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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 120815ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes December 8, 2015 PRESENT: Mary Altpeter, Alex Castro, Keith Cook, Dan Daniel, Teri Driscoll, Ed Flowers, Winston Liao, Lorenzo Mejia, Yvonne Mendenhall, Donna Prather, Dick White EXCUSED: Peggy Cohn STAFF: Myra Austin, Mary Fraser, Julia Hill, Kathie Kearns, Yvette Missri, Cheri Rosemond, Mary Kate Schapley-Quinn, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Chair Alex Castro. He welcomed newly-appointed board member Dan Daniel. The minutes of the November 10 meeting were approved as distributed following a motion by Keith Cook and a second by Ed Flowers. The Chair distributed an issue statement on sidewalk additions he was adding to the agenda under New Business. Janice Tyler noted that Orange County is committed to making the needed access improvements to the Seymour Center. Ms. Tyler began her Director’s Report by announcing that the Department had been honored the first- ever Innovation in Practice Agency Award from the UNC School of Public Health for its work with the Capstone Teams. In addition to this recognition, the Department will receive $1,000. The Chair suggested that the Board of County Commissioners issue a proclamation recognizing the Capstone students’ contributions to Orange County. Ms. Tyler continued by stating that the November 18 press conference announcing the Administration for Community Living (ACL) grant for caregiver support received both local and national coverage. The FY15-16 budget process has begun with the request for Capital Improvement Projects (those of $100,000 or more). Ms. Tyler summarized the proposed projects for both senior centers. The Chair asked how much funding was available. Dick White requested a status report on the Seymour Center generator. Ms. Tyler also stated that Asset Management has assigned a new Facility Maintenance Coordinator to replace Richal Vanhook who retired October 31. The three new permanent positions funded by the ACL grant are being recruited. The Sportsplex will celebrate its 10th anniversary on December 11 and the public is invited. Myra Austin summarized the National Institute of Senior Centers Accreditation process and stated that the Department on Aging’s goal is to complete the application by Spring 2016. Discussion followed about the benefits of gaining this designation and the steps involved. The information must be updated every five years and the fees are being paid by the Friends of the Seymour Center. Two students from the Department’s current UNC Capstone Team gave a progress report on this academic year’s Aging Preparedness project. Julia Hill and Mary Kate Schapley-Quinn summarized the preliminary findings from the early voting survey conducted at the Seymour Center. Suggestions were made for expanding the diversity of the sample surveyed. Other questions raised were related to terminology and the strategy for grouping aging issues into eight categories. Mary Fraser added that these categories could be utilized in the framework for the upcoming Master Aging Plan (MAP) update. She invited those interested in joining the Strategy Team for MAP and the next Capstone application to attend a January 6 lunch meeting at Carol Woods. Alex Castro, Keith Cook, Dan Daniel and Dick White volunteered to join Heather Altman, Carol Rosemond, and Department on Aging staff at that meeting. Janice Tyler distributed a draft of the Advisory Board’s 2015 Annual Report and Work Plan for review. The question was raised about the distinction between Advisory Board and Department on Aging accomplishments. The Chair asked that members send their comments to Ms. Tyler by the end of the current week. She will make the suggested additions/changes and distribute for final review by the December 18 deadline. Mary Fraser announced that the first meeting of the ACL grant leadership team was held on December 2. To date the Dementia-Friendly Business Campaign has trained 11 entities with 20 others expressing interest. Lorenzo Mejia credited the ACL press conference for increased enthusiasm in the business community. The Chair expressed appreciation to Mr. Mejia for his leadership with the Campaign. The NC Association on Aging will be featuring a workshop on the Dementia Friendly Community grant at its March 2016 training conference. The Chair referred to the issue statement he had distributed which requested improvements to sidewalks leading to both Senior Centers. A motion was made by Keith Cook and seconded by Dan Daniel that a letter be sent to Orange County mayors and the Board of County Commissioners outlining the sidewalk safety issues and suggesting solutions. The motion carried and Mr. Castro will draft the letter. Yvette Missri invited all present to the Project Engage (PE) Class Three graduation on January 7, 3:00- 5:00 pm. This will bring the total to 41 PE graduates. Their volunteer efforts are focused on seven Senior Resource Teams topics with more potentially formed in the future. The next PE class will be held in the fall of 2017 to allow for concentration on the MAP update. Lorenzo Mejia asked for information on the accomplishments of these seven teams. Ms. Missri invited all Advisory Board members to attend the bimonthly PE graduate meetings for updates and continuing education. Additionally, each Senior Resource Team meets monthly. Dan Daniel added that the graduates now serve in their communities as informed citizens about the services available. The Chair suggested involving the PE graduates in promoting citizen involvement in the upcoming MAP process. Mary Fraser reported that the deadline for Long Term Care Quality Service Award applications was December 11. Eight agencies submitted applications for innovative palliative care projects. Committee Progress Reports: • Donna Prather stated that the Music In My Mind User Group will meet again in January. • Teri Driscoll announced that all nursing home site visit reports must be completed by December 31; the former Britthaven facility on Legion Road has been purchased by Liberty Healthcare; new Nursing Home Committee members will be attending training at Triangle J Area Agency on Aging. • Yvonne Mendenhall reported that Charles House Director Paul Kleever gave a presentation at the recent Adult Care Home Committee meeting on family care homes; this committee currently has three vacancies. • Alex Castro reported that the Orange Unified Transportation Board met recently and reviewed the plans for the proposed Amtrak commuter rail terminal in Hillsborough. • Janice Tyler’s report summarized recent fundraising efforts for both Friends organizations. • Mr. Castro announced that Chapel Hill/Carrboro Meals On Wheels is currently delivering over 3,000 meals per month; Ms. Tyler added that a meeting will be held the following week with Orange Congregations In Mission. In conclusion Janice Tyler stated that new Advisory Board on Aging member orientation will be held in early 2016. She informed the Advisory Board that the Carol Woods Retirement Community has increased its financial contribution by $25,000 to support the new Caregiver Dementia Project. Also, the Research Triangle Institute has proposed a partnership for a caregiver self-management grant application. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Janice Tyler, Secretary