Council on Aging Board

Council on Aging (COA) Advisory Board Meeting Monday February 8, 2021 I. Roll Call Present: Mary Donnelly, Beverly Gonsalves, Lillian Hartman (Director),Andrew Hostetler (Chair), , John Lawlor, Absent: Joyce Dastou, Vincenzo Milinazzo, Ann Marie Porter II: Pledge of Allegiance II Approval of Minutes: Minutes unanimously approved for the January 11 Meeting. IV: Chairperson’s Report: Andy provided a brief update on the Age-Friendly Lowell project, for which there have been no recent meetings. V. Director’s Report: Lil spoke about the Covid Vaccine Schedule. The volume has been high. Carol and Tara are taking phone calls to schedule appointments and we have a waitlist. Up to 200 appointments each, Tuesdays and Saturdays. State website does not screen for local eligibility (must live in Lowell or be Phase 1 worker in Lowell), so there is a lot of back-end work removing people and notifying them – about half of initial sign-ups are ineligible. Director’s Report is attached: VI. Committee Reports: a. Outreach: No report, no scheduled meetings. b. HAC: Amy Pessia presented on food insecurity. Since then we’ve given away groceries at vaccine clinics, developed a SNAP assistance flyer in 3 languages for pantries, and State Senator Kennedy sponsored a bill to implement a Restaurant Meal Program for seniors on SNAP. Next meeting might focus on nutrition again. VII: Items for Discussion: a. Old Business: b. New Business: Vaccine Outreach 1.) Those over 75 can call the Senior Center to schedule an appointment. 2.) Mary Donnelly directed some of her seniors to the Dracut Senior Center to inquire about the vaccine. Also, there is a new site at 1001 Pawtucket Blvd, which is coordinated by LGH. 3.) Transportation to Senior Center vaccines provided by our bus, LRTA RoadRunner Senior Dial-A-Ride and Elder Services Care Ride (like Uber) can also provide vaccine transportation. 4.) Other places to get the vaccine: Bruyere Gardens is scheduling their residents for the second shot of vaccine next week. The Lowell Housing Authority and Rogers Hall are trying to coordinate for their residents to get the vaccine. CVS may have the vaccine soon, too. Mary Donnelly said that some volunteers over 75 are waiting for more information about the vaccine before receiving it. Adjournment: Beverly Gonsalves made a motion, Mary Donnelly seconded it. Unanimously approved. Next meeting Monday, March 8, 2021