HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 081214ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
August 12, 2014
PRESENT: Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Ed Flowers, Bonnie Hammersley,
Donna Prather
EXCUSED: Heather Altman, Lorenzo Mejia, Jeane Suddarth, Dick White
STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Alex Castro at the Seymour Center. Mr. Castro
announced that Project EngAGE volunteers have scheduled a transportation presentation as part
of this evening’s Schley Grange meeting. He distributed a summary of the proposed public
transportation service for northern Orange County. Project EngAGE representatives are also
visiting the Alamance County Meals On Wheels organization.
In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler noted that the August 10 Chapel Hill News contained an
article by Jenny Womack on falls prevention as part of the aging issues series. Ms. Womack is
the Occupational Therapist for the Aging Transitions team provided by contract with UNC. Ms.
Tyler announced that the new County Manager will be visiting both Senior Centers in
September. Orange County is sponsoring a Walk4Life Wellness Challenge that will include
promotion of the annual Aging In Stride 5k.
Ms. Tyler began her review of the 2014 General Assembly legislation pertaining to adults 50
years and older by announcing that AARP has changed its name to the American Association of
Real Possibilities. Other significant actions included:
• 3% statewide cut in Home and Community Care Block Grant funding that may be offset
in Orange County by the increase in the 60+ population.
• NC Division of Aging must develop a strategic plan for Alzheimer’s disease and a report
on the Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly.
• Funding for Veteran’s Services county offices was eliminated, although Orange County
has assimilated that position into the Department of Social Services budget.
• Medicaid reform will be the topic of a special legislative session.
• Remote renewal of drivers’ licenses was authorized although the implementation of that
process is unclear.
• A moratorium was established for both home care agency and Alzheimer’s special care
unit licenses.
• Exemptions for temporary family health care structures from zoning requirements
applicable to single family residences.
Concluding her Director’s Report Janice Tyler stated that the changes recommended for the
Homestead Exemption Act outlined in the Master Aging Plan have been forwarded for inclusion
in the Orange County legislative agenda. She distributed the latest edition of the Senior Times
and encouraged Advisory Board members to ‘like’ the Department on Aging on Facebook.
The first item of New Business was review of the Department’s FY14-15 approved budget which
includes a minimum living wage increase to $12.76 per hour. Alex Castro raised the issue of the
back-up generator funded for the Seymour Center but never delivered. Ms. Tyler will pursue
this during her scheduled meeting with the Asset Management Director.
The terms of four Advisory Board members expired effective June 30 2014. Donna Prather and
Keith Cook are eligible to serve a second term. Ms. Prather consented to be recommended for
reappointment. Both Leo Allison and Thelma Perkins have served the maximum two consecutive
terms. Discussion followed on replacement options. Peggy Cohn recommended that the two
outgoing Advisory Board members be formally recognized at a future meeting.
Twelve students have been recruited for the next semester of Project EngAGE which begins
September 11. Barry Jacob, the BOCC Chair has been invited to address the opening session.
Vice-Chair Castro summarized the UNC Capstone Teams’ past role in developing the Orange
County Master Aging Plan (MAP) and implementing some key initiatives. The County Manager
shared her interest in expanding Orange County’s collaborative efforts with the University.
Mary Fraser announced that the Advisory Board will meet jointly with the Long Term Care
(LTC) task force to receive a report on efforts to promote person-centered care in Orange County
facilities. She also reported that this year’s LTC incentive program will culminate in awards to
be announced at the September 16 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Ed Flowers shared
information on the new owners of the facility formerly known as Chapel Hill Rehabilitation.
Donna Prather asked who was interviewed in the facility survey. Janice Tyler stated that the
Department on Aging had been interested in seeing the University establish a teaching long term
care facility for many years. Bonnie Hammersley informed the Advisory Board that both of the
counties she had previously served as County Manager operated nursing homes. She added that
she also hopes to see the community college utilized as much as possible.
Ms. Fraser continued the MAP update with the announcement that the Aging In Community
series will reconvene on September 23 with a presentation on retrofitting communities. A
Housing Expo is scheduled for October 25 at the Seymour Center. She also stated that an
application has been submitted to the Durham/Chapel Hill/Carrboro Metropolitan Planning
Organization for two-year funding to continue the Mobility Manager position, support a
volunteer driver program, and expand community transportation for seniors and persons with
disabilities. She extended thanks for the OC Planning Department staff for their collaboration on
the grant application.
Committee Progress Reports were made as follows:
• The Friends of the Seymour Center will share the proceeds of the upcoming Goat Parade
and November 14 Gala sponsored by Galloway Ridge with the Chatham County Council
on Aging.
• The Orange United Transportation Board will soon meet for the first time since April.
• The Project EngAGE graduates recently visited the Meals-On-Wheels program in
Forsythe County where 3,000 meals are delivered per month utilizing 14 routes.
• Music In My Mind has now been introduced to staff at all of the long term care facilities
in Orange County; a user group meets monthly; an IPOD loan program is slated to begin
this fall; volunteers are putting together a lending library
Ms. Tyler announced that the Orange County Director of Public Affairs has arranged for a
promotional video on Department on Aging services to be produced. There being no further
business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary