HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-29-COA-min (Age Friendly Working Group) RECEIVED
2024 10 Apr, 2:47 pm
TOWN CLERK
LEXINGTON MA
Meeting Minutes: Lexington Age Friendly Working Group Feb 29th Zoom Meeting
Date: February 29th, 2024
Time 3:02pm called to order.
Attendees: Michelle, Dana, John, Sudhir, Sandra, Ellen, and Julie
Roll call was conducted.
Minutes for last working group meeting was approved with a minor word
correction.
Discussion about Senior Resource Guide:
Michelle- Update the intern was working on the guide and going through it.
Getting requests for Home Health Agencies. Progress is going well and should be
done in May.
Julie-wondered if we could refer people to another resource guide that already
exist, regarding home health agencies, assist. Living, individual care givers etc.
Dana- has copies of the bluebook with many resources.
John- Mentioned the town website. We discussed for a while if we can put a list
/guide on the town's website. Whether we could provide links to a soft copy or
send links directly.
Ellen- recalls town counsel not recommending posting on the website. We
discussed this at length.
Michelle-texted Hemali who said we can't promote profit businesses outside on
the town website.
Julie- suggested we ask Jonas Miller about the website and Michelle will follow up
with Jonas.
Sudhir- mentioned that Minuteman Senior Services is a good resource for
referrals.
Age Friendly Update/Wass
Michelle- Spoke with UMASS Boston about getting certified for AARP for Age
Friendly Community. Update our Age Friendly assessment since 2018.
Dana- UMASS sent a quote. Would start in July and take 10 months and was
pricey.
Julie-we need some feedback form UMass and ask what the price because not
that much has changed. Need more details/information.
We thought they maybe quoting or planning on a full assessment vs just an
update which is what we are looking for. Interested in what changed especially
post pandemic. Wondered if AARP would take our last assessment.
Michelle-wondered if AARP will take our past Age Friendly assessment and then
we can talk to UMASS,
John- questioned about funding and how long it may take to get money that
would be needed. Maybe we need an update because of the pandemic but we
don't need a redo assessment just an update.
Julie-questioned the value in a redo assessment. We don't need UMASS to tell us
that people feel more isolated, and comfortable spending $20,000 never mind
more.
Ellen- agreed with Julie and John.
John- asked about the procedure side for AARP. We need a clear direction going
forward. Wonder if we meet the criteria and we could apply to AARP and then
plan.
We discussed what is needed to become an Age Friendly Certified
Community. See what feedback we get from AARP and then decide.
Ellen- questioned what the rewards we will get going forward becoming AARP
certification. Potential grants and recognition?
Julie-wondered why this wasn't done years ago Must have been thought about
before going through the UMASS assessment again.
Small Group Meet and Greet:
John- spoke with the Brookhaven Community Director. Thinking of the COA to
come maybe in March to do a Meet and Greet.
Discussed with need a plan/format but keeping things informal.
Julie- spoke with Gary form Lex at home. LAH were leaning towards a zoom
presentation- which isn't our goal.
We discussed how we should go about our Meet and Greet format.
Provide information. Present our goals for the next year. Human Service Goals,
and a Q and A
The goal is to hear from them and get feedback.
Julie-we can stay who we are, what we are working on, when we meet. What we
like to do and answer questions.
Ellen- Find out what they did and learn about them more.
We could have brochures, and swag and even parking applications.
John-will email Brookhaven.