HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-30-COA-min RECEIVED
Town of Lexington Council on Aging 2021 01 II , 1121 aui "m
Age-Friendly Sub-Committee Meeting TOWN CLERK
September 30, 2021 LEXINGTON MA
2:30—3:45 PM
Zoom Video Conference
Present: Betty Borghesani,Julie Ann Shapiro,John Zhao, Sudhir Jain, Sandra Shaw, Ellen Cameron
Staff: Hemali Shah, Melissa Interess
John Zhao called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM and read Governor Baker's instructions on public
meetings via Zoom.
Goal of meeting is to
• review the existing age-friendly initiatives as presented to Select Board in June, 2020
• discuss priorities for COA monthly board meeting's consideration and assign COA Board
members to each project
Housing
Huge issue for seniors, consisting of two needs: supply of affordable senior housing and safety and
modification of existing homes to permit seniors to age in place.
Affordable Housing Advocacy
Need for affordable senor housing is being considered by many Lexington town committees.
Goals include increasing affordable housing for older(and all) residents and increasing diversity in
Lexington population
COA volunteers: Entire COA board needs to serve as advocates for developing senior affordable housing.
Specific volunteers Sandra,John and Betty
Modification and safety of homes to permit aging in place
Develop program to help seniors assess needs and plan modifications in housing(CAPABLE program at
Johns Hopkins)
Consider financial assistance to help qualified seniors meet their goals.
COA volunteers: Ellen, Betty
Transportation
Senior Parking Sticker Program is ready to launch on October 4, provides maximum of 2 hours free
parking in designated areas.
Increased Transportation Advocacy
LexPress—currently has free ridership for seniors 9:30 to 1:30, provides free passes for seniors who
qualify financially, should we consider free ridership for all seniors all day, need to know current
revenue brought to LexPress by seniors during afternoon hours
COA member volunteers: Sudhir and Julie
Senior only parking spaces advocacy—begin with designated spaces at Community Center
COA member volunteers: Sudhir and Julie
Social Participation
Neighborhood postcard program need to continue. Approximately 20%of seniors feel their voices are
not heard. Other outreach programs such as inviting seniors to join walking groups, attending
neighborhood meetings (as Greeley Village, etc.) need to be explored
COA volunteers:Julie and John
Technology program is being tackled by intergenerational group using high school volunteers who
provided one on one support to interested seniors.
Respect and Social Inclusion
Senior Specific Commerce program was successful, can continue to respond to community needs.
COA volunteers:John and Julie
COA Mobile Forums can provide outreach and information to interested groups.
COA Road Trip volunteers:John,Julie
Next Meeting, Wednesday, October 27 at 2:30
Meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM
Submitted by Betty Borghesani