Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee March 5, 2018 Hampton Senior Center Members Present: Martha Clark, Sarah Drew, Christine Evans, Doris Farmer, Yvonne Gaynor, George Gwynn, Jr., Martha Johnson, Ingrid Kirchmann, Peggy Marshburn, and Carol Perenzin Agency Representatives: The Honorable Mayor, Donnie Tuck, Barbara Stewart, Hampton Dept. of Social Services, Gina Lewis, Keisha Baker Foster Grandparent Program, Kenisha Trotter, Susan Elswick, Gloria Jones Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services, Brian DeProfio City Manager’s Office, Bill Massey, Maria Santarsiero, Peninsula Agency on Aging S. Drew called the meeting to order at 10:06 am and G. Lewis called the roll. G. Lewis read the minutes from the February 2, 2018 SCAC meeting and I. Kirchman made a motion to accept the minutes as read and it was 2nd by P. Marshburn. Guest Speaker G. Lewis introduced the guest speaker, Ms. Barbara Stewart who is the Adult Services Program Manager at the Hampton Department of Social Services. She gave an overview of the Adult Services/Adult Protective Services unit, which includes: 1) Investigation of reports regarding abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of senior citizens and/or the disabled. The investigations extend to all facilities to include Group Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Adult Day Programs and Nursing Homes. Screenings are completed for individuals in need of Long Term Care in the home or in the community, which includes Nursing Homes, Personal Care, PACE, Adult Foster Care, Adult Day Care and Assisted Living. 2) The Companion Program provides light housekeeping 4 hours per week. There are approximately 65 Companion cases currently. Mayor Tuck asked, “How does someone access the Companion Program?” P. Mashburn asked, “Does someone have to be on Medicaid to qualify?” Ms. Stewart stated the qualification is based on income and if the recipient is a senior or is disabled. The income limit is $1,645 a month and you do not need to have Medicaid to qualify. 3) Guardianship – There are 217 cases monitored by Social Services in which someone has been deemed by a Judge to be incompetent and incapable of making decisions on their own. 4) Assessments – The staff follows up on calls that do not meet the criteria for an APS investigation. An example is a call from a Hospital concerned about a patient being discharged to the home alone or a neighbor concerned because they have not seen someone in a while. I. Kirschman asked if these individuals should be in a nursing home. B. Stewart mentioned they cannot put someone into a nursing home against their will. APS must work within guidelines and can offer assistance such as a Personal Care Aide. C. Evans asked, “How many hours can the aide assist?” B. Stewart stated the maximum could be 8 hours depending on the need more could be added if the criteria is met. P. Marshburn mentioned she attended an “As you Wish” seminar. This seminar allows seniors the opportunity to prepare an Advance Care Plan. Ms. Marshburn mentioned her plan is on file c:\users\dhollis\box\marketing and outreach\web\website updates\web documents\parks\senior citizens advisory committee\3.5.2018 minutes.docx  Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee March 5, 2018 Hampton Senior Center with the hospital, stored in a statewide database and on her refrigerator. B. Massey mentioned PAA is one of the sponsors of this course and more information could be found at the website, www.asyouwishvirginia.com. Mr. Massey identified David Murray as the contact person and PAA can provide his direct phone number. Ms. Stewart suggested inviting Mr. Murray to a SCAC meeting to discuss the program. He has presented at the meetings over the past few years, but could be invited to share any updated information with the organization and community members. 7) Adult Foster Care – this program identifies individuals who will bring a senior citizen into their homes for a specified time. The care provider is paid by a state Auxiliary Grant. This type of setting is great for people who don’t get along well in sharing a room or a group home setting. 8) Medicaid, SNAP and the Foster Grandparent Program are other Adult Services programs. A citizen, who lives at the Woodlands, asked what she could do about neighbors who need more assistance than their families are providing. B. Stewart suggested a call be made to APS. Another citizen asked if APS investigates a house that is being used as group home. She is concerned that sometimes people are being left alone and asked if someone should be on-site at all times. Ms. Stewart stated if the home is licensed it will be investigated, but if not licensed they will investigate the seniors or disabled individuals living there. Y. Gaynor stated if you’re concerned about the wellbeing of a senior, APS is the place to call. B. Stewart added they also investigate the wellbeing of a disabled person. M. Clark asked if you can make a report on someone regardless of their income level. B. Stewart stated income has no relevance when it pertains to abuse, neglect or exploitation. B. DeProfio provided information regarding the city budget input sessions and the online citizen survey being conducted. The results of the survey will be presented at the March 14th City Council meeting. He stated that Appraisals and Assessments will be discussed at the March 28th City Council meeting and a preview of the budget from the City Manager will be discussed at the April 11th city council meeting. Public hearings will take place on April 25th and May 2nd. The adoption of the budget will take place May 9th. Y. Gaynor mentioned her concern regarding citizen’s knowledge of the survey. B. DeProfio mentioned that the survey is highlighted on the city’s webpage, and links are provided through other social media. The survey was also discussed on “Round Robin”, the local information TV network. He will talk to Marketing, Inc. regarding additional ideas to get the message out to the public. Mayor Tuck reported he did send an e-mail to Robin McCormick (Hampton City Media) to find out if television stations were notified about the budget meetings. She responded they informed but there was no coverage. Old Business M. Clark noted the Art Program presented at the Senior Center was impressive and perhaps it could be displayed at City Hall. G. Lewis suggested displaying art work by seniors at the annual awards program. c:\users\dhollis\box\marketing and outreach\web\website updates\web documents\parks\senior citizens advisory committee\3.5.2018 minutes.docx  Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee March 5, 2018 Hampton Senior Center B. DeProfio provided an update on the bus shelters. He reported there must be 40 passengers getting on and off at a stop to warrant a shelter. He also mentioned the city has to have enough ‘Right of Way’ to put in a shelter. G. Jones mentioned senior living complexes like Sinclair Commons or The Woodlands need a place for seniors to sit while they were waiting for the bus. She also asked about Seniors Riding for Free one day a month like in other cities. B. DeProfio stated depending on zoning, property owners have the right to make a decision regarding whether or not sidewalks are installed. DeProfio stated the city is trying to expand the sidewalks in some areas. Sometimes there is state funding to help with these issues, but the majority of funding falls on the city. Mr. DeProfio mentioned that in our city budget ‘Streetscaping’ includes sidewalks, not just landscaping. A citizen who lives in the Woodlands stated that the sidewalks are impassable and she is unable to ride her wheel chair on them. She states she is unable to get to the grocery store in her neighborhood because there aren’t enough sidewalks, sometimes it’s just grass. She would appreciate assistance from the city with installing sidewalks. She has gotten stuck in the mud and lost wheels due to the conditions. Mayor Tuck encouraged all citizens to attend city council meetings, email, call 311 and organize to let the city know their concerns and utilize the SCAC to put forth these concerns to city council. . Mayor Tuck provided the city council email address Council@Hampton.gov to voice concerns. A citizen asked if there where model cities for these types of issues. G. Lewis mentioned that this was an opportunity for Hampton to become the model city as it regards senior issues and great senior communities. G. Gwynn mentioned he and others established a tenant’s board at his senior residence building and SCAC could help create these types of board’s at all senior living complexes. A representative from each board could attend the SCAC meetings to share the resident’s concerns with the committee and report back to their neighbors.. Mayor Tuck suggested SCAC sponsor a forum for all candidates in the upcoming election which will be held on May 1st, 2018. S. Elswick stated a forum, sponsored by the Wythe neighborhood association, will be held at the Senior Center on April 26th. Y. Gaynor would like to focus on creating goals for SCAC in 2018. C. Perenzin asked why SCAC stopped going to various locations, her building would like to hear from someone on the committee at their meeting. G. Lewis read the list of accomplishments for 2017 by SCAC. The list will be uploaded to the SCAC website. c:\users\dhollis\box\marketing and outreach\web\website updates\web documents\parks\senior citizens advisory committee\3.5.2018 minutes.docx  Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Committee March 5, 2018 Hampton Senior Center K. Trotter reported that the By-Laws were approved at the February 28th City Council meeting. She also reported that two new members will be appointed either at the March 14th or March 28th City Council meeting. G. Jones mentioned the need to finalize the SCAC Flyer New Business K. Trotter reported that in keeping with the By-Laws a new Chair and Vice Chair must be elected each year and read a description of each office. The floor was opened for nominations. G. Gwynn nominated Y. Gaynor for Chair. C. Perezin made a motion and I. Kircschman second the motion. M. Clark nominated S. Drew for vice chair. P. Marshburn nominated C. Perenzin for vice chair. Voting took place and 10 ballots were tallied. Yvonne Gaynor had the majority of votes for Chair and Carol Perezin had the majority of votes for Vice Chair. B. Stewart asked if they accepted the position and both agreed they would. She also reported upcoming events at the senior center which included: $7 Fashion show on March24th, $7 Spring Shopping Spree to Virginia Beach (6 seats remaining) – April 13th and Wednesday, May 23rd Senior Expo. Respectfully submitted, Gina L. Lewis Secretary . c:\users\dhollis\box\marketing and outreach\web\website updates\web documents\parks\senior citizens advisory committee\3.5.2018 minutes.docx