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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 05/09/1990The Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board held its regular meeting on May 9, 1990, at the Senior Center. The following members were in attendance: Joe Campanella Yvonne Myers Yetta Rollin Billie Higgins Kathleen Jones Kay Rios Margaret Watts PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Advisory Barb Schoenberger Jean Helburg Bob Winokur Guests Bill McGuire Betty Reilly Shannon Sheridan Gordon Solomon Margaret Solomon Ruth Lytle See attached questions/actions list provided by Yvonne Myers. King Soopers, via Joe Campanella, provided a cake in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of April 11, 1990, were read and approved unanimously as presented. OLD BUSINESS A. Senior Center report - Jean Helburg gave a general presentation of the status for the project. The process to choose an architect is "on -going." She asked that all suggestions be forwarded to her office and that information be passed around to others who might be interested in providing input for the center. Winokur explained that an architect was informally chosen, but a protest has been filed by another firm. City Council will eventually approve the consultant. He felt it would be helpful to Council if the Board wrote a letter expressing support for the choice of their representatives. Winokur stated that City Council is looking to the Senior Advisory Board to be their representatives in "keeping an eye on the locess" and in soliciting i*t. "We're looking to you to be the leaders in the development of the center and to be the primary source for input,' he said. After lengthy discussion regarding the process to select the architect, Kathleen moved to send a letter to City Council stating: 1. that the Senior Advisory Board supports the selection process for choosing the interviewing representatives; 2. that it also supports the decision -making process used by the City of Fort Collins in determining the outcome of RFP procedures; 3. and, therefore, that the Senior Advisory Board supports the recommendation, by those who were part of the process, of Barker -Rinker Seacat as the architect/consultant for the senior center project. Billie seconded and the vote was unanimous. B. Report from the Area Agency on Aging -- Susan Pedersen asked that citizens "please do not believe everything you read in the paper." She said that the Area Agency on Aging will continue to provide all the services currently offered because they are all mandated by law. She assured listeners that there was not an upheaval in the service area; the upheaval was rather in the staffing area. Susan feels positive about the situation and feels that issues will be resolved soon. Susan asked that interested parties write letters to Congressman Hank Brown, Senator Tim Wirth and Senator Bill Armstrong protesting the current Medicare and Medicade situation. She will provide information on the current status to anyone who would like to write letters. Susan will also provide a suggestion for a formal motion on board and care homes to the Senior Advisory Board for future action. She will attend the next meeting and present this information. C. Ad Hoc update -- Yvonne has made a contact with the Human Relations Board and will follow up to see if they are interested in serving on the ad -hoc committee.. D. New West Fest -- Kay explained the philosophy behind the celebration and behind the booth that the Board will have during the festival. NEW BUSINESS A. Paint-A-Thon -- Betty Riley from First Interstate and Bill McGuire of the Rotary Club attended the meeting to explain -2- procedures forks year. Now in its 7th Ar, the program will undertake 15 houses this year. The Board will be involved in distributing brochures and applications and in the applicant screening process. Bob Winokur suggested putting information into the light and power news briefs that go out with utility bills. First Interstate will also underwrite the Senior Ball this year. B. Case management at Poudre Valley Hospital -- Ruth Lytle explained the "Senior Care Connection" program which the hospital has implemented in hopes of coordinating care for seniors in an attempt to keep them out of nursing homes and the hospital, or at least keep visits briefer . With a case management approach, the hospital social work department will help with everything from finding lowest cost prescriptions to helping with finances, doing safety assessments in the home, rides to the doctor, and special assistance in the home. She also talked about "Generations," a program that matches an adolescent and a parent to a senior in the recuperating stages. She introduced Rosalie Agnes, coordinator for the program. C. Senior Games -- Gordon and Margaret Solomon, two of the coordinators for the games, gave a brief background and told of the previous board structure. Blue Cross -Blue Shield sponsored the events for the past six years at $40,000 per year, but they withdrew this year. The Fort Collins Senior Games Board was asked to take over. Gordon believes there is still a lot of work ahead, but is positive with the response so far from the community. The games will be held at Colorado State University and Gordon expects 800 to 1000 participants, 55 years and older. The 35 events will take place July 26th through the 29th. Out of the $40,000 needed, $12,000 was received from the former board, as well as $16,000 in registration fees and in -kind donations. Colorado State has reduced their fee for the facilities fro $3500 to $350 and other areas are donating as well. He invited everyone to a pot luck dinner at the Senior Center on May 21st at 6 p.m. Margaret said she felt that this was not just a once a year shot, but rather a lifestyle. She gave the plusses of being involved in the senior games and in the training prior to the games. Those benefits included reducing age, and continued socialization. OPEN DISCUSSION 1. Billie felt that the Board should have a formalized means of contact with City Council. Shannon suggested putting an item on the agenda for "Notes to Council." Billie felt the Board may want to have one member appointed to attend City Council meetings when a senior issued is involved. She felt this person could also initiate a phone tree if an item is coming up. Jean said that the Board can have written recommendations, concerns, etc., placed in the packet that goes to Council members each Friday if there is a specific issue they would like to address. This item will be further discussed at the next meeting. No action was taken. -3- 2. It was Boaloconsensus to appoint Yetta*ollin as liason between the Senior Advisory Board and the Area Agency on Aging. She will continue to attend SAB meetings in this capacity. 3. Kay will send outreach letters from the Senior Advisory Board to all of the senior church groups on the list she has compiled. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Submit�t�ed_ by: Kay Rios -4- Senior Advisory Board Meeting May 9, 1990 1:00 P.M. Fort Collins Senior Center Public Participation 1. It should be taken into consideration that the older senior center members should not be isolated by a new senior center. ACTION TAKEN: Jean Helberg, Recreation Supervisor, noted this for the needs assessment.phase of the senior center project. 2. The city has collected more taxes then expected in the Choices 95 tax. "Does this make the senior center come to fruition faster?" ACTION TAKEN: Bob Winokur, Past -Mayor, answered this question. He stated that the time lines of Choices 95 were set to meet specific needs. The time alloted for the new senior center would give ample time for the assessment and planning phase of the project. He stated that other groups had asked for earlier funding and that the answer was "no". Each project would be done according to the time -line for fairness to each project being funded by the Choices 95 city sales tax. 3. The community is not aware that the senior center is being built and that private donations would be needed after the "shell is built" ACTION TAKEN: Jean Helberg stated that the monies for the project would pay for the building and contents such as chairs, tables, etc. If a grand piano was needed for the senior center, a fundraiser may have to be accomlished to get this done. Jean stated that the project was to be accomplished with the sales tax revenue from Choices 95 and that the city does not want to "tread on the non -profits turf for fund-raising". 1 4. There is very little smoke -free housing in Fort Collins. ACTION TAKEN: HUD deems it discriminatory to designate a certain section of housing as "non-smoking " or "smoking". All of the senior housing areas contacted, DMA Plaza, Oakbrook II, Parkwood Estates, and those operated by the Fort Collins Housing Authority follow the city no smoking ordinance. Smoking is not allowed in common areas but is allowed in an individuals apartment. 5. I have been waiting for an apartment at Oakbrook II. When I called they cannot tell me where I am on the waiting list. "What can I do to find out where I am on the list?" ACTION TAKEN: Kathleen Jones, Senior Advisory Board Member, lives at Oakbrook. She will get together with this woman and will personally visit with the manager at Oakbrook regarding this situation. 6. What are the city's plans for future senior housing? More and more seniors who live in the country are heading for the city. Cheyenne has more senior housing then Fort Collins. ACTION TAKEN: Senior Advisory Board contacted Joe Frank at the City Planning Department. Mr. Frank stated that senior housing has been left up to the market demand. He feels that the zoning regulations are flexible in Fort Collins to allow developers to build senior housing projects. He stated that talking to developers about the need would be a way to generate interest. 7. Will HUD be including seniors in their apartments? ACTION TAKEN: Senior Advisory Board member, Yvonne Myers, has scheduled an appointment with David Herrera, Director of the Fort Collins Housing Authority, to learn about the future plans of the Housing Authority in regards to seniors. Mrs. Myers will report the outcome of this meeting at a later date. 8. Cars do not wait for pedestrians to cross the street at College Avenue and Mountain Avenue. ACTION TAKEN: Senior Advisory Board contacted Rita Davis at the city Transportation Services. She is involved with parking and pedestrians. Ms. Davis stated that the Colorado law is such that if a car can go around a pedestrian and will not "impede" the pedestrian then it may do so. If a pedestrian is in the crosswalk in the drivers half of the road, the driver must yield to the pedestrian. She stated that she would check the walk sign 2 timing to ensure that there is adequate time to cross the street with the light. 9. Advertising for the new senior center should stress that participation in the center may begin at 50. In this way, more persons may become involved. ACTION TAKEN: Jean Helberg noted this comment for the planning of the new senior center. 10. More handicapped parking is needed all over town. ACTION TAKEN: Senior Advisory Board shared this comment with Rita Davis as well as the Commission on Disabilities. The COD is committed to improving handicapped parking in Fort Collins. 11. Where do we get cards for the Aspen program at Poudre Valley Hospital? ACTION TAKEN: Cally Zann from Poudre Valley Hospital explained that an application was filled out requesting basic information. Then a card was issued. The Senior Advisory Board will ensure that applications are available at the Senior Center. 12. The city is not taking advantage of advertising to draw seniors to Fort Collins. - ACTION TAKEN: Senior Advisory Board Chairman, Joe Campanella, read a letter from the SAB to the Economic Development Office addresing this issue. The letter states, among other things, that the SAB feels "....Fort Collins could be marketed as a retirement spot for current and future retirees." "We, as a board, would encourage adoption of a program which would solicit this group as visitors and as resident to our city." 7 Loss of support threatens Senior Games The Rocky Mountain Senior Games have been the premiere ath- letic event for serious older athletes since their beginning in 1978. The games have grown steadily in both importance and participation since then, and more than 1,000 senior athletes are anticipated for the 1990 games, which will include track and field, swimming, bowling, tennis, biking and numerous other events. But the Senior Games are. currently facing their most serious challenge since they began —in November, longtime sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado withdrew its support. It was a blow that had been anticipated —but not quite so early, and the organization is reeling from its impact. "We know we were going to need to find more sponsorship," said Ka- ren Ruiz, director of the Colorado Senior Sports Development Council, "but the move came before we were ready. We didn't think they'd pull out in 1989. "Blue Cross gave us much more than money. It also provided office space, printing, postage," Ruiz said. "We're going to have to raise $50,000 before April 1. If we don't get it, we won't be able to have our games in 1990 or to send a team to the national games in 1991." There were 175 Colorado senior athletes at the 1989 U.S. National Senior Olympics, and 94 of them brought home either a medal or a nb- bon. In all, the Colorado team (which excels in track and field and cycling events) brought home 46 gold me- dals, 44 silvers and 28 bronzes. Joan Dugan, 57, set a record in her cate- gory for the 100-meter race. A recent study of the health of 60 Senior Game participants found that they tested 11.2 years younger phys- iologically than counterparts who are not athletes. One man tested 28.5 years younger. "This is a conscientious group of goal -oriented seniors who are very concerned about health," Ruiz said. . "The games are an important part of their lives." Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Col- orado supervisor of public affairs Lisa Kellman said the decision to cut funding for the Senior Games was difficult, but necessary in ad austere economy. "Basically, we have to look very hard at each program we fund in terms of marketing," Kellman said. "We have to put our money where ii will do the most good. It's tight out there." The Colorado Senior Sports De- velopment Council has reorganized as a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation, so that contnbutions are tax deduct- ible. For information about making a contnbution, caI183I-2500. Brief History The Rocky Mountain Senior Games (RMSG) started as a one -day athletic event in 1978 with participation from 60 seniors age 55 and older from the Denver metro area in events ranging from archery, to swimming and tennis and numerous other events. Over the years, RMSG has grown to a four -day athletic event, now to be held at Colorado State University. This, year the Senior Games hopes to attract nearly 1,000 participants from all over the state. The Colorado Senior Sports Development Council was incorporated in November, 1988 and became non-profit in February of 1989. The Council was developed in response to the growing national trend of encouraging health and fitness for seniors through sporting events such as the RMSG. The purpose of the Council is to promote "Fitness As A Lifestyle" by providing athletic events for adults age 55 and older on local, regional, and state levels. The Council is dedicated to the following goals: * To sponsor and provide for a variety of athletic events for older adults, in the spirit of the Olympic sports tradition, and to assist and encourage them to maintain and improve their level of health. * To educate and involve the public in creating a positive image of older adults as physically, mentally, and socially active citizens. * To engage in all lawful activities that further the growth and continuity of CSSDC and the Rocky Mountain Senior Games. The Rocky Mountain Senior Games are also the only sanctioned site in Colorado for senior athletes wishing to qualify for participation in the bi-annual United States National Senior Olympics (USNSO). The USNSO are an outgrowth of local senior competition, such as the RMSG, which have been growing in size and stature during the last decade. The first USNSO was held in St. Louis in 1987, with athletes from 44 states represented. The Colorado team of 105 senior athletes brought home 44 medals. In the 1989 USNSO, Colorado had one of the largest representations, with 175 senior athletes and brought home 118 medals. The 1991 USNSO will be held in Syracuse, New York. Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the population and are one of the most influential forces shaping our health care delivery system today. Seniors account for over a third of this country's total health care cost. These health care costs will only continue to skyrocket if we, as a nation, continue to focus only on treating illness rather than stressing wellness through primary prevention. This can be done by providing pro -active health maintenance programs such as the Senior Games, which focus on education, training and involving older adults in maintaining their own health through self-help and lifestyle changes. The RMSG is an innovative prevention health care program for a special needs group (seniors) that contribute to cost-effective use of health services. A number of the seniors in the Games have overcome health problems by using their participation in the Games as a goal. As a premier sporting event for individuals 55 and older the Rocky Mountain Senior Games will be held in Ft. Collins at the Colorado State University for the first time in its history. Many locations not included at CSU are also assisting in helping the RMSG. They will include: Horsetooth Lanes - Arrow Dynamics - Ft. Collins Outdoor Range Ft. Collins Tennis Courts Ft. Collins Tennis Center Ft. Collins Athletic Club Windsor Senior Center - EPIC Center - bowling archery - archery - tennis - tennis - tennis shuffleboard horseshoes Many of these facilities are doing in -kind services or giving the RMSG a reduced rate. We have an army of volunteers ready to help in many areas before, during and after the Games. Last year over 800 participants were entered in the Games. Accompanying these participants were spouses, families and friends. This year, being a qualifying year for the 1991 USNSO, in Syracuse, New York, we expect upwards to 1,000 participants. hDRDo.� `Lcr-tC� PR' s,04-_A7ifaLCZA0- 5,1,jtOtL SeQtrE 13 e Li �. �. k.� Sr F'r C«NS ez--64t June 5, 1990 The members of the Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board request your help. As a.City Council appointed group, our mission is to serve the senior population of Fort Collins. We are charged with, among other duties, the following: 1) Serve as a coordinating agency for all'senior services and activities; 2) Assess, and support present senior services and activities; 3) Investigate and evaluate requests for new activities and services for seniors and help plan and develop those appropriate to the needs of Fort Collins" seniors; 4) Provide for meaningful and useful participation of seniors in the community. We would like to invite involvement from your group for several upcoming issues. We will again be involved in the Paint -A -Thou whereby a number of senior residences are chosen to be painted at no charge. We will send you more information on this project in the future in the hope that you will pass notice on to your members. We will also be active in soliciting suggestions with regard to the new senior center and we are always interested in hearing about any other issues of concern to seniors. We would like to extend a standing invitation to attend our monthly meetings. These meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Our next meeting, June 13, 1990, will be at the Park Maintenence shop next to the City Park Golf Course, at 2 p.m. These are open meetings and, if you feel it would be beneficial to have a representative (or any number of members) attend, we would be pleased to see you. In addition, if you so desire, we would be happy to have a member attend one of your meetings to explain our role, our projects and address any questions you may have. If you would like to arrange for a visit or if you have any additional questions, please contact me through the Senior Center at 221-6645. Sincerely, Kay Rios On behalf of The Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board