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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 080807 1 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes August 8, 2007 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Diane Henderson, Jerry Kruter, Fred Schroeder, Florence Soltys EXCUSED: Peggy Cohn STAFF: Lisa Berley, Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore, Kathy Wright-Moore The meeting was called by Chair Jack Chestnut at the Central Orange Senior Center. The minutes of the June 27 meeting were approved following the motion by Florence Soltys and the second by Diane Henderson. The Chair recognized Lisa Berley whose position was recently transferred from the Orange County Recreation and Parks Department. She will now be responsible for coordinating senior citizen programs at the Efland and Cedar Grove community centers. Her charge is to boost program attendance at those locations. She reported that a committee was formed last December to study senior activities. Leo Allison was one of the conveners of that committee. Jerry Passmore had recommended conducting a survey of those who don’t attend the centers to determine why they are not involved. Ms. Berley is field testing that survey on current participants. She distributed a survey form and reviewed the process of testing the surveys in the centers. To date, seven people have completed in the survey at the Cedar Grove Center and 10 at Efland. She reviewed the demographics and results. Chairman Chestnut added that increased participation at these locations may result in more interest from those communities in attending the new Central Orange Senior Center. Ms. Berley’s office is at COSC and she is working with Terry Colville for better program coordination. Jerry Passmore noted that transportation is now available between COSC and the Seymour Center. Jerry Kruter mentioned that a hospital is slated for Mebane that will boost the area’s growth. Jack Chestnut added that Ashford Crossing, a 55+ residential community, is being built there. Mr. Kruter suggested a meeting with area developers. Ms. Berley suggested that one avenue to reach those currently not participating is through the churches. Florence Soltys suggested utilizing newspapers and asked if the public television show ‘In Praise of Age’ was available in northern Orange County. Discussion continued on the purpose of the survey and method of distribution. Jerry Passmore announced that OPT has revised its North-South Express route to include mid-day stops at the Seymour Center. He noted that there is a core group of riders who travel to work each day on the OPT Express. He reviewed the schedule and stated that the per-trip operational cost on the OPT bus $8.50, compared to $14.50 in Durham, and $24.00 in Wake County. The results of the regional study commissioned by NCDOT are due out in the Fall. This study may recommend closer coordination with the Durham 2 system. Florence Soltys asked why Chapel Hill Transit chose not to participate in the regional study. She suggested that Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill and the University should coordinate their transportation services. The election of new officers was postponed until a later meeting when more members were present. Mariah McPherson and Ellen Ozier-Hayes have both applied for membership on the Board. Mr. Passmore suggested inviting all candidates for membership to the September board meeting. Jack Chestnut reported for the Friends of the Seymour Center. He asked if the OPT- Seymour route schedule has been adjusted so that former Northside Center participants could stay later in the afternoon. Mr. Passmore stated that OPT Manager Al Terry has been working with Janice Tyler to adjust the schedule. A vacancy still exists for board representation to the Human Services Advisory Commission. The theme of the annual forum, scheduled for September 12 at the Chapel Hill Bible Church, is domestic violence. Ms. Soltys expressed her hope that the forum agenda will include information on elder abus. September 10-12 is also the NC Division of Aging’s annual conference in Winston-Salem. Jerry Passmore will be driving a bus each day so that staff may attend. He invited the board and offered to send the conference information to them. Mr. Chestnut distributed fliers for the September 14 Las Vegas Night fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of the Senior Center for Central Orange. In the absence of a Wellness Program Advisory Committee report, Mr. Passmore reported on the functional assessment screenings being conducted at the Senior Center by UNC Family Practice. Jerry Passmore introduced Kathy Wright-Moore as the new program manager for the Central Orange Adult Day Health Center. She reported that attendance is reaching capacity and work has begun to change the license for maximum attendance from 10 to 12 persons per day. The hours of operation have been adjusted to an 8:00 a.m. opening She began working on June 25. Ms. Wright-Moore stated that a volunteer is working on day health care center webside and she is developing a name-change contest. Senior Care Board Chair Florence Soltys noted that the agency is no longer operating ‘in the red’. Ms. Soltys summarized the presentation she made at the June board meeting regarding UNC’s potential interest in getting involved in the IFC shelter relocation project. The Chair reported that he had contacted the IFC board Chair in an effort to discuss this issue but was unable to arrange a meeting. A copy of the proposed fee structure for the Seymour Fitness Studio was distributed. Mr. Passmore reported that the Board of County Commissioners will be considering this fee schedule at their next meeting. To date 155 persons have completed their functional fitness screening and are certified to use the exercise equipment. He stressed that the 3 need to have a similar fee schedule in place for both the Seymour and COSC/Sportsplex senior fitness centers. Ms. Soltys suggested that UNC Hospital be charged rent for the physical therapy services it is providing at the Seymour Center as Medicare is being billed for those services. Fred Schroeder requested clarification of the types of activities that were available for scholarship assistance. It was suggested that the term ‘center- based services’ be added to the description. Jack Chestnut emphasized that the fees collected will be used to pay the trainer and for repair/replacement of the exercise equipment. The suggested limit for scholarships remains $250 annually. A final review of the fee scale and scholarship policy will be made at a futre meeting. Florence Soltys distributed and highlighted the latest Aging legislation review. She noted that the mobile dental access legislation had passed, which means that $200,000 will be available for the Orange/Durham/Chatham pilot project. In his Director’s Report Jerry Passmore stated that the ‘In Praise of Age’ public access program is moving toward production of its new shows at the Seymour Center. Fred Schroeder asked if, in light of the upcoming changes in accessing the airwaves, there would be a broader distribution of the show. Mr. Passmore reported that the Food/Nutrition Study Committee met with Bateman Catering’s regional representative. There is interest in expanding beyond a hot meal served at noon to a soup and salad bar available throughout midday. Bateman’s is developing a proposal to provide this expanded meal service. The Committee will meet again at the end of the month. In conclusion Mr. Passmore announced that the MAP goals and objectives will be reviewed at the September 12 meeting at the Seymour Center. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary