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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/14/2001Attendance: CITY CLERK OFFICE (1 COPY) CITY OF FORT COLLINS SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES: MEETING Of November 14, 2001 Chairperson — John Roberts, 223-9317 Staff Liaison — Barbara Schoenberger — 224-6026 City Council Liaison — Ray Martinez, Mayor — 221-6506 George Kress Erik Margolis James Downey Eileen Hendee Maxine Yankey John Roberts Florence Williams Darren Gunn Dorothy Miller Absent: (notified) Kristin Glenn Staff. Barbara Schoenberger Karen Bryner 1. Call Meeting to Order: Meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. Guests: Marjorie McTaggart Other Absences: June Tucker 2. Citizen Participation: TRIAD -Marjorie McTaggart reported that the emergency switch lights are going slowly. Not much publicity was generated because the group believed that the demand for units would be too great to meet. However, it is clear that more information needs to be made public and asked that the SAB assist in spreading the word. John suggested that all members give information to their liaison groups and any other organizations that they are in communication with. Scholarships to pay for the emergency locator switches may be available. Seniors are asked to make inquiry. (Note: information is attached about this program.) Marjorie also reported that the State has initiated a new service to assist with senior safety. The telephone number for Elder Watch is (303) 831-1807, the number to report anything suspicious. Triad will be expanding their mission to include other issues for the safety of seniors such as crime prevention, abuse etc. Susan Vance is the Crime Prevention Officer. Her job is to give presentations and she could be requested for a presentation to the Board on senior safety issues. 3. Correspondence: • Karla Smith, Boards and Commissions Coordinator wrote advising SAB that the Annual Work Plan for 2002 is due November 30 and the Annual Report for 2001 will be due in January. June Tucker has resigned. She is unable to attend meetings due to professional obligations causing absences that exceed the limit. A letter has been sent to request that June's position on the Board be replaced. This will bring the vacancies to three (3). 4. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the last meeting were accepted as read. (Note: Shelley Steele has sent the following correction to the SAB minutes for October 10, 2001. Item 5. Old Business — Bridging the Gaps. Shelley stated that while the Loveland Senior Advisory Board will be hosting the event nest year, the Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board and the Office on Aging and the Advisory Council will be the primary movers and shakers as far as developing this event. Item 7. Liaison Reports — Office on Aging. Latimer County has provided funding to add an additional part-time staff person. Katy Mason currently works part-time providing Information and Referral. The second part-time position would provide caregiver support services.) 5. New Business: • Craft Sale, hosted by the Friends of the Senior Center, will be held at the Senior Center on Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. • Soap Troupe will have holiday performances at the Senior Center at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28th and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 29th. • The Northern Hotel will be hosting an Open House November 15th at 3:30 p.m. Members of the Senior Advisory Board are invited. • Homestead exemption for property taxes are available. Upon request the applications will be mailed from the County Assessor's office. To qualify the senior must be over 65 and have lived in their home for ten (10) years. • 2002 Work Plan — Appreciation extended to Erik and George for drafting the 2002 Work Plan. John suggested that the section on Quality of Life be taken out. It was also suggested that the Board collaborate with the Senior Center Council and Los Ancianos Unidos on common issues. Eileen suggested that we address one of the issues identified at Bridging the Gap. • The 2001 Annual Report is due at the end of January. Work will be done on this report at the retreat along with issues from Bridging the Gap. Eileen will put together a draft to work from using past Senior Board Advisory minutes. • Holiday Party will be held on December 12th at John's home. His address is 5000 Boardwalk #31. The event will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All members are asked to bring treats to share. • The Senior Advisory Board Retreat will be in John's cabin on Jan 19, 2002. The facilitator will be Tess Heffernen. Everyone will meet at the Senior Center at 9:00 a.m. to carpool. There will be a regular meeting on January 9th. Items that need to be on agenda for the retreat should be brought to the regular meeting. • Bridging the Gap summary of comments will be mailed out with the minutes. 6. Old Business: Liaison Reports A. Transportation — Florence Williams reported: • A meeting of 70 people was held urging the State Department of Transportation to widen Highway 287, due to a fatality rate that is five times as high as that of similar Wyoming highways. DOT proposed in 1999 that these improvements be made. • After rally, 3000 more signatures were found for the monorail petition, which were sufficient to put it on the ballet. However it failed as concerns about sagging economy outweighed those concerns about the increasing congestion on Interstate 70. • Citizen mandated study to find alternate truck route has been completed and has been made available at the Fort Collins Streets Building. • National School Bus Safety Week — The safety Board has been urging states to require school districts to replace 10-15 passenger vans with school buses. • A new fiber optic system could be in operations by spring. This system would allow residents to view images on the city web site in real time. Could be a quite an asset in determining whether to take a trip. B. Senior Center — Maxine Yankey reported that several holiday events will be hosted during the next month. C. Aspen Club — Eileen Hendee reported that there have been four (4) flu clinics that have serviced over 300 people. Most of the clinics are at grocery stores. D. AARP - James Downey complimented the AARP Conference held at the Senior Center in October that featured Tom Sutherland as the main speaker. AARP will begin Tax Aid training. E. Foundation on Aging — George Kress reported: • Provided funding or equipment on four different requests. • Discussed awarding $2000 to Women's Clinics to help with dental needs of their clients. • The Foundation on Aging wants to continue to pursue setting up an "Advocacy Training" program for interested senior agencies. F. Office on Aging — George Kress • The Office on Aging has decided to stay in-house with centralized information and referral service. Will continue to study how to reorganize staff within the Office on Aging to best handle these activities. Will sponsor a need assessment survey. Survey will be renewed every four years. Currently, they will probably use a phone survey and will issue an RFP in January. Will hold public hearings on results next October. Office on Aging needs volunteers. Karen Bryner, Recording Secretary 909 N. College Avenue T A tt Fort Collins, CO 80524 + PJ" Greetings: Phone: (970)472-9630 Fax: (970)472-8393 The local 'branch' of the national TRIAD organization would like to reach older citizens to let them know about crime prevention and safety projects available to them. TRIAD has been in existence in Larimer County since 1997. It's advisory Board is comprised of representatives from police, sheriff, fire departments, and state highway patrol as well as AARP, Senior Centers, and Poudre Valley Hospital Senior Services. One in every 25 crimes are against seniors, so safety and quick response to emergencies are of prime interest. With that in mind, TRIAD offers emergency light switches and bulbs, sometimes called "911 Locators" to replace standard light switches that control outdoor lighting. In an emergency a person first dials 911, then flips the switch. Lights conrolled by the switch will flash ON and OFF at one -second intervals to alert neighbors, and to help emergency personnel locate the house quickly. Cost is $5.00 per bulb and $20.00 per switch, but if there is need, funds may be available on an individual basis. Depending on the location of the home, free labor is available to install them through the RSVP Handyman Program. Donations are appreciated to provide more bulbs or switches as they are needed. If you or someone you know want more information, or to request an emergency switch or bulb, please contact the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Handyman Project's message line at 218-0882. A prototype of the switch is on display at VOA/RSVP at 909 N. College, Fort Collins. TRIAD is a cooperative effort between The Larimer County Sheriffs Office -� Local Police and Fire Departments Colorado State Patrol Ambulance and Emergency Services Poudre Valley Health System, Aspen Club Volunteers ofAmerica Senior Service Agencies � B.� SUMMARY OF REPONSES FROM DISCUSSION GROUPS FORMED AT THE "BRIDGING THE GAP" LUNCHEON Seventeen groups were formed among the 135 people attending the September 28 Luncheon. A moderator was assigned to guide each group's discussion. The discussions were broken into two phases --In Phase One, participants were asked to identify what they felt were the key problems facing the elderly. At the conclusion of this Phase (approximately 35 minutes) the attendees moved to different tables to form new groups. In Phase Two, the discussions focused on identifying possible solutions to those issues raised in Phase One. PHASE ONE --KEY PROBLEMS FACING THE ELDERLY Although a number of problem areas were identified, the three mentioned most often were: (1) The need for more affordable housing (2) The need for more transportation services (3) The need, both among the elderly and the agencies serving them, for more and better information about the services available to the elderly In an attempt to best summarize the ideas presented in Phase One, the various problems that were identified by the disscussants have been placed in seven broad categories. Transportation Problems --This problem is especially acute for those elderly living in rural areas --Transfort's proposed route changes will significantly hurt the elderly --Involves not only transporting people, but also the delivery of food to them --Problem increases significantly in evening hours --SAINT does a great job, but it does not have enough volunteers to serve all potential clients Low Incomes Of Many Elderly --Greatly limits their access to home care services, Care Companions and Respite Care --Often prevents them from acquiring needed medicines Problems Related To Disseminating Information About Available Services --Too many services are not being used because the elderly are not aware of their existance --This is also true for the relatives/friends trying to help them --Many elderly and their families are not making plans related to the elderly persons future care such as estate planning, long term care and other events that will impact the entire family --Some of the communication services available (primarily telephone related) are either limited to daytime hours or are not very user friendly --Too many agencies and medical personnel (especially doctors) are not familiar with the numerous agencies and services available to seniors Shortage Of Qualified Workers To Serve The Elderly --Turnover of employees in health facilities is unusually high due to low wages and difficulty of tasks. --A lack of training for these employees, especially for clients with mental problems --Difficult to get home care services to elderly living in outlying/rural areas Social Issues --A lack of companionship or even contact for those elderly with no family or few friends --Lack of sensitivity to the special needs of the elderly among employees in nursing homes --More "intergenerational" activities needed. Different generations have a lot to offer one another. Mental Health Issues --Not enough evaluation and treatment for those elderly with mental problems --Limited availability and high cost of assisted living help for elderly with dementia Physicans' Care --Limited access to doctors by those elderly on medicare or medicaid --Too many doctors have only limited knowledge about the problems specific to the elderly and they also are not aware of many of the services available to the elderly and thus can not act as an effective referral source. Unwillingness To Seek Help --Too many elderly are unwilling to admit they need help and thus do not contact others for assistance. "They don't want to be a burden on others." PHASE TWO --SOME PROPOSED SOLUTIONS Following are the participants suggestions for dealing with some of the problems identified in Phase One Improve Communication Of Services Available To The Elderly --Need central agency to coordinate/corns pnicate information about elderly services --Newspaper columns that regularly list elderly services --Channel 27 could scroll services at certain times of the day --More networking luncheons --Live "Hot Line" --Train seniors to work at "Hot Line" --"Adopt-a-Senior" volunteer program --Place more information brochures in racks at places frequented by seniors --Announcements via web sites are fine, but don't rely too heavily on this media because it doesn't reach most of the elderly who really need help --Have traveling luncheons that visit major employers and which inform their key personnel about services available to seniors (their parents) --Create a central source for information and retrival of information related to services for the elderly and make sure every agency knows of its existance and how to access it. --Create a flow chart that links the problems frequently encountered by the elderly to the agencies best able to deal with each problem Transportation Issues --Make major effort to increase volunteer drivers for SAINT --Vouchers for using taxis for those seniors with financial problems Special Health Issues --Have separate "Health Fair For Seniors" --Make politicians more aware of mental health problems and their inadequate coverage by insurance --Expand mental health component in those facilities serving the elderly --Increase the pay and training of those employees who are in direct contact with the elderly in nursing homes and other assistance centers. Finding And Serving The Needy Elderly --Expand the Parish Nurse programs --Use Meal -On -Wheel drivers to help identify elderly with real needs --Jr and Sr high schools could design programs that will encourage students (for credit) to help the elderly -cutting grass, shoveling snow, or just making regular visits to check up on them. These programs could also encourage the elderly to get involved with the schools to assist in reading programs, correcting homework etc. --Churches could take a more active role in seeking out elderly in their neighborhoods in need of help or companionship, and set up visitation programs. --Use public service announcements to make the general public cognizant of the need to keep in touch with their elderly neighbors and alert the proper agency if they have special needs Expanding Awareness Of Senior Services --The elderly themselves have to be educated more about the services available to them and spread this information to their peers. --Expand the mailing list of the 'Bridging the Gap" Luncheon to include other agencies (private and public) that should become more aware of the services available to the elderly —Create more "Senior Forum" opportunities to allow seniors to voice their opinions to the agencies supposedly serving them --Establish more networking opportunities so agencies can share ideas and gain knowledge about the offerings of other agencies. Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board 2002 Work Plan The Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board will be having a working retreat in January 2002 to further define the role of the Senior Advisory Board, establish goals for 2002, reenergize members and discuss issues resulting from the Senior Network Luncheon, and the Office On Aging needs assessment. The Board will also conduct new member orientation at this time. Hold special meetings in the community at least quarterly with the express purpose of introducing the Board, answering questions and hearing concerns of seniors and groups/organizations with interest in senior issues. Be available in the community through the use of information booths and participation in events such as: • Bridging the Gap -Senior Network Luncheon • Annual Chili Cook -off to benefit Friends of the Senior Center • New West Fest • Others as appropriate Establish a closer relationship with Los Ancianos Unidos to collaborate on senior issues. ADVOCACY Support attainable senior housing by working with appropriate entities to develop specific recommendations. Solicit information on existing senior programs, services and activities; provide evaluation and support as appropriate. Encourage expansion and enhancement of senior transportation services and continue to monitor changes and proposals for Transfort and Dial -A -Ride and give feedback as appropriate. Take an active role in seeking solutions to health care access problems particularly affordable prescription medications. Monitor and support affordable leisure services for older adults. COMMUNICATION Monitor, report, support, and initiate media information that impacts seniors such as: • Senior Resource Network • Articles and news releases Invite a variety of speakers to be present at Senior Advisory Board meetings to keep members current on emerging issues. Continue to communicate effectively with City Council COORDINATION Continue to work with City Council to have more input regarding the selection of new Senior Advisory Board Members. Co -host the annual Bridging the Gap -Senior Network Luncheon, drawing together both public and private entities which provide services for seniors. Update and make available listings of agencies providing services to seniors from the Bridging the Gap -Senior Network Luncheon. Maintain existing liaison positions with senior agencies/ organizations and establish new relationships as appropriate. EDUCATION Hold outreach meetings at least quarterly for seniors and groups interested in senior issues. Provide education to dispel myths on aging and act as a resource for the community to provide information and education on the realities of aging. Provide input on senior issues to relevant organizations, agencies, boards and commissions. QUALITY OF LIFE Monitor and work closely with private and city services to ensure our city is safe for seniors. Work to ensure the transportation needs of seniors are being effectively met by Transfort and Dial -A -Ride