HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-07-COA-minTown of Lexington Council of Aging Board Meeting
Wednesday February 7th, 2024
Hybrid meeting
Present: Sudhir Jain, Ellen Cameron, Sandra Shaw, Sue Rockwell, Charles James, Zehra Yar-
Kahnm, Julie Ann Shapiro
Zoom: John Zhao, Suzie Barry, Julie Baker
Staff: Michelle Kelleher, Christine Dean, Kelsey Rollins, Dana Bickelman
Meeting called to order at 2:39pm
Public Comments: none
New Business/Announcements:
Email received regarding Lexington 250th years, looking for a board member to attend
January 30th Meeting.
Secretary position still open
Introduced Jonas Miller, new Lexington’s new Communication Director. Presented overview
of short-term plans.
• Middle person between town staff and media
• Discussed weekly newsletter.
• Discussed plans for social media.
• “Go to” person for anything sent out to public.
• My favorite part of the job is the people.
Attendance was taken
January minutes were approved.
Julie – Discussion on how to get information to bring Lexington Residents out to and ways to
communicate to seniors.
• Discussed the value of paper opposed to email, social media.
Age Friendly working group was successfully held on January 23rd.
Senior resource guide:
• List of handy people around time.
• List of handy persons to assist seniors with snow removal from sidewalks and
stairs.
o Possibly students who are looking for community service.
o Have reached out to high school. They stated that COA would have to do
all on their own due to liability concerns.
Discussion on Lexington becoming an official “Age Friendly” Community.
• Researched this a few years ago.
• Question raised. “What does this do for the town.”
• Needs assessment.
Discussion on connecting with large amounts of seniors.
• Lexington at Home
• John has spoken with Sophia Ho at Brookhaven assisted living.
• Discussion on small groups talking to seniors
• Inform all of who we are and what we do
• Question asked if we could develop “talking points”
• We will brainstorm a list of groups.
• Possibly church groups
Discovery Day
Staff Report:
Ann McKean –Admin front desk got new job. Position now open in reservations Monday –
Friday
2 new employees have started.
Looking for a full-time custodian.
Tuesday – Support group for caregivers
Next Tuesday is National Caregivers Day
February 13th Valentines Lunch. 13 Residents on wait list.
Next Saturday – Bedford Senior center – LGBTQIA concert
April 30th – Belmont having aging fair. “Age In Place”
No new Business
Liaison reports:
February 27th from 11am-2pm – Steakhouse
Governor Healey – Budget cut – Older Adult Lobby Day
Lexington population of seniors 60+ is 23% of the population. Approximately 5,640
Free Dementia webinar March 1 and 2nd by Alzheimer’s Association at 9:30am and 2pm
Transportation meeting – not attended by COA.
Recreation meeting – not attended by COA.
Discussion on Battle of 1775. April 19th, 2026
Vision for Lexington
• Demographics changing in Lexington.
• Asian community will increase to 40%.
Meeting adjourned at 3:45pm.