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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 120914ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes December 9, 2014 PRESENT: Heather Altman, Mary Altpeter, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Ed Flowers, Winston Liao, Max Mason, Lorenzo Mejia, Donna Prather, Dick White EXCUSED: Jack Vogt STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Carol Woods Retirement Community after a lunch for the Advisory Board members and a private viewing of the documentary “Alive Inside” for the Advisory Board members. Following introductions Alex Castro asked that a summary of the UNC student interns’ report on the RSVP restructuring project be distributed electronically. The finalized Advisory Board’s Annual Report to the Board of County Commissioners was also requested. The 2015 Meeting Schedule was approved by consensus with the correction of the January date. Also the minutes of the November11 meeting were approved following the motion made by Peggy Cohn and the second provided by Winston Liao. Ed Flowers began the Committee Progress Reports by stating that the Nursing Home Committee continues to experience a change in Administrators at Carolina Point. Signature (formerly Chapel Hill Rehabilitation) has seen the return of a former Administrator who was very skilled. On a personal note, Mr. Flowers voiced his praise for Brookshire following his recent stay following surgery. The Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee was represented at today’s meeting by its Chair Max Mason. He announced that Commissioner Renee Price had attended the most recent Adult Care Home meeting and there are currently no vacancies on this 12 member Committee. Heather Altman added that she and Mary Fraser represented the Advisory Board at the November 25 meeting with the Board of County Commissioners Chair and Vice Chair. Donna Prather has agreed to represent this Board on the Music In My Mind steering committee. The next user group meeting will be held in January. Mary Fraser added that eight entities have expressed interest in the Long Term Care Quality Awards competition where the Music In My Mind initiative is this year’s focus. Staff from each Orange County nursing home and assisted living facility has completed MIMM training; 15 IPods are being made available to each home. Social Work interns manage the program for the Department on Aging. Discussion followed on options for soliciting equipment donations after the upcoming holidays. Alex Castro announced that the Orange Unified Transportation Board has been successful in recruiting new members. He noted the current series of outreach meetings held to solicit support for the light rail system proposed in the State DOT 25 Year Plan. Mary Fraser announced that the Aging In Community series will resume in Spring 2015. Heather Altman stated that Carolina Villages is gaining members and both Carol Woods and Carolina Meadows have donated funds to boost marketing efforts. Dick White reported on his meeting with Justice United Coordinator Devin Ross and the possible connection between that group and the Project EngAGE volunteers. Janice Tyler summarized the current fundraising activities of both Friends organizations, noting the success of the recent Goat Gala sponsored by Galloway Ridge Retirement Community. Ms. Altman gave an update of the Chatham-Orange Community Resource Connections as it enters its seventh year of operation. Dick White announced that the Senior Tar Heel Legislature had received an updated Legislative Priorities Fact Sheet and asked that it be electronically distributed to the Advisory Board members. Ms. Tyler announced that Orange County allocation of current fiscal year funds from the Home and Community Care Block Grant has been reduced by 2%. This translates to $9,000 in federal/state funds. The NC Division of Aging and Adult Services has been mandated to reduce its operations by an additional 2%. The statewide aging services network is being urged to contact legislators with personal stories of the impact these cuts have on the lives of older adults. In his report for the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Meals on Wheels program Alex Castro stated that a client survey was recently completed showing 55% receiving the service for more than one year. Of those surveyed 33% received no other services and 71% could not afford to purchase nutritious meals. Graduation ceremonies for the current Project EngAGE class will be held on January 8 at the Central Orange Senior Center at 3:30 pm. The Chair suggested publicizing the graduates of both classes to promote awareness of this resource in the community. Alex Castro recommended that new Advisory Board members audit a future Project EngAGE course. A motion was made by Mr. Castro and seconded by Mr. White that the Project EngAGE resource notebooks be made available to all Advisory Board members. The Chair also suggested inviting the Partnership to End Homelessness Coordinator Jamie Rohe to present at a future Advisory Board meeting. Janice Tyler announced that new Advisory Board member training will be held following the January 13 meeting at the Central Orange Senior Center. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Janice Tyler, Secretary