1995-09-28 - Committee on Aging - Minutes . , � � ��
Bu,,�`'alo Grove Joint Commission on Aging
Meeting Minutes of
September 28, 1995
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Harriet Rubenstein at 7:00 PM.
Members in Aneridance: Harriet Rubinstein, Gina Sheade, Steve Perlis, Bonnie Factor,
Karolyn Swanson, Diane Breslow, Laura Werner, Phil Versten and Dan Schimmel.
Introductions: Harriet asked each of the Commission Members to introduce themselves as this
was the f�rst meeti;ig for Laura V�'ern�r. ,'..aura comes to fhe Commission with a general
interest in serving the community and with the feeling that the entire community is aging and
that service should be in place.
Agenda Approved: The agenda was approved without changes by general consensus.
Minutes Approved: The minutes from the May 25, 1995 meeting were approved by general
consensus.
New Business
Trip to China - Bonnie Factor reported on a trip that she will be taldng to China beginning on
October 12. She was invited to participate on this trip by China Nadonal Committee on Aging
through the Citizen Ambassador Program of People to People International. Her primary
focus will be on studying how the Chinese approach elder care services and issues. With the
trip costing over $4000, she did have to ask for contribudons to help fund this trip. Because
of her involvement with this committee, the park district donated $250, and the Active Agers
Senior Club donated $25 to the Cidzen Ambassador Program on Bonnie's behalf.
Are You OK? - Harriet presented the Lake County Sheriff's Are You OK? program to the
Council for review. Though she had hoped all senior could benefit from the program, ihe
service is only geared for those individuals who are homebound. Though we hoped to
promote the service, we needed more information on whether it was offered in Cook County
or through Wheeling Township. Phil Versten offered to follow up on finding out which
organizations in the area offer the service. Karolyn offered to get the phone number and
contact person for Phil for Cook County.
White House Conference on Aging - Harriet provided the Council with a listing of the topics
which were discussed at the White House Conference on Aging. There was great concern
expressed with the White House attitude that it wasn't "necessary" to continue running these
conferences as "nothing really gets accomplished." With the federal governments actions to
eliminate their role in providing grants and services for older Americans, it appears that the
state and local governments will be required to "pick up the slack." There was discussion on
. , �' � ��
obtaining the transcripts of the Conference when they become available.
Park District Senior Prograrruning - Dan had included the October Active Agers newsletter in
the packet. Programs are going well. Dan reported that the senior coordinator position had
really developed in the last year and that there is a demand for more funding to support the
staffing. This will allow Terri to continue to add necessary service for the seniors. There
were some suggestions for additional workshops including "Long Term Care Insurance" and
"What Does it Mean to Have a Managed HMO?"
Senior Services Survey - Dan reported that the Survey was done and would be delivered to the
Phil for possible inclusion in the next Village newsletter.
Resource Library Report - Gina reported that new information had not been received to be
added as yet. Dan said he had some new materials ready for Gina when she was ready. There
was extensive conversation on the Council developing a directory of senior services for the
community. Mention was made of the "Resource Center of the Elderly Directory" as being a
great source of materials for this type of effort. Dan mentioned that though the typing of the
d'uectory could be done by the park district, that the compilation of the directory would have
to be done by the Council. In addition, the printing of the directory would be an expense that
would have be considered. The High School Print Shop could be employed for this purpose.
Perhaps donations or ad space could be sold to help pay for this effort. Discussion was also
pursued concerning aslcing for seniors to help compile the informadon.
Community Service Outreach Opportunities - There was discussion about what other services
the Council could provide for the community. One of the services discussed was the
nationally supported "Seniors and Lawmen Working Together" program described by Bonnie
Factor. This program helps law officers have more sensitivity when dealing with seniors,
helps train seniors to help other seniors, helps to provide support to the senior witness
program, and provides an avenue for seniors to express concerns on how they are treated in
the community. Karolyn and Bonnie both refened to Sgt. Mike Greenberg as a
knowledgeable contact in this area. Karolyn also mentioned that Arlington Heights had a
similar program developed for their fire department.
There being no other business to discuss, the meedng adjourned at 9:10 PM.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 16, 1995 at 7:00 PM.