsplex property where the senior center addition will be built. The Board of County Commissioners selected a project overseer at the previous night’s meeting. At this time the Joint Meeting was adjourned. Chairman Chestnut convened the meeting of the Advisory Board on Aging. A motion was made by Fred Schroeder and seconded by Diane Henderson that the Board strongly endorse the proposal to name a major Orange County day health facility for Florence Soltys. Motion carried. Mr. Chestnut reported that a new continuing care retirement community was being developed in Hillsborough. He has invited a representative of the Drucker and Falk property management firm to make a presentation to this Board about their plans to provide support services for the senior residents. Discussion followed on this proposed development and its impact on the aging services community. The motion to approve the September 12 minutes was made by Mary Ann Peter and seconded by Peggy Cohn. Fred Schroeder asked that the third paragraph be changed to omit the statement “assuming the chairmanship at that time”. Motion carried. Jack Chestnut reported that the Friends of Central Orange held a successful Las Vegas Night fundraiser in September. He added that the Central Orange Adult Day Health Center continues to operate near capacity. 3 Peggy Cohn stated that the Aging Board was well represented at last week’s Health Carolinians breakfast. Board members raised the issue that elder abuse needs to be included in discussions about domestic violence. Bob Jones announced that Ellen Ozier-Hayes and Mariah McPherson have been recommended to the Board of County Commissioners to fill two of the vacancies on the Advisory Board on Aging. The pool of applicants for the two remaining vacancies is nearly depleted. Jack Chestnut reported that he had approached former Chapel Hill Town Council Member Edith Wiggins about hosting ‘In Praise of Age’ and she has agreed. Bob Jones stated that volunteers are needed to tape the television shows. Fred Schroeder asked how the program could be broadcast to homes that are not Time Warner Cable subscribers. Jerry Passmore will investigate. The next item on the agenda was review of the MAP Objective Priorities and Implementation for 2007-08. Mr. Passmore reviewed the handout that listed the top two objectives in each of the nine goals identified in the MAP process. He charged the Board with the task of identifying additional membership for the workgroups listed for each objective’s implementation. With Al Terry’s assistance the Transit/Mobility objectives were used as an example of how the process works. Agencies to be added to the implementation list include Healthy Carolinians, Hillsborough Planning Dept., United Way, Health Dept, EMS, and Sheriff’s Dept. Upon completion of this exercise it was determined that the full list of objectives and organizations will be reviewed at the November board meeting. In his Director’s report, Jerry Passmore announced that the UNC Preventive Home Visit grant has been funded by the National Institute of Health. The Department on Aging is the subcontractor for this study that is scheduled to begin January 1, 2008. He also informed the Board that the Galleria landlord has requested the County remove some of the improvement that had been made to the Elliott Road facility. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore Secretary