HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board Minutes 111312ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
November 13, 2012
PRESENT: Leo Allison, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Keith Cook, Ed Flowers, Dan Hatley, Thelma Perkins,
Donna Prather, Jeane Suddarth, Jan Wells, Richard White
STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler
In the absence of the Chair the meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Alex Castro. Following
introductions the minutes for October 9 meeting were approved upon the motion offered by Ed Flowers
and the second by Keith Cook. Motion carried.
In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler announced that she had received a response from the UNC GIGU
representative stating that the first meeting of the technical advisory committee meeting will be
scheduled within a few days. Ms. Tyler attended three sessions of the recent Town of Carrboro Housing
Summit. Jan Wells and Mary Fraser reported on the success of today’s Memory Screening Clinics held at
both Senior Centers. Ms. Wells acknowledged the Orange County Human Resources Department’s
promotion of the event which contributed to its attendance. Based upon the doodle poll conducted of
newly-appointed members, orientation will be held on December 4, 3:00-5:00pm at the Seymour
Center. The Board of County Commissioners has approved revised by-laws for all appointed advisory
boards and commissions. At that work session one BOCC member asked if seven (7) member of the
Aging Board met the age requirement of 60+. Although date of birth is not a part of the current
application process, the consensus was that the current membership of the Board meets this goal. Ms.
Tyler noted that the Nursing Home and Adult Care Home by-laws were also approved.
In her Master Aging Plan (MAP) update Mary Fraser reported that approximately 800 aging information
and wellness surveys were completed by persons 50 years and older during the election polling site
solicitation. The Capstone Team will analyze the data. Additionally 30 individuals expressed a
willingness to serve on a focus group that will further evaluate the results of the survey. Discussion
followed on some of the preliminary findings about exercise habits and ways of receiving information.
Ms. Fraser noted that the approval of the sales tax increase to support public transportation should
result in additional local resources. The Aging Transitions staff has been meeting with Orange County
Emergency Management to develop a falls prevention campaign which includes both residents of the
community and long term care facilities. Due to the low attendance at the last MAP Steering
Committee meeting staff have been meeting individually with key personnel of the Health Department,
EMS, and the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Meals-On-Wheels program. The main issues continue to be
information dissemination and transportation. Alex Castro announced that a summary of information
available in the Resource Guide has been distributed to the MOW volunteers. Janice Tyler suggested
having the magnets with the Aging Helpline number delivered with the meals.
The Vice-Chair asked members to review a draft of the Annual Report/Work Plan as prepared by staff.
Ed Flowers asked that electronic versions be sent to the Board members for further review. Advisory
Board members made the following changes to the draft:
• List the cross-memberships this Board has established with other Orange County entities.
• Update information on the 2012 Community Resource Fair.
• State volunteers’ liability concerns while providing transportation as emerging issue; need to
develop a workaround.
• Partnerships developed with non-profit agencies.
• Advisory Board sees its role as volunteers who are here to help and be utilized as much as
possible to build a better community.
The Advisory Board agreed to review the revised draft and approve by exception prior to the December
1 deadline. It also agreed to meet at its regularly-scheduled time in December at the Seymour Center.
During Committee Progress Reports Leo Allison stated that the Friends of Central Orange had sponsored
a successful cruise fundraiser and are currently recruiting new Board members. The Friends of Seymour
have completed a year-end solicitation mailing campaign. The Adult Care Home Community Advisory
Committee is also seeking an additional member and is considering a drive for donations of old music
players for use by LTC residents. It was noted that a change in the funding regulations may disqualify
individuals who have mental health diagnoses from living in long term care facilities. The CH/Ca Meals-
on-Wheels Board is developing a contingency plan for weather and meal source issues. Orange
Congregations In Mission (OCIM) is refocusing its efforts for its meals program. Keith Cook will be
representing this Board at the OC Housing Advisory Board. He requested that a letter of introduction be
sent on his behalf. Alex Castro was officially appointed to the Orange Unified Transportation Board on
November 8. The Carolina Villages Project is preparing for a formal launch of its services in early 2013.
Janice Tyler stated that by-laws for the Senior Care Inc. Board of Directors are being revised to
discontinue membership by the Assistant County Manager and Department on Aging Director. A lease
agreement for the Sportsplex space used by the Soltys Adult Day Health Center will be implemented at a
cost of $1.00 per year.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary