Orange County NC Website
Kate Barrett said that the National Family Caregivers Support Program has provided grant <br />money. She has been working with the Dementia Initiative. The Eldercare Manager has been <br />taking over some of the things that she used to do, such as managing the Home and <br />Community Block Grant program that provides in-home services, among other things. She <br />explained the need to continue in the current services, while at the same time working with <br />caregivers. <br />Commissioner Gordon said again that she would like to see outcomes expected from this <br />position. She made reference to the OPT driver position and said that they have talked about <br />the need for additional drivers for other initiatives. She said that there is no guarantee that TTA <br />is going to provide drivers, and by the time the Durham Tech satellite campus is opened, there <br />will be a need also. She does not view the OPT position as being vacant and going to waste. <br />She thinks that the County will need this driver eventually and there will be budget impacts later. <br />She would like to see the specifics of a vision for the elderly and how this position could help <br />with this. <br />Commissioner Carey made reference to page two and read, "maintaining independence of <br />impaired older persons and their ability to live at their home as long as possible." He said that <br />this is what this position is about. <br />Jerry Passmare said that outputs are easier to calculate than outcomes. He said that they <br />would have to do a lot of analysis and it would be difficult to measure. <br />Kate Barrett said that the real purpose is that when elders are home alone and a family is not <br />involved, they are more likely to have to go to a nursing home quickly. The majority is funded <br />through Medicaid. So, if the non-Medicaid population can stay at home with education and <br />support for the families, it will save the government a large amount of money. There are also <br />ethical reasons for providing this education. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he would like to discuss outcomes down the road. He said <br />that he has worked for nine superintendents, and one came in with an outcome based <br />educational plan, which only lasted a year and a half. This will be an interesting discussion. He <br />thinks that it is significant that this position was exposed and that it is being realigned. He <br />commended the staff for trying to help people. He thinks it is important to maintain the <br />independence of the elderly population and allow them to stay at home as tang as possible. He <br />is supportive of this and thinks that more realignment should be made in positions throughout <br />the County. <br />Commissioner Carey agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis about realignments. <br />Commissioner Carey made reference to the driver position and agreed that it may be needed in <br />the future, but it is not needed right now. <br />Commissioner Carey asked about the grant funding and Jerry Passmore said that most of the <br />position would be funded with grant funds and it would be an a continual basis. <br />Commissioner Gordon explained further about what she meant by showing the outcomes. She <br />said that the County ought to try and show the outcomes because it shows the wonderful way <br />that Orange County cares for its people. It also shows what is happening to the taxpayers' <br />money. <br />