Council on Aging Board

Council on Aging (COA) Advisory Board Lowell Senior Center Meeting Minutes Monday, March 14, 2022 at 9:00am I. Roll Call: Chairman Andrew Hostetler, Director Lillian Hartman, Board members: Judith Huber, John Lawlor, Beverly Gonsalves, and on the telephone, Joyce Dastou, Molyka Tieng. Guests. John King, Gilda James and Bobby Tugbiyele. II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Approval of the February Minutes: First by Judy Huber, second by Beverly Gonsalves, all others were in favor. IV. Chairperson’s Report: Andy spoke about the Age Friendly Action Group, which will meet in two weeks. Last meeting they provided helpful feedback about safety and security focus groups. Student walk-audits have begun to evaluate siddewalks, crosswalks and other outdoor elements, and there will be opportunity for volunteers to get training. This or fall semester, up to 4 UML students might be able to host tech support hours at the Senior Center. V. Director’s Report: Lillian gave her report for March and spoke about the the Outreach Program. VI. Committee Reports a. Outreach: Suggestions by Board members to promote the senior center and senior outreach team include: i. Neighborhood Council presentations, Downtown and Pawtucketville ii. Building management organizations such as Peabody Properties iii. LTC announcement via video and powerpoint slides iv. Request City Council presentation v. Target audience frequents laundromats, drug stores, groceries, banks, bodegas, houses of worship vi. Tabling outside Market Basket vii. Engage CTI YouthBuild or UML students to do outdoor outreach? viii. Larger investment long-term: city information kiosks ix. Senior Center could reconnect lunch room TV with City e-bulletin board. x. Approach UML Steve Mishol to have students create a video tour of senior center xi. Attend CHOP dinners with senior outreach information b. HAC: Suggested next steps for nutrition programs: i. Think about what is achievable now vs. long-term ii. Advertise free lunch bus more clearly iii. We have a UML nutrition intern Katherine Pittsley beginning mid-May  iv. Monthly program spotlight: Nutrition one month in the future. May is Alzheimer’s Awareness month and Older Americans Month. Possible nutrition focus in June? Judy Huber volunteered to help organize events. v. Invite AgeSpan for Nutrition Day one-on-one counseling vi. Request Leigh Hartwell provide an article for that month’s newsletter 1. Topics: Seniors are eating more processed food, frozen food that have more salt, feel unmotivated about cooking when alone. vii. Ask Paula at LHA if she wants to offer “nutrition for one” programming for LHA residents, who often live alone. viii. See if CBA’s CHOP dinner could have a nutrition theme ix. ARPA investments – public health focus on food security for underrepresented groups? VII. Items for Discussion a. Old Business: Lil will follow up with HR regarding Board vacancies. b. New Business: Looking for someone to organize day trips for the Friends. VIII. Other: John King asked Lillian about sending E-mails to seniors. The Senior Center has sent limited announcements by email and text, usually vaccine related. IX. Adjournment Next meeting Monday April 11, 2022 at 9:00 am