HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-13 Council on Aging Minutes Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes -
Board - Committee - commission - Council:
Council on Aging
2111 SEP 21 PM 5: 51
Date: 2017-02-13 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Lounge Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Session: General Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jolyn Ek, Margaret Havey, John Parsons, Thomas Procopio, Sandy Shaffer,
Marilyn Shapleigh, Brian Snell, George Wetmore, Pooja Parsons (Associate
Member), Jane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Sally Hoyt, Kevin Walsh (Associate Member)
Others Present:
Mike Shaffer
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: 6:35 by Brian Snell.
Acceptance of January Minutes: Minutes accepted.
Elder Services January Report (Admin): Jane Burns presented the report. She noted in
particular that the Alzheimer Program and Tai Chi programs have been a huge success.
Medical transportation continues to rise, probably because MVES is cutting back. Going
forward, Ms.Burns will record special events van mileage under trip mileage. Accepted.
Financial January Report(Admin): Report presented by Jane Burns. Accepted.
MVES Report(Brian Snell): A meeting was held in January. Dan O'Leary started the
meeting with a statement affirming that it is not a political organization and it's important to
come together around the meeting. The Board agreed. The legislative agenda will be
coming out soon, and the Governor's budget is smaller than the state legislature's, so
discussion is underway - a $6 million gap needs to be addressed.
Old Business:
Needs Assessment Update: Jane Burns discussed the letter that went out to invite people
to the focus group. The goal is to have about 12 people attend, including 1 or 2 from the
COA on March 7`h from 4:00 to 5:30 at Pleasant Street. Multiple COA members expressed
interest in attending. It was decided that Thomas Procopio and Marilyn Shapleigh will
attend. The moderator's discussion guide will be available for review beforehand if the COA
wishes. The COA discussed needs of Reading's elderly population that they would like Mr.
Procopio and Ms. Shapleigh to convey during the focus group. Items identified include:
Alzheimer's disease - much more will be needed in addition to the memory cafe
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• A new facility is needed for the senior center for many reasons including:
o Space to support needed/expanded services & activities such as:
• Activities that would appeal to a broader audience, including "younger
seniors" - e.g., multiple levels of bridge groups, programs like pickleball, and
activities that would appeal to younger male seniors.
• Space to support Shine and AARP services without having to "repurpose" the
computer room making it unavailable for computer use
o Improved physical accessibility (e.g., the current ramp is too steep, access within
the current building is challenging for wheelchair and/or walker use, and there is
no first floor bathroom)
• More caregiver support is needed
• Isolation needs to be addressed:
o Perhaps increased use of social media could help (e.g. development of a "virtual
senior center" to supplement the physical facility and programs and/or provide
out-of-town relatives with information about programs and events that might
benefit their elderly Reading relatives and foster participation)
o Conversely, isolation can result from too much reliance upon social media.
Programs expanding face-to-face interactions, such as a "friendly visitor"
program need to be available to curtail/prevent isolation
• Inadequate funding for staffing
o We can't support more than 2 trips per month. The demand is much higher.
o Evening hours/activities to accommodate working seniors require additional staff
o We need a Volunteer Coordinator to take advantage of potential volunteer
resources that might enable expanded program offerings
• The COA would like to know about AARP "age-friendly communities" and the work that
the UMass Gerontology Institute is doing in this area
Ms. Burns noted that the Community forums included in the Needs Assessment are open to
all. COA members are asked to attend at least 1 session.
Brian Snell commented that the Administration for Community Living, a national
organization, has a webinar series of interest coming up. He will forward the link to Jane
Burns so she can forward it to all COA members.
Mr. Procopio and Ms. Shapleigh will report on the focus group in March.
Continued Discussion Regarding Role of COA: Marilyn Shapleigh reported that the Regional
COA training scheduled for 2/10 in Andover was postponed due to the snow; it will be
rescheduled. Ms. Burns discussed the state initiative to develop dementia-friendly
communities. The Purple Angel movement is supporting this, and it might be a good focus
for the COA. It could involve many groups such as rotary, YMCA, etc. Sept 16`" is dementia
awareness day, so for example, a big event in the town would be great - shops could sign
up to be Purple Angel shops, etc. Ms. Burns noted that this would take time to develop, but
it's becoming an initiative state-wide and is something to think about. Purple Angel has a
website - Ms. Burns will send the link and examples of how a couple of other towns have
moved this forward. Programs like this can help lift the stigma of a family member with
dementia. Jolyn Ek and Marilyn Shapleigh will look at the website and present to the COA
at the next meeting on what's involved. Possible funding sources could include Burbank or
Shroeder or grant opportunities such as Tufts grants or Cummings, etc.
New Business:
Upcoming Events: An opiate addiction presentation with information on safe disposal of
medication is scheduled for March 22nd. Drugs can also be disposed of at that event.
Adjourned: by Brian Snell at 7:50 with a motion by John Parsons, seconded by Thom
Procopio. All in favor.
Next COA Meeting: March 13, 2017 at 6:30.
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