Aging Advisory Board Minutes 101017

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Transportation: Alex Castro stated that 12 individuals are currently volunteering in the driver program. The Town of Cary utilizes scheduling software for its volunteers. Peter Murphy of Orange Public Transportation (OPT) addressed the Committee on the delay in rural service expansion. Issues for this Committee include working with medical appointment schedulers, designated drop-off areas for individuals in wheelchairs, seamless transfers between OPT and Chapel Hill Transit’s Easy Rider service, and UNC facilities located in other counties. UNC is now paying private transit providers to bring patients to appointments. Discussion followed on possible changes in the Medicare program. Housing: Dick White reported that the biggest challenge to developing affordable housing is changing policy. This Committee hopes to identify sites in each geographic area of Orange County that would be suitable for age-friendly communities. MAP now has a representative on the Affordable Housing Coalition. An affordable housing summit is being planned for January. Cherie Rosemond will make a presentation to the Hillsborough Town Council. Alex Castro added that Habitat is planning an outreach event for seniors. Mary Fraser reported on the Downsizing and Decluttering event held the previous evening at the Seymour Center. Social Participation/Inclusion: Donna Prather reported that this Committee is composed of representatives of Orange County and Town services. Discussions were held on inclusion of programs for low-vision and hearing-impaired, exercise programs, and community center programming. The number of unduplicated persons registered at the senior centers has increased by 60%in the last year. Civic Participation/Employment: Colin Austin credited Mike Komives and Megan Peters with the boost in employment accomplishments, including job search classes, individual counseling sessions, and an older workers resource guide. The community college and public libraries have become involved in these efforts. Future activities include a publicity campaign directed at private businesses. Winston Liao spoke about the need to involve the UNC Business School. Although Orange County’s unemployment rate is low it is not known how many older adults are seeking employment. It is also unclear about the need for updating job seekers’ computer and social media skills. Community Support/Health: Peggy Cohn pointed out the need for baseline data on the number of persons utilizing the existing programs and the number of healthcare providers. There is a need for volunteers in medical services, Project EngAGE, Seniors and Law enforcement Together (SALT). There is a need to consider a new approach for the Nursing and Adult Care Home committees to work with activity directors as well as administrators. Mary Fraser announced that the Long Term Care Collaborative may be asked to administer the Direct Care Workers award program in the future. Communications: Keith Cook states that the Faith communities are being asked to become more involved in the senior service network. There is a need to determine which churches are providing meals and distributing food. The key is to identify a contact in the churches other than the ministers. It is hoped that they will become involved in the outreach meetings at UNC Hillsborough Hospital. The next meeting of the Master Aging Plan Steering Committee will be held on November 10 at Carol Woods Retirement Community. Committee Progress Reports Senior Tar Heel Legislature – Dick White announced that the STHL elected a Davidson County resident as the new President. The Legislative priorities (attached) remain the same as last year. Several STHL representatives will accompany Mr. White to a meeting with the new President to discuss new strategies for the future. Dementia Friendly Business Campaign – November’s Chapel Hill Magazine will have an article on this. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Janice Tyler, Secretary