HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-15 Council on Aging Minutes ° Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes ,GtIVtU
'.. OWN CLERK
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: REAM ; 7f� 71A,
Council on Aging 9111 NOV 28 PN 3100
Date: 2018-10-15 Time:
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Address: Session:
Purpose: Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Barbara Camey (Associate Member), Joan Coco, Jolyn Ek, Margaret Havey,
John Parsons, Pooja Parsons (Associate Member), Sandy Shaffer, Marilyn
Shapleigh, Debby Small, Brian Snell, Jane Burns (Admin)
Members - Not Present:
Sally Hoyt (Associate Member), Thomas Procopio, Jayna Stafford (Associate
Member)
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order at 6:35 by John Parsons (acting as chairperson by group consensus in absence
of Thomas Procopio or Brian Snell). Brian Snell arrived at 6:36.
Acceptance of Minutes from September: Accepted
Elder Services Report - September Report(Admin): Corrected report was handed out at
the meeting. Although staff Is as busy as ever, social services volume stats were down in
September, perhaps because of unrecorded activity at the 2 fairs, intensive time/services
required for some cases, and a change in the Lifeline program (dropped by Hallmark and
now picked up by Philips), which increased administrative time during the transition.
October contacts to-date indicate that volume is increasing to par with past history.
Overall, the Center appears to be leveling off at capacity and beginning to be unable to
handle all requests; e.g., it's the first time It's come up, but the van cannot accommodate
everyone for the upcoming ham & bean supper. We have a 2nd van, but at this point, no
driver for a 2nd run. Debby Small suggested that, if approached, Pearl Street might be able
to supply their van and a driver to help; Jane Burns will inquire. Other options were also
discussed. Liability would need to be sorted out, depending upon the solution. Bad weather
in September reduced trip participation. Efforts to encourage Pleasant Street Center sign-in
to more accurately document participation continue. A remote bar code reader might help
capture sign-in during activities; Jane Burns will look into it. Accepted.
Financial Report - Report September(Admin): Updated Burbank and Patrons reports
were handed out at the meeting. Corrected reports will be recorded. The Schroeder report
In the packet was correct. Approved.
MVES Report: The annual Board meeting was held last month. They adopted a change in
the number of directors representing the 11 communities; now there will be a maximum of
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35 directors (2/community plus the rest at-large). Previously, the COA appointed Bill Hecht
and lane Burns; Brian Snell was appointed by the Board of Selectman. Current terms are
expiring. Motion made to appoint Bill Hecht and lane Burns for a 3-year appointment as
directors to MVES made by John Parsons, seconded by Margaret Havey. All in favor.
Upcoming fund raisers include Belly Full of Laughs in January 2019.
Old Business:
Dementia Friendly Reading: The leadership team is breaking into sub-committees to help
drive things along to get marketing and communication, the Dementia Friendly Reading
website, development of rules to qualify for a dementia friendly sticker, training, and other
projects up and running. Jane Burns presented to local clergy and is working to enlist other
parishes to "get on board"to pilot the program. The question of how to ensure that all COA
members can attend training was discussed. lane Burns offered to do a presentation at an
upcoming COA meeting. Jolyn Ek brought up the need for increased support for
Alzheimer's' care givers. It was noted that Pearl Street and Artis Senior Living do this. The
Alzheimer's Association is coordinating a presentation on Legal and Financial Challenges at
the Senior Center in Nov. All are encouraged to attend monthly Dementia Friendly Reading
leadership meetings - more trainers, marketers, etc. are needed as volunteers. During
discussion, comments indicated that for first time attendees at the Leadership meetings, it
was not Immediately obvious as to how a new volunteer could help. Jane Burns noted that
monthly Leadership Meeting minutes may help document efforts and make it easier for new
volunteers to see opportunities to volunteer. The team is beginning to assign action items
at meetings with a request to report back in subsequent meetings. The Readings Magazine
is doing a feature story on Dementia Friendly Reading.
New Business
Review of Rules, Regulations, and By-Laws: Documents were included in the October COA
meeting packet so COA members can review.
375"'Anniversary: Paint the Town flyer in packet. June 5" kick off planned at the Pleasant
Street Center. The 3751h committee would also like the Center to participate in other events
TBD.
Burbank Discretionary Fund- reaffirm: In 2016 the COA affirmed that $3,000/fiscal year
from Burbank Fund may be used for entertainment at the Elder Services Administrator's
discretion. lane Burns requested that this be reaffirmed if the COA wished to continue the
Burbank Discretionary Fund in this manner. Motion made by Jolyn Ek to reaffirm that
$3,000/fiscal year from the Burbank Fund may be used for entertainment at the Elder
Services Administrator's discretion. Seconded by Joan Coco. All in favor.
Holiday Meals: Thanksgiving meal delivery is planned for Wed, Nov 21". Joan Coco, Sandy
Shaffer, Margaret Havey, and Debby Small volunteered. Christmas Eve is on a Monday.
Adopt a family is doing their distribution on the 20". The possibility of replacing the
Christmas dinner with one later in the year was discussed because enthusiasm about the
Christmas dinners was not so high last year. It was suggested that we might deliver fewer
meals, focusing on families Identified as really needing the support, or we might switch to
New Year's or another date on which residents may be at greater risk of Isolation. No
decision was reached. Discussion to be continued.
Special Events: Hillview Nov 17`h. Veterans Day Nov 111h luncheon at Masonic lodge and
ceremony sponsored by the COA. Alzheimer's Association event Nov 81h. -
Next Meeting: November 14, 2018
Motion to adjourn made by John Parsons, seconded by loan Coco. All in favor. Meeting
adjourned at 8:03 by Brian Snell.
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