TOWN OF REDDING
COMMISSION ON AGING
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2017
HERITAGE CENTER
Commission members present:
Ingrid Heller & Karen de Friesse – Co-Chair, Jean Rexford, Jean Whitham, Sam Crocker, Lea Mintz, Janet Metzger, Hilda Rhodes
*Mary Dale Lancaster, Casey Levine, Caroline Leflore-Special Speakers (ALICE PROGRAM)
*Ruth Moran-Senior Center Director
Angelica Fontanez – Director of Social Services
Guests: Anita Taylor, Meadow Ridge, Sarah Atwood, Steven Montauk
The meeting was called to order at 8:56 a.m.
I. Approval of Minutes from October 2017
Motion: Minutes approved as recorded October 2017 – unanimous.
Motion de Frisse, Crocker, Whitham. Unanimous
III. MOTION: MOTION TO HOLD COMISSION ON AGING MEETINGS ON THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2018 (Motion Metzger, second Rhodes, unanimous)
IV. Senior Center Program Report – Ruth Moran
-Ruth distributed Activity/financial sheet, a brief discussion ensued. Ruth explained that numbers were up for October. An increase in participation was happily noted. Yoga in particular had a dramatic increase in participation.
-A minor computer issue was reported and the problem has been rectified.
-The “Hong Kong in Transition” special presentation was a great success. The feedback of the event was very positive.
-It was reported that the Senior Annual Budget was at 60% spent.
-Ruth raised concern about Massage/Reiki instructor’s method of payment, being paid directly as sub-contractors, yet not paying venue-renting fee. Ruth stated she will look into policy/rules regarding this and will report back.
-The Senior Holiday Luncheon is scheduled for December 7, 2017.
V. Director’s Report – Angelica Fontanez
-Angelica gave a brief overview of services provided to clients for the month of October 2017. -She explained that she is encouraging seniors to apply for help early, particularly for Oil assistance.
-Angelica explained crisis intervention cases increased to 16 participants this month.
-Two particular crisis cases were reported through Social Services (Senior suicide attempt and young autistic man needing help with ambulance bill and continued resources).
-Revenue goals for 2017 were met.
-Jean Whitham recommended a mental health awareness initiative be created to support seniors. Commission agreed this was a valuable resource for the town and will be something to further look into.
VI. Special Presentation by Mary Dale Lancaster, Casey Levine, and Caroline Deflore on ALICE
-ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) is a program through the United Way.
-Casey explained that this program is aimed to help seniors who are working, living paycheck to paycheck, and are considered to be “caught in the middle”. These seniors don’t qualify for any assistance but are barely making ends meet.
-38% of Connecticut seniors are in the position to qualify for ALICE program.
-Casey/Caroline continued to explain that these targeted seniors are one disaster (car failure, home maintenance issue, etc) from disaster.
-Food pantry efforts are a top priority. Mobile food pantries are providing seniors with many meals, helping to bridge the gap between money issues.
-Within the ALICE program, community conversations have been the best source of data collection for the ALICE program. This data is used to create valuable programs.
-ALICE focuses on having conversation with seniors to learn what their struggles, concerns, and issues are. This helps the ALICE program target immediate needs of seniors and plan programs accordingly.
-It is always a concern with the ability of seniors to obtain information resources. Senior centers, local YMCA’s, friends and family are the best sources to reach seniors.
-The ALICE program uses survey data in order to meet the needs of its clients. Surveyed results show the major concerns of seniors are (taxes, home repairs, medical issues, access to medicine, transportation).
-Mary asked if Redding was able to participate in the survey data. Caroline was happy to include Redding seniors and offered for surveys to be passed out today and will be also be available through Angelica.
VII. Commissioner’s Report
Nothing at this time.
There was no additional business presented before the Commission; the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 am.
Minutes prepared by Kimberly Keil