Aging Advisory Board Minutes 081214

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ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes August 12, 2014 PRESENT: Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Ed Flowers, Bonnie Hammersley, Donna Prather EXCUSED: Heather Altman, Lorenzo Mejia, Jeane Suddarth, Dick White STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Alex Castro at the Seymour Center. Mr. Castro announced that Project EngAGE volunteers have scheduled a transportation presentation as part of this evening’s Schley Grange meeting. He distributed a summary of the proposed public transportation service for northern Orange County. Project EngAGE representatives are also visiting the Alamance County Meals On Wheels organization. In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler noted that the August 10 Chapel Hill News contained an article by Jenny Womack on falls prevention as part of the aging issues series. Ms. Womack is the Occupational Therapist for the Aging Transitions team provided by contract with UNC. Ms. Tyler announced that the new County Manager will be visiting both Senior Centers in September. Orange County is sponsoring a Walk4Life Wellness Challenge that will include promotion of the annual Aging In Stride 5k. Ms. Tyler began her review of the 2014 General Assembly legislation pertaining to adults 50 years and older by announcing that AARP has changed its name to the American Association of Real Possibilities. Other significant actions included: • 3% statewide cut in Home and Community Care Block Grant funding that may be offset in Orange County by the increase in the 60+ population. • NC Division of Aging must develop a strategic plan for Alzheimer’s disease and a report on the Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. • Funding for Veteran’s Services county offices was eliminated, although Orange County has assimilated that position into the Department of Social Services budget. • Medicaid reform will be the topic of a special legislative session. • Remote renewal of drivers’ licenses was authorized although the implementation of that process is unclear. • A moratorium was established for both home care agency and Alzheimer’s special care unit licenses. • Exemptions for temporary family health care structures from zoning requirements applicable to single family residences. Concluding her Director’s Report Janice Tyler stated that the changes recommended for the Homestead Exemption Act outlined in the Master Aging Plan have been forwarded for inclusion in the Orange County legislative agenda. She distributed the latest edition of the Senior Times and encouraged Advisory Board members to ‘like’ the Department on Aging on Facebook.