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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 050818ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes May 8, 2018 PRESENT: Heather Altman, Colin Austin, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, James Harris, Lorenzo Mejia, Alicia Nelson, Vibeke Talley, Dick White, Michael Zuber EXCUSED: Mary Altpeter, Winston Liao, Donna Prather STAFF: Myra Austin, Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Mike Komives, Yvette Missri, Megan Peters, Cherie Rosemond, Juliet Sheridan, Janice Tyler, Amanda Weir-Gertzog The meeting was called to order at the Seymour Center and the minutes of the April 10 meeting were approved as distributed. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Janice Tyler presented the Advisory Board members with appreciation gifts from the Board of County Commissioners. Ms. Tyler announced that the Commissioners had adopted a Proclamation designating May as Older Americans Month in Orange County. She also informed the Advisory Board that applications for the Aging Transition Administrator position are being accepted through May 18. The division supervisors will conduct the initial interviews and refer the top candidates to the Aging Transitions staff for prioritizing. Vibeke Talley volunteered to participate in the interview process. A retirement reception for Pam Tillett will be held on Friday, May 11 in the Seymour Center. Mary Fraser’s retirement reception will be on June 27. Department on Aging staff have been selected to present at the Healthy Aging Conference in June and the National Alzheimer’s Conference in July. The Aging Transitions Division, in partnership with Orange County Emergency Services, has submitted an Association for Community Living grant application for support of Orange County’s Falls Prevention program. Recipients of the funding will be announced July 1. Staff from New Hanover County’s aging services program will visit June 8 to discuss the Age Friendly Community application process. Ms. Tyler invited those present attend. 2017-22 MASTER AGING PLAN (MAP) SPECIAL PRESENTATION MAP student intern Megan Peters provided an overview of her work with Mike Komives for the Senior Employment Project. Ms. Peters’ presentation included review of the job seekers resource guide, the evaluation tools developed to track data about job seekers and development of an employer awareness campaign. This campaign is designed to connect employers with older workers and create age friendly businesses. Discussion followed about the types of assistance being offered to job seekers. Mr. Komives stated that he will be meeting individually with the Chambers of Commerce and employers in Orange County. Age friendly business practices include succession planning, working remotely, and on-going training. Local age-friendly businesses include Lowes, UPS, Target and Panera Bread. A day-long employment workshop will be held on the Durham Tech – Hillsborough Campus. Janice Tyler recommended that representatives of DSS, NCBA Senior Employment Program and the Chambers of Commerce be urged to participate in the MAP Civic Participation workgroup. NEW BUSINESS Mary Fraser announced that 56 individuals have been nominated for the Senior Health Advocates and Resource Partners (SHARP) service awards that will be presented on May 24 at the Passmore Center. This is the fourth year for this ceremony for long term/in-home care employees and all nominees will be honored at this event. Janice Tyler announced that the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services and the NC Association of Area Agencies on Aging are co-hosting a series of listening sessions for the 2019-2023 State Aging Services Plan. None of the locations are convenient to Orange County but written comments will be accepted. Heather Altman suggested submitting a statement from the Advisory Board that reflects both Orange County’s age-friendly community approach outlined in the Master Aging Plan and the legislative priorities identified by the Senior Tar Heel Legislature. The Chair requested that additional comments should be sent to Ms. Tyler by May 22 to be included in the Advisory Board’s statement. Ms. Tyler encouraged Board members to also submit comments directly to the Division. The Coalition on Aging is sponsoring its annual Legislative Advocacy Day in Raleigh on June 6. Ms. Tyler stated that AARP is accepting applications again for its Challenge Grants. She reminded the Advisory Board that last year Orange County was awarded $10,000 for the purchase of bus stop simmi- seats. It was suggested that funding might benefit the Town of Hillsborough Park bird-watching project. Staff will follow up. The AARP National Conference on Age-Friendly Communities will be held in Charlotte in the near future. CONTINUING PROJECTS The Orange County Manager presented her FY18-19 Budget to the Board of County Commissioners on May 1. Included in her summary was the Department on Aging’s collaboration with Orange County Public Transportation for the continuance of the Occupational Therapist position established through the OC CARES grant. The Department on Aging’s budget will be reviewed by the BOCC on June 6. Ms. Tyler expressed her appreciation to the Advisory Board members who reviewed and ranked the Outside Agency funding applications. The names of the three candidates recommended for appointment to the Aging Board have been submitted to Commissioners’ Clerk. Ms. Tyler announced that Winston Liao has declined serving a second term. Heather Altman suggested that a representative from the Project EngAGE graduates might be a candidate for the vacancy. CONTINUING PROJECTS All Project EngAGE Senior Resource Teams are operational. The End of Life Choices Team is sponsoring an educational program on how discuss death and dying issues with loved ones and health care providers on June 7 at the Passmore Center. COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS Dementia Friendly Business Campaign – Lorenzo Mejia reported that 90 businesses have completed the training. The Chapel Hill Rotary Club has agreed to fund the cost of updating the DFB training video. Transportation Board – Alex Castro stated that the Orange Unified Transportation (OUT) Board continues its review of public transportation projects. Housing – Keith Cook reported that over 100 trailer parks exist in Orange County and 35 park owners attended a meeting to discuss plans for the future. Orange County has established a $500,000 revolving loan fund for the purchase of trailers in an effort to keep affordable housing available. This loan program, administered by Empowerment, is in response to the relocation of the mobile home park located on Weaver Dairy Road. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee – Vibeke Talley announced that the Committee has asked the Board of County Commissioners to write to the Orange County nursing homes encouraging a living wage for its Certified Nurse Assistants on staff. She reported on her recent visit to the Legion Road facility scheduled to re-open in late June under new ownership. SALT – Alex Castro reported that volunteers have constructed 27 ramps with Orange County providing the materials. The home-delivered meals exceed 90 per service day. Friends Organizations – Janice Tyler announced that Friends of Seymour hosted a jazz music fundraiser and will hold its annual meeting in mid-May; Rachel Hawkins was elected the new Chair of the Friends of Passmore at its annual meeting last week. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Janice Tyler, Secretary