HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board Minutes-05-09-2023 Orange County Department on Aging
Advisory Board on Aging
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
12:30—2:00 pm
Passmore Center Hybrid
MINUTES
In Attendance: Heather Altman, Colin Austin, Rachel Bearman, Ann Bradford, Jeff Charles, Jerry Gregory,
Jackie Podger, Vibeke Talley, Sandy Walker and Dick White; STAFF: Myra Austin, Leiha Edmonds, Anshu Gupta,
Kim Lamon-Loperfido, Shenae McPherson, Beverly Shuford, Cydnee Sims, Dawn Smith and Janice Tyler
Absent—Excused: Saru Salvi, James Harris
1. Introductions and Announcements
2. Approval of Minutes—April 11, 2023
a. Approved
Director's Report
3. Governor Cooper's Executive Order No. 280 includes NC joining the Age Friendly States and
Communities network
a. Tue, May 2, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order No. 280, directing the state to develop a
comprehensive plan for aging, strengthen the caregiving workforce and enhance transportation
options.
4. Staff Updates
a. Volunteer Coordinator
L Rebecca Bratsch, MSW & Gerontologist, started today and is working a community
event on her first day.
b. Wellness Program Coordinator Assistant
L Our former assistant was only with us for a very short time before resigning.
ii. Brandon Betts, will take the position starting on May 22. Brandon is graduating this
weekend from Barton College and has been a volunteer with the Wellness Program for
the past five years.
c. Outreach Worker Needed
L Our current Outreach Coordinator, Clayton Foster, is returning to NCSU for his MSW. He
will be leaving the outreach coordinator position, but will continue as the Handy
Helpers' Coordinator. Janice asked if you know of anyone interested in the outreach
coordinator position to please let her know. The position is 24 hours per week and is a
temporary part-time position.
5. Employment Services continuation plan
a. Nothing new to report. If folks need employment assistance, please go to our website
www.orangecountync.gov/Aging or call the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087. We need
someone to convene the Employment Services Workgroup. Colin volunteered to help convene
the meetings and keep the workgroup going.
6. TJCOG-AAA Annual Monitoring
a. The monitoring team conducted their visit and their report. All went well!
7. Older Americans Month Proclamation signed by BOCC— "Aging Unbound" theme
a. Janice shared copied of the signed proclamation with the Aging Board. Janice reached out to all
BOCC members to share that she was a special guest at the Governor's Mansion where Gov.
Cooper announced and sign an Executive Order for NC to be an Age-Friendly state.
8. National AARP Age Friendly Communities Presentation: Community Engagement
a. Janice presented on the Age-Friendly Network Monthly Webinar May 2023: Community
Engagement webinar sharing what we have learned on our age-friendly journey.
9. International Volunteer Leadership Program to visit Seymour Center on May 22
a. This is a Federal leadership program coordinated out of the Raleigh office. Shenae announced
that the Seymour Center would be a host site for 17 volunteers, program directors and senior
project managers from around the world. These volunteer leaders will tour and ask questions
so they can take back and replicate best ideas and practices in their own programs. Janice,
Shenae, staff and volunteers will be on hand to meet and talk with the visiting volunteers on
May 22, from 1:30—3:30 pm
10. Launched new radio show, Aging Well Together, with WCOM on May 3
a. Janice and Bev were live on inaugural show. Flyers were distributed to the Board for sharing.
Heather did a great job. Shenae will promote VC 55+ and two Project EngAGERs on this week's
show. Isolation, volunteer opps, exec order. Email the show at
Agingwelltogethershow@gmail.com with guests and topics concerning older adults.
b. Jackie volunteered to help schedule shows. Beverly will get scheduling software and they will
train before using.
11. Upcoming Events:
a. Mother's Day Celebration —Tuesday, May 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. — Passmore Center
b. Scam, Frauds and You program —Wednesday, May 17 from 10 a.m.—2 p.m. - Seymour Center
c. Meditation with a Cop—Tuesday, May 23 from 2-3 p.m. —Seymour Center
d. Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration —Thursday, June 8 from 4-6 p.m. —Seymour Center.
Board is invited to join us
e. Check Endless Possibilities for many more programs.
New Business
12. Development of a Five-Year Strategic Plan for Orange County
a. The website is.https://berrvdunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/orangecounty. The site includes a
community survey, interactive comment map, and meeting in a box materials. Go and look at
that and make comments on anything, please. Check it out.
13. FY 23-24 Budget
a. The County Manager presented her budget last week. The Commissioners are starting the
public meetings and comments. Outside agency funding recipients will be presented at meeting
next week. One outside agency was recommended to come into our budget, which will relieve
them of the grant paperwork.
b. County employees will receive a 6%wage adjustment and we are very appreciative. The County
Manager went into process wanting to maintain staff and recruit.
c. We received everything that we asked for except a little temp money.
14. Outreach Efforts
b. Janice asked everyone to let us know if they hear of community events where we might have an
informational table.
2022-27 Master Aging Plan
15. Quarterly Reports from MAP Workgroup Leaders
a. No report from: Transportation— Brandi; Housing— Kendall & Ryan; and Employment
workgroups
b. Shenae & Kim— MAP Community Support & Health Services Work Group Highlights for Year 1
Objective 7.1: Develop supports and resources to promote mental/ behavioral health
Strategy 7.1.4: Develop and use a hoarding task force to support housing stability for older
adults
c. Hoarding Task force was created in year 1
d. Held monthly meetings—on average 20-25 community partners present
e. Created a training for all Hoarding Task Force members 5/23/23 3-5pm
Strategy 7.1.1: Offer training to increase knowledge for community members and professionals
f. we've created a strong new partnership with our LME/MCO provider Alliance Health
g. Alliance Health has provided 2 trainings MFHA and MHAD
h. OCDoA- Dementia Education series being offered twice a month —on average about 30
people in attendance
Objective 7.2: Expand enriching volunteer opportunities for older adults
Strategy 7.2.2: Increase the number of Orange County older adults participating in existing
volunteer opportunities
i. For the current YR we have enrolled 46 new volunteers (I have an additional 14
scheduling orientations)
j. We have enrolled 17 minority volunteers
k. Volunteer appreciation event is Thursday June 8tn from 4-6 pm at the Seymour Center
Objective 7.3: Coordinate local efforts to enhance access to affordable health care supports
Strategy 7.3.1 Increase utilization of support services
Durable Medical Equipment
I. Since the creation of the program we have completed — 1,600 transactions
m. For this current year we have —340 pieces in inventory to loan
Objective 7.4: Expand services to help older adults age in community
Strategy 7.2.2/Strategy 7.4.3: Support the establishment of new and existing community care
neighborhoods/Strategy 7.4.4: Expand successful neighborhood connection ideas to reach rural
neighbors
Project EngAGE
n. Class 6 launching September 13tn
o. 13 week curriculum
p. We are looking for 12-14 Senior Leaders to represent all corners of the county
i. We're concentrating efforts on minority representation and northern and southern
representation
q. Cyd/Dawn —Social Participation, Respect & Inclusion workgroup
The MAP Social Participation, Respect and Inclusion Workgroup decided in our last meeting to
focus our energy on 4 indicators for the next quarter. They are:
4.1.1b. Develop neurodivergent programming (e.g., people with learning differences) with
assistance from partner organizations.
• We discussed a first good step it to reach out to Adult Care Homes especially
some of the smaller groups that might not have their own activity director on
site
5.1.1b. Staff and front desk volunteers are prepared to welcome, interact with, and help people
with different abilities and assist community members with diverse language backgrounds
• With assistance from an intern, we do have an Inclusive Lobby Communications
Project at each center hoping to roll out very soon.
5.1.3a. Programs are created or expanded to facilitate connections among Senior Center
participants.
• With many new participants that moved in the area during COVID, this is
something to go ahead and incorporate sooner rather than later.
5.1.3b. Community groups are surveyed every 2 years with an emphasis on racial and cultural
equity to determine any barriers that may prevent participation at the Senior Centers.
• We did confirm that we would need to create a survey. We are going to reach
across the MAP workgroups. Also thoughts on how to distribute these surveys
into the community. We can have them at department tabling events but what
else?
We did accomplish 4.1.2b Senior Centers added at least one additional program assistant with
an added part time position at Passmore moving the full time position to Seymour.
r. Myra Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
Goal 1: Optimize usability of outdoor spaces and buildings for older adults
Objective 1.1: Increase engagement of older adults, emphasizing racially diverse communities,
in the planning of outdoor spaces and buildings in Orange County (OC).
Strategy 1.1.1: Encourage advocacy efforts by including older adults relative to the planning
and use of public outdoor spaces and buildings.
Indicator 1.1.1a: At least one dedicated space for an older adult age 55+ (or representative
of older adults) is on every county and town Advisory Board that has input on outdoor
spaces and buildings.
Indicator 1.1.1.1b: Other non-municipal and non-profit trail owner/groups are invited to join
MAP—Outdoor Spaces workgroup
Indicator 1.1.1c: Older adults are educated on how to access information about
participating in local government planning and are encouraged to contribute to
meetings/hearings about outdoor spaces and buildings.
Indicator 1.1.1d: Interactive strategies are developed to solicit input from older adults, with
emphasis on racially diverse community members, regarding parks, outdoor spaces, and
community development needs.
ACTIONS: Working on a formal letter from Outdoor Spaces to the Aging Advisory Board to
county/towns (CH, Carr, Mebane, OCDEAPR, Hills already has in place) for adoption of policy
for an adult 55+ (or representative of older adults) on Advisory Boards that have input on
Outdoor Spaces and Buildings.
Invited: OC Disabilities Awareness Council; Mebane Parks & Rec; Snow Approach
Foundation; Duke Forest; UNC-CH; OWASA; OC Commission for the Envirommnet
An invite is in the Summer EP seeking input from communities and especially communities
of color on how best to help them with the input and accessing information about
participating in local government planning re: outdoor spaces and buildings and we are
working on developing a workshop with this info. and making it available on our website.
Objective 1.2: Improve equitable access, availability, convenience, and use of outdoor spaces
and buildings by everyone.
Strategy 1.2.1: Increase accessibility, diversity, and safety to encourage inclusiveness in
public outdoor spaces and buildings by older adults of all abilities.
Indicator 1.2.1a: Older adults' use of outdoor spaces is encouraged through multi-cultural
special events and educational programs organized by and/or for older adults.
Indicator 1.2.1b: A different park is highlighted quarterly, on the OCDOA website and in the
Endless Possibilities Activity Guide, with the encouragement of participation by everyone.
Indicator 1.2.1c: Community members are assisted by Senior Center staff in using
interactive parks, greenways, and trails locator maps using short video tutorials.
Indicator 1.2.1d: Trail intersections in need of signs/trail markers are identified by older
adults and community members, and identified locations are shared with Responsible
Agencies and other non-municipal and non-profit trail owners.
Indicator 1.2.1e: Community members are educated on how to advocate and fund
additional equipment (e.g., benches, bathrooms) in public spaces.
Indicator 1.2.1f: The inclusion of universal design principles is promoted as standards in the
development review processes of each jurisdiction.
ACTIONS: Carrboro MLK day event at park 1/16; The Pauli Murray documentary was shown
at Seymour 2/15; Hidden Figures movie for Women's History Month 3/13; Carrboro Senior
Tennis Day- 3 x/year—Wilson Park;
Advertise Carrboro and Chapel Hill Parks & Rec Outdoor Adventures in EP.
A different Park is highlighted quarterly in Endless Possibilities, Qtr. 3 was Henry Anderson
Park, Carrboro, NC.
Strategy 1.2.2: Increase the availability of small-scale outdoor areas that promote wellness
and community engagement with an emphasis on racially diverse communities and
gathering spaces at the OC Senior Centers.
Indicator 1.2.2a: Outdoor areas (e.g., activity stations, stationary games and/or adult
playgrounds) are added to the Senior Centers.
Indicator 1.2.2b: Outdoor areas at the Senior Centers are made more comfortable in
different seasons (e.g., add outdoor heaters, shaded spaces, fans, misting fans)
Indicator 1.2.2c: At least one bus stop in each town is converted into a wellness stop.
Indicator 1.2.2d: Volunteer opportunities are inclusive and inviting to all adults age 55+who
enjoy working in community gardens (e.g., vegetable gardens, flower gardens, pollinator
gardens)
Indicator 1.2.2e: Existing outdoor spaces within OC are identified and promoted that can be
used as quiet meditation spaces for caregivers.
ACTIONS: An outdoor play/exercise area at the Seymour Center is in the county's Capital
Improvement Plan.
Outdoor areas at the Passmore and Seymour Centers have been made more comfortable
and inviting...Gardens at Seymour experiencing a revamp.
Wellness signs delivered to Town of Hillsborough for the bus stops and in dialogue with the
Town of CH for bus stops where older adults are most riders and/or senior shuttle stops
Plan to list quiet meditative spaces for caregiver in EP or other community publications
when space is available.
s. Bev Communications
Communication and Information Workgroup—Year 1 Priorities
Strategy 8.1.2: Further expand OCDOA communications to racially diverse and underserved communities.
8.1.2e.Tools, including contact forms,flyers, and signage, are created to support staff and front desk
volunteers to welcome, interact with, and assist community members from diverse language backgrounds.
• Senior centers' Inclusive Lobby Project(ILP) meetings with OCDOA director and communications
team.
• ILP to include in multiple languages: front door"welcome" signage (draft language complete),front
desk signage, "leave your contact information"forms, center guest cards with instructions regarding
translation help, and lobby informational videos(videos recorded with closed caption in English,
Mandarin and Spanish).
8.1.2h. Local government agencies collaborate in outreach efforts to older adults using multiple media
sources
• OCCR staff photo/video shoot at both senior centers. Building a library of material to use in OCDOA
marketing and outreach opportunities.
8.1.2k. Volunteer diversity is promoted to increase the recruitment of diverse volunteers.
• Duke University student majoring in Cultural Anthropology and Art History taking photographs
and will conduct "mini" interviews highlighting volunteers.
• OCCR staff will provide additional support on "Volunteer Diversity" project as needed.
Strategy 8.1.4: Explore and expand non-electronic communication outlets.
8.1.4a. OCDOA programs,services, and resources are shared with racially diverse and underserved
communities and events.
• Tabled at five events, offering resources/info in English, Spanish & Mandarin
• Outreach to Cedar Grove Community once a month to highlight a particular program or service,
caregiver support services.
• Outreach to FBO, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, to share general info about the department.
• Updated the FBO contact list.
• Outreach efforts areas without broadband. Mailed physical letters to FBOs. Letter campaign and
survey to gauge what they need, contact info, how they want to collaborate. No responses yet,
just mailed to 150 places.
• Met with 2 local NAACP groups to partner, and share info and resources.
8.1.4c. Diverse radio stations,television stations,and newspapers are identified and used to advertise
OCDOA information
• Secured WCOM—OCDOA Show, "Aging Well Together(AWT)" host, Heather Altman.
• Met with Orange County staff attorney regarding the WCOM Host agreement to make edits to
the agreement with OCDOA
• Created AWT show topic/speaker template and began populating; Created AWT show speaker
schedule template
• Toured AWT studio and trained on equipment in preparation for recording/producing show
• Met with Chinese e Life chief editor and OCDOA Chinese Community Liaison and Program
Coordinator regarding writing/publishing a weekly OCDOA column (title rough translation,
"Chinese Elderly Care and Health").
• Processed Chinese e Life agreement,to include hosting, editing and advertising the column. First
article scheduled for Apr. 1.Two additional articles already written and edited.Agreement
signed, 4 articles thus far+advertisement in place
t. Everyone invited to the MAP Steering Committee Meeting on June 2, 9-11 am at Carol Woods
u. Our OT's are purging the extra durable medical equipment (DME) and will donate to Habitat
Restore, if you know of a need, please let Shenae or Kim know. Meals on Wheels in Northern
Orange are helping to distribute DME in that area.
v. Shenae reported that next 13-week Project EngAGE (PE) class will start in September. This will
be class#6. We are looking for 12 -14 to represent Orange County. Shenae requested that the
Board please suggest and/or nominate PE candidates. Aging Board members are eligible to
apply.
Committee Progress Reports if needed:
16. Senior Tar Heel Legislature— Dick White/Vibeke Talley
a. Meeting June 6-7, celebrating 30 years. The celebration will be on the 61" at the Museum of
History, Raleigh. Legislators are invited. Expecting about 50 delegates to attend. Meeting will be
held the afternoon of 6t" and morning of the 7t"; our delegates will report back. We will get a
list of the bills regarding older adults that crossed over from the legislature to house, as well as
those that were voted on unanimously but that didn't cross over.
17. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
a. No report
18. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee—Jackie Podger
a. Beginning the State training in June. Triangle J Council of Governments Regional Ombudsman,
Autumn Cox, notified committees that the State will launch a pilot program in 4 counties
within. We do not know which counties yet. We have 7 members on NHCAC and only 3 on the
ACHCAC. We need help filling those slots. Petitioned County Commissioners to allow Jackie to
be on the ACHCAC. Currently can only be on two committees, not three. She is currently on the
Aging Board and NHCAC.
b. Need to find that special person who is passionate about aging and LTC; it isn't easy to find that
special person as it is a difficult situation to go into. Suggested that candidates take the tour
first to weed out who is really interested in being an advocate. ACH is separate from the
NHCAC. Rachel Bearman interested in NHCAC advocate.
19. Friends of the Passmore Center—James Harris
a. Spring Market Plant and Yard Sale—Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m.— 1 p.m.
b. Annual Meeting— May 15 at 9:30 a.m.
20. Friends of the Seymour Center
a. Annual Meeting— May 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Adjournment
Next meeting: June 13, 2023 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. —Seymour Center&Virtual