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Minutes 02-05-96 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1996, AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairwoman Beth Bailey, Public Information Ray Eney Officer Geraldine Graham Jacob Rose Edgar Sackett Esther "Peggy" Stranahan James McMahon, Alternate Marion Moore, Alternate ABSENT Mary Toth 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Collins called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, followed by a moment of silent prayer. 3. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. Mr. Rose was not yet present. In the absence of Ms. Toth, Ms. Moore sat at the dais. Chairwoman Collins thanked everyone for their assistance on January 25. She advised that the publicity was tremendous and the turnout was great. Also, she acquired the names of about 60 people who volunteered to help with the senior center. 4. AGENDA APPROVAL No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the agenda. Motion Ms. Stranahan moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Eney seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Ms. Graham moved to approve the minutes of the January 8, 1996 meeting. Ms. Moore seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 6. SPRINGHOUSE ASSISTED LIVING - KAREN COBURN Chairwoman Collins introduced Ms. Coburn, the Outreach Coordinator with Springhouse Assisted Living and the Village at Manor Park. Ms. Coburn stated that Springhouse Assisted Living and the Village at Manor Park (the "Village") are both assisted living facilities in the community. Manor Care is the parent corporation. The Village has been established since 1988. Springhouse has been open for approximately one and a half years and is about 75 percent occupied. Springhouse is anticipated to be fully occupied by June, 1996. Ms. Coburn distributed brochures and materials and gave an overview of assisted living. Assisted living is a new concept (about 10 years old). It combines housing and health care alternatives, maximizes an individual's independence, and provides personalized supportive services in a community setting. It is a combination of housing, convenience, hospitality, and personal care services. It is a lifestyle alternative that provides personal care, promotes independence, and provides a safe, social, and supportive environment for the residents. Assisted living emerged as a result of the growing senior population, changes in health care, and a gap in the health care continuum. Ms. Coburn stated that 30 percent of the people in nursing homes could benefit from assisted living. They could receive personal care, rather than custodial skilled care which they receive in a nursing facility. Assisted living communities do not have a nursing home atmosphere. They are apartment-like settings. The personal care and supportive services that an individual might need are on site. They provide a safe environment, security, quality of life, a social environment, peace of mind, and independence. Ms. Coburn explained the differences in senior living options, which include retirement communities, life care communities, and skilled nursing centers. Retirement communities are for the younger resident who is more active and independent. Services at retirement communities include one or two meals a day, housekeeping and linen services, planned activities, and transportation. However, no personal care services are provided. In life care communities, the person has to purchase the apartment. These communities are also for the younger resident (60s/70s). Hospitality and convenience services are provided, as well as skilled nursing, when needed. However, no personal care services are provided. Skilled nursing centers are for individuals who need skilled care 24 hours a day. Assisted living provides personal care services and charges a monthly rental fee. At MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 5, 1996 Springhouse and the Village, a 30 day move out notice is offered. A service agreement is signed for the year, but an individual may give 30 days notice and move out. Springhouse has private apartments. The Village has both private and semi-private apartments. They have security systems, recreation areas, cable television, and telephones. They serve three meals a day, and pay the utilities. Housekeeping and linen service are provided, as well as transportation. There is a full-time social director for planned activities. Assistance with daily living activities is provided. These include assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, meals, walking, medication monitoring/administration, and medical appointments. Usually, a nursing staff is on site. Candidates for an assisted living community would be widows or widowers 70 years of age or older, who live alone, are dependent on family and friends for meals, household maintenance, and errands, are unable or unwilling to manage day to day chores, live in an unsafe environment, have difficulty with memory, are frail, have chronic medical conditions, or have been in and out of hospitals or nursing homes. Ms. Coburn reviewed the signs which may indicate that a person needs more support, professional intervention, or placement in an assisted living community. Mr. McMahon asked if guided tours are provided. Ms. Coburn answered affirmatively. She said anyone can take a tour of the community. With regard to the rates, at this time, assistant living is strictly private pay. In the next couple of years, there might be some kind of government subsidy, like Medicare or Medicaid. There is a pilot program now where there are 14 beds in the community that get some type of assistance for assisted living. Chairwoman Collins felt that even though some people can afford assisted living, the monthly cost frightens them. They are afraid their money will run out, and feel they can live cheaper at home. Ms. Coburn pointed out that it could be less expensive and more cost effective to reside in an assisted living community. It costs $100 a day for home health aid. This does not include utilities, food, or transportation. Basic assisted living starts at around $65 a day. There are three levels of care. The highest level costs $95 a day. This would be for someone who needs constant help on a daily basis. Also, in an assisted living community, the seniors can socialize. Mr. McMahon asked if assisted living is covered by insurance companies. Ms. Coburn advised that there are several insurance companies which are now covering assisted living. Ms. Stranahan asked if there are people living in assisted living communities who drive their own automobiles. Ms. Coburn said there are several people living in assisted living communities who still drive their own automobiles. 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 5, 1996 Ms. Coburn advised the board to let her know if she can be of further assistance. Chairwoman Collins thanked her for the presentation. 7. UPDATE ON SENIOR CENTER Chairwoman Collins advised that the surveys that were distributed indicate that the community is interested in a senior center. The Recreation Department and many condominium communities have activities; however, the seniors want a place to go during the day to talk to other seniors. Occasionally, there could be bingo, speakers, and entertainment. Chairwoman Collins has a meeting with City Manager Carrie Parker on February 12th, and on February 20th, will ask the Commission to include a senior center in their plans for the future. In the interim, the Madsen Center will be used as a senior center every Thursday. At this time, Mr. Rose arrived. Mr. Eney stressed that the seniors do not want a structured senior center that has shuffleboard and card games at specific times. They want a place to drop in to socialize. Chairwoman Collins suggested the center be opened from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Since it was advertised in "Senior Living" that Senior Day will start on February 8th at the Madsen Center, Ms. Stranahan and Mr. McMahon volunteered to spend some time there to greet the seniors and see how many turn out. 8. GALA The board will participate in the GALA on Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24. Ms. Bailey will get an application for the board. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Senior Living Chairwoman Collins advised that the publisher of Senior Living could use some articles for her publication. The members of the board can submit their articles to Chairwoman Collins, and she will fax them to the publisher. Chairwoman Collins suggested that Mr. 4 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 5, 1996 McMahon write an article about Senior Net. Senior Net Mr. McMahon explained that Senior Net is a computer learning experience for seniors. This program was started about nine years ago on the west coast. It has become a national organization which has approximately nine chapters. The local chapter was started last March and is run out of Bethesda Hospital. It is staffed primarily by retirees of IBM. Classes are two hours a day for seven consecutive weeks, and costs $35. Ms. Moore asked if there is a waiting list. Mr. McMahon advised that they are fully enrolled through April. Legal Changes Affecting Senior Citizens - Jacob Rose Mr. Rose was scheduled to talk about the changes in the laws that affect senior citizens. However, he had the flu and apologized for not being able to attend that meeting. He will give a presentation at the March meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 4:51 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 5