Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee August 7, 2017 Hampton Senior Center Members Present: Sarah Drew, Doris Farmer, Yvonne Gaynor, George Gwynn, Jr.,Martha Clark, Christine Evans, Ingrid Kirschmann, Peggy Marshburn, Martha Johnson, Agency Representatives: Wanda Rogers, Barbara Stewart, Linda Burke, Hampton Dept. of Social Services, Gina Lewis, Foster Grandparent Program, G. Jones Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services, Citizens: R. Gobrual, E. Alston, M. Schetting, C. Shetting, S. Costin S. Drew called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. G. Lewis called roll. There was no meeting for July due to the 4th holiday and city closure on the 3rd of July, therefore there were no minutes available to read. The featured speaker for the meeting was Amanda Becker of Optima Health to discuss the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus program (CCC). She provided the following information:  Two years ago the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) determined that senior citizens receiving Medicaid would benefit from a more coordinated care system that would provide comprehensive medical care across the board from all providers.  Recipients are initially enrolled to specific insurance carriers by DMAS, but may choose to change providers as long as they use one of the six (6) companies identified by DMAS. Those companies are: Optima Health, United Healthcare VA Premier, Aetna, Anthem Healthkeepers Plus, and Megellan.  Each recipient will have a Care Coordinator that will perform a health risk assessment and make recommendations for needed services.  All Medicaid recipients should be enrolled in the CCC Plus plans by December 31, 2017. B. Stewart reported that as of July 1st, the State requires that all allegations of senior/disabled financial exploitation received by the Adult Protective Services unit regardless of the amount be sent to the local Police Department. Two (2) detectives from the Hampton Police Department have been assigned to investigate these allegations and will work directly with HDSS. Previously only financial exploitation allegations over $50,000 were reported to the police. L. Fitzaptrick of the City Manager’s office sent a report in her absence. Her updates included that a new path has been created in the front of the Hampton Senior Center to connect the parking lot to the sidewalk and entrance. Additionally, at the Senior Center, the overflow parking grassy area will be paved in the fall. The 311 Call Center has introduced a new mobile application. Service requests can now be submitted via the app from a smart phone. She also provided the city’s calendar of Special Events. G. Lewis reported that the Foster Grandparent Program is gearing up for the new school year. Approximately 105 senior citizen volunteers will be placed in 28 sites (head start, early childhood centers and elementary schools) throughout the Peninsula (Williamsburg, James City County, York County, Hampton and Newport News). Page 1 of 2  Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee August 7, 2017 Hampton Senior Center G. Jones provided information on events at the Senior Center, which included a fishing trip, a luau, and a fall festival. S. Drew noted that she would like to see members of the HSCAC become more active in the community. She suggested that committee members visit senior living apartments throughout the city to inform them of the HSCAC meetings and invite tenants to attend. Y. Gaynor reminded the committee that when the monthly meetings were rotating to different sites, many people did not know where to go. Additionally the committee wanted to support the Senior Center by having the monthly meetings at the center. P. Marshburn commented that residents at Sinclair Commons know about the meetings as the monthly announcement is posted in their building, but they just don’t come. She also noted that they have a large turnover of tenants. G. Gwynn agreed that meeting at the Senior Center provides continuity but does agree that the committee needs to do more community outreach. Y. Gaynor provided information regarding the Senior Citizenship Awards. The sub-committee has created a timeline for marketing the awards and supporting documents. Nominations will be received until November, when the sub-committee will review all documents and make a final decision for awardees. There will be one award for each age group (70s, 80s and 90s). G. Lewis will contact Marketing Inc. to have the application and nomination information listed on the HSCAC webpage. She will also request an opportunity for a HSCAC representative to appear on the Round Robin program. The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m. The next meeting will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 11, 2017 at the Senior Center. Respectfully submitted, Gina L. Lewis Gina L. Lewis Secretary Page 2 of 2