Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes (draft)

 

   2:30 PM – Juniper Hill           Monday, Nov.13, 2006

 

Present: K. Grunwald (staff), S. Thomas (Chair), W. Bigl, K. Doeg, C. Phillips, T. Quinn, M. Thatcher, S. Gordon, P. Hope (staff), J. Kenny (staff), Marcia Zimmer (guest), Karen Randolph, Joan Quarto, J. Brubacher

 

                 

I.       Call to Order  - Chair S. Thomas called the meeting to order at 2:35 PM

 

II.    Appointment of Recording Secretary: K. Grunwald agreed to take minutes for the meeting.

 

III.  Acceptance of Minutes: the minutes of the Oct 10, 2006 meeting were accepted as written.  In Section V. C., T. Quinn clarified that the wording of his motion should read “the Chair or its designee be appointed to serve…”

 

IV. Assisted Living Project at Juniper Hill

Lecture and Tour by Marsha Zimmer, Director distributed information on assisted living and Juniper Hill.  The New Samaritan Corporation started Juniper Hill in 1981.  They have paid attention to what the needs of seniors are as they grow older.  In the mid-80’s they applied to HUD for a community services grant and were able to start their meals program.  They also added a resident services coordinator to assist residents in accessing services.  Most residents of Juniper Hill cannot afford private assisted living services.  The State of CT has assisted in applying for a pilot program to bring assisted living to HUD housing.  Assisted Living: “Scheduled care for people whose health is chronic but stable”: nurse 20 hours/week; aides 24/7.  Four levels of services; if low income Title XIX or CHCPE will pick up the cost.  If self-pay, the cost will be adjusted based on out of pocket medical expenses.  Juniper Hill received an assisted living conversion grant, which allows them to convert 12 apartments for residents who require assisted living services.  Residents must come in qualified based on HUD income levels.  Generally the waiting list for housing is six months- one year.  They are expecting the average stay in assisted living to be 18-24 months.  Juniper Hill currently turns over 15-18 apartments a year.  They do not have any locked units or ways of insuring the safety of residents who are wandering.  Residents do have varying degrees of dementia.  The current census is 85-88.   The Commission expressed their thanks to Marcia for hosting the meeting and providing a tour.

 

V.    Correspondence – Chair and Staff

Older Americans Act News – K. Grunwald and P. Hope commented on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which authorizes Title III funding.

 

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

A.    Health Care Services

Wellness Center and Wellness Program – J. Kenny distributed a copy of her report.

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

B.    Social, Recreational and Educational

             Senior Center – P. Hope distributed a copy of her report.      

Senior Center Assoc. – J. Brubacher: no report.

C.    Housing

Assisted Living Project: K. Grunwald gave a brief update on the status of this project in Town.  The Town Council will be asked to endorse a process to select a developer for this project.  An Advisory Committee will be formed as part of this process.

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

D.    Related Town and Regional Organizations:  no report.

           

VII. Old Business

                   

Progress on Data from the Survey on Senior Needs – K. Grunwald distributed preliminary copies of the data from the first 750 respondents to the survey.  All responses will be available to the Commission at our next meeting.              

                                   

Nominations and Response of Committee on Committees – It was determined that the Commission must have representation from Republicans.  Jan Scottron withdrew her nomination. 

 

VIII. New Business

Annual Report to the Town: K. Grunwald distributed a draft, which was approved by the Commission for submission to the Town Manager.

 

Agency Funding Requests: S. Thomas mentioned that this has been an educational process for the Commission to become familiar with local agencies.  She asked if anyone will be interested in participating in this.  K. Grunwald will bring a list of the agencies to the December meeting.  C. Phillips agreed to evaluate the TVCCA application, T. Quinn agreed to take the McSweeney Center application.  M. Thatcher will evaluate Companions and Homemakers, K. Randolph will take the Dial-A-Ride application, with the assistance of M. Thatcher.   It was not determined who will take the Senior Center Association’s application.   

 

The proposed dates for meeting in 2007 were approved. 

   

 IX. Adjournment: the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 PM.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 11, at 2:30 pm at the Senior Center.

         

            Respectfully submitted,

            Kevin Grunwald