Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee May 1, 2017 Hampton Senior Center Members Present: Sarah Drew, Doris Farmer, Yvonne Gaynor, George Gwynn, Jr.,Martha Clark, Christine Evans, Ingrid Kirschmann, Peggy Marshburn, Susan Elswick, Martha Johnson, Gina Lewis, Carol Perenzin, Agency Representatives: Wanda Rogers, Barbara Stewart, Hampton Dept. of Social Services, Lucinda Barnes, Hampton Health Dept., L. Fitzpatrick, City Manager’s Office, Gina Lewis, Geneva Fitchett, Foster Grandparent Program, S. Elswick, G. Jones Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services Citizens: C. Schetting, M. Schetting, J. Andrews, L. Tucker, J. Gray, G. Scott S. Drew called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Y. Gaynor requested an addition to the April minutes to include her question regarding improvements to the Senior Center’s auxiliary parking lot. Specifically having the pot holes filled and the area cemented . L. Fitzpatrick will investigate and report back to the committee.. Motion to accept the meeting minutes with addition made by C. Perenzin, 2nd by M. Johnson. Voted and accepted by committee. The featured speaker for the meeting was Carolyn A. Fair, Second Time Around: Grandparent Raising Grandchildren. She provided the following information: o Nationally, 4.5 million children are living in grandparent-headed households. In Virginia, there are 107,602 children living in grandparent-headed households (6.2% of all children in the state). o 29% of these grandparents are African American; 17% are Hispanic/Latino; 2% are American Indian or Alaskan Native; and 47% are white. 34% of these grandparents live in households without the children’s parents present. o Raising a second generation brings many rewards, including the fulfillment of giving your grandkids a sense of security, and developing a deeper relationship and keeping the family together. It also comes with many challenges and requires major adjustments. o You must take of yourself; Physically, Emotionally, Intellectually, Socially, Creatively and Spiritually. o Your grandchildren will have mixed feelings to because they resent being taken from their parent and wish to return. Children’s feelings may come out in different ways including their behavior. Children will also act out even when they are in a safe place such as being at home. o Focus on creating a stable environment. Be consistent with boundaries. Give time alone as deemed appropriate. You want to give the child a child friendly environment. Be in tune with their likes and dislike. o Encourage open and honest communication. Plan regular family meetings; encourage children to talk about their feelings both good and bad, help them to Page 1 of 3  Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee May 1, 2017 Hampton Senior Center identify their emotions. Understand that young children communicate through play. Know that its ok to say “I don’t know” o Encourage contact with parents; Make visits with parents as smooth as possible. Don’t put your grandchildren in the middle. Communicate and cooperate with your grandchild’s parent. Make visits a part of your grandchild routine. Be sensitive to your grandchild’s feelings. Help your grandchild deal with disappointment. o Reach out to others and get legal, financial and caregiving support. Discussion of upcoming speakers;  Anton Bell, Commonwealth’s Attorney confirmed for June  Deborah Blanton, Executive Coordinator for Clean City Commission –, will be invited by S. Elswick for July meeting  Chief of Police/Triad Speaker for August  Cory Johnson, Fire Safety Program Educator – October meeting (fire safety month  Social Security update, Long Term care, and Nursing homes  HRT updates/ bus shelters/ transportation  Housing for seniors  Hoarding G. Gwynn raised a question regarding whether or not the HSCAC should be an incorporated body L. Fitzpatrick responded that she is working with the City Attorney to secure information regarding this and other questions surrounding the original Long Term Care Committee and the creation of HSCAC. She is also investigating the process for creating new by-laws or amending the current by-laws. W. Rodgers reported that the Hampton Sheriff’s annual Senior Picnic date has changed from May 25th to May 23rd for. Y. Gaynor stated that she would not be available to help at the picnic. B. Stewart and M. Clark will secure tickets for HSCAC members to attend the Triad Expo on June 7th at North Hampton Community Center. S. Drew informed the group that the first Monday in September is Labor Day and opened the floor to consider whether or not to cancel or reschedule the meeting to the following Monday. M. Clark made a motion that the meeting be reschedule to September 11th Y.Gaynor second and the vote was carried S. Drew suggested a flier be made for HSCAC to be placed in community centers, churches, apartment complexes, etc and to be used for events where HSCAC is a vendor. The committee discussed the issue and will continue to use the existing brochure until an update is received regarding the Long Term Care committee. Page 2 of 3  Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee May 1, 2017 Hampton Senior Center S. Drew also suggested ordering t-shirts for committee members. . M. Clarke suggested badges instead of t-shirts. L. Fitzpatrick will check on the possibility of t-shirts and/badges in the new fiscal year. B. Stewart mentioned the need to setup a committee for the annual recognition awards. Y. Gaynor volunteered to chair the committee and coordinate with the Senior Center regarding possible dates for the event. . S. Drew made a motion that the HSCAC meeting time be expanded to 90 minutes, C. Perenzin moved and M. Johnson second. The motion was carried. . S. Elswick reported that the Senior Center is sponsoring an outing on the “Spirit of Norfolk” on Wednesday, June 21st. Registrarion will be held on Monday, May 15th. The cost is $50.00 whch includes transportation to and from Norfolk and the buffet cruise.. S. Drew adjourned the meeting at 11:47 a.m. The next meeting will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 5, 2017 at the Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, Gina L. Lewis Secretary Page 3 of 3