Council on Aging

City of Chicopee Council on Aging June 14, 2016 . Members Present: C. Gemme, S. Michalik, S. Tawrel, E. Laflamme, H. Lenhart, E. Doucotte, R. Chapdelaine, M. Moge, S. Gelinas, J. Lukasik, S. Philips, & K. Rousseau, I. Call to order II. Committee List x C. Gemme distributed the Committee list for 2016-17. This will be followed for the upcoming year. II. Public input x There was no public input. III. Review of minutes x Minutes for the May 10, 2016 were unanimously approved as written. IV. Business Report A. Financial Report: Approval of Bills x S. Lapollo reported there were no unusual bills and there is a current spending freeze, per request of the Mayor. She has EHHQZRUNLQJFORVHO\ZLWKWKH0D\RU¶VRIILFH$Q\H[SHQVHPXVW be approved through the Mayor pending the end of the current fiscal year. x The table and chairs have been selected and approved for purchase through the Formula Grant. This will allow for two functions to run at the same time or to rent the room to other groups. x There are two recumbent bicycles that are broken and have been approved to be replaced.  ! It was noted that all equipment in the fitness center has been purchased with Formula Grant money, with the exception of one piece of equipment that was purchased using donated money. ! It was suggested that there be a maintenance record for all equipment. A professional company comes in twice a year to clean and repair the equipment. ! It was suggested that the COA explore opportunities to lease equipment because of the issue of wear and tear. The group recommended that an RFP be prepared to explore this option B. 'LUHFWRU¶VUHSRUW x S. Lapollo had circulated the Director¶s report (Attachment A). S. Lapollo reminded the group that 6/15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. There is reluctance by elders to report these issues so it is important for all members to wear purple ribbons to build awareness. Older adults need to be aware that they should speak up and not accept this type of treatment. ! She noted that she believes there is a high rate of elder abuse in Chicopee. This could be because of increased rates of reporting or it could be due to high rates of abuse. x Evidence based programming is becoming a challenge for the COA. Western Mass Elder Care grant can only be used for evidenced based programs. Offering these types of programs are difficult for the center because of the amount of training that is needed to implement them. ! The National Council on Aging has a Mastering Aging program and it was suggested that it might be implemented in the upcoming year. There is funding available for implementation for NCOA as well. This program focuses on wellness and maintaining independence as opposed to other evidence based programs that are focused on chronic illness. Seniors would participate in workshops as part of the program. The first step is to evaluate the materials of the program and perhaps visit the NCOA office in Easthampton to discuss implementation.  ƒ A question was raised as to how the needs of those with chronic illness would be addressed if the other programs were not continued. ƒ Motion was approved to place the topic of evidence based programs and the Mastering Aging Program on the agenda for the fall. x The café has opened however; there have been some continued concerns such as hours that it is opened. A question was raised as to how the menu offerings have been received. ! S. Lapollo reported the café is struggling to find the best foods to offer. For example one day boiled eggs were offered and none of the seniors were interested in this. She felt that these types of menu choices might need time to gain popularity. Further she reported there is challenge in purchasing the food because of the bulk amounts that are provided through the vendor. Pricing has been negatively impacted because food has to be purchased at Big Y. She would like to have food to be prepared on site to help keep costs down. This is complicated because donations are needed to provide supplies to be used to make some food offerings, as well as volunteers to cook things like muffins to be sold. The café was discussed at length by the board. ƒ E. Laflamme raised the concern as to whether the café manager has the skills to be able to make this successful. ƒ A question was raised as to whether the hours that need to be open. ƒ S. Lapollo noted that other facilities in other cities and towns have a full kitchen and a group of volunteers make the food. ƒ The group was concerned food safety be maintained. ƒ A question was raised as to whether Big Y might donate some of the food to be offered. ƒ E. Laflamme described how many businesses lose money for the first year so it may mean the café may lose money for a while until it is successful. ƒ C. Gemme reported there have been complications related to getting reimbursement because the receipt needs to be itemized and this can be overwhelming.  ƒ S. Tawrel said many are asking for more offerings on the menu and asked that this be addressed. ƒ K. Rousseau suggested that a survey be conducted with specific menu items in order to develop a menu that could be offered. ƒ Many of the members on the board stated that a limited menu needs to be developed soon. This has been requested by many people who use the center. ƒ It was suggested that more offerings need to be provided so there is some degree of selection. ƒ Motion was made by K. Rousseau to offer a limited menu of 4 to 5 items, which will consistently be offered and then to survey the elders to assess their satisfaction after 4 ± 6 weeks. Motion was seconded by Michalik. x S. Gelinas offered a friendly amendment to formalize the menu. ! The group identified that the menu will consist of Muffins, English muffins, fruit or fruit cup, waffles, donuts. ! S. Lapollo recommended an egg dish be available. x Motion unanimously approved to be implemented this month. A survey will be conducted in July to evaluate the menu items and the hours that are available. ƒ The group recommended that the Director make a request to the 0D\RU¶V office to increase café hours as soon as possible. ƒ A question was raised as to whether the Chicopee Comprehensive students could help in making items for the café. x The S. Phillip made a motion, seconded by R. Chapdelaine that the COA will contact the School Committee and the Chicopee Comp food services to negotiate this possibility. This was unanimously approved. C. S.A.L.T. x S. Michalik reported the group met on 5/13 and the poster contest winners have been selected. The winners will be presented at the 6/21 Council meeting. September is National Senior Center Month. The group wants to focus on the opiod crisis in the older population as part of this month. There is a concern that older people may begin to look toward illegal drugs to sustain their needs when their prescriptions run out. Mary Graves from the Springfield Public Health Department will speak on this topic in the fall. x The group also discussed that the fire department can install lock boxes to allow for entrance in emergencies for a nominal fee. A lot of people have numbers on their home that are too small. They must be numeric and at least 4 inches. The group plans to offer a program on this in the fall. D. Chairperson update x A program will be offered on Shingles this month. x Sandra Lapollo was awarded the MCOA lifetime award for all of her work with the older population. x The volunteer dinner was very well attended and it was noted that only 5 members were in attendance. It is important for the members of the board are visible to the people who use the center and C. Gemme requested stronger attendance at these types of events. There was a request that the calendar of events be published as far ahead as possible in order to ensure board member availability. x S. Phillips met with the Mayor to discuss the potential to have a consultant to come in to meet with the COA to help with strategic planning. The Mayor is supportive but expectations need to be identified by the COA board. The consultant will need direction from the group as to what the goals are for the assessment and SODQQLQJ)XQGVZLOOEHSURYLGHGWKURXJKWKH0D\RU¶VFRQVXOWLQJ budget  ! Copies of the FRQVXOWDQW¶VUHVXPHDQGDVDPSOHRIKLVZRUN were distributed to the group. V. Old Business A. Formula Grant x The funding for the new budget year has not been approved but it is still in committee. The Elder Affairs will not send out the RFP until after the Governor signs the budget. The COA will need to meet at that point in order to put forward a proposal. S. Lapollo does not anticipate any major changes to spending other than expanding some of the nursing services. ! The director will be working with the treasurer and the chairperson to be sure to spend the remaining formula grant funds. This money needs to be spent by 6/30 or it will negatively impact next years funding B. Boilers x E. Laflamme raised a question as to whether the contract for maintenance of the boilers was signed. Carl Dietz has stated that it is the COA responsibility to maintain the boilers. It was noted that the boiler is the same maker but not the same model at the high schools. There have been issues with these models; however this is a different model year. The group requested the director seek approval from the Mayor for this expense at this time. VII. Good of the order x S. Gelinas raised the question as to whether a dress down day might be something of interest for the staff and the funds could be used toward the balance on the building. ! City Hall has a dress down day on occasion. S. Phillips noted that Westfied has a monthly dress down day and the funds are given to different charities. It was suggested that this could be done in Chicopee as well.  ! x E. Laflamme continues to ask for suggestions for businesses that he could approach to donate to the Friends of the COA. x S. Michalik presented that he is part of a group that is sponsoring a golf tournament Sept 24th to help raise funds for the center. It will be the First Annual Friends of the Library Golf Tournament and will be held at the Chicopee Country Club. There are flyers available at the front desk. Golfers are actively being sought at this time. At least 80 golfers are needed for this to be successful. They are also looking for sponsors for the event. ! M. Moge will post the flyer and information on the City¶s Facebook page. VIII. Meeting adjourned at 6:09 pm. x The next meeting is September 13, 2016 at 4:45. Submitted by Karen S. Rousseau