Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes

   2:30 PM – Senior Center            Monday, January 9, 2006

Present: Carol MacMillan (Interim Chair), P. Hope (Staff), K. Doeg, E. Norris, C. Phillips,  J. Kenny (Staff), , M. Thatcher, T. Quinn, J. Brubacher, C. Phillips

Regrets: K. Grunwald (Staff), B. Acebo, D. Mercier, S. Thomas, Rose Fowler (invited guest)

I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:35 PM by Chair C. MacMillan.

II. Appointment of Recording Secretary: P. Hope agreed to take minutes for the meeting.

III. Acceptance of Minutes: The minutes of the December 12, 2005 meeting were accepted.

IV. Correspondence – Chair and Staff:

B. Griffin resigned as representative of Wrights Way. 

“Wisdom Works: Building Better Communities”, a Metlife Foundation grant, was distributed.  K. Grunwald is interested in applying for this grant and would like input from members of the COA.  The deadline for a letter of interest is February 15.  Members were encouraged to contact K. Grunwald before the next meeting if they had an interest in the grant or to share ideas of possible projects.

V. Optional Reports on Services/Needs of Town Aging Populations

A. Health Care Services

Wellness Center and Wellness Program – J. Kenny distributed copies of her monthly report.  She indicated she had contact with 36 clients with only 15 working days.  25 of these clients were new.  These cases have been more involved.  The Windham Provider Network meeting is trying to address concerns about the lack of regulation for home care agencies.  Medicare Part D has created a great deal of stress for seniors, and increased stress has occurred due to added expenses for fuel and food. 

        Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation – J. Kenny: no report.

B. Social, Recreational and Educational

               Senior Center – P. Hope distributed copies of her monthly report.  P.Hope noted the increase in attendance at TVCCA and Windham Hospital Food Programs.  The Association hosted a special Holiday program that featured Middle Eastern Cuisine and the common roots of the three monotheistic religions.  This was well received.  A new knitting class has been added on Fridays  

Senior Center Assoc. – J. Brubacher indicated the Association is eagerly awaiting a new shed that will be provided by the Town. An Association Committee has been formed to bring a geriatrician to the Mansfield Senior Center.  Money from the fall auction has already been set aside for this purpose.   The Association has been concerned about the lack of space at the Senior Cente r.  J. Brubacher has been in conversation with Assistant Town Manager, M. Hart about this issue.  It is hoped money will be allocated to have an architect look at the existing space.  J. Brubacher hopes a committee will visit other senior centers in the near future.  J. Brubacher also discussed a desire to set up an intergenerational program where the senior center would work with elementary schools.  J. Kenny indicated the TVCCA Foster Grandparent Program is available to assist with this type of programming.

C. Housing

                  Assisted Living Project: no report.

                  Juniper Hill, Jensen’s Park, Other: no report.

D. Related Town and Regional Organizations such as:

                   Com. on Physically and Sensorily Impaired, Town Community Center,  

Town Plan of Conservation and Development, - no reports.

Senior Resources of Eastern CT: P. Hope indicated Senior Resources is planning a Senior Expo at East Brook Mall in April.

VI. Old Business

Preparation of The Long Range Plan  - P. Hope distributed copies of the revised survey that was provided by K. Grunwald.  The Commission provided input, these comments will be given to K. Grunwald for preparation of a final draft.

Requests from Agencies for Town funds – up-date of process: P. Hope distributed copies of completed applications.  The following committee members will review applications by the following agencies:  M. Thatcher - Windham Region Transit District, C. Phillips - Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc., C. McMillan - Community Companion and Homemaking Service, and T. Quinn - McSweeeney Regional Senior Center.  D. Mercier agreed to review an application completed by the Mansfield Senior Center Association, but an application was not submitted.

Preparation of Town’s application for additional funds for transportation – Input was requested by COA members for use of the additional funds for transportation.  Some suggestions for consideration: transportation to malls outside of the area, ie. Buckland Hills Mall and to the Hartford area for special events. 

VII. New Business: Rose Fowler, Executive Director of McSweeney Regional Senior Center was unable to be present.  No new business was conducted.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, at 2:30 pm at the Senior Center. 

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Hope