Council on Aging, November 7, 2013

HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Conference Room – Senior Center

Present:    Jerry Heslinga, Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Maureen Locke, Rebecca Tornblom,
Marilyn Burnham, Jacqueline Kelly, Peter Lukes,  Jim Robinson, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.

 Jacquie Kelly introduced Peter Lukes as the new Assistant Town Manager.  Peter is getting to know people and getting involved in different projects, and Jacquie is very happy to have Peter on board.

The Minutes from the September 5, 2013 meeting were approved and accepted.

F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
    Faye reported the account balances as of May 6, 2013 as follows:
        Commerce Bank                    $12,999.00
        Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.)        $4,235.17
        Leominster Credit Union C.D.            $23,826.26
        LCU Trip Account                    $4,317.82

    The Friends held their annual Fair on Saturday, November 2.  They deposited $3,270.00 into the bank at this point, but may have some expenses that are still outstanding.  They had over 14 vendors and over 51 items on their raffle table.  The senior center’s knitting group brought in over $900.00 from their table of knit goods.  
    There was some discussion on the Westboro Senior Center and their Friends group severing ties over financial matters.  The Holden Friends group has checked and revised some of their bylaws.  
    Faye has a call in to the Winter Carnival Committee, but hasn’t heard back from them yet.  They will be holding their event on Saturday, December 7, before Santa comes to town, and are trying to put on something similar to Holden Days.

HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT - Jim Robinson
 Jim reported that he was not able to put out an updated financial report.  They already received $1,000.00 from a local church.  Their annual fundraising is starting with an insert in the light bills.  This is their 5th year, and they have collected close to $100,000.00 during that time.  Help at Home is now an official committee of the town.  They will be holding their next meeting on November 18th.  Karen Halley, Susan Marsh, Brian Bullock, Joe Sullivan, Jim Robinson, Faye Ellis and Rev. Martin Holman are the current members.  People are encouraged to make their checks payable to Help at Home, instead of Welcome Aldrich.  Jerry explained Welcome Aldrich for Peter’s benefit.  

BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT - Richard Mansfield
 Rick was unable to stay for today’s meeting.  He submitted a copy of Elder Services’ report from their 39th annual meeting held on October 15.  Rick has one (1) more year of his term on the board.  He would have to come off of the board for a year, before he can go back on.  
Rick’s report stated that Maureen Siergie, Assistant Director, introduced Elder Services staff and acknowledged employees for longevity and their years of dedicated service to the agency.
Michael Badger reported that Elder Services of Worcester Area has over thirty-nine years of experience and continues to be committed to assisting elders and their caregivers, and younger people with disabilities, live productive, satisfying lives and with the goal of increasing access to community supports and full participation.  MassHealth and CMS announced that they have signed contracts with three health plans to be ICOs or now called One Care Plans:  Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA), Fallon Total Care (FTC), and Network Health Unify.  ESWA has signed contracts with each of the ICOs.  We are grateful to the legislature for passing a Fiscal Year 2014 budget that prevents any waiting lists during this fiscal year.  Thank you to Legislature for fully funding Protective Services for the first time.  Based on the growth of Senior Care Organizations in our area, we now serve more SCO clients than State Home Care clients.
Lou Swan, Executive Director, discussed strategies for the upcoming year, including growth in the Senior Care Options and OneCare programs, Care Transitions, Money Follows the Person program, Healthy Aging Programming, Nutrition budget and changes, and the Federal budget.
Lou introduced keynote speaker, Representative James O’Day who has served in the Fourteenth Worcester District since 2007.  Representative O’Day applauded the important work of Elder Services of Worcester Area.  An increase in funding was secured to help end the waiting lists for Home Care and the Enhanced Community Options Program.  The ECOP program helps to keep frail elders in their homes by providing assistance with daily living activities.  Representative O’Day was also able to successfully advocate for an increase in funding for housing programs to ensure safe and sustainable housing options.  Additional funding was secured for the Councils on Aging, who provide local aid and support to senior centers.
Miles Funeral Home will be having their Healing through the Holidays program on Saturday, November 23rd at 1:00 p.m.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Louise Charbonneau
OCTOBER EVENTS
Thur., Oct. 3   ~ Movie “Victor/Victoria”
Wed., Oct. 9   ~ Public Power Week Luncheon
Thur., Oct. 10 ~ Movie “The Odd Life of Timothy Green”
Mon., Oct. 14 ~ Senior Center Closed In Observance of Columbus Day                                 
Wed., Oct. 16 ~ Stories Of Lost Treasures
Thur., Oct. 17 ~ Book Discussion Group – Home Town by Tracy Kidder
                           Movie “Moneyball”
Mon., Oct. 21 ~ Independent Living W/Attorney Nick Kaltsas
Wed., Oct. 23 ~ Lunch HPD Det. Sgt. Chris Carey RE:  Scams
Thur., Oct. 24 ~ Movie “Safe Haven”
Fri., Oct. 25    ~ Veterans Meeting
Mon., Oct. 28 ~ Medicare Boot Camp
Wed., Oct. 30 ~ Greendale Men’s Chorus
Thur., Oct. 31 ~ Movie “A Cemetery Special”

NOVEMBER EVENTS
Sat., Nov. 3       ~ Best of Friends Fair  
Wed., Nov. 6    ~ Veterans Day Observance & Concert
Thurs., Nov. 7   ~ Movie “Sweet November”  
Mon., Nov. 11   ~ Senior Center Closed in Observance of Veterans Day
Thurs., Nov. 14 ~ Movie … “Mr. Mom”  
Mon., Nov. 18   ~ Insurance Information w/Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Wed., Nov. 20   ~ Home Cooked Meal
                              Legal Presentation – Staying Home No Matter What  
Thurs., Nov. 21 ~ Book Discussion Group … Nothing Lasts Forever by Sidney Sheldon
                              Movie … “Life of Pi”
Fri., Nov. 22      ~ Veterans Meeting  
Thurs., Nov. 28 & Fri., Nov. 29… Senior Center Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving

VETERANS MEETINGS
The two gentlemen who have been running the Veterans Meetings have put out a plea for assistance with planning and running some of the meetings.  The job has become a bit much for the two of them to handle, so if any of you know someone who would be willing to step up to the plate and plan one or two meetings – their assistance will be greatly appreciated.  If no one is willing to help, the meetings will no longer be held.

HOLDEN SENIOR CENTER MONTH AT TATNUCK PARK
October was Holden Senior Center Month at Tatnuck Park Assisted Living.  They began the month with a “kick off” providing balloons and a huge cake.  Mid-month they offered a cooking demonstration (fajitas and quesadillas) and later in the month, we sent a van full of elders to Tatnuck Park for a tour and lunch.

MCOA CONFERENCE
Each of us, with the exception of Naomi, attended the MCOA Conference last month.  As usual, some of the workshops were better than others.  The workshops that we attended that we found most interesting were:  Retire the Fire!; 30 Rules for Professional Development; Understanding, Approaching and Helping the Human Behind the Hoard; Because You’ve Never Died Before:  Spiritual Issues at the End of Life and An Overview of the Massachusetts Elder Protective Services Program.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Mountview School will be holding their annual Christmas Breakfast for Holden Elders ONLY on Thursday, December 5th at 9:00 a.m. at the school.  If any of you would like to go and have not registered, please let Maureen or Louise know.
For the Senior Center Christmas Party we are doing something a little different this year.  We are holding the party at Val’s on Tuesday, December 10 at noon.  We are having a buffet which will consist of Fresh Salad; Fresh Baked Rolls and Butter; Baked Haddock; Chicken Marsala; Beef Sirloin Tips w/Mushroom Gravy; Mashed Potato; Coffee and Tea; and an Ice Cream Sundae for dessert.  The cost is $16.99/person, and a cash bar will be available for those who would enjoy it.  We would like to thank the Friends of the Holden Council on Aging for providing the gratuity, such that we could keep the cost down.  If you’d like to register for this event, once again, please let Maureen or Louise know, and we will add you to the list.

The Wachusett Area Rotary Club’s Annual Christmas Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 14 at the Manor Restaurant.  This breakfast is for Elders who reside in Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, Boylston or West Boylston.  Seating will begin at 8:30 a.m.  The Wachusett Singers will provide entertainment.

SOME NUMBERS FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER
Legal Presentation – 39
A Day in the Life of a Roman Legionary Soldier – 25
Flu Shot Clinic – 150
Home Cooked Meal – 62

OCTOBER
Independent Living w/Attorney Nick Kaltsas – 25
Stories of Lost Treasures – 34
Public Power Week - 160

OLD BUSINESS
    Jacquie said that Walter Perry turned 100, three weeks ago, and was presented with the Boston Post Cane.  Sadly, he passed away a couple of weeks ago.

NEW BUSINESS
    Sue told the board that her husband’s cousin, who has some health issues, just moved in to town.  Joe brought his cousin in to the senior center recently, and it was a great day for him.  It was a very positive experience, and it brightened his day.  On a personal note, Sue said “This place works really well.”

CITIZENS ADDRESS
    None.

ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holden Senior Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen Buffone