HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 081115ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
August 11, 2015
PRESENT: Mary Altpeter, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, Teri Driscoll, Ed Flowers,
Katherine Leith, Winston Liao, Yvonne Mendenhall, Donna Prather, Richard White
EXCUSED: Lorenzo Mejia
STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Yvette Missri, Janice Tyler
The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Chair Alex Castro. The
minutes of the June 9 meeting were approved as distributed following the motion made by Ed
Flowers and seconded by Keith Cook. Mary Altpeter informed the Advisory Board about the
Go4Life initiative launched by the National Institute on Aging. Janice Tyler requested that an
Advisory Board membership update be added to today’s agenda.
Ms. Tyler began her Director’s Report by thanking those Board members who watched the
White House Conference on Aging telecast at the Seymour Center on July 13. She announced
that all Department on Aging staff will begin meeting together bi-monthly. Their first meeting
will focus on the accomplishments of the UNC Summer Practicum Students. Ms. Tyler reported
that two new permanent employees have been hired: Yvette Missri in Volunteer Connect 55+
and Keisha Andrews in Aging Transitions. Former MSW intern Ana Lima has also been
employed on a temporary basis as the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and
Latino Outreach Coordinator. The other staff changes announced were Mobility Manager
Eileen Nilsen’s resignation and Maintenance Coordinator Richal Vanhook’s retirement in the
Fall. The Chair shared his experience as a volunteer driver. Peggy Cohn asked for written
materials to use in volunteer driver recruitment. Ms. Tyler added that the greatest need for
volunteer drivers is in northern Orange County. She distributed the latest edition of the Senior
Times and acknowledged the volunteers who deliver the quarterly paper to 90+ locations
throughout Orange County.
Janice Tyler noted that the Advisory Board vacancy created by Heather Altman’s end of term
requires a Carrboro resident. She suggested that Donna Prather be transferred to that position
and that Yvonne Mendenhall be recommended to the fill her at-large position. By consensus,
the Advisory Board approved this proposal. Ms. Tyler will schedule new member orientation
following BOCC consideration of Ms. Mendenhall’s appointment.
Yvette Missri distributed the attached summary of the revamped Volunteer Connect 55+
division structure and staff assignments. She highlighted the changes to the volunteer intake
process, including the establishment of permanent office hours at the Central Orange Senior
Center and monthly new volunteer orientation sessions. Project EngAGE and its Senior
Resource Teams will be affiliated with the VC55+ division.
Mary Fraser summarized the results of the UNC School of Public Health Summer Practicum
assignments on the following topics:
• Volunteer handbook
• Outreach strategies to medical providers
• Improvements in services for caregivers
• Dementia-friendly business campaign
• Senior hunger
• Housing
• Falls prevention
• Complete streets
Keith Cook requested that the information from the housing study can be shared with the
Affordable Housing coalition. Dick White recommended that all practicum reports be
distributed to the Advisory Board members. Peggy Cohn added that each report identify the
student who compiled the work. The Chair suggested that letters of commendation be drafted
for each student. Mary Altpeter asked about the availability of demographic information by the
85+ subcategory.
Mary Fraser began her Master Aging Plan Updates by summarizing the Year 3 Steering
Committee meeting held in late July. The next year will focus on unfinished topics in the
current Plan and Year 5 will focus on the development of the next 5 year plan update. Peggy
Cohn asked if the next plan will follow the State Division of Aging Plan structure. That decision
has not been made at this time. Ms. Fraser reviewed the updated MAP Goals grid, highlighting
the areas of involvement for the Advisory Board. She asked that members review the
remaining focus areas and notify her of their areas of interest.
The Committee Progress Report:
• Yvette Missri distributed a summary of the activities of the seven Project EngAGE
Resource Teams. The third PE class will begin on September 10 with most enrollees
confirmed. Carol Gunther-Mohr has been contracted to coordinate the course. All
Advisory Board members will receive the course schedule and are asked to notify the
coordinator if/when they wish to audit a session.
• Ed Flowers requested that a flier be circulated for the falls prevention event being
planned with Orange County EMS for the Hillsborough Walmart.
• Chair Castro referenced the upcoming expansion of the OPT public routes and raised
questions about utilizing the expanded service. He requested a copy of the results of
last summer’s rider survey. Dick White suggested that Advisory Board members ride the
public route. Donna Prather suggested the bi-weekly Senior Center email blast include
information on the service expansion.
• Donna Prather announced that the Long Term Care Coalition reviewed and approved all
six applications to receive its Quality Service Awards. The recipients will be honored at
the Commissioners meeting on September 1. The Music in My Minds Users Group
continues to be very successful.
The Committee reports were suspended due to the lack of time and the meeting was
adjourned. The next meeting will be held on September 8 at the Seymour Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary