Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 040908ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes April 9, 2008 PRESENT: Jack Chestnut, Peggy Cohn, Diane Henderson, Jerry Kruter, Mary Ann Peter, Fred Schroeder EXCUSED: Jan Wassel STAFF: Bob Jones, Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Chair Jack Chestnut. Jerry Passmore invited those present to attend the upcoming End of Life Issues seminar at the Seymour Center, beginning April 15. The Seymour Center’s 1st Anniversary Celebration was announced for May 28. The minutes of the March 12 board meeting were approved upon the motion offered by Peggy Cohn and the second by Mary Ann Peter. Jack Chestnut reported that the Friends of the Seymour Center have matched an Orange County Arts Commission grant to have a water feature placed in the courtyard area. Additionally, local artist Jean Parish had designed and donated a piece of sculpture for that area. He also reported that Janice Tyler has been meeting the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation staffer Rob English to discuss a senior use schedule for the Town’s new aquatic center off Homestead Road. Mr. Chestnut stated that the Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center are sponsoring another Sock Hop in May. He expressed his hope that the seniors will be allowed to fish in the pond near the new Senior Center at the Sportsplex. Peggy Cohn distributed a summary of the Wellness Program activities for the quarter. She informed the Board that the UNC Geriatric Assessment Clinic is currently underutilized. Discussion followed on the need to expand the marketing effort and to target the younger relatives of older adults. Mary Ann Peter stated that the Dental Access Project will begin with service to Brookshire and Carol Woods. Ms. Cohn concluded by announcing that the Mall Walk program has UNC Healthcare as a new sponsor. Jack Chestnut reminded the Board that he and Jerry Passmore have been serving as the adult day health care center co-directors since the departure of the manager last December 6. Interviews for the new program manager and activities coordinator are scheduled for next week. The new manager’s focus will be on preparing the program for the move to its new space at the Sportsplex in late 2008. He reported that Home and Community Care Block Grant funding for Senior Care’s adult day health program had been increased for both FY 2008 and 2009. When asked about the timetable for adult day health in southern Orange County Jerry Passmore responded that the Orange County’s Capital Improvements Plan stated no sooner that seven years. Mr. Passmore added that he hoped to identify private funding that could shorten that timeline. The first step in achieving this goal is to get the land surrounding the Seymour Center to be designated for this purpose. Discussion followed on development of day health and the expansion of the PACE program into Orange County. Mr. Passmore presented the three legislative recommendations to the General Assembly being promoted by the NC Coalition on Aging. Diane Henderson made the motion that the Advisory Board on Aging support these recommendations and Peggy Cohn provided the second. Motion carried. He suggested inviting Jill Passmore to the next board meeting to review the many recommendations proposed by AARP. The issues identified included Dental Access Program expansion, mixed populations in long term care facilities, guardianship laws, mental health, housing, and expansion of Home and Community Care Block Grant services. Jerry Passmore informed the Board that the Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) Committee had met earlier in the week to discuss recommendations for Fiscal Year 2008-09. Kathie Kearns reviewed the Department on Aging’s HCCBG budget request for FY 2009. The additional $1,059 in funds awarded will be used for the purchase of in-home services. Mr. Passmore expressed his interest in conducting a comparative analysis of the funding received by the Departments on Aging and Social Services for in-home care. Discussion followed on the role that adult day health plays in the in-home care service system and the relationship between the Aging and Social Serivces Boards and the Board of County Commissioners. Peggy Cohn offered the motion that the Aging Board approve the HCCBG budget application. Mary Ann Peter provided the second. Motion carried. In his Director’s Report, Mr. Passmore stated that construction of the new Central Orange Senior Center space at the Sportsplex is on schedule with a target completion date of October. The Department’s Orange County budget request for FY 2009 includes two new positions for Central Orange. The full-time administrative assistant will be stationed at the front desk of the senior center and the part-time facility manager will be responsible for the evening and weekend operations there. The budget application also includes combining two temporary part-time program assistants into one permanent, three-quarter time administrative assistant and converting the Senior Education Corp Coordinator from temporary to permanent status. Mary Ann Peter invited all board members to the May 2 grand opening of Durham Tech’s Orange County campus. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary