Agenda - 05-04-2006-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 One of the things people have felt is that there is no mechanism in the University to better utilize the skills and talents of seniors for teaching students. Seniors absolutely have so much to offer and we need a more formalized program which captures these talents, The medical school has done some noon conferences on Thursday and a few bring older adults in for classes but there is not enough being done. We need to develop a mechanism for a recognition program for intergenerafional programs within the community. We also need to work with the North Cazolina Institute on Aging, Community Colleges and the public school system on developing a curriculum model on aging which could be taught to high school health classes, retirement planning, etc. These are things we have not done and need to spend some time doing. Goal Three (1C) is to assure that adequate mental health services and educational programs are available for all older Americans in Orange County. According to Florence Soltys, this is a big big issue due to changes with mental health system in this state, and what is happening in the nursing homes and in the adult care homes or assisted living homes, there are very serious problems, If the Orange County Deparhnent on Aging is to assume more responsibility for delivery of mental health programs for the elderly, they will need additional resources. Inmost counties, the mental health system is not providing these programs, particularly for the elders, Ann Johnson said that we should not assume that the State is not going to address this issue, She asked that this be put high on the list when they start discussing these issues, It was decided that mental health and transportation would be at the top of the list for further discussion. They also need to think about the resources they can get, Barry Jacobs stated he could give the committee an update on mental health. I.Jnder seiuor socialization we did not form six neighborhood groups to help provide assistance to older or disabled people in neighborhoods to provide for safe neighborhoods, etc. There has not been enough staff to do this, but it still needs to be done. Ann Johnson stated that it could be done different ways by using volunteers like they do in Durham, They designate geographical azeas within the county and a neighborhood adviser is usually an older person who is accepted in the neighborhood, ____ osp Bible, We do have the wellness program. One of the objectives we need to look at includes strategies and promotions to make the at risk population more aware of health issues. Jerry Passmore said that at the next meeting each of the subcommittees will be giving reports on several of these issues, Kate Barrett suggested having these issues identified for each subcommittee so they would not duplicate, Ann Johnson suggested that whenever they can, they should look at the goals from the standpoint of the older person (not just the providers) Ellen Hayes mentioned that the Advisory Board on Aging wants to do community speakouts to hear from older persons on the needs/issues as part of the M.A.P. process, Barry Jacobs suggested having OPC give an update on mental health service system. Orange County will be grouped with Durham County. It looks like the County will be paying mare for mental health, He also noted that the BOCC has extended and paid for the Chapel Hill Senior Center rent through the end of the year, Regarding health promotion, we need to identify more retired health professionals. There is some volunteering up to 20 hours a week helping with the Wellness Program but we need to find more to supplement the staff. Next Goal Five (IIBj was to ensure an adequate supply of affordable safe and suitable housing for Orange County elderly residents. Page 2 of 8