Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes
2:30 PM – Senior Center Tuesday, October 11, 2005
PRESENT: C. McMillan, N. Trawick-Smith (guest), S. Thomas (Chair), J. Chasin, B. Acebo, M. Thatcher, J. Kenny (staff), C. Phillips, B. Griffin, E. Norris, D. Mercier, K. Doeg, K. Grunwald (staff)
REGRETS: P. Hope
I. Call to Order : the meeting was called to order at 2:35PM by Chair, S. Thomas
II. Appointment of Recording Secretary: K. Grunwald was appointed recording secretary for this meeting.
III. Acceptance of Minutes of the September 12, 2005 meeting: the minutes were accepted as written.
IV. Correspondence – Chair and Staff: none.
V. Guest Speaker- Nancy Trawick-Smith, Executive Director of Community Companions and Homemakers, was introduced by S. Thomas, who is a member of the Board. The agency now as a total budget of $800,000. They started in 1992 as a not-for-profit companion/homemaking agency. Services include cleaning, shopping, meal preparation, and supervision in the absence of the primary caregiver. A common block of service is a 2-hour unit. They can provide overnight supervision on an emergency basis, but they do not do “personal care.” The agency serves 12 towns in this area; the statistics on Mansfield are attached. They have multiple funding sources: (see attachment). C. Phillips asked about whether or not some clients are subsidized by more than one funding source, and the answer is that clients often move from one to another based on eligibility and funding restrictions. J. Chasin raised a question re: the cut-off for receiving assistance through the Town supplement. This is not hard and fast, and is determined on a case-by-case basis. There is a theme of mental health issues that exists for many of the clients that receive services. Other agencies and relatives refer many of the clients that they serve. Professional staff conduct an assessment, and then they use 70 staff to provide services, who are screened and trained by the agency. Fees vary based on the source of funding; private pay is $15/hr. for companions and $17/hr. for homemakers. Clients under other programs pay based on their ability to pay. S. Thomas raised the question about the agency seeking funding from other towns. Nancy said that they have gone to Windham requesting funding, and plan on approaching other towns for assistance. As they receive funding from the Area Agency on Aging, S. Thomas made a request for a representative from Mansfield to serve on the board of Senior Resources; the Area Agency on Aging.
VI. Optional Reports on Services/Needs of Town Aging Populations
A. Health Care Services
Wellness Center and Wellness Program – J. Kenny distributed copies of her report, and spoke about a conference that she attended sponsored by the CT Interfaith Network on Aging.
Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation – D. Mercier reported that the September meeting was cancelled, and they will be meeting later this month.
B. Social, Recreational and Educational
Senior Center – P. Hope was not present, although she had submitted her report ahead of time.
Senior Center Assoc. – John Brubacher was not present.
C. Housing
Assisted Living Project – see Old Business
Juniper Hill, Jensen’s Park, Other: none
D. Related Town and Regional Organizations
Com. on Physically and Sensorily Impaired (MACNPD): no report, Town Community Center: no report, Town Plan of Conservation and Development: C. Phillips reported on the presentation of the Town’s plan, which reflects many of the concerns that have been expressed by this Commission,
Senior Resources of Eastern CT: no report, Downtown Partnership: K. Grunwald reported that there is a public hearing tonight on the Municipal Development Plan that has been submitted by the Downtown Partnership.
Dial-A-Ride: K. Grunwald reported that WRCC will be relinquishing operation of the Dial-A-Ride program to the Windham Region Transit District effective November 30.
VI.. Old Business
Report of the Nominating Committee – Carol Phillips: no report, although it was noted that J. Chasin returned to consider membership.
Schedule of the Preparation of The Long Range Plan - K. Grunwald distributed copies of proposed questions for the survey. He will ask Waldo Klein to review them for our next meeting.
Assisted Living- Reaction to September 15 meeting with Brecht & Associates: no discussion.
VII . New Business
· K. Grunwald distributed legislative surveys for the CT Coalition on Aging on behalf of P. Hope.
VIII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 14 at 2:30 pm at the Senior Center
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Grunwald