MINUTES

February 14, 2008

PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), G. Cole, G. Padick (staff), Cynthia Collins, S. Thomas, A. Kennefick, M. Hart (staff), N. Sheehan

REGRETS: J.A. Bobbitt

I. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: members introduced themselves to Cynthia Collins, who is an adult and geriatric clinical practitioner who will be replacing Amy Kennefick from the UConn School of Nursing.

II. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE: no comments.

III. REVIEW OF MINUTES: the minutes of the January 23, 2008 meeting were accepted as written.

IV. COMMUNICATIONS:

A. Agenda

V. DISCUSSION/NEW BUSINESS:

A. Finalize Request for Proposals: M. Hart is working to schedule a meeting with someone from the UConn President’s office, along with Barry Feldman or Tom Callahan to update them on the project, discuss sewer/water access and road design. Proposals are due on March 28.

B. Discussion of visit to a Benchmark facility (February 8): G. Cole, S. Thomas and K. Grunwald visited the Village at Buckland: 100 units, large areas of common space. G. Cole raised questions about how the facility design impacts social interaction of residents. As opposed to minimizing lateral transfers, this building (15 years old) had very long hallways. At the Village we saw very few residents. None of the units have stoves, only microwaves. They have a memory impairment unit there as well. There was a question raised as to their philosophy of operations, which was not clear from the visit. We did not ask about transportation re: connection with activities in the community. Questions were also raised regarding the extent to which the administrator of the facility sets the tone. N. Sheehan raised the question of what Masonicare can do on a smaller scale in Mansfield? They did talk about developing partnerships with providers in the community. G. Padick pointed out that the Warren property may be of more interest to them, given their orientation.

C. Tasks and timeline re: next steps: It was agreed that we proposals will be sent to members for their review once they are received.

D. “Other”: none.

VI. SCHEDULE FOR NEXT MEETING: Thursday April 10, 2008, 9-10:30; location TBD.

VII. ADJOURNMENT: meeting adjourned at 10:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald