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Minutes 12-02-96 MINUTES OF THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1996, AT 4:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Collins, Chairwoman Beth Bailey, Public Information Raymond Eney Officer Geraldine Graham Jacob Rose Edgar Sackett Esther Stranahan Mary Toth Mary Cannon, Alternate Marion Moore, Alternate 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Collins called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, a moment of silent prayer was observed. 3. ROLL CALL This item was dispensed with when Chairwoman Collins acknowledged that all members were present with the exception of Jacob Rose. 4. AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Sackett moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Graham seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 1996 Ms. Toth moved to approve. Mr. Eney seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 6. FOUNDATION HMO IN THE MALL Chairwoman Collins reported that the community center is no longer in the Mall. Ms. Stranahan expressed some concern because the establishment of this center squelched the board's plan for senior activities. Chairwoman Collins feels the Mall is the best place to meet people. Perhaps one day there will be a senior center in the Mall. 7. REPORT OF BUS ROUTES, SHOPPERS SPECIAL Ms. Bailey reported that she spoke with Bob Eichorst this morning. We are having a 1 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 2, 1996 tremendous amount of success with Leisureville. The Thursday route which covers the north part of the City is also doing well. However, the Wednesday route on Federal Highway is not being used very much. Additional information flyers will be disseminated. If the Wednesday route continues not to be utilized, Mr. Eichorst suggests turning it into an extended shopping route to cover a larger portion of the City and possibly other stores. 8. REPORT FROM LIAISON BETH BAILEY Ms. Bailey encouraged the members to spread the word about the Bethesda Health Facility in City Hall in the Mall. Bethesda also offers a free-lunch program and discussion to the first 20 people who arrive at City Hall in the Mall on the first Tuesday of each month at noon. The first session will begin tomorrow. A flyer advertising this program is being prepared. City Hall in the Mall is quite popular. We serve 60 to 70 people per day and average 80 to 100 on the weekends. The public is able to pay water bills, purchase beach decals, and sign up for recreation programs at this facility. In January, the County will have representatives on hand to deal with Homestead Exemptions. In addition, the State Attorney's Office has sent a representative from the Consumer Affairs Department. Ms. Bailey reminded the members that the City is still searching for a new City Manager; however, in the interim, Dale Sugerman will serve as City Manager. Ms. Bailey questioned whether the board is interested in resuming senior activities at the Madsen Center. Chairwoman Collins advised that if the board decides to offer senior activities again, she would prefer that they be held at the Civic Center. Ms. Bailey will check the schedule for the Civic Center and report back to the board. Mr. Rose arrived for the meeting at 4:20 p.m. 9. JACOB ROSE, ESQ. - "CHANGES IN LAW AFFECTING SENIORS" Mr. Rose pointed out that he would like to review areas that are of particular concern to seniors in our community. He would like seniors to be able to ask questions and receive a response. Ms. Bailey suggested that a forum be held at City Hall in the Mall. With regard to legislation, Mr. Rose addressed the following issues: Community Anti-trust Guidelines - This gives a voice in making sure when there are major changes in ownership of a hospital, it does not become a monopoly because it affects how health care is provided. Mr. Rose suggested that whenever the topic of an 2 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 2, 1996 acquisition of a hospital comes up, voices need to be heard. These decisions affect people on fixed incomes. It is very important to be involved so that you can make sure there is no sacrifice in terms of what is being provided. Doc Myers Act - Mr. Rose advised that "teeth" have been added to the abuse laws as a result of the Doc Myers Act. A hot line will be set up in January for reporting abuse. Reports will be investigated. This Act will also be effective relative to the care that is provided to the elderly in hospitals. Guardianship Laws - This law requires background checks for all people in guardianship capacities. This also includes volunteers. This is very important because people with questionable backgrounds will be eliminated from providing services even on a voluntary basis. Chairwoman Collins questioned whether anyone checks on people who provide services as guardians. Mr. Rose explained that it is very difficult to check on people without a registry in place. In his opinion, people who provide guardianship services should be individuals who are not financially struggling. He urged individuals who know of instances that are questionable to file a complaint. He suggests that guardianship providers be paid individuals. This might help eliminate some of the problems that currently exist. Welfare Reform - Although this does not directly affect seniors, Mr. Rose felt the members should be aware that this program is being changed into block grants. This will allow the government to distribute funds as it sees fit. Because of this change, it becomes necessary for us to ask questions of our representatives frequently about funds for the hot line mentioned earlier, and abuses of the elderly. Funds are needed to support these new laws that have been passed; therefore, it is important to stay on top of the block grants. Capital Felonies Laws - Laws have been passed that provide for enhancement of sentences from the accepted guidelines where the victim is a senior. It also provides for the death penalty when the person is aged or infirm. Mr. Rose pointed out the necessity of victims and victims' families being present for the sentencing of criminals. These people have a right to be heard and will have an opportunity to be heard at the sentencing. Mr. Rose reported on the following upcoming proposals in the Legislature: 1. Estate Planning - This will add penalties in terms of abuses by people who handle investments. 3 MEETING MINUTES SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA DECEMBER 2, 1996 2. Health Care Facilities 3. Discrimination against the elderly in residential buildings. Mr. Rose explained that the elderly have been subject to higher rentals and fees over the last several years. This area will be addressed. It is expected that this bill will have a great deal of opposition from builders. Mr. Rose urged the members to try to find out more information from seniors about problems they are experiencing. At a meeting, he would like to be able to address the seniors and answer specific questions. If a question is raised that is not in his area of expertise, he will ask someone else with expertise in that area to join him at the lecture. Chairwoman Collins recommends scheduling an afternoon meeting in the Civic Center in January or February. She asked Beth Bailey to investigate to determine available dates. 10. NEW BUSINESS Chairwoman Collins advised that the board's "New Business" will be to set up a date for a legal panel discussion to be held at the Civic Center in January or February of 1997. She is hopeful we will have a date to announce at the next meeting. 11. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting properly adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Janet M. Prainito Recording Secretary (One Tape) 4