RECEIVED February 2, 2012 @9:17 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
Filed, subject to approval
COMMISSION ON AGING
February 1, 2012
MEETING MINUTES
Commission members: Rosalind Kopfstein, Chairman; Lore Handy, Alice Pardee, Jean Whitham, Hilda Rhodes, Janet Metzger, Lea Mintz, Florence Hayes, Henry Polio
Others present: Gail Schiron, Eloise Baron (Ridgefield VNA) and Bonnie Leavy-Mello (Laurel Ridge Health Care) and Beth Wagner (Wagner Financial Care)
Mrs. Kopfstein called the February 1, 2012 meeting to order at 9:01 am in the Redding Heritage Center Room.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2012 meeting as submitted. Metzger, Pardee. Approved. Unanimous.
RIDGEFIELD VNA
Eloise Baron began her update with an example of how the Quality of Life program served a family. This pointed out the importance of assistance to the elderly especially when the adult children do not live in the area. Discussion included the need to educate adult family members on the care of the elderly, and especially the need to plan for unforeseen events such as an illness or accident.
Ms. Baron invited all to a program in Wilton next Tuesday, “Matters of the Heart”. A discussion of women and heart disease will be held. Free cholesterol screening will be held on Wednesday at the Wilton YMCA. The Laughter Program is scheduled February 15 at the Heritage Center and will highlight the connection of laughter to health.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Schiron reported on the following:
1. Redding Shares the Warmth: Ms. Schiron reported that many donations were received during the holidays. Since the weather has been warm, she does not think the all the available funds will be needed this year.
2. Budget Workshop: the budget discussion went well. A comparison of program costs with the costs of programs in other area towns was provided to support the current program costs. There was support for the continuation of the current program card system.
3. Employee or Subcontractor: currently all instructors are treated as town employees instead of subcontractors. It was suggested that the Town could see some savings by treating instructors as subcontractors. Ms. Schiron will follow up on this with the Controller.
4. Salvation Army: the contributions to the Salvation Army were down for the year. The Town of Redding receives $2,000 annually from the relationship with Ridgefield although there are no holiday kettles in Redding.
5. Van: Ms. Schiron noted that a Grant pays $12,000 toward the salary of the van driver. She is checking to determine when the grant funding will stop and the cost will need to be included in the operation budget.
Marie Sibilio, Senior Center Coordinator: Ms. Sibilio was not present, so Ms. Schiron provided the following information.
1. Van trips: Ms. Sibilio reported there were 108 van trips accounting to 1304 miles in December.
2. Meals on Wheels: Ms. Sibilio is currently setting up the schedule for the year. Currently there is only one recipient.
3. Spanish Class: Nine people have enrolled in the course
4. Book Discussion Group: This program is doing very well
5. Foreign Films: A foreign film program is set for April 16, and Mrs. Whitham hopes the program will be a regular offering.
6. Advance Directives: this program is scheduled for February 27.
7. Music Program: a program featuring Japanese and Hawaiian instruments is in the planning stage.
8. Genealogy Program: Mrs. Metzger suggested a program that was described in a newspaper article. Ms. Sibilio was asked to follow up on this idea.
9. Newsletter: currently colored paper is used for the newsletter and is more expensive than white paper. Commission members felt that the colored stock calls attention to the newsletter, but perhaps only one sheet needed to be colored. Ms. Sibilio is also considering using a standard 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper as this is less expensive that the 8 ½ x 14 size.
REPORT FROM BARRY ROBINSON
Mr. Robinson submitted a written report on the computer situation. Ms. Kopstein noted that she made a few phone calls regarding the installation of the computers following the previous meeting. The 15 new computers, supplied by the Redding Easton Boys’ & Girls’ Club through a grant, are housed at the Community Center since their facility cannot accommodate them. The computers have been set up, networked and are ready for use. Mr. Robinson’s report indicated that the computers are available for use by all residents under the umbrella of the Redding Technology and Learning Center. The general concept is that the computers are available for general use during the morning and early afternoon, the Boys’ & Girls’ Club will have programming scheduled students in
the afternoons (after school hours), and the Park & Recreation Department will have programming scheduled for evening hours.
Mr. Robinson’s report suggested scheduling an Open House to call attention to the availability of the computers. Commission members discussed taking the open house concept further and include all programming at the Center. Ms. Schiron will work with Mr. Robinson and Carlos (Boys’ & Girls’ Club) to schedule a date for an Open House. Commission members will be asked to assist with the planning once the date is established. In addition to the computer demonstration, other Heritage activities, along with the teachers, could be demonstrated.
OTHER REPORTS
Bonnie Leavy-Mello of Laurel Ridge Health Care Center: Ms. Leavy-Mello provided a flyer for a series for training programs for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. The program is a series of talks in March.
REVISION OF MISSION STATEMENT FOR HERITAGE CENTER
Draft 1 of the Mission Statement was reviewed.
The mission of the Heritage Learning Center is to provide adults with a place to come together in a friendly environment where they may participate in a broad range of cultural, educational, and social activities, and where they may seek advice and recommendations for support services.
Commission members discussed the mission statement and new ideas for programming. Following a discussion, a second draft was constructed.
Draft 2: for further discussion and revision at the next meeting.
The mission of the Heritage Senior & Learning Center is to provide adults with a friendly environment where they may participate in a broad range of cultural, educational, and social programs, and where they may seek information for support services.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2012, at 9:00 am.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn. Pardee, Metzger. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 am
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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