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7 <br /> <br /> <br />• Hillsborough Planning Board: not in attendance <br /> <br />• Mebane Planning Board: not in attendance <br /> <br />Internal Boards <br /> <br />• ABC Board: previously presented at January 23rd BOCC meeting <br /> <br />• Adult Care Community Advisory Board: No report submitted, but if one can be by next <br />week, this item may be able to be added to agenda on May 3. <br /> <br />• Advisory Board on Aging: Lorenzo Mejia, Vice-Chair <br />Lorenzo Mejia thanked the Board of County Commissioners for its support for the <br />Department on Aging (DoA), and said Orange County attracts the elderly and retirees. He said <br />he works in this industry too, and DoA is recognized at a national level. He said there are <br />currently three areas of concern: <br />• Affordable housing <br />• Affordable care <br />• Transportation <br /> <br />Lorenzo Mejia said many of the elderly are not affluent residents, and there are real <br />needs. <br />Commissioner Burroughs asked if more could be shared about the need for affordable <br />care. <br />Lorenzo Mejia said if you are over 65, Medicare covers most needs. He said if one is of <br />limited needs, one is covered by Medicaid, but these two agencies do not cover everything. He <br />said an example is in home care (health assistants, post surgery care, etc.), which is not <br />covered at all, and this is the greatest need nationwide. <br />Commissioner McKee asked if the Advisory Board receives specific feedback on what <br />type of transportation is needed. <br />Lorenzo Mejia said seniors living at home need transportation, especially in rural areas. <br />Janice Tyler said door-to-door transportation in central and northern Orange County is <br />most needed. She said transportation for medical appointments is covered, but going to get <br />groceries, or other errands/social activities, is not. <br />Commissioner McKee asked if any consideration has been given to using a model like <br />Uber or Lyft. He said he is concerned that running a 15-passenger van to rural Orange County <br />is not the most efficient way to satisfy this need. <br />Janice Tyler said she would have to refer that idea to the County Manager. <br />Janice Tyler said there is a volunteer driver program to fill in the gaps, and UNC <br />Healthcare has used Lyft on a limited basis for some of its clinics. She said in years past there <br />have been contracts with taxi services. <br />Bonnie Hammersley said staff is looking at curb-to-curb service, as well as mobility <br />coordinators. <br />Commissioner Price asked if elderly residents are having difficulty aging in place, and <br />thus needing additional housing. <br />Janice Tyler said yes, this is a daily problem because affordable housing is scarce in <br />Orange County.