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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 041018ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes April 10, 2018 PRESENT: Heather Altman, Colin Austin, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, James Harris, Rachel Hawkins, Winston Liao, Alicia Nelson, Donna Prather, Vibeke Talley, Dick White, Michael Zuber EXCUSED: Mary Altpeter, Lorenzo Mejia STAFF: Myra Austin, Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Yvette Missri, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Passmore Center by Chair Peggy Cohn. The minutes of the March 2018 meeting were approved following a motion made by Alex Castro and second by Vibeke Talley. James Harris and Alicia Nelson were recognized as candidates for recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for Advisory Board on Aging appointment. DIRECTORS REPORT Janice Tyler announced that the WellCare managed care organization has committed financial support for Senior Games, Zumba classes and Aging In Place home modifications. Renovations have begun at the Passmore Center and its main entrance has been relocated to the Senior Care side of the Sportsplex. The renovation plans do not include additional parking spaces. At the Seymour Center the additional parking is one of the first improvements to be made, possibly by the end of 2019. Glassing in a part of the lobby for office space is also planned for the near future. Other plans are still being finalized for additional program space. Triangle J Area Agency on Aging staff is currently monitoring the services funded by the Home and Community Care Block Grant. The annual review includes thorough tracking of how Community Based and Aging Transition services are provided and documented. Discussion followed on the proposed NC Division of Aging efforts to regulate the number of ‘fee vs. free’ classes offered at Senior Centers across the State. Ms. Tyler expressed her appreciation to the Advisory Board members who reviewed and rated the Outside Agency applications referred to the Department on Aging for Orange County funding recommendations. Two of the Department’s five proposals for presentations at the Healthy Aging Conference in Washington DC in July have been accepted. The Department on Aging will also be recognized by UNC for its work with student field placements. Alex Castro inquired about the future of Capstone Team assignments. Mary Fraser responded that the UNC Partnerships in Aging is the pipeline now being utilized to capitalize on this resource. NEW BUSINESS Janice Tyler reviewed the list of current Advisory Board members whose terms end in June, 2018: Keith Cook, Winston Liao, Lorenzo Mejia, Yvonne Mendenhall, Donna Prather, Dick White. Alex Castro announced that he will also be resigning and moving out of Orange County in the near future. Winston Liao is unsure if he will be able to serve a second term. The Chair asked the two attendees who have expressed interest in being appointed, Alicia Nelson and James Harris, to introduce themselves. Another candidate for membership, Michael Zuber, will be arriving later in the meeting. Discussion followed on other possible candidates for the vacancies. A motion was made by Heather Altman and seconded by Keith Cook to recommend Nelson and Harris for appointment to the Aging Advisory Board. Motion carried. Ms. Tyler reported that no budget reductions were requested during the recent meeting with the County Manager. There was discussion about continuing some OC CARES grant services with HCCBG funds currently budgeted for transportation. Mary Fraser stated that additional personnel have been the greatest benefit of the ACL grant and pieces of that project can be absorbed by Aging Transitions division. Ms. Tyler announced Pam Tillett’s retirement effective May 11. The vacancy created by Ms. Fraser’s retirement June 30 should be advertised soon. Ms. Fraser summarized the grant application being developed with OC Emergency Services for Falls Prevention. This is another three-year opportunity from the Administration for Community Living. Suggestions were made to partner with UNC Family Medicine, the Duke University Falls Prevention initiative and local substance abuse treatment programs. MAP UPDATE Advisory Board members were asked to give updates on the activites of the MAP Workgroup to which they are assigned. Janice Tyler reported in Mary Altpeter’s absence for the Outdoor Spaces/Buildings workgroup. Birding walks for individuals with limited vision are now available and efforts are underway to make Hillsborough parks more accessible. Ms. Tyler reminded the board members of the link to the outdoor spaces survey in the Senior Times. Alex Castro summarized the Transportation workgroup’s identification of the issues in providing medical transportation. There is a growing need to travel across county lines to access medical services. The Volunteer Driver program cannot accommodate wheelchair-bound individuals’ requests. OCPT needs to expand its deviated and para-transit routes. Dick White referenced the Housing workgroup’s Home Preservation subcommittee led by Ryan Lavalley. This group has developed a ‘decision tree’ for processing a repair requests complete with the contact information. Discussion followed on the resources available to meet repair needs and current activity in the senior housing market. Donna Prather reported for the Social Participation workgroup that multiple languages are spoken at the Senior Centers each day and the role of health promotion programs in the activities schedule is growing. Peggy Cohn noted that this MAP Update process is bringing more entities together, especially representatives from the Orange County Towns. Winston Liao highlighted the work of the Civic Participation workgroup. He credited the staff and student intern with producing a manual for older adults seeking employment and a presentation on the value of older workers geared toward the business community. Heather Altman noted that the Community Support and Health Services workgroup has been fostering collaboration to expand services. Yvette Missri announced a volunteer project to assist older adults with financial management and navigating the healthcare service system. CONTINUING PROJECTS Yvette Missri listed the new Senior Resource Teams that have developed from the latest Project EngAGE graduating class and the tasks they are undertaking. Heather Altman suggested compiling a list all of the Senior Resource Teams along with the contact information for circulation. Peggy Cohn added that this information should be available through the Department’s website. COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS Janice Tyler announced that the NC Association on Aging is sponsoring a State Advocacy Day, tentatively scheduled for May 30. Dick White asked if Advisory Board members knew of issues that should be brought before the General Assembly during its short session by the Senior Tar Heel Legislature. One suggestion was requesting an increase in Home and Community Care Block Grant funding. Other recommendations should be sent to Janice Tyler. Rachel Hawkins announced that tickets were still available for the upcoming Las Vegas Night fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of the Passmore Center. Before adjournment a motion was made by Dick White and seconded by Keith Cook to recommend Mike Zuber for appointment to the Advisory Board on Aging. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Janice Tyler, Secretary