HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-17 Council on Aging Minutes OFq�O
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Meeting Minutes
Board Y- Committee - Commission - Council: , �NQV 28 PK 3' QQ
Council on Aging
Date: 2016-10-17 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose: Session: General Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jolyn Ek, Margaret Havey, Sally Hoyt, Steve Oston, Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn
Shapleigh, Brian Snell, Jane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Kevin Walsh, John Parsons, Thomas Procopio, Pooja Parsons (Associate
Member)
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: 6:32 by Steve Oston
Acceptance of September 19"' Minutes: Minutes accepted. Marilyn Shapleigh noted that
she will be unable to attend the November meeting. Jolyn Ek volunteered to take notes in
November, and Jane Burns volunteered to type them up.
Elder Services September Report(Admin): Jane Burns reviewed the monthly statistics,
noting in particular the Increase in medical transportation usage. She also described a
"respite" pilot program funded by the Hospital Trust Fund which has just been approved.
Under the program a home health aide would provide support to caregivers who care for
someone who requires constant care and need time to leave the house to take a break or
run an errand, etc. Options for announcing the new program were discussed (e.g.,
discussion at the Memory Cafe, a Newsletter item, buying an advertisement, preparing a
press release for the Chronicle, etc.) Presented. Accepted.
Financial September Report(Admin): Presented. Accepted.
MVES Report(Brian Snell): Last month MVES had their annual meeting. Each department
discussed their plans. Belly Full of Laughs will be held at Anthony's in Malden (fund raising
dinner and show). The waiting list for services has been voided because the Legislature
provided sufficient funds to catch up.
Old Business:
MySeniorCenter: 191 "unduplicated" people entered the September monthly drawing,
starting Sept. 12th. For October thru last Friday, 158 people had used their keytag and hit
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"monthly drawing". Jane Burns reported that overall, the new system is"a smashing
success. Folks are really happy about it."
New Business:
Reserved Seat Policy: The senior center is trying to strike balance between allowing groups
of friends to able to sit together at meals and making sure that no one is excluded.
Everyone reserves seats at events such as monthly birthday events (tables hold 5 - tables
placed together can hold additional people), and the senior center would like to be able to
accommodate group seating. But there have been incidents in which people (who were not
aware of the group's plan to occupy the entire table) have attempted to sit at the table and
been told "no, you cannot sit here". In some cases this has resulted in people feeling
excluded and/or unwelcome. Jane Burns requested guidance from the Council. Multiple
options were discussed including, allowing people to hold seats if the group includes at least
6 (perhaps up to a certain time) and/or placing "reserved" tags at specific seats. Or, a staff
member or volunteer could act as a hostess to help seat people who come by themselves;
this could be particularly helpful in offering a cordial welcome to new-comers. Jane Burns
took the suggestions under advisement for further consideration with her staff.
Security/Space/Upgrades at PSC: Three panic buttons have been installed in the center
(office, reception, and computer room) - they connect directly to the police department for
direct response to a life threatening incident/imminent danger. There is no need to speak,
just push the button. Cameras on the exterior doors will be the next step (probably a year
from now - it's part of a town-wide overall security plan that IT is handling). Jane Burns will
Inquire as to whether one of the trust funds could be used to expedite cameras for the
senior center (then get reimbursed by the town when the town-wide plan is Implemented).
Jane Burns Is working with facilities to move Sharon Thomas to another room (the former
puzzle room) and a staff member (Joe Beninatl) will be located downstairs--this will increase
privacy while maintaining visibility. The DPW is aware that the handicap ramp is too steep
from the parking lot. The front entrance and nearby street parking are handicap accessible.
Facilities will be painting the second floor and is looking at replacing the carpeting. The
exterior is also going to be painted. No cost to Elder/Human Services or the COA will be
incurred for the painting or carpeting.
Rotary Meals: The Rotary Club is working with 4 other clubs to produce boxed meals
including 10 bags, each of which feeds 4people. Question: should the senior center take
some for distribution? Hunger is the banner initiative for the Rotary this year. Each club
will create 2000 meals. Some prep (e.g. heating may be necessary). The food pantry did
not have space for this kind of program. MVES will probably take 1000 meals. Reading's
Rotary is seeking a place for the remainder (approx. 1000). Mice have been a problem with
similar attempts at the Pleasant Street Center in the past, so only a box or two could be
stored. A meal could be delivered In addition to the Thanksgiving, Christmas, & Easter
meals, but the issue is -- where to store the bags until then? Adopt a family Is another
option the Rotary is looking at (along with Reading Cares).
Thanksgiving/Christmas Meals: Jane Burns is looking for drivers to deliver Thanksgiving
meals the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas meals on Christmas eve (around 11:00 or
11:30 on the 24th). Jolyn Ek volunteered. Margaret Havey volunteered for Thanksgiving.
Sandy Shaffer and Brian Snell also volunteered for Thanksgiving. Marilyn Shapleigh
tentatively volunteered (depending on work schedule). The Christmas Eve brunch at the
PSC will be on Friday the 23`d. Funds will come from the Schroeder Fund.
Upcoming Events: Veteran's Day breakfast 11/11 from 9-10:30. Thanksgiving legislative
dinner - Nov 191h.
Adjourned: by Brian Snell at 7:52.
Next COA Meeting: November 16a' at 6:30.
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