HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 061218
ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
June 12, 2018
PRESENT: Mary Altpeter, Colin Austin, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Rachel Hawkins, Katherine Leith,
Donna Prather, Vibeke Talley, Michael Zuber
EXCUSED: Heather Altman, Keith Cook, James Harris, Alicia Nelson, Dick White
STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler, Amanda Weir-Gertzog
The meeting was called to order at the Passmore Center. Following introductions the motion was made
by Vibeke Talley and seconded by Colin Austin to approve the May 8 minutes as distributed.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Janice Tyler began her report by noting that both Keith Cook and Dick White were absent because they
were attending the Senior Tar Heel Legislature in Raleigh.
She announced that Annie Deaver has been selected as the new Aging Transitions Administrator. Her
employment will begin on June 15 at the MAP Steering Committee meeting at Carol Woods.
Mary Fraser’s retirement celebration will be held at the Seymour Center on June 27 at 4:00 pm.
The Department on Aging has submitted a proposal to present a workshop at the AARP Livable
Communities National Conference being held in Charlotte in November 2018.
Ms. Tyler expressed her appreciation to the Advisory Board members who met with representatives
from New Hanover County Department on Aging and AARP State Office on June 7 to discuss Orange
County’s Master Aging Plan and Senior Friendly Community activities.
She summarized her participation in the NC Coalition on Aging’s Advocacy Day at the General Assembly
on June 6.
Ms. Tyler recognized Acorn Home Care and Lorenzo Mejia as recipients of this year’s WCHL People’s
Choice Award.
A reception celebrating Robert Seymour’s 93rd birthday will be held on July 13, 3-5 pm at the Seymour
Center.
NEW BUSINESS
Janice Tyler announced that the three Advisory Board member recommendations (Harris, Nelson, Zuber)
were appointed by the Board of County Commissioners on May 15. An orientation will be scheduled in
the near future. Ms. Tyler expressed her appreciation to the three members (Liao, Mejia, Prather) who
are retiring from the Advisory Board.
2017-22 MASTER AGING PLAN (MAP)
Mary Fraser began her presentation by extending an invitation to the MAP Steering Committee meeting
on June 15 at Carol Woods. The agenda will include discussion of strategies for Year 2 Implementation.
Janice Tyler stated that Ms. Fraser’s retirement will prompt a shift of MAP staff responsibilities. Going
forward the Department Director, Volunteer Connect Administrator, and the UNC MAP Housing
consultant will share the leadership role. Myra Austin will inherit the staff responsibility for the Outdoor
Spaces workgroup. Alex Castro praised Ms. Fraser for her organization of the MAP planning process.
She responded that the Advisory Board’s role as liaison to each workgroup has strengthened that
process. Comments followed on the impact that the Master Aging Plan has made on Orange County.
CONTINUING PROJECTS
The Department on Aging’s Orange County budget request was positively reviewed by the Board of
County Commissioners. During the hearing Janice Tyler urged the reallocation of $60,418 in HCCBG
funding from Senior Center Transportation to Information and Assistance. This will provide the funding
needed to continue the Occupational Therapist position beyond the end of the OC CARES grant in
August while OCPT can continue to provide the rides through its expanded deviated route service. Ms.
Tyler announced that the required competitive bid process has resulted in Nantucket Café being
selected as the Senior Lunch Program caterer for the next two years.
A summary of OC CARES grant activities was provided. More than 150 families were served and nearly
100 organizations have completed the Dementia Friendly Business training. The Advisory Board will
receive a full report at its August meeting.
Renovations to the Passmore Center are progressing with a scheduled August completion date. Plans
call for Seymour Center improvements to begin late 2019.
Project EngAGE/Senior Resource Team updates included the announcement of a quarterly Faith Based
Outreach breakfast at the Durham Tech Hillsborough campus on June 19. Janice Tyler stated that all
new SRT’s have met and an ‘all-team’ meeting will be held the morning of June 21.
COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS
Dementia Friendly Business Campaign – Mary Fraser announced that a second round of training will be
conducted this summer for Chapel Hill Transit’s new bus drivers. Follow-ups are beginning for the first
organizations who completed the training two years ago. The SHARP volunteers have agreed to take
over the actual training of new/renewing businesses with the Occupational Therapist serving as the
administrator and scheduler for the initiative.
Adult Care Home Committee – Michael Zuber shared some of the facility concerns this committee has
encountered while visiting Crescent Green in Carrboro. Discussion followed on incentives that might be
made available to this and other locally-owned businesses that provide care to Orange County residents
with limited resources. Suggestions included establishing a local Friends of Long Term Care organization
and bringing this issue to the Board of County Commissioners. Janice Tyler referenced the Long Term
Care Roundtable that was used in the past as a vehicle to support the work of these facilities. Discussion
followed on creative ways to involve community members and elected officials in improving the quality
of care.
Friends of the Passmore Center – Rachel Hawkins announced that this organization has purchased new
equipment for the Great Hall to improve the sound system.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary