Council on Aging Board

The City of Lowell • Council on Aging 276 Broadway Street • Lowell, MA 01854 P: 978.674.4131 • F: 978.970.4134 www.LowellMA.gov POSTING DATE: ___________________ Council on Aging (COA) Advisory Board Healthy Aging Committee Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 2:00pm Via conference line Meeting Minutes I. Attendance Mary Donnelly, Andy Hostetler, Joyce Dastou, Eric Lamarche, Anne-Marie Porter, Lillian Hartman, Amy Pessia II. Goals III. Assessment tools for evaluating independent living: Any updates? a. Survey included in summer newsletters, and in October issue IV. Age Friendly Lowell update a. This committee could get involved in this project, recently funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation. Toward eventual recognition by WHO as an age- friendly city. Researchers identify important domains to make a city for all ages: housing, transportation, health (9 in total). See graphic below. We’ll look for diverse representation on Older Adult Action Group, developing new leadership and reaching out beyond current senior center participants. The group will play a role in advising and consent/oversee the project. Andy can share articles on Age-Friendly before next meeting.  The City of Lowell • Council on Aging 276 Broadway Street • Lowell, MA 01854 P: 978.674.4131 • F: 978.970.4134 www.LowellMA.gov V. Collecting data on and prioritizing seniors' needs: Any updates? The mission of the Lowell Council on Aging is to promote the well-being and independence of adults age 60 and above. We do this through advocacy and programs, including nutrition, health/fitness, outreach, education, socialization, and transportation. The Lowell COA is committed to honoring the diversity and building on the strengths of seniors. Lil will create a report showing what current programs fall under each of the mission domains. Next meeting: seek feedback from committee on portfolio of programs, potential gaps in services. Generally and in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. VI. Brainstorming Session: Reaching/outreach to seniors a. Lunches in person – not expected before January 2020 b. Traditional outreach – newsletter and website are improved/comprehensive c. Feedback from surveys – preference for one-on-one calls vs. group or online  The City of Lowell • Council on Aging 276 Broadway Street • Lowell, MA 01854 P: 978.674.4131 • F: 978.970.4134 www.LowellMA.gov d. Senior center and library staff have made outreach calls to this point e. Phone Pals program partnering with CTI Senior Companions beginning Sept. f. New resources include full-time CTI employee, senior outreach specialist. Also grant-funded Khmer outreach position. g. CTI is training volunteers to use tech. Waiting to hear if grant was approved for 27 tablets with hotspots. Training through Oasis, then they have 24/7 support. Lil mentioned Age Friendly funding might be possible to spend for internet access? Coalition for a Better Acre has device grant to lend some tablets. h. Andy could offer community service course this spring with 10 students to make outreach calls and tech support, with training on cultural competency and communicating with seniors. i. Committee recommend telephone bingo, Lil will follow up with staff. Dracut has 80 participants in this program. j. Amy will help advertise senior center programs – phone pals and Age-Friendly through WCAP. k. National Night Out Oct. 6 – could senior center participate in parade? Theme is “Lowell stronger together.” Lil will brainstorm “float” ideas with staff and see if driver can work this time period. Joyce (Meals on Wheels) could help advertise. l. Could we or Andy/UML apply for funding for tech assessment and devices for seniors? Seniors may be more open to learn now that they’ve been home for 6 months. m. UML Production Arts students putting together tech training videos for local cable? Andy will pursue this idea. Look for “Teens Teaching Tech” curriculum. n. Lil will reconnect with Dave Cornell re: student video orientation to fitness room.  The City of Lowell • Council on Aging 276 Broadway Street • Lowell, MA 01854 P: 978.674.4131 • F: 978.970.4134 www.LowellMA.gov o. A previous economics department grant studied broadband access for seniors in Lawrence, looked at barriers. Andy will look for final report. p. Cost barrier for internet: $10 Internet Essentials to be marketed through newsletter early in tech outreach project. VII. Other goals/projects for 2020-21? VIII. Adjournment a. Motion by Joyce, second Amy. Adjourn at 3:01pm NEXT MEETING: TBD Remote Participation: Pursuant to Governor Baker's Emergency Order modifying the State's Open Meeting Law issued March 12, 2020, meetings will be held using remote participation as follows: those wishing to speak regarding a specific agenda item shall register to speak in advance of the meeting with Lil Hartman indicating the agenda item and a phone number to call so that you may be tele-conferenced in to the meeting. All members of the public are welcome to submit their phone number to be invited to listen to the meeting on mute. Email: LHARTMAN@LOWELLMA.GOV Phone: 978-674-1170