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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/09/1994• SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD • Minutes of the November 9 1994 Meeting CALL TO ORDER The November meeting of the Senior Advisory Board was called to order by Yvonne Myers, vice chair, at 2:00 P. M. on Wednesday, November 9, 1994, at The Worthington, 900 Worthington Circle, Fort Collins. A quorum was present. ATTENDANCE Members Jane Goodhart Ed Johnson Marjorie McTaggart Wayne Moellenberg Yvonne Myers Kay Rios Mary Alice Spelts Jill Taylor Stan Ulrich Council Liaison: None PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Unexcused Member Jane Davis Excused Member Margaret Watts Staff Luanna Ackerman, RSVP No one wished to speak before the Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Guests Rusty Collins Martha Doran John Peterson Staff Liaison Steve Budner After taking attendance, Yvonne Myers asked for additions or correc- tions to the minutes of the October meeting. As the minutes were being amended, Kay Rios, chair, and Stan Ulrich, secretary, arrived. Kay assumed the chair and completed the correction of the minutes. The names Jane ' Davis and Yvonne Myers were added to the attendance list. On Page 2, under Old Business, the words to be presented at their request were added to the last sentence at the end of the first paragraph. On Page 4, Marjorie suggested that the words offered the data that should be stricken from the second sentence in the third paragraph under Volunteer Exchange. In the sixth line of the same paragraph, Mary Alice was changed to Mary Jane. On Page 6, Kling was changed to Klink in the second line under RSVP and Jill replaced Yvonne in the first line. On Page 8, Jill replaced Yvonne in the third line under Wayne Moellenberg's report. Finally, Marjorie instructed that Front Range Forum should replace SAB in the second line under Marjorie McTaggart's report. The minutes were then approved after being rewritten. Secretary, anyone? CORRESPONDENCE Yvonne stated that the SAB had received a letter from a new city officer, Alma Morales, which stated that the city will be putting an activity calendar that would list cross-cultural events in the Coloradoan every last Sunday of the month. The letter asked the SAB to include any activity that would help to break down cultural barriers. Yvonne also mentioned that the SAB had received notice Page 2, SAB Minutes ovember 9, 1994 about a workshop on inside pollution that following week. Members were invited to correspondence was a memorandum from the SAB won't have a liaison from the Council Horak. OLD BUSINESS was scheduled for the attend. The final item of city that stated that the until someone replaces Neighbor to Neighbor. As background information for the Neighbor to Neighbor presentation, Kay stated that Rusty Collins, director of Neighbor to Neighbor, was at the meeting in response to a letter that the SAB had written to him about the demise of Choices for Senior Living, which the SAB had thought was providing needed and vital services and had expressed an interest in seeing those ser- vices continued by other agencies. In his presentation, Rusty stated that Neighbor to Neighbor is a housing counseling service and that his agency had created Choices for Senior Living in the 1980's to fill a need for seniors who could not find affordable housing. In time, Choices became a com- plex operation and decided about a year ago to sever its relation- ship with Neighbor to Neighbor and to become a separate entity. Choices had enlisted HUD's help and did become a separate non-profit agency about January 1, 1993. As the months went by, Choices began to experience funding problems. Key funders, and United Way in particular, withheld funds, and Choices had to close its doors in the summer of 1994. Since Choices had counseled between 800 and 900 clients a year,the agency's demise created a huge vacuum in housing services for the elderly. Rusty then approached his Board and the director of the Office on Aging to find solutions. The consensus was that Neighbor to Neighbor should seek funding for a short-term stop -gap program until a more permanent funding program could be established. He was surprised, Rusty continued, to find the lack of interest that he did because there are many seniors in Fort Collins who need housing. As he and his Board were working on the problem, he was approached by an organ- ization called Home -Builders, which volunteered to counsel seniors in housing needs. Home -Bounders had told him that they already had the funding and were willing to do the service. At this point, several of the members expressed concern about Home - Builders track record. Kay pointed out that a representative from Home -Builders had talked to the SAB, and she was under the impres- sion that Home -Builders is a for -profit organization that deals with nursing homes and she wondered how objective such an organi- zation could be in counseling seniors on housing. Jill raised a concern about the training and qualification of the counselors, and another member was concerned about H-B's track record. There are very few recorded cases of counseling done by H-B. Yvonne added that she had been involved in social work before she accepted her present position and she wondered about the qualifications of the H-B counselors. Choices, she added, had been well established and had done a good job. Wayne Moellenberg stated that he had three concerns: (1) H-B sounds as if it is more interested in a discharge plan from a hospital into Page 3, Sab Minutes, &vember 9, 1994 • a nursing home; (2) Home -Builders could possibly have a potential conflict of interest; and (3) H-B could not possibly have a large enough staff to service 900, or more, clients a year. Marjorie added that all we have seen of Home -Builders so far is the marketing end, but no practical application. Yvonne stated that H-B -lists the Alzheimer's organization and Catholic Community Services Northern on its brochure, but it doesn't have a working relationship with either organization. She added that we should be concerned with H-B's motivation. The agency represents nursing homes with the lowest census in Fort Collins, and we should keep in mind that H-B might have a hidden agenda that is masked in all these other acti- vities. Finally, Wayne added that a good litmus test would be to reissue a listing of the key services that Choices had performed and require a monthly report of counseling that had been done. Rusty concluded his presentation by saying that he is willing to write a letter to Home -Bounders with a copy to the SAB in which he would ask to be involved in the interviewing process,he would require H-B to produce numbers of their accomplishments, he would require a monthly listing of activities, he would offer to house a staff member in his office and he would ask them to attend a task force meeting. Senior Center Update. Ed Johnson reported that the Senior Center completion date in now December 28, but that is not certain. Black- top had been laid on most of the parking areas and much work is being done inside. Tile has been installed in the lockerrooms, bathrooms and other areas, and some painting has started. Most of the cabinets are in place, but a lot of finish work needs to be done. The contractor is now trying to get the heat turned on because the whole heating system has been installed and no tempor- ary heating is required. The electrical system is almost done except for some fixtures in rooms that do not have ceilings. Con- struction is going slowly because few people are working and the contractor still needs to work out some problems with the city. The contractor had been granted 14 additional days to complete the project and will be fined for days that exceed that time. Ed also mentioned at the end of his report that members may tour the building after the meeting. Senior Center Name Update. Kay announced that Jean Helberg had called her two days before the meeting to inform her that the Council will present a resolution at next Tuesday's meeting to rename the new center the Fort Collins Senior Center. The resolu- tion will be placed on the consent agenda. Steve Budner added that the person who suggested the name oasis will still get an award because the committee had chosen a winner. That item, too, will appear on the consent agenda. Dial -A -Ride. Kay reported that the Dial -A -Ride Committee, composed of two people from the Transportation Board, one from the Commission on Disability, one from the SAB and several staff members, had finally agreed that someone will have to pay for the shortfall created by Dial -A -Ride, but we still need to make provisions for those who can't afford to ride on public transportation. The committee agreed to adopt a fare structure: $.80 for the 1995 calen- dar year, the same as Transfort; 11 times the fixed -route fare for Page 4, SAB Minutes`4ovember 9, 1994 • the 1996 calendar year, or $1.20 each way; and twice the fixed - route rate ($1.60) for the 1997 calendar year. The increase should be gradual, the committee decided, so that seniors can get used to the changes. During the three-year period of the increases, the Transportation Department should also have training and educational programs in place to teach riders how to use the bus, how to read schedules and how to use other alternatives. They also see a need for a contingency fund, and Kay said she proposed two things: (1) a voucher system under which agencies could buy tickets at the regular price and then either discount them or give them outright to those who can't afford the full price for transportation and (2) a scholarship fund for city agencies. The final action of the committee, Kay reported, was that it will try to get more agencies involved in cancelling the current debt. The Office on Aging has already pledged $20,000 and $10,000 more is coming from a different source. Other agencies have also been contacted. Kay's last item in her report was that the committee had appointed a subcommittee to re -negotiate with COMSIS or any other agency that will receive the contract to dispatch the vehicles. She will serve on the sub- committee, too. Volunteer Exchange. Yvonne reported that she had visited a volunteer exchange program in Longmont, but it is not really a volunteer ex- change because the persons who perform the services get credits for their volunteer hours in a volunteer bank. Then they use those credits for a service that they would want or need. The program has been in operation for two years, but only twenty persons are active in it. The services are quite limited because they are restricted to the kinds of services that the members can offer. For example, if only carpenters and seamstresses were in the bank, those would be the only services available. The program is actually a swap club in which one member swaps his service for another. The program in Longmont is called Time/Dollars Propram, and the greatest demand in Longmont, Yvonne stated, is transportation. Many of the volunteers work at the Kaiser office and then draw services from the bank. Yvonne added that interested persons can write to Wash- ington D. C. for a starter kit, which costs $75.00. Longmont's Time/Dollars Program is sponsored by the Office on Aging. The person in charge, Diane, would be willing to speak to the SAB, if the SAB would be willing to pay for her transportation. After a brief discussion, the SAB members decided to invite Diane to speak to the SAB members before the SAB will take further action on volunteer exchange. Liaison Network. Kay passed out a list of the SAB members and the organizations with which they had been assigned as liaisons for the SAB. She added that if anyone wanted to add another organiza- tion or to delete one, he/she should contact her. Treatslyvania. Mary Alice Spelts reported that eight seniors had participated in Treatsylvania on Halloween Eve and that it was a great success. Steve Budner added that between 300 and 400 child- ren participated in the event each night for a total of 1,000, or more, children. He also stated that 15 sorority girls had walked out on Monday night, and that left some of the storefronts unmanned. Page 5, SAB Minute W ovember 9, 1994 • 1995 Work Plan. Kay submitted a tentative work plan for 1995 and asked for input. After much discussion, the SAB decided to include the following items in its 1995 work plan: 1. Conduct four outreach programs. 2. Provide financial assistance for senior vet bills by help- ing to write grants and establishing scholarships. 3. Take the lead in the Paint-A-Thon and make sure that plan- ning starts early. 4. Organize a network luncheon in co-operation with other senior organizations. 5. Take part in the review and re -negotiation of the dispatch service contracts, help city staff to develop a scholarship fund and a voucher system and -help organize Transportation training sessions for seniors to acquaint them with trans- portation opportunities. 6. Help establish a linkup for a computerized Information and Referral system for the new senior center with possible access points in the library and other public places. 7. Expand and strengthen liaison positions. 8. Monitor and formulate policies for the new senior center activities. 9. Act as a conduit for information exchange between the new senior center staff and the general public and help to make the transition period as smooth as possible. 10. Set up an information booth for the New West Fest. Fort Net. Kay reported that she had attended the last session of the Fort Net Committee and that she was greatly impressed with the information on the system. She added that she will write a grant to Hewlett-Packard for computers for the new senior center, and if Hewlett-Packard will honor the request, seniors would be able to access Fort Net immediately. Marjorie stated that the Library Committee of the new senior center had also discussed the purchase of computers for the center, and Wayne suggested that some of the contractor's penalty money should be allotted for computer purchase. Senior Wellness Fair. Jill reported that the Wellness Fair had six tables of exhibitions and that very few people were in atten- dance on the day that she had attended the fair. Jill added that she had also suggested to the sponsors that they could coordinate their efforts with the Healthy Senior Expo next year. She offered to write a letter to that effect, and the SAB members agreed. NEW BUSINESS Christmas Party. The consensus of the SAB was to have a Christmas party at 1:00 P. M. on Wednesday, December 14, and hold the regular meeting at 2:00 P. M. immediately afterward. Each member should bring a potluck dish of his/her choice. Santa at the Square. The SAB decided to assist with the Santa at the Square Project again this year. Barbara agreed to schedule the times. Page 6, SAB MinuteAkNovember 9, 1994 • SERVICE/LIAISON REPORTS RSVP. In Jennifer Klink's absence, Jill Taylor reported that RSVP will be sponsoring two Christmas -related activities in December: Lights of Life and Memories and Let Happiness Ring. In the Lights of Life and Memories Project, which will be held at the Avery House, a person will be able to buy a light for $5.00 in memory, of honor, of someone who has made a difference in his/her life. The lighting ceremony will take place at 5:00 P. M. on December 6, in the Avery House. The enrollment period for buying a light is from December 6 through Christmas. The Let Happiness Ring Project, sponsored by FHP Health Care, offers a free phone call to seniors 65 and older to any place in the con- tinental United States between 9:00 A. M. and 4:00 P. M. from Decem- ber 12 through December 16. The calls can be made in the FHP Health office at 3030 South College. Office on Aging. Stan reported that the Human Development Dept. has a new acting director, Diane Martell. At the last meeting, the Advisory Council discussed their mission statement, Information and Referral and strategic planning. All the committees are meet- ing and making visitations to determine OOA allotments to the agen- cies that receive aid from them. The Healthwise seminars are con- tinuing, and past ones have very very successful. The OOA will hold an open meeting in the Senior Center at 1:00 P. M. on Wednes- day, November 23, to discuss money allocations to the various agencies. He passed out a copy of the recommendations. Seniors Airborne. Jill had nothing to report for Seniors Airborne except that she had asked Rick Rios to contact Bill Weddel to see if Bill would announce the Let Happiness Ring Project on the air. Concerned Seniors of Colorado. Kay announced that she had been trying to contact Jane Curby for input in the Paint-A-Thon letter, but she had not been successful. Aspen Club. Jill announced that the Aspen Club has started its de-icing and safety project by making de-icing salt available to seniors. The club will conduct colorectal screening in early December, and she has 300 kits on hand. She is in the process of getting volunteers for the holiday phones. She also suggested that a representative of the Health Care Access Coalition should be asked to speak to the SAB in January. Jill ended her report with the announcement that the Aspen Club now has over 6,000 members. Senior Center Council. Mary Alice Spelts announced that the Senior Shopping Spree will be conducted on November 29, at the Mall and that the Center will serve two dinners in November: the Thanksgiving dinner on November 21, and the Thanks for Giving dinner on Tuesday, November 22. The Senior Center, she added, is adjusting its program schedule to fit in with the new senior center. Friends of the Senior Center. Kay reported that no fund-raisers are coming up soon, but the members are still working on catalog Page 7, SAB Minute 0November 9, 1994 • contributions. She also mentioned that she is available to make presentations to clubs and other organizations. The Friends will be sponsoring a social on December 15, at 12:30 P. M. in the Senior Center. It will be free for members of the Friends of the Senior Center, but others will have to pay a nominal charge. City Council . Ed reported that not much has been going on in Council in the past few weeks except the re -naming of the senior center and funding for transportation. Both topics should be on the agenda of the next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS No new business was discussed. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Kay Rios. Kay read a letter that she had written to Gerry Horak to thank him for his help in the past. She also mentioned that the SAB will need to appoint a representative to the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Advisory Board. Yvonne was duly anointed. Stan Ulrich. Stan announced that AARP will be provided space for a desk in the RSVP suite at the new Senior Center through the courtesy of John Henry Peck, Director of RSVP. AARP will now have a permanent address and its own phone line. Other AARP materials will be displayed in another room. Steve Budner. Steve reported that Council had allocated $20,000 to the Adult Program, which he heads, and gave permission for the Department to add $20,000 from its reserves to contract therapeutic recreation specialists to do a needs assessment and training in 1995. There is a movement, Steve continued, for Parks & Recreation to offer more to people with disabilities, especially .dhildren. Jane Goodhart. Jane stated that the high school intergenerational activities that she is working on needs volunteers to be inter- viewed about World War I and World War II and the Depression. Volunteers are needed from now until April. Steve Budner. Steve added an update on the Sculpture Committee. The committee has narrowed the selection for the sculpture in front of the new Senior Center to four entries, and the jury committee will be selecting the final piece of sculpture soon. Yvonne Myers. Yvonne Reported that New Mercer is sponsoring the Saints award dinner on the following night and will be serving 70 dinners in recognition for work done by volunteers. New Mercer is also sponsoring the county -wide Resident Council for Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facilities Committee (even the acronym RCNHALFC is a mouthful!) and the Colorado Activity Professional Association luncheon next week, an art show during the first week in December and an Open House on Thursday, November 17, to honor Alzheimer's Month. Wayne Moellenbera. No report. Page 8, SAB Minute 40 November 9, 1994 • Ed Johnson. No report. Kay Rios (noch einmal!). I As an addendum, Kay mentioned that she had gotten a call from a woman living in the trailer park at Harmony and College and the lady was very concerned with manage- ment practices at the trailer court. One complaint was that the space rent had been increased $50.00 a month and another was that management is trying to buy the trailers from the owners, who would then lease them back to the former owners. The woman is afraid that management is trying to get rid of the seniors. Yvonne suggested that Kay should contact Alma Morales, the Human Resources person. Others suggested that Kay should contact Neighbor to Neighbor and the Housing Authority for help. ADJOURNMENT Since there was no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 P. M. Stan Ulrich, Secretary Approved Kay Rios, Chair Yvonne Myers, Vice Chair