HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 021213ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
February 12, 2013
PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Dan Hatley, Lorenzo
Mejia, Donna Prather, Jeane Suddarth, Richard White
EXCUSED: Ed Flowers
GUESTS: Terri Buckner, Vicky Jamieson-Drake
STAFF: Janice Tyler, Kathie Kearns, Mary Fraser
The meeting was called to order at the Seymour Center by Chair Heather Altman. Following
introductions, she recognized the newest member of the Advisory Board, Lorenzo Mejia, who was
appointed at the January 24 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.
The Chair announced that the printed agenda was being adjusted to allow the two invited guests to
present at the beginning of the meeting. She invited Terri Buckner to update the Advisory Board on the
progress of UNC GigU, the University’s project to offer much improved fiber optics which could enable
tele-health service in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro community. The request for proposal process has been
completed and UNC is now seeking volunteers to assist with vendor selection. Questions were raised
about the availability of personal computers for use with the tele-health system, the cost of service
hook-up and monthly service charge, and the motivation of the vendors to provide the service. The
services installation would begin with the most-densely populated area – Carrboro. Ms. Buckner stated
that the she envisioned three or four meetings to review the applications. Dan Hatley expressed the
benefit that this service could be for the nursing and residential facilities. Lorenzo Mejia, Heather
Altman, Dan Hatley, Alex Castro and Donna Prather volunteered to serve on the review committee. Ms.
Buckner concluded by saying that the first meeting would be held within the next two weeks.
Vicky Jamieson-Drake was introduced as a member of the Board of the Carolina Villages Project on
behalf of The Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church. She stated that the organization is based upon the
Beacon Hill model and had hired its first part-time Director that day. Membership is open to persons 62
years and older. The official launch is scheduled for June 3rd and a fundraising campaign is underway for
$100,000, equivalent to one year’s operating expenses. Services will be available to those who want to
age in their own homes, beginning with the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. Membership is $550/yr. for
individuals or $820/yr. for couples. Alex Castro mentioned a “brushes with kindness” volunteer
organization that could be a valuable contact. Jeane Suddarth added that Habitat is now working with
universal design. Ms. Jamieson-Drake stated that more than 90 communities exist nationwide. Donna
Prather asked the possibility of including a care facility as part of the continuum. Dan Hatley suggested
that Carolina Villages be represented at the Resource Fair scheduled for this May.
Janice Tyler asked for volunteers to review the outside agency funding applications for senior services
submitted to Orange County. Leo Allison, Alex Castro and Richard White offered their assistance. The
funding requests will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners at its June 11 meeting.
Mary Fraser summarized Project Engaged, a program developed in Haywood County that would address
that MAP goal of improved access to information. She reported that a group consisting of Advisory
Board members and staff met with the Project Manager via Skype the previous week and were excited
about the opportunities this model offers for information dissemination countywide. The $3,000
received from NC SHIIP for options counseling could be designated for the purchase of the Project tool
kit. An application has been developed for the use of a Capstone student team to coordinate the
implementation. Dan Hatley urged that sponsors be identified to sustain this Project beyond the initial
development phase. Mary Fraser added that an advisory group similar to the MAP Management Team
be established for Project Engaged.
Alex Castro suggested that written committee reports be distributed with the Advisory Board’s monthly
meeting notice and minutes. This would allow the opportunity for information to be shared in those
instances such as today when Committee Progress Reports are pre-empted due to the length of the
meeting. Janice Tyler announced upcoming events, including the RSVP fundraiser on March 2, an initial
meeting of those interested in reaching out to the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community,
and the scheduling of the Long Term Care Roundtable meeting of providers and consumers.
Being after 5:00 pm, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary