Agenda - 06-01-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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9 1 It is also an occasion to highlight how older adults are engaging with and making a difference in 2 their communities. 3 4 In this era of COVID-19, there are shining examples of how older adults are contributing to the 5 strength of the community. The Project EngAGE Senior Leaders are connecting with older 6 adults in their communities to make sure their needs are being met during these difficult times. 7 Leaders are making phone calls, picking up food, delivering senior center lunches, sewing facial 8 coverings, and pitching in wherever there is an unmet need. 9 10 The End of Life Choices Senior Resource team saw an unmet need and created a document to 11 aid in emergency planning during this COVID-19 health crisis. This new document is not 12 intended to replace persons' advanced directives, but is to be used as a tool to provide 13 additional information should you be diagnosed with COVID-19. 14 15 Tech volunteers at the Seymour Center put their skills and creativity to work and transitioned 16 very quickly into offering our computer classes in a virtual environment. This was critical in 17 helping many older adults learn how to use their computers to connect to virtual center 18 programs and to their family and friends. Volunteers have also helped make it possible for the 19 County to serve almost a 1,000 curbside meals weekly helping the many older adults in the 20 community that are food insecure. 21 22 And lastly, with COVID-19 occurring during tax season, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax 23 Assistance) volunteers should be congratulated for developing a secure process for assisting 24 persons with tax preparation that does not involve a face to face appointment. Last year this 25 program was recognized by the IRS for its innovative work during the pandemic. 26 27 Today there are over 30,000 Orange County residents who are 60+ and of that group over 28 1,900 who are over age 85. As large numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age, it is the 29 goal to keep them physically and socially active through their 80s and beyond. Lifelong 30 participation in community, social, creative and physical activities have proven health benefits, 31 including retaining mobility, muscle mass and cognitive abilities. But older adults are not the 32 only ones who benefit from their engagement in community life. Studies show their interactions 33 with family, friends, and neighbors across generations enrich the lives of everyone involved. 34 35 With COVID-19, the celebrations and activities honoring Older Americans Month are being 36 curtailed, but the County still encourages older adults to celebrate "Community of Strength." 37 With social distancing and the Seymour and Passmore Centers not being open to group 38 activities, the County challenges everyone to stay connected through phone calls, virtual 39 gatherings, and participate in virtual and parking lot programs. This is a time for everyone to 40 celebrate the strength of the community by remaining resilient; calling neighbors; saying thank 41 you to frontline workers; and demonstrating a willingness to help the community recover from 42 this pandemic and prepare for whatever the new normal is. 43 44 Commissioner McKee introduced the item. He said there are over 30,000 people in 45 Orange County over the age of 65. He said over 1,900 are over 85. He said his mother and 46 mother-in-law are in that group, and do not see themselves as older. He said this month has 47 been acknowledged since the 1960s. 48 Commissioner McKee read the proclamation: 49 50 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 51 PROCLAMATION