Mansfield Commission on Aging Minutes

   2:30 PM – Senior Center           Tuesday, January 22, 2008

PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), R. Gouldsbrough, M. Thatcher, J. Kenny (staff), T. Quinn (Chair), A. Holinko, S. Gordon, P. Hope (staff), J. Quarto, C. Pellegrine,

REGRETS: W. Bigl

I. Call to Order: Chair T. Quinn called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM.  He asked if members wanted to change the meeting time to the morning.  J. Quarto moved that the meeting be changed to 10:00 AM on the second Monday of the month.  This was approved unanimously.

II. Appointment of Recording Secretary: K. Grunwald agreed to take minutes for the meeting.

III. Acceptance of Minutes of the December 10, 2007 meeting: The minutes of the December 10 meeting were accepted as written.

IV. Correspondence – Chair and Staff: P. Hope distributed copies of the report of the Long Term Care Advisory Council. She gave an overview of the study and indicated that their findings are similar to the survey done by the COA.  The study encourages the State to provide easier access to services.  C. Phillips added that baby boomers (men) will be looking to continue to be employed.                

V. New Business

-Robert Miller: Eastern Highlands Health District: not able to attend; will come to the February meeting.

- Agency Funding Requests: K. Grunwald reported that this is the time of year for this group to review applications for funding from non-profit agencies.  Applications will be sent to members who volunteered to review them and will be discussed at the next meeting.

- “Other”: T. Quinn mentioned the need for a job-matching service for seniors.  P. Hope is meeting with a group called “Generations Connect”, and she will see if they can provide this type of service.  C. Pellegrine mentioned that there are some listings for this in “At Your Fingertips”, although this needs to be updated.  There was discussion that the Social Service Dept. could serve as a matchmaker for people needing services. 

VI. Optional Reports on Services/Needs of Town Aging Populations

A. Health Care Services

Wellness Center and Wellness Program – J. Kenny distributed copies of her monthly report.  J. Quarto and A. Holinko asked questions about the clients that she sees.  Many contacts are with family members.

        Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation – J. Kenny: no report.

B. Social, Recreational and Educational

Senior Center – P. Hope distributed copies of her monthly report.  She noted that the town-wide issue of Sparks is going out next month; some new classes are starting this month. 

Senior Center Assoc. – John Brubacher (for Tom Rogers): not present, no report.

C. Housing

Assisted Living Advisory Committee: K. Grunwald gave a brief update on the work of this committee. Wrights Way, Juniper Hill: R. Gouldsbrough distributed copies of a transportation survey that he will be using for residents of Juniper Hill.  The survey does not include demographic information. 

D. Related Town and Regional Organizations such as:

Advisory Committee on the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, Senior Resources of Eastern CT: no reports.

VII. Old Business

- Long Range Plan for 2007- 2010: Action Plans – Small group discussion

- - Discussion of meeting time: changed to 10:00 AM.

VIII. Adjournment: adjourned at 3:25 PM.

Next meeting: Monday, February 11, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Senior Center.