HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdvisory Board on Aging Minutes 11 12 2024 Orange County Advisory Board on Aging
Tuesday, November 12, 1—3 pm
Passmore Center and Virtually
Minutes
In Attendance: Ann Bradford, Tracy Holsinger, Rachel Bearman, Sandy Walker, Jon Wilner, Jeff
Charles; GiGi Rashdi, Sheila Evans,Jerry Gregory, Daniel Leonard
Guest: Joanne Wilson
Staff: Janice Tyler, Anshu Gupta, Cyd Sims, Dawn Smith, Brandi Beeker
Absent With Notice: Jackie Podger, Vibeke Talley, Tracey Holsinger
1. Welcome-Ann kicked the meeting off. She shared she was back from a 9-week trip.
2. Introductions and Announcements
a. Jon requested to add an item to the agenda
3. Approval of Minutes— Minutes from October 8, 2024 were approved as written.
Director's Report
4. Staff updates
a. Aging Transitions Social Worker— Hannah Broome has joined the Aging Transitions
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b. Bilingual Program Assistant -Yuchieh (Claire) Chen will start on Nov 18 as a temp part
time working with our Mandarin speaking population
c. Seymour Center Evening Facility Manager—The interview process is underway.
d. Seymour Center Evening Front Desk Assistant— Interviews are being scheduled.
e. Seymour Center Program Coordinator Assistant— Interviewing candidates - position
left vacant after Samantha Pell moved to the Volunteer Connect 55+ division.
5. Promotional video filming for R Place and update department website video is scheduled for
Nov. 18. The film crew will be at both Centers. Footage will be used to develop a promotional
video for RPlace, so we can replicate this volunteer based respite model in the faith based
community.
6. November is National Family Caregiver Month and "Caregiver Day of Care" is on Saturday
Nov 16 at Seymour Center. The BOCC signed a proclamation celebrating both events.
7. Upcoming Events
a. SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards— Nov. 14, 4:30 p.m. Seymour Center
b. Annual Thanksgiving Celebration — Nov. 15 10:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. —Seymour Center
c. Caregiver Day of Care— Nov. 16 from 10-1:30 p.m. —Seymour Center
d. Holiday Market—Sponsored by the Friends of the Passmore Center— Nov. 23 from 9
a.m. — 2 p.m. 35 vendors will be showcasing their products this year
8. New Endless Possibilities — December— February Edition was shared with board members.
New Business
9. Jon Wilner is working with Rachel to start an art program with seniors and children. Jon
shared with the older adult population growing very fast, one of the best ways to serve seniors
is to get kids interested in them now. Create a classroom 3/7/11 grades and match seniors to
them. Suggestion is an after school program as a pilot. The ArtsCenter has partnered with
them.
10. Continuation of lunch takeaway meals — Received $61,000 additional funding from BOCC-
staff will follow up with phone calls to assure that people are using programs correctly.
11. Continuation of In-home services previously funded by ARPA—The BOCC approved $58,000
additional funds.
12. 2025 meeting calendar was approved.
13. First Quarter Year 3 Reports from Workgroup Leaders
a. Social Participation and Inclusion —Rachel Whitney and Dawn Smith
Dawn shared progress has been made to introduce a course in the school systems to help
young people understand older adults and to reduce ageism. In working with the school
systems they selected grade 8 for this project and school staff suggested health class for this
effort. The material will be presented by guest speakers using a workshop model.
5.1.4a A course/class is created with CHCA/OCS middle schools (similar to the Project Engage
course) to help younger generations understand older adults, the aging process, and the
impacts of ageism in the community
b. Outdoor Spaces and Buildings—Cydnee Sims presented the updates to the board.
Indicator.... Outdoor spaces and buildings —Year 3/Quarter 1 Aging Advisory Board
Older adults' use of outdoor spaces is encouraged through multi-cultural special events
and educational programs organized by and/or for older adults
OCDOA/Friends of Seymour sponsored a
• 90+ Afternoon Tea (9/24) —They recognized 23 participants not including guest and it
was held on our lovey patio space outdoors
A different park is highlighted quarterly, on the OCDOA website and in the Endless
Possibilities Activity Guide, with the encouragement of participation by everyone.
• OCDOA highlighted Occoneechee Mtn State Natural Area- Fall Endless Possibilities
• Weekly walks offered at Eno River Walk
Outdoor areas (e.g., activity stations, stationary games, adult playgrounds) are added to
the Senior Centers.
OCDOA
• Fit Lot at Seymour Center—On track! Land/site survey has taken place —we are on
our way to having an outdoor fitness park/station, hopefully by March of 2025. Will
be under a canopy and we have chosen colors that complement the facility- We will
offer group classes, as well as people will be able to use it on their own.
Outdoor areas at the Senior Centers are made more comfortable for increased usability in
different seasons
• Commercial Grade Patio Furniture vendor is being selected.
• Access ramp for new storage unit is complete. This storage unit has allowed for the
Great Hall closet space to be better organized and accessible.
Volunteer opportunities are inclusive and inviting to all adults age 55+who enjoy working
in community gardens
Eno River Association is offering Stewardship workdays - majority of volunteers are older
adults +65 —they help manage trails, and parks by removing invasive plant species, planting
trees, and cleaning up trash.
OCDOA - Each center has active gardening groups who maintains the garden areas at each
site.
Other great things on the horizon-will report more next quarter.
c. Transportation — Brandi Beeker
New MPO grant funds are being awarded through June 2027.
25 people were directly helped to fill CHT application.
Volunteer Driving Program: Enrolled 8 new riders, providing 26 one-way rides to these
individuals with 2 volunteer drivers
Transportation Help Line: Handled 350 calls from 140 callers with 1,099 minutes logged.
Outreach: Continued monthly info tables at senior centers and provided 1 travel training
session.
Committee Progress Reports if needed:
13. Senior Tar Heel Legislature —Janice announced that Vibeke Talley, our STHL delegate, had
shared the STHL recommendations with BOCC and elected representatives. Rafael Velez will be
joining as the STHL alternate delegate.
14. Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Joint Community Advisory Committee — No updates
15. Friends of the Passmore Center
a. Holiday Market— Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. — 2 p.m.
16. Friends of the Seymour Center—Sheila shared about events that the Friends had supported.
Adjournment
Next meeting: Next meeting: December 10 from 1:00—3 p.m. —Seymour Center