HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 101116ORANGE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT ON AGING
Minutes
October 11, 2016
PRESENT: Heather Altman, Colin Austin, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, Winston Liao, Lorenzo Mejia, Yvonne
Mendenhall, Donna Prather, Dick White
EXCUSED: Mary Altpeter, Teri Driscoll
STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Yvette Missri, Janice Tyler
The meeting was called to order by Chair Peggy Cohn. The minutes of the September 13 meeting were
approved following the motion by Dick White and the second by Yvonne Mendenhall.
Director’s Report
Janice Tyler has been elected Vice-Chair of the NC Coalition on Aging. Retired NC Division of Aging and
AARP staffer Mary Bethel will continue as the organization’s Chair.
VC Connect staff person Judy Mathias will be retiring in mid-December and a ceremony will be planned
for the near future. Tierra Daniels has been hired to fill the DSS/DoA social work position. Her previous
experience includes Vance County DSS and Durham Urban Ministries. The temporary Group Respite
Coordinator position is vacant. Construction of the Homestead Road sidewalk to Weaver Dairy
Extension will begin soon and completion is planned by the end of this calendar year.
Visioning sessions with the architect for the Passmore and Seymour Center expansions have been held.
Ms. Tyler listed some of the planned improvements for each facility. She is advocating for a master plan
for the Triangle Sportsplex property that will include Passmore expansion. She also outlined plans for
services at the Cedar Grove, Efland-Cheeks, and Rogers Road Community Centers.
Ms. Tyler has been invited to attend the World Health Organization/AARP Age Friendly Communities
Conference next week in Chicago.
Orange County Government is developing Business Continuity Plans for each department in response to
the recent Register of Deeds office fire.
The Department on Aging and Project EngAGE will hold a Caregiver Support Symposium as part of the
Faith and Aging Series on October 13 at the Passmore Center.
New Business
Board Orientation will be provided to new Advisory Board member Colin Austin.
2012-2017 Master Aging Plan
Yvette Missri distributed the Faith-Based Community Senior Resource Team’s newsletter and an
estimated 20 Orange County congregations are affiliated with this Team. The SRT newsletter gives
examples of resources the Aging Transitions division can make available as the congregations’
membership ages. These resources are also important for community center participants.
Mary Fraser reported that the Public Health Policy Capstone Team gave a meaningful presentation at
the September 21 MAP Steering Committee meeting about aging in community in Orange County.
Community Planning events are scheduled at both Senior Centers in late October to share the results of
the recent needs assessment surveys and focus groups and to set priorities for the next Master Aging
Plan. These findings will be presented at the next MAP Steering Committee meeting on November 10.
Ms.Tyler encouraged Advisory Board members to volunteer for the Community Planning events.
Continuing Projects
Yvette Missri reviewed the Project EngAGE Senior Resource Team Outcome Report. She highlighted the
upcoming falls prevention series at Eno Haven Senior Apartments which will end with a December 8
lunch and graduation ceremony at the Passmore Center. Winston Liao announced the UNC Family
Medicine is now conducting a three-question falls screening on all of its patients.
Mary Fraser distributed copies of the “Caregivers Guide to Wandering” brochure purchased jointly with
the Sheriff’s Department. Janice Tyler added that the Sheriff ‘s Office has adopted a mission statement
that includes “age in place”. OC CARES first annual report was submitted.
Committee Progress Reports
Dementia Friendly Business (DFB) Campaign – Lorenzo Mejia will present the Orange County program to
a statewide Dementia Friendly America conference in Wake Forest on October 18. The Chapel
Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce sent an email blast about the training to all of its members.
Long Term Care Learning Collaborative – The deadline for the next incentive rewards is approaching and
the Board of County Commissioners will recognize the winners in January.
Senior Tar Heel Legislature – Dick White distributed the attached STHL Fact Sheet listing its legislative
priorities for 2017. A legislative blitz is being planned for March.
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee - As part of her report Yvonne Mendenhall stated
that the Committee currently has one vacancy. Committee members are working with Cherie Rosemond
to enhance their facility visits.
Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee - Chair Teri Driscoll’s report was distributed in the Board
packet.
Transportation Board – Mary Fraser noted that retired Board member Alex Castro served as liaison to
the Orange Unified Transportation Board and she is hopeful that this coordination can continue.
Housing – Keith Cook spoke of some of the unfair practices in Hillsborough area subsidized housing and
the lack of suitable rental properties for Section 8 vouchers. He stated that Orange County has hired a
new Homeless Programs Coordinator. Colin Austin asked the status of the Human Rights and Relations
Committee.
Friends of Passmore and Seymour – Janice Tyler reported on the recent renaming ceremony for the
Central Orange Senior Center and the travel fundraisers sponsored by each group. The Seymour Center
will be an early voting site in the upcoming election.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary