HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-17 Council on Aging Minutes Town of Reading RECEIVED
0 Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.
ioard - committee - commission - Council: 2021 APR 27 AM 10: J_
Council on Aging
Date: 2020-11-17 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jacquelyn Behenna (Associate Member),Barbara Carney, Joan Coco, Jolyn
Ek, Karen Fotino (Associate Member), Margaret Havey, Sally Hoyt, John
Parsons, Karen Pinette, Thomas Procopio, Sandra Shafer, Marilyn Shapleigh,
Members - Not Present:
Brenda Cashman (Associate Member), Pooja Parsons (Associate Member),
Marie Perrot (Associate Member), Deborah Small
Others Present:
Kevin Bohmiller, Maria Puglielli, Kerry Valle
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marilyn Shapleigh
Topics of Discussion;
Note: Meeting was conducted via a Zoom video conference call (Open Session - Remote
Meeting).
Cali to Order by Thomas Procopio at 6:30 p.m.
Acceptance of Minutes from October: Accepted by unanimous roll call.
New Business:
• COVID update - Kevin Bohmiller reported on town efforts to keep residents informed
via the town website and Reading's Mask Up program, emphasizing the need to
comply with the Governor's rules.
• Dementia Friendly Reading's neighborly notes program has been launched to help
keep people connected. The mailbox to the right of the Pleasant Street Center
entrance may be used to drop off notes.
Human & Elder Services Report:
• Kevin Bohmiller reported on the results of the Elder & Human Services survey. The
online survey was distributed via email to residents on the Pleasant Street Center
list; copies were also distributed at the library, Christopher's Restaurant, to
recipients of Meals on Wheels, and other locations. There were 235 responses; all
but 15 via the online survey. The largest number of responses came from people in
the age 65-74 group. Emotional stress and isolation were most frequently identified
as having affected respondents. An open-ended question about the impact of
COVID-19 generated an outpouring of responses which reflected the emotional pain
being experienced by Reading's senior population. Pleasant Street Center staff
members are following up with individuals who provided contact information on the
survey. In response to the question about when people would return to the Pleasant
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Street Center, 42.5% indicated that they would return only after a vaccine has been
made available. 20.4% indicated they would return in winter 20/21. 18.1% said
they would return in spring '21. 11.9% said they would return in summer '21, and
7.1% indicated that they would not return. 71% indicated that they were not
worried about food supply or medications. In terms of programs, the largest group
(54.8%) expressed interest in exercise programs; special events &dinners and other
educational events ranked 2nd and 3'd on the list. 25.8% expressed interest in van
trips. 82.97% reported having internet access, but this result may be skewed by the
fact that most of those who responded to the survey did so electronically and is not
necessarily an indication of widespread internet access among the senior population.
The basic take away from the survey is that there is a clear need to get people
connected in programs; possibly outdoor events in March/April. Discussion is
underway with other town senior centers to share ideas on how this might be
accomplished. The MA Council on Aging is also holding 5 informational meetings on
behavioral health and the problem of isolation; all Pleasant Street Center staff are
scheduled to attend one of these meetings.
• The Hillside event will take place 11/21. There is still availability for people to sign
up.
• Transportation is available for trips to medical appointments, but still not available
for shopping.
• Feedback was very positive regarding the Harrow's Chicken Pot Pie event. A total of
190 pies were distributed.
• The Reading Ramblers program was discussed. Concerns over the risk of having
seniors in close proximity while walking were reported as a reason why the program
has not yet been reactivated. Volunteers are also needed to take a lead. John
Parsons volunteered to lead walks, especially on Reading's trails. Strategies to
encourage social distancing were discussed.
• The possibility of organizing a Visiting Pets program was discussed.
• The town is considering running another Flu shot clinic at the Pleasant Street Center
and offering home visits where needed.
• The town's supply of masks is getting a little low and thought is being given to
ordering washable masks printed with "Kindness Wins"for distribution via a drive by
event along with a small bottle of hand sanitizer and a 4" poinsettia on 12/15 (rain
date of 12/16) from 1:00 - 3:00. The plan is to print 500 masks; it is expected that
approximately 200 would be distributed in the drive by event and the remainder
would be added to supplies. Discussion followed regarding steps to ensure the
quality of the masks. John Parsons made a motion to allocate $3,000 out of the
Burbank fund for masks, hand sanitizer and poinsettias. Joan Coco seconded the
motion. All in favor.
• The Green Tomato restaurant has offered to donate 100 to 150 dinners for
homebound seniors and will deliver them on Thanksgiving. Kerry Valle is working
with the Green Tomato to organize the program. A letter of appreciation will be sent
to the Green Tomato.
• Kerry Valle asked for volunteers to make phone calls to seniors on or before
Thanksgiving. Joan Coco, Thomas Procopio, Margaret Havey, John Parsons, Jolyn
Ek, and Sandra Shafer volunteered.
• The AARP is planning to do taxes again this spring; it will be a drop off program like
last year.
• Accepted.
Financia/Report:
• Approved by unanimous roll call.
Next Meeting: December 14, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m. by Thomas Procopio following a motion to adjourn by John
Parsons, seconded by Margaret Havey. All in favor.
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