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Home My WebLink About1998-05-13-COA-min.pdf LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES MAY 13, 1998 ATTENDING Clark Cowen, Chairperson Phyllis Rand Nancy Freed, Staff Jacqueline Davison Peg Jemison Sheldon Spector Irving Rothman, Minuteman Home Care Liaison Roz Gittleman, Human Services Liaison John Curry Donald Graham Karen Santucci, Staff Jane Trudeau Steve Baran, Staff Anne Kriebel Marilyn Campbell Carolyn Griffith, Staff ABSENT Barbara Rubin Carol Murphy CHAIRPERSON'S REMARKS Clark Cowen called the meeting to order at 4 40 p.m. at the Adult Day Care House and welcomed Donald Graham, new Board Member A motion was made and passed expressing the Board's appreciation and gratitude to John Curry for his nine years of service and financial guidance as treasurer Nancy Freed thanked John on behalf of the COA staff; and John said he will work with Donald Graham, the new treasurer MINUTES: The minutes of the April 8 meeting were accepted as written. NOMINATION COMMITTEE: Peg Jemison reported the following slate of officers: Chairman: Clark Cowen Vice-Chairman Jackie Davison Treasurer Donald Graham Secretary Phyllis Rand There were no additional nominations; and the vote will taken at the annual meeting, June 10, 1998. SENIOR CENTER SERVICES TO 80+ SENIORS. Nancy Freed explained that staff members Karen Santucci, Carolyn Griffith, Steve Baran, and Marie Galloway, are starting to work as a team to service this segment of the senior population. They meet weekly to assess the needs and plan services. In addition, there is an intern working with Carolyn at the Day Care House. Karen Santucci, outreach social worker, distributed printouts, which illustrate the increase in the growth rate of this age group. Karen explained how the 1997-Balanced Budget Act imposed Medicare cuts on state home care agencies and local COAS. The result is that visiting nurse agencies have been forced to discharge patients, who have turned to the COA for home health services. This means an increase in demand for the Senior Health Monitor Program, which has not been funded to handle this influx. Nancy reported that a request to transfer$5000 from the reserve fund of the FY98 COA budget to cover this program has been granted. And the FCOA Board has made a donation of $3600 for ( scholarship funding of the Senior Health Monitor Program. She pointed out that on July 1 more cuts is services are likely when a per patient capitation system takes effect. Carolyn Griffith, Adult Day Care Director, welcomed everyone to the Day Care House She told about the good relationship with the Minuteman Tech School---students from the Health Program have been visiting the Day Care clients and helping, and the landscaping around the house was done entirely by students. Carolyn reported that 60% of the clients are between 75 and 85 and 30% over the age of 85. The population at day care has grown 15% each year for the past three years. There are 50 clients enrolled in the programs with an average daily attendance of 25 Carolyn works with Karen and the other staff members to assess clients' needs and to support family members and caregivers. VISITING COMMITTEE REPORTS: Sheldon Spector reported on his visits to two sessions of the bridge group. Roz Gittleman told about her visits to the Stretch and Bend Exercise Group and to the T'ai Chi class. Phyllis Rand reported on her visit to Jay Kaufman's Public Policy Forum and the Yoga class. Peg Jemison reported on her visit to the Older and Growing Support Group. The reports will be continued at the next meeting. Nancy Freed requested written reports on the visits. OTHER BUSINESS: Peg Jemison reported on the Muzzey Trustee Board, which has become more accepting of the Senior Center as an entity Nancy reported that $25,000 was raised at the FCOA Auction and thanked all the Board Members for their help. As a result of the Legislative Breakfast, a letter was sent to Jay Kaufman requesting more local aid to Councils on Aging. Jackie Davison noted that the Education Committee's program on local restaurants will feature a presentation on Monday, May 18 by Stone Soup. There was no other business and the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Phyllis Rand, secretary