Colorado Commission on Aging October 3-4, 2013 Eastern Plains Legislative Speak-Out Stratton, Colorado
Attendees: Sara Canfield, Todd Coffey, Tara Franck, Judy Hensley, Ruth Long, Gail Ploen, Linda Sanden, Robert Spuhler, Betty Sweeney, Joe Urban, Dar Vriesman Excused: Senator Lucia Guzman, Bobbie Mecalo, Lea Abdnor, Karl Aguilera, Jeanette Hensley, Alice Langley, Vivian Stovall, Guests: Terrie Baylie, Region 5 AAA Director Meeting Commenced at: 9:00 am CALL TO ORDER July meeting minutes were reviewed and approved. Tara will make changes to the Allen Buckingham awards letter and nomination form and send out to the entire Commission. COMMITTEE REPORTS Legislative Committee: Review of the SNAP letter that Jeanette had written. Commissioners need more information. Todd sent to Dee Martinez for her review. Community Living Committee: Review of Position Paper regarding the reform of long-term care services that Ruth wrote. Ruth will take to the next AAA meeting for their review of the document. Concerns from CCOA were that it is important for AAAs and seniors to be on the same page as the disability group. Topic #1: Ruth will make recommended changes and provide a final copy for approval at the November meeting. UPDATE OF REGION 5 Terrie Baylie, director of Region 5 AAA. •
Sequestration reduced state funding by $13,000 1
• • • • • • • • • •
Region 5 uses state funding for HELP MATE program and were able to assist 25 people to get hearing aids and/or dental work in Elbert, Lincoln, Cheyenne, and Kit Carson counties. Region 5 offers part-time direct services, such as, meals, transportation, attorney-legal, nutrition education, and outreach as Direct Service Part D. State funding goes towards homemaker, continuing congregate dining sites, home delivered meals, transportation (Outback Express and Public Transportation), and ombudsman program. Local issues and concerns: no more local matching funds, there are only 19 buses over 4 counties. AAA currently purchases $20 ticket books and they sell them to seniors for $11. They serve 600 people annually. Region 5 was the smallest AAA, but now Region 14 is the smallest. These Regions have had to become very effective at reaching their population and making dollars stretch. Region 5 has 5 kitchens in total for 4 counties and operate with volunteers and paid drivers. To receive legal services, the client must contact the AAA who will then email the attorney who then will contact the client. There are currently 9 nursing homes and 3 assisted living homes. Doctors come often to Burlington to offer specialty clinics. At this time participation in programs is declining; however the aging population is not declining.
COMMITTEE REPORTS CONTINUED… Community Living, continued: Topic #2: CCOA supports. Topic #3: CCOA supports. Topic #4: CCOA will support once Ruth rewords. Topic #5: CCOA will support with the addition of the word “advocacy”. Topic #6: CCOA supports. Bob motioned that Ruth take the position paper to the AAAs for their input and bring back to CCOA at the November meeting. Motion passed. Strategic Planning Committee: • •
Will meet on a monthly basis. Would like to see more educational opportunities for Commissioners.
Policies and Procedures Committee: Policy letter approved. Tara will send out official copy on Monday. 2
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • •
Todd will need approximately 3 hours for a CLAG update and presentation. AAS update
Adjourned 12:30pm.
3
