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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 - Senior Advisory Board - Annual ReportFORT COLLINS SAB 2004 ANNUAL REPORT I. Outreach A. Quarterly off -site meetings were held at the Spring Creek Nursing Facility and Collinwood Assisted Living Community. A joint meeting of the Fort Collins Senior Center Council and SAB was held at the Senior Center. Three members attended an Aspen Club Dinner meeting where Board members provided information about the Senior Advisory Board. The people attending the meetings were asked to provide information about availability of various services (including transportation; access to community activities, parks, libraries, walking paths and cultural events) and concerns about situations or issues which affect their lives. Three recurring concerns involved transportation, finances, and health care. B. Members of the SAB participated in Senior related activities within the community to learn about specific activities, agencies, and organizations which sponsor senior programs, and when appropriate to talk about the functions and activities of the Board. Board members participate in activities sponsored by the Senior Center, Aspen Club, AARP, and conferences dealing with aging. Members assisted Catholic Charities Northern walk-a-thon breakfast to raise money for their senior programs. Members were guests on radio shows and participated in discussions about "aging", the proposed name change for the Senior Center, and the anthology project offered through the Senior Center. C. SAB members developed liaison relationships with other City boards and commissions. Members regularly attend meetings of the Commission on Disability, Affordable Housing Board and Transportation Board. II. Advocacy A. SAB members have attended the Affordable Housing Board meetings to support and participate in planning and providing more affordable housing for older people. The Board supported a new senior living complex which was built on Horsetooth Road. Several members attended Planning and Zoning Board meetings and written letters to the Board supporting the proposed Continuing Care Senior Campus at Oakridge. B. Board members have attended Transportation Board meetings and participated in discussions of the availability of transportation and special needs of seniors who no longer drive. Meeting medical appointments and obtaining emergency medical treatment are both recurring and major concerns, especially for seniors living alone. Transfort is not a viable alternative for older people who are ill or experiencing emergency medical problems. Members have also participated in meetings with consultants regarding transportation needs of older people. C. SAB Executive Committee members have met with Mayor Martinez to discuss code changes and changes to the SAB bylaws to bring the documents in line with our actual activities. Discussions were held with the Mayor to discuss the Fort Collins Senior Center Expansion and the "Building on Basics" capital improvement program. Several Board members attended City Council public meetings to speak in support of the proposed Senior Center expansion. Board members also attended and observed City Council work sessions open to the public. The SAB supported and advocated the extension of the Senior Tax Work - Off Program offered through the County as well as the Elder Care Pet Program directed by Dr. Tracy Thomas. D. The SAB supported and members participated in the following list of fund raising activities for the Senior Center: 1. Sundance Bluegrass Festival & Chili Cook -Off (The SAB won the People's Choice Award for the 3rd year in a row.) 2. Obtained items for the Chili Cook -Off Bags for chefs 3. Tax Day Golf Scramble held at the Mad Russian Golf Course 4. Cemetery Crawl 5. Senior Center Holiday Arts and Crafts Sale and Bake Sale 6. Attend and support SOAP (Slightly Older Adult Players Troupe) performances 7. Contribute money to Friends of the Senior Center III. Communication A. Several media were used to communicate information and issues related to aging as well as services, activities and programs for seniors. The following are topics and issues written about and submitted as "Soapbox Opinions" or "Letters to the Editor" to the editorial staff of the Coloradoan: 1. Renaming the Fort Collins Senior Center 2. Elder Pet Care Service 3. Need for expansion of the Senior Center 4. Response to criticism of SAB 5. "Lobbying" City Council on behalf of the proposed Fort Collins Senior Center expansion project 6. Issues and problems in using the word "Senior" in naming facilities and labeling programs. Public thank-yous (Thumbs Up) were submitted to the Coloradoan and Fort Collins Forum. The topics included thank-yous for: 1. Prompt response of the City Traffic Engineers to a request to lengthen pedestrian crossing time at the Raintree and Shields intersection. 2. Participating in a nationwide program to hire more older workers and for supporting a local "Job Fair". 3. For publishing excellent information about "aging" as well as the activities and programs offered through the Fort Collins Senior Center. Board members have appeared on radio talk shows to discuss issues and to provide information about "aging" as well as the many educational, cultural and physical activity and exercise programs available to seniors who live in Fort Collins and the surrounding areas. One member has participated in discussions exploring the possibilities of using Channel 68 Public Access TV for showcasing senior issues. Iniatiated and supported the Anthology Project which will lead to the publication of "The Mountain Scribe Anthology." B. Information pertaining to communications with the City Council, Mayor and City Manager has been presented under the heading Advocacy IIC. The City Managers Office has been helpful in providing information about property adjacent to the Fort Collins Senior Center as well as providing legal advice and assistance in clarifying By -Laws and City Code. C. Attending and participating in City Council public meeting and observing City Council work sessions has been reported under Advocacy under the heading Advocacy IIC. IV. Coordination/Education/Facilitation A. Two SAS members, along with the Loveland SAS, participated in planning the 'Bridging the Gap Network Luncheon" held at The Ranch in September. SAS members participated in the networking among a large number of agencies and service providers assisting older persons and their families. SAS members served as table hosts to facilitate discussions among service and agency representatives. Members also distributed packets of informational materials to those attending the luncheon. Evaluations of the luncheon were in general very positive. The Fort Collins SAS is responsible for the 2005 fall networking luncheon. B. SAB hosted a wine and cheese social with City Council which was held at the Fort Collins Senior Center. The SAB was very pleased with the opportunity to visit with the Mayor and four council members. Board members are appreciative of the interest and support provided by the Mayor and City Council on behalf of older people and the Senior Center. C. Members of the SAB initiated educational programs to become more knowledgeable and better informed regarding aging, senior needs and issues, and agencies and organizations serving seniors. Speakers and Topics, included: 1. Barbara Sarjeant, Relocation Specialist 2. Kay Rios, Catholic Charities Northern Senior Services Program and Walk-A-Thon fund raising project 3. Mary Waring, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Association 4. Melinda Suites, Commission on Disability 5. Ron Vaughn and Don Gorsuch, Continuing Care Senior Campus at Oakridge 6. Marjorie Joy, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Association During 2004 individual SAB members presented reports, book reviews, and research findings about issues related to aging and aging well. The projected large increases in the number of people 60 and older by the year 2020 needs to be addressed and included in legislation at all levels of government. Presentations by SAB members included the following: 1. Age Power: How the 21st Century Will Be Ruled By The New Old by K. Dychtwald, Ph. D. 2. "Living to 100", a review of various cultures and lifestyles and effects on longevity. 3. Aging and depression, "What gets in the way of fully enjoying life?" 4. Medicare Drug Benefit Program 5. Creativity in Aging by Craig Bickhardt 6. "Exercising Mind and Body: New Insights" Researching outstanding community and state programs for seniors was discontinued with the resignation of a board member. D. The plan to co-sponsor, with the Senior Center Council, a plan or program to increase utilization of the Fort Collins Senior Center has been delayed until 2005. Considerable work has been done in relation to a possible name change for the Senior Center. Over 400 questionnaires have been tabulated and reports compiled summarizing the information contained in the responses. Due to the many important and critical issues confronting the City Council the SAB voted to put the name change issue on hold until 2005. E. Some work has been started on the development of a broad -based forum for the presentation and discussion of many issues, problems, and opportunities associated with aging. Planning for an aging population may, within a few years, evolve as a major societal issue. The development of a broad -based forum will be continued through 2005. V. Transportation A. Board members have been advocating for public transportation to the Southeast quadrant of the City. Transportation to the PVHS Harmony Campus and between the hospital on Lemay and the Harmony Campus needs to be addressed. Medical appointments and emergency medical problems create serious problems for older people living alone and who no longer drive. Dial -a -Ride, SAINT, and Smart Trips all need more support to meet the needs for transportation for older people. Transfort, while being essential for many people, is not a viable alternative for older people who are ill or experiencing sudden or short term medical problems. There is no public transportation to the Social Security Office on 3351 Eastbrook Dr. B. Board members have identified dangerous crosswalks and intersections used by older people. Occasionally someone informs the SAB about a potentially dangerous crossing for seniors. Mayor Martinez and the City Traffic Engineers have been very prompt and helpful in providing improvements at dangerous crossings and intersections. C. The proposed meeting of all agencies that provide transportation for older people has been put on hold. The board member working on this meeting has resigned from the board. VI. Nominees/Awards/Liaison Activities A. The SAB nominee for a Human Relations Award, Mr. Lou Lockman, received the award for Seniors. Another SAB Nominee, Mr. Bob Fulton, received a Senior Health and Fitness Day Athletic Achievement Award. B. During the year 2004 SAB members maintained liaisons with the following organizations, agencies, commissions and boards: Affordable Housing Board Commission on Disabilities Transportation Board Human Relations Board American Red Cross Friends of the Senior Center Senior Center Council Aspen Club AARP TRIAD LCOOA Inter -Faith Council VOA