Minutes 03-12-2019 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 Commissioner Greene referred to the list of emerging concerns and improving regulatory expectations, such as resident to staff ratio and handicap accessible door requirements. She asked if these are State issues or if the County could intervene. Michael Zuber said DSS may know more. He said there is one facility without handicap accessible doors, and he was told there is insufficient funding. Commissioner Greene said the body with authority should be lobbied to address this. Janice Tyler said there are handicap accessible doors, but they do not have the ability to open automatically. Commissioner Greene said the lack of resident-to-staff ratio is insane. She referred to the statement about local leaders being apathetic about improvements, and asked if this referred to the BOCC. Michael Zuber said no. He said there is some discussion in the Master Aging Plan (MAP) program about projects related to the assisted living facilities. Commissioner Bedford thanked all of the committee members for serving, especially given the considerable training requirements. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the question about lobbying, and asked if there are some organized advocacy groups that are pushing for changes. Janice Tyler said the Friends of Residents of Long Term Care is a statewide organization that is having an advocacy day on the first Wednesday in April. She said there is some legislature going forward to raise the amount for the personal care allowance. Commissioner Dorosin asked staff to get the name of the bill so the Board can pass a resolution of support. Commissioner Price encouraged her colleagues to participate in these meetings or visits. She said both are very informative. • Advisory Board on Aging Peggy Cohn, Chair Peggy Cohn said the most outstanding accomplishment is the success of the Master Aging Plan, and its ability to bring our community together to successfully serve our growing aging population. She said the Aging board is especially proud of its work on advocating for affordable housing. She said the Senior Housing Report was updated and is used as a resource for the community in developing senior housing initiatives. The development of the Home Preservation Coalition has improved the communication among agencies and will ultimately help in getting clients served in a more coordinated and efficient manner. Peggy Cohn said the MAP plan has brought the community together. She highlighted the following: o Programs developed for older adults seeking employment. Commodity Senior Food Program served 243 low-income older adults in five locations (Seymour, Passmore, Efland Cheeks Community Center, Cedar Grove Community Center, and Carolina Spring). o Rural Orange Action Partnership (ROAP) Steering Committee: Together with the UNC Center for Health Equity Research, DoA formed the ROAP Steering Committee, comprised of ten individuals from the Efland-Cheeks and Cedar Grove communities. This committee will serve as a platform for meaningful community action and change, and its development was financially supported by the Detroit-Academic Urban Research Center, and the University of Michigan School of Public Health. o Continuation of two award programs to promote high quality services within long- term care organizations —the Direct Care Worker Award and the Long Term Care Quality Service Award. o Supporting 52 Project EngAGE Leaders serving on 13 Senior Resource Teams.