HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdvisory Board on Aging Minutes 04-12-2022 Orange County Department on Aging
Advisory Board on Aging
MINUTES
April 12, 2022
Passmore Center/Virtual
Attendance: Heather Altman, Colin Austin, Jeff Charles, Vibeke Talley, James Harris, Jerry
Gregory
Staff: Janice Tyler Myra Austin, Shenae McPherson, Mike Komives, Brandi Beeker, Anshu Gupta
Guest: Lan and Jing Huang (Colin's neighbors), Lucinda Poole, Cherie Rosemond,
Excused: Dick White, Jenny Womack, Rachel Bearman, Jerry Gregory
1. Introductions and Announcements
a. Introductions and welcome to guest Lan and Jing Huang (Colin's neighbors).
2. Approval of Minutes— March 8, 2022
a. Approval postponed for next meeting as the minutes were not distributed in
advance with the meeting reminder.
Director's Report
3. COVID Update and Department operations
a. Monitoring for COVID levels in the community is now being done through water
samples rather than the number of positive COVID tests done at testing sites,
since many people are also during home tests and these are not reported to the
Health Department.
b. The DOA is getting back to pre-pandemic activities and number of Center
attendees are increasing.
c. Transition of lunch program to in-person dining and curbside—people are not
rushing to dine in. 15 persons are attending in-person at Seymour and 5/6
persons at Passmore. The home delivery of meals to our transit dependent older
adults has been discontinued. Total number of meals being served has declined
some, but still remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic.
d. Seymour Center evening/weekend hours have resumed as of April 2.
e. Resuming OCPT transit services to the Centers
i. Working on resuming county transit services for 13 participants that have
shown interest. The majority of the trips will cost $25.50 round trip based
on locations. At the current OCPT rates it will cost approximately $30,000
annually to provide rides for these 13 people. We anticipate when the
word gets out that the transit services have resumed we will have many
more older adults requesting service.
ii. OCPT has no funding.
iii. Checking with Triangle J to see if ARPA funding can be used. This looks
promising, but there is no date of when the funding will be available from
the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services.
iv. Heather Altman asked if volunteers can help. Currently we are low on
drivers in our Volunteer Driver Program, so this is not a solution.
v. It was noted that Chapel Hill Foodies Facebook group has 20k people.
There is a possibility that of volunteer outreach there.
4. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program update
a. Shenae-valet program assisted 240-250 people and virtual program numbers are
still not in.
b. Collin asked his guests if they had heard Chinese community seniors needing
help-they said no. He said this is great service.
5. Older Americans Month Proclamation at May 3rd BOCC meeting—Theme is "Age My
Way„
Two special events honoring Older Americans Month— "We Are Here For You"
Saturday, May 14 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. Passmore Center
Saturday, May 2110 a.m. —2 p.m. Seymour Center
Variety of activities planned to get people engaged. Details in Endless
Possibilities.
6. Staff Retirement—Terry Colville, Passmore Center Programs and Operations Manager
April 28 is a retirement celebration from 4-6 p.m. and all are invited.
7. New Business
2022-23 Budget Update—Janice reported the below:
a. Requested additional hours for Food Service Coordinator funded by HCCBG.
The additional hours are needed to do required paperwork and to also manage a
program that doubled during the pandemic.
b. Lunch program funding is secure for next year with the addition of the ARPA
funding.
c. Outside Agency Application Review—Janice participated in meetings with the
county manager.
8. Aging Board appointments—April 14— BOCC meeting- Heather will also present annual
board report that evening. For board appointments the following has been submitted-
Vibeke Talley for reappointment; request to extend Heather Altman's term by for 1 year;
recommendation to appoint Lucinda Poole. Two vacancies will remain and the board is
requesting that the BOCC give more time to recruit for more diverse candidates.
2022-27 Master Aging Plan
9. The MAP Steering Committee held an in-person meeting at Carol Woods Retirement
Community on April 8. 25 agencies and departments attended. Everyone was pleased with the
attendance, even though it was in conflict with the unveiling of Chapel Hill Transit's new electric
vehicles.
10. Final review of the Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Indicators- Presentations by
Workgroup Leaders with comments from the MAP Steering Committee meeting breakout
group work sessions.
1. OUTDOOR SPACES- Myra Austin
Library was well represented.
New agency, El Centro, participated in the last two meetings. They don't see Library
and Senior Centers as welcoming Hispanics.
Sidewalks and lights were big issues raised. Town Planners were invited to attend
one of the work group meetings. Some folks want more lighting while others want
less.
Hillsborough Mayor said a watch group could be an advocate for diversity.
2. TRANSPORTATION- Brandi Beeker
Commissioner Sally Greene was updated on all services provided by DOA in
transportation.
Indicator—quarterly update to make people aware of services.
Fare policy in OC was discussed. OCPT charges and wonder what they are trying to
recoup? A requests was made to tap all funding resources out there.
It was noted area COVID grants for transportation- Durham $40 million, OCPT$1
million, CHT- $5 million.
It was noted that the MOD (mobility on demand) pilot program has a technology
barrier for our older adults and the timing and service areas are restrictive.
3. HOUSING- Cherie Rosemond
Three main areas were reviewed
• housing stock suitable for seniors across lifespan, well designed
• Affordability
• Availability of stock
Towns were well represented.
4. SOCIAL PARTICIPATION and SOCIAL RESPECT AND INCLUSION —Myra Austin
Comments praised intergenerational and diversity efforts. School systems were
noted as possible partners.
Train staff and caregivers on respect. One Orange campaign will handle racial
diversity and inclusion.
5. EMPLOYMENT- Mike Komives
Want to do better and broader job to match employment seekers to opportunities
and companies with candidates. How they define ideal jobs and what are the needs
to take job. Survey companies to find their needs and skills.
Chamber of Commerce and Economic development departments also will be
interviewed. Skill and vocational training. There is a dire shortage of direct care
workers in home health care.
6. COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND HEALTH SERVICE- Shenae McPherson
Steering committee partners showed support to move forward on all intiatives
7. COMMUNICATIONS-Beverly Shuford (reported by Board members)
James Harris, Heather Altman, and Susan Romaine from Carrboro were involved in
discussions. County PIO was in all meetings. Goal is to let elected officials know all
updates on services so they can provide the community with information. Diverse
and underserved communities to be target for providing services and information.
Visual and hearing impaired were also included in communications.
Final review of Goals, Strategies and Indicators—send comments to Janice no later than next
week. Heather—The Board appreciates all the efforts that Janice Tyler and all involved in
workgroup leadership.
The 2017-22 MAP will close out on June 30 and the formal evaluation report will be available to
the board in the Fall.
11. MAP will be on view for public comment the first week of May through the DoA website
and at the Senior Centers.
12. The MAP will be presented to the BOCC on May 24.
13. Dementia Friendly Business Campaign — Lisa Minert is working on getting more agencies
certified.
14. Senior Tar Heel Legislature— Dick White-there might be conflict with meetings.
15. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee—no visits allowed yet.
16. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee—Vibeke Talley reported that visiting is still
not allowed for the CAC members, although family members and friends are allowed into the
facilities now.
17. Friends of the Passmore Center—James Harris- Fundraiser plant sale on May 7.
18. Friends of the Seymour Center- Fundraiser Games and Book Sales- May 21
Adjournment
Next meeting: May 10, 2022 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. —Seymour Center and Virtual