HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_COA_05.16.2016Minutes of the
Georgetown Commission on Aging
City of Georgetown, Texas
May 16, 2016
The City of Georgetown Commission on Aging met on May 16, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety
Facility, located at 3500 DB Wood Road, Georgetown, TX 78633.
The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require
assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance,
adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's Office, at least
four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 81" Street for additional
information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Regular Session
(This Regular session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any purpose authorized by
the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.)
A. Call to Order
Gene Jantzen, Chairman of the Board, called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. All Board members
were present, thus constituting a quorum. Also present were Staff Liaison Fire Chief John Sullivan
and Staff Liaison Office Specialist Linda White.
Statutory Consent Agenda
The Statutory Consent Agenda includes non -controversial and routine items that may be acted upon with one single
vote. An item may be pulled from the Consent Agenda in order that it be discussed and acted upon individually as
part of the Regular Agenda.
B. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the meeting held on April 18,
2016 — Gene Jantzen, Board Chair. Bill Dalton moved to approve the minutes from the April
18, 2016 meeting. Valerie Nicholson moved to second the motion, which the Board approved
unanimously. (9-0)
Legislative Regular Agenda
The Commission will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the following items:
C. Presentation and discussion regarding services provided by Faith in Action, particularly
transportation provided for the senior citizens — Vickie Orcutt, Director. Ms. Orcutt explained
that Faith in Action is an advocate for seniors by providing volunteer services to help seniors
maintain their independence and quality of life. There are no charges for services provided which
include: transportation for those who can no longer drive; handyman services for small projects
around the house; running errands to pick up groceries or prescriptions for clients; providing
information and referrals on services by other elder care providers; and maintaining a medical
equipment closet of durable medical equipment for clients (wheelchairs, shower benches, walkers,
etc.). Ms. Orcutt further explained that Faith in Action provides safe, reliable, dependable and
accessible transportation for Georgetown residents, including Georgetown ETJ, age 65+ who can
no longer drive. The ultimate goal is to support senior independence by addressing the need for
mobility and companionship. The intended outcome is that the elderly stay connected with their
community, while living independent, healthy and active lives.
Commission on Aging May 16, 2016
Approximately 150 volunteers provide rides to over 450 clients. In 2015, rides by trip type
included: 58% (doctor, pharmacy, rehab, counseling, and dentist); 22% (grocery store); 11%
(hair/nail salon); 7% (errands); 1% (exercise); 1% (entertainment); .2% (social services). New
neighborhood communities are expanding and being built and service areas are increasing in size
and population, significantly increasing the demand for transportation provided by volunteers.
Outreach to gain additional volunteers is currently conducted through church ministry fairs, health
fairs, speaker's bureau, civic organizations, and online volunteer sites.
Ms. Orcutt shared that Faith in Action has recently submitted an application to Strategic
Partnerships for Community Services. If awarded funding, funds will be used to fund a position
for a scheduler, to increase additional hours for phone coverage of the volunteer recruiter, and
available funding to print recruitment materials to secure additional volunteers.
Dan Bonner moved for approval of a letter, to be written by Gene Jantzen, Chair, endorsing
Faith in Action's application for funding approval from Strategic Partnership for
Community Services. Ginny Hahn seconded the motion, which the Board approved
unanimously. (9-0)
Val Nicholson informed the Board of the Quarterly Breakfast Bites, sponsored by the Georgetown
Main Street Program, which meets in the Friends Room, 2nd Floor, of the Georgetown Library. Ms.
Nicholson shared that breakfast begins at 8 a.m. and the programs begin at 8:30 a.m. The program
on June 8" will be presented by Nat Waggoner with the City of Georgetown Transportation
Department.
D. Presentation and discussion regarding the dental health program in Elgin and Bastrop
provided by Bluebonnet Trails Community Services — Jennifer Bourquin, Director, Bluebonnet
Trails Community Services was unable to attend.
Instead, Presentation and discussion regarding services provided by Lone Star Circle of Care,
particularly dental care provided for the senior citizens — Denise Armstrong, D.D.S., Chief
Dental Officer. Dr. Armstrong explained that Lone Star Circle of Care is a federally qualified
community health center serving Central Texas. Dr. Armstrong stated that if it were not for their
clinics, adults and children without health insurance would not have access to what Lone Star calls
a person -centered, behaviorally enhanced health care home, which includes adult primary care,
dental, integrated mental health, women's health services, and low cost medications. Lone Star
Circle of Care has 27 sites throughout Texas, with 17 of the 27 sites being located in Central Texas
(Austin, Bastrop, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Harker Heights, Hutto, Killeen, Marble Falls, Round
Rock, Taylor).
Keeping in mind of the Board's particular interest with the dental care provided to citizen's age
60+, Dr. Armstrong spoke of the dental care provided by Lone Star Circle of Care. General
dentistry services is provided for adults and children with services including cleanings, x-rays and
preventive care, fillings, root canals, extractions, stainless steel crowns, and partial dentures.
Currently dental services are provided at the Georgetown Dental Clinic (LSCC Dental Center) and
at the Round Rock Dental Center. Round Rock focuses more on children. Waiting for funding in
order to open Bastrop Dental. Plans are to open dental services in Marble Falls during the fall of
2016. Services will concentrate first on children, then at a later date will care for adults. During
2015 there were 285 individual dental patients 60+ age range. There were 146 periodic exams, 99
limited exams, 40 comprehensive exams, 89 extractions, 66 fillings, 9 partials. Issues facing the
dental patient are: patient lacking resources for partial payment, no dental coverage under
Commission on Aging May 16, 2016 2
Medicare, poor reimbursement rates/demands for self -pay, Medicaid very limited in providing
funding. Lack of funds provided to the dentist is an issue the dentists face.
E. Presentation and discussion of pre -hospital medical services and needs within the
Georgetown community — John Sullivan, Fire Chief, Georgetown Fire Department. Chief
Sullivan gave an overview of types and numbers of medical transports, hours of peak calls, peak
day during the week for calls, as well as other trends. The Board expressed their appreciation and
support to Chief Sullivan and staff of the emergency responders. The Board encouraged Chief
Sullivan to continue providing monthly status reports.
F. Status report from each of the Priority Initiatives: Communication, Transportation, Dental
Care, Affordable Housing, Mental Health — Board members.
Housing: no report
Communication: work towards the Commission on Aging acting as a "hub" bringing
together agencies/informing agencies who work with the 60+ aging population within the
City of Georgetown.
Dental: no report
Transportation: continue to work with Faith in Action by encouraging local business
owners to encourage their staff to volunteer as transportation providers and to strategize
towards ways to recruit volunteers.
Mental Health: in working with the mental health of a person, in many instances the family
dynamics comes into play because the family, on their visits, only see a portion of the
mental health issues affecting their loved ones.
G. Discussion on future agendas and priorities — Gene Jantzen, Board Chair. Jennifer Bourquin,
Director, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services will be contacted to reschedule. Nat Waggoner,
ADA Coordinator for City of Georgetown, and Dawn Jennings, Chair, ADA, will present during
the June meeting. Bill Dalton will contact The Caring Place for presenting during the June meeting.
Status update in reference to medical services and needs within the Georgetown community.
Priority Initiatives reports. Possibly have a representative from Alzheimer's care for seniors
present during the July meeting.
Adjournment
The next Board meeting will be Monday, June 20, 2016, at 6:00 p.m., at the Public Safety Facility, 3500
DB Wood Road, Georgetown, Texas.
The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. on a motion by Ginny Hahn, seconded by Bill Dalton, which the
Board approved unanimously. (9-0)
Commission on Aging
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Patricia Strickland, Secretary
Georgetown Commission on Aging
Commission on Aging May 16, 2016