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Minutes 08-07-23 Minutes of the Senior Advisory Board Regular Meeting Held at City Hall, Commission Chamber, 100 E. Ocean Avenue Boynton Beach, Florida, on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. PRESENT Sandra Watson, Chair Brent Rolle, Board Liaison James Czizik. Vice Chair Ann Cwynar Reena Gallagher, Alternate ABSENT: Marcia Levine James Watson, Alternate Thomas Devlin I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Watson called the meeting to order at 2:11 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. ATTENDANCE Roll Call established a quorum was present. IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections 2. Adoption Motion Ms. Cwynar moved to approve the agenda with the presentations. Vice Chair Czizik seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion Ms. Cwynar moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Gallagher seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach. Florida August 7, 2023 VI. PUBLIC INPUT (Comments limited to 3 minutes and 1 Turn) None. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 11. Presentations to the Senior Advisory Board Belinda Russell, Assistant Site Director, JEM Research, stated she was present to inform the Board that JEM Research offers free clinical trials for the community for Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, COVID Prevention, Lewy Body Dementia and others. She noted these conditions affect seniors in the county and commented that she wants to reach the population that is underrepresented in their clinical trials. She pointed out that African Americans are twice as likely to suffer from Alzheimer's, and the Hispanic population is one and a half times as likely to suffer from Alzheimer's, compared to the Caucasian population. She added that often the community is unaware these services are available. Ms. Russell advised that they offer free memory testing in order to match participants to clinical trials they offer and that they have offered free memory testing at the Senior Center Pre-Covid. Ms. Russell said that JEM Research, which is a component of Headlands Research, is located throughout the US and Canada and she provided their contact information to their local office in Atlantis, Florida. She further provided the history of the facility and said that they offer research into other diseases, but their main focus is on neuro- degenerative diseases. Dr. Linda Pao, Co Medical Director, JEM Research, Ms. Russell stated that most prevention trials start by the age of 50 and end at the age of 90, and that study participants do not need to have a diagnosis. She explained that each individual, if they join for memory loss, will need a memory partner, and that no referral from a physician is needed. She commented that they want to educate physicians and City leaders about the service, that they can provide transportation, and that the participant and memory study partner are both reimbursed for time and travel. They would pay for all the testing to confirm the participant has the beginnings of Alzheimer's. She mentioned that a screening for memory trial is 90 days. The studies can last six months to years. Most clinical trials are sometimes open labels or double blind. Dr. Pao advised that most trials are pharmaceutical trials. Some medications are pills, so participant visits are once every two or three months. Some participants are in ongoing Alzheimer's trials for years. She explained some trials require infusions and some participants are taught to self-inject once a week, depending on the trials. 2 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach. Florida August 7, 2023 Questions and answers followed about requirements for trial candidates. Dr. Pao explained that most participants qualify for clinical trials based on age, but JEM research conducts a one-hour evaluation to best march participants to trials. She said that some trials will require a CAT scan, and some tests look for genes and others for biomarkers. She pointed out that tests not covered by insurance will be provided free of charge. Dr. Pao commented they want to help those in their backyard. She noted the City's demographics, and repeated that their studies are lacking in minorities. She emphasized that they want to catch dementia disease early as opposed to later as the treatments are designed for early stage illnesses. She also commented that many people may not have access to healthcare and this could be a good way to assess one's health through the various tests they provide to the participant. Questions and answers followed. Dr. Pao reviewed risk factors which are gender, age, and genetics, depression, sleep disorders and anxiety and pointed out that lifestyle changes are important. She noted that 6.5 million people have Alzheimer's and that the disease is expected to triple by 2050. Ms. Russell explained Alzheimer's has no cure and JEM Research focuses on early treatment to stabilize the disease progression. Dr. Pao commented that they have participants from other areas of the state and country that come in for trials. She also noted that there are other places that offer clinical trials, but they conduct genetic testing, which a lot of people are not aware of this services. She noted that they are currently conducting prevention trials. VIII. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion of National Senior Citizen Day 2024 Chair Watson commented that the City is still in the process of adopting the budget and was informed that they will try to put something in the budget pertaining to senior activities. She noted the next City Commission meeting was August 15th and she encouraged the members to attend. Ms. Gallagher commented that they had previously discussed holding a technology awareness event, and she noted that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month She wanted to talk about what kind of event they can hold. Chair Watson commented that October 6th is First Friday and she asked if the Board wanted to request a table to hand out information about Cybersecurity. She agreed to contact Ms. Favitta to obtain a table. 3 Meeting Minutes Senior Advisory Board Boynton Beach. Florida August 7, 2023 Ms. Gallagher suggested that they put together a brochure of resources. She also suggested alerting attendees that healthcare websites have been breached. She offered to teach attendees how to avoid being phished Chair Watson thought that they could create an informational flyer to distribute and after discussion, they can send a proposed flyer to Ms. Favitta. Ms. Gallagher commented that she could set up games to teach online security awareness. Vice Chair Czizik noted that they had previously talked about grant programs and the Chamber of Commerce. He thought that Assistant City Manager Matos would set something up. Vice Chair Czizik stated that he spoke with the Grants Writer about finding Senior Initiatives and was informed that the search for senior grants was fast and they would sit down. Chair Watson said she would follow up with the Assistant City Manager and the Grants Writer. Vice Chair Czizik said that the Board noted that they spoke about the Chamber of Commerce, and it's a good opportunity to include veterans and seniors into the mix. He said that the City got someone to serve as liaison for the Chamber of Commerce and they are planning events such as a business fair. Chair Watson pointed out that August 21St is National Senior Citizen Day. IX. NEXT MEETING ...................... September 11, 2023, Agenda items would be due by Thursday August 31, 2023. X. ADJOURNMENT Motion There being no further business before the Board, Ms. Cwynar moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Gallagher seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 3:02 P.M. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 4