HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board Minutes 121112ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
December 11, 2012
PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Ed Flowers, Dan Hatley, Thelma Perkins,
Donna Prather, Jeanne Suddarth, Richard White
EXCUSED: Virginia Brown, Keith Cook
STAFF: Melissa Black, Jennifer Frank, Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Chelsea Kolander, Janice Tyler,
Andrew Weinhold
The meeting was called to order by Chair Heather Altman at the Seymour Center. Following
introductions Ms. Altman stated that the new Advisory Board members had attended an orientation
session conducted by Department Director Janice Tyler with the assistance of the program division
supervisors. During the review of the November 13 meeting minutes Alex Castro asked for a correction
of the Meals-On-Wheels information to read that all volunteers were given a resource listing
summarized for the Community Resource Guide. The minutes of the December 11 Advisory Board
meeting were approved as corrected upon the motion made by Ed Flowers and the second by Donna
Prather.
The meeting agenda was modified to move the Election Survey Results presentation by the UNC
Capstone Team to the next order of business. The students began by summarizing the work that had
been done during this semester: literature review, survey development, implementation and result
analysis. A total of 869 surveys were completed at four early voting locations and 10 polling places. The
Team also recruited individuals who may serve on focus groups convened in early 2013 to further
discuss the survey results. Interviews are also being done with designated key informants. The
presentation highlighted some of the initial findings of the survey data regarding how older adults get
their information and their exercise patterns. During the discussion of these findings staff mentioned
the opportunity for more formal senior leadership training developed by the Haywood County Council
on Aging. The Capstone Team outlined its work plan for the Spring 2013 semester, consisting of
convening focus groups in January, following up on issues raised in the survey results, suggesting
improvements in communications with Orange County’s older adults, and developing strategies to
overcome barriers to exercise. Board members suggested reviewing the Master Aging Plan’s forums
and subcommittees when determining the schedule of the focus groups. Richard White offered to make
arrangements for the use of the Schley Grange Hall. Leo Allison offered to be liaison for McCoys Temple
or Lee’s Chapel in Efland. Other suggestions included having a Saturday morning breakfast or light
dinner. Mr. White asked if the survey results could be analyzed based upon urban or rural respondents.
The Capstone Team noted that there was little survey response from Latino or Asian-Pacific population
members. In summary, the data will be used to develop a communication plan for the Department on
Aging and an exercise promotion strategy. Discussion followed on the possibility of using a public
television channel to broadcast exercise classes.
Committee Progress Reports were deferred until the January 2013 meeting. In her Director’s Report
Janice Tyler announced that the Aging Resource and Benefits Specialist position vacancy should be
posted before the end of the month and applications accepted through mid-January. This position will
be involved in the information campaign to be outlined by the Capstone Team. She also announced that
the Senior Care by-laws revisions had been adopted and Orange County had established an annual lease
for a token amount. Assistant Orange County Manager Gwen Harvey’s retirement party will be held on
December 12. Former Friends of Seymour Center Board member Lee Pavao will be awarded the
Governor’s Long Leaf Pine on December 13. The newly-elected County Commissioners have been sworn
in and Barry Jacobs elected Chair. Earl McKee will serve as Vice-Chair.
Janice Tyler informed the Advisory Board that the Department on Aging is preparing an application to
submit to the NC Department of Transportation for a Mobility Manager. The application will be
reviewed and a public hearing held at the Board of County Commissioners meeting this evening. If
approved, the funding will be used to promote a call center for senior transit issues. The Mobility
Manager will work with churches, existing services, and volunteer drivers to address unmet needs. The
two year funding will require a 10% local match and would be available July 1, 2013.
Mary Fraser reported that the voters recently approved of a 1/2¢ sales tax increase for public transit.
The local systems have been given allocations to distribute based upon need. The Chair suggested that
a letter be drafted that the Advisory Board can send to emphasize the MAP goals relevant to this service
expansion. Ed Flowers added that the existing senior routes to the Central Orange Senior Center are too
long and should be modified.
Ms. Fraser stated that the MAP small group discussion on today’s agenda should be postponed to the
January meeting. She polled Advisory Board members choose between three topics for further
discussion. The results were as follows:
• Transportation: Castro, Flowers
• Housing; Allison, Hatley, White
• Long Term Care: Altman, Cohn, Perkins, Prather
The discussion groups will meet one hour prior to the January 8 meeting to review the progress made
toward attaining the MAP goals in Year 1 and the strategies for Year 2. An email reminder was
suggested.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary