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HomeMy WebLinkAboutssminutes081398SENIOR SERVICES MINUTES AUGUST 13,1998 MEMBERS PRESENT Mary Lee Gray, Chairperson Sharon Reusser, Manager Betty Aillet Lola Brooks George Harbeson Tom Malloy Ken Moore Alice O'Neill Dianne Rogers John Valcik Dorothy Zink Dalia Stokes Ruth Ann Wissel CALL TO ORDER: MEMBERS ABSENT Lorraine Greenleaf The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson Mary Lee Gray at 2:30. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the July 9, 1998 meeting were read and approved. PREVIEWS AND MONTHLY REPORT: Sharon Reusser read the previews. Tom Malloy moved the acceptance of the report. Motion carried. Members are to review the monthly report on their own. TREASURER'S REPORT: Alice O'Neill read the treasurer's report. George Harbeson moved the acceptance of the treasurer's report. Motion carried. AARP REPORT: Ruth Ann Wissel reported on the AARP activities. Director Mary Lee Gray interrupted the regular order of business to advise that Dianne Rogers will be moving from Houston and has resigned from her position as Secretary of the Board. Lola Brooks, Assistant Secretary volunteered to fill that position for the remainder of this fiscal year. This is an appointed position and no action is required. CITY COUNCIL: Dorothy Zink gave a report from the City Council meeting and advised us West University contains 40.45 square miles and we have 14,000 residents. She also advised the information furnished from I.S.O. was favorably received. SUNSHINE MEALS: Tom Malloy gave the Sunshine meals report. Chairperson Mary Lee Gray gave the Needs Assessment Project report with her thanks for those who participated. OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: 1. Budget deadline is September meeting: Some discussion followed. Chairperson Gray advised a new representative to APAC needs to be appointed and asked for volunteers. Betty Aillet graciously volunteered. 2. Chairperson Gray advised West University will be celebrating our 75th anniversary and asked us for input, with consideration. MOTION TO ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lola Brooks, Secretary INTRODUCTION In December 1997, the West University Place City Council requested that the Senior Services Board conduct a needs assessment of the West University Place senior (55+) population. This report outlines the results of that survey with major findings, conclusions and recommendations. The survey was designed with the advice and direction of Chris Pollet, MSW, Director of Planning, Research and Evaluation, United Way of Houston, and Dianne Rogers, MA, former Senior Director of Programs, Sheltering Arms of Houston. Dianne Rogers was also a member of the Senior Services Board at the time of the survey. Data was gathered using a series of Focus Groups as well as telephone interviews. Focus Groups included those for men only, caregivers, individuals 65+, and those between 55 and 64 years of age. Each Focus Group was asked the same set of questions and was led by either Mr. Pollet or Mrs. Rogers, both of whom are experienced group leaders. Participants in the telephone interviews were chosen randomly from among the names on the Senior Services roster who were not known to have participated in activities or to have received other services from Senior Services. Each participant received a formal letter from Senior Services and a handwritten note form the caller introducing herself and naming the day and approximate time for the interview. A telephone number was included for anyone who did not want to participate. Only one call was received and only one other person refused to be interviewed. All were asked the same set of questions during the interview conversation. Callers were volunteers who were given detailed directions as well as an interview sheet for recording responses. Attempts were made to standardize the calling process in order to maintain the integrity of the data gathering. That appears to have succeeded. The attitude of all the participants in both the Focus Groups and telephone interviews was positive. Many expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to express themselves and to be heard. SUMMMARY - not written CONCLUSIONS - not written COVER Page - not done Two pertinent articles will be added to end of report. RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction not written. Remainder incomplete. * The City should take measures to provide prompt responses to residents' comments, inquires, and complaints. * Reconsider the current telephone system. Provide a receptionist who is a human being and can route calls. * Address the issue of the fire rating. It appears to be a major concern of seniors. Some reported difficulty in locating insurance. * Enforce traffic regulations. Consider parking on one side of the street only to relieve congestion. * Announce important services and events several times to take into consideration visual, auditory and memory limitations of some seniors. * Don't change the tax exemption for seniors. * Reconsider the closeness of new construction to existing structures and existing driveways. Light and sun are being blocked. Flooding is being increased. * Concerns were expressed about whether the City wuld acquire the YMCA property. There was general concensus that it was important to the City that it be purchased as soon as it becomes available. Consider reassuring residents that funds are available and that the property will be acquired. * to be continued. (RESPONSES Participantsin both the Focus Groups and the telephone interviews were asked questions designed to facilitate conversation and discussion about the quality of their lives in West University Place. Responses fell under three general areas: Personal, the City and community, and Senior Services. The responses are described below under those three categories. In some cases, comments touched on all categories and may be listed more than once. The responses are a complilation of comments from the Focus Groups and the telephone interviews. PERSONAL * Several persons said that there are not many unmet needs in West University Place. It was described as the best quality of life anywhere. The availability of grocery shopping and other stores was cited as a plus. The police and fire departments received special praise for the care shown by the personal and the excellence of the emergency services. * Some needs of seniors are not attended to because they do not know where to go for assistance. A caregiver noted that a register of available services once could be assessed by telephone. Someone also would visit a senior in need. * Seniors need to feel that they have back-up support. Neighbors are not alwasys available and may be unknown to the senior. A change in the City's climate was noted. It was described as the loss of a sense of community and caring for each other. Others pointed out that some blocks have telephone lists of all neighbors and stay in contact. An example was Z4 Robinshood which has 42 homes and an actively caring group of neighbors * A Senior Advocate who knows the City and can contact the appropriate individual or department when problems arise was suggested. * Getting trash and garbage bags to the curb was cited as a major problem for seniors who are too frail or too ill to do that chore themselves. Neighbors are not always available or willing to assist on a long term basis. Some seniors also have difficulty requesting assistance. A senior expressed gratitude for the city assistance she had received after a recent surgery. The concern about garbage and trash was mentioned in every Focus Group and the majority of telephone interviews. * Transportation was also mentioned as a need but most participants knew about the transportation provided by Senior Services. Several individuals are assisted by relatives or friends. A large number of senior participants still drive. * Homebound or disabled seniors need regular visitors or telephone calls. Daily telephone reassurance was suggested as was the creation of neighbor care groups. Sharing puzzles, games or cards would also be helpful. Rides to see the neighborhood or interesting places and brief visits to Malls were also suggested. A visitor who comes often enough to get to know the senior would be ideal, according to a caregiver. * Seniors with limited mobility often live in run-dowm houses because they are not capable of the work involved or of arranging for and supervising necessary repairs. Many seniors need assistance with S minor choirs such as changing a light bulb, making minor repairs, or supervising major work. A Rotary Club member said that a project to address these needs has been delayed by communication problems and lack of referrals. * Seniors cannot always protect their own property during construction of nearby houses. * Block parties, city-wide dinners and other intergeneratonal activities with attention to inviting the elderly were suggested as means of relieving loneliness and keeping seniors in contact with the community. * A center which seniors could visit for conversation, board games or watching television was mention by several participants. It would be a "friendship" place with comfortable furniture and would be open every day. Coffee and soft drinks would be available. Participants thought that if such a center existed, people would come. * Many seniors need amplified telphones. Some participants believed through a state program. * Seniors cannot always see well enough to read notices and information about the City and Senior Services activities. * Seniors tend to be easy marks for scams and dishonest workmen. They may be too trusting or misunderstand because of visual or auditory problems. Some respond because they are lonely. * Seniors are concerned about rising taxes and a possible loss of the tax exemption as well as the increased cost of fire insurance. Some reported difficulty in renewing insurance. * Participants expressed chagrin with the state or sidewalks and barriers created by illegal parking, including cars blocking the sidewalk. * Some seniors felt that the term Senior had a negative connotation. A change in the name "Senior Services" to a catchy or club-type name was suggested. SENIOR SERVICES * Most partcipants felt that Senior Services is doing a "wonderful job." The activities, transportation, and 911 Saturday were all mentioned as positives. * A suggestion was made to change the name of Senior Services into a club-type name. Participants thought that it would attract more seniors with a a name change. They suggested a center that had not only activities but a place for conversation and social meeting. * Seniors and caregivers expressed the need for a registry of available assistance with one number that they could call to get the information needed. * Caregivers expressed a need for a support group and classes that would help them provide better care. The caregiver Focus Group consisted of both family and professional caregivers. Caregivers also said they don't always know what is available in the City because they do not open the mail and have no other source of information. * Care groups that would check on the elderly was also suggested Seniors and caregivers expressed a need for activities and visits to individuals too ill or frail to take part in regular activies. >7 THE CITY * Many comments made by participants were complimentary to the city. A comment by one person sums up those of many: Residents have the best quality of life of anywhere. The city has for the most part outstanding services and does an outstanding job in meeting the needs of seniors. * The number one problem faced daily by many seniors seems to be getting trash and garbage bags to the curb for pick-up. Although there is aprogram of assistance through Senior Services, a number of frail, disabled and very elderly residents are still experiencing problems. One said she was told by City Hall to find a neighbor to assist her. She along with others has not found that to be a satisfactory solution. * Rising taxes and any discussion about eliminating or reducing the property tax exemption for seniors are both also major concerns. * The major complaint, expressed in every focus group and some telephone interviews, is that City personnel rarely or never respond to written or voice mail messages, comments, problems, or complaints. On participant said that City personnel should be held accountable for responding to residents. Another has decided that there are no human beings left in City Hall. * Participants also expressed frustration with the current telephone system. * Seniors are having difficulty backing out of their driveways because streets are often partially blocked bt construction trucks. Complaints were also made about poorly maintained sidewalks and automobiles parked across sidewalks. 9 * Participants noted a general breaking of parking and motion traffic regulations. They felt that enforcement should be stepped up, particularly around construction sites. * Seniors were very pleased with the Police and Fire Departments, particularly in emergency responses. They also commented on the courtesy of personnel from these two department and the sense of caring with which services are delivered. * Seniors suggested heavy trash and recycling days to expand to two to four times a year with pick-up for those unable to bring the items to a central area. * Expressed concern that the City parks are geared only for the very young. They suggested exercise stops for joggers and walkers. * Concern was also expressed for the condition of Colonial Park weight room equipment, the leaking shower, general condition of the facility, and having to go through the bathrooms to reach another area of the building. They requested additional programs geared to active seniors. * Participants proposed a Senior Citizen Advocate who is knowledgable about the workings of the City and could assist with concerns and problems. * Issue invitations to seniors for City-wide functions and intergenerational activities. Explore informal methods of providing transportation. * Many participants expressed a preference for remaining in the City throughout their lifetimes. They suggested group housing, tax breaks for persons providing appropriate housing, and forming volunteer care committes that would stay in constact with seniors who may be frail or disabled. They also proposed the organization of a group that would make minor repairs and assist when necessary with chores. 9 * Men expressed a need for more activities directed at their interests. Suggested were competitive games, outdoor activities such as horseshoes, shuffleboard and putting greens. * The addition of more sophisicated activities such as trips to the opera, symphony, ballet, the theater and TUTS. Challenging speakers and programs were also suggested. * Special interest groups such as one for Opera buffs was also among suggestions made. An investment group was also suggested. * Night trips to baseball games was suggested several times. * A driver paid by the city or a volunteer were named as possible sources of transportation. Driving at night is a major concern of seniors. * Participants pointed out are less senior than they used to be. More activities for the 55-65 year old group was requested. * The need for a reliable handyman was expressed many times. The Rotary program could be revived for minor repairs. Also suggested was a list of workmen who had been checked and could be recommended. * Additional City funds so the Senior Service program could be expanded was cited as a need. * A Committee to plan for the future of Senior Services was suggested. SENIOR SERVICES CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE TREASURER'S REPORT August 13, 1998 Beginning Balance 6/19/98 Deposits/Credits Disbursements/Debits Ending Balance 6/30/98 $4,669.73 + 340.20 - 95.95 $4,913.98 Respectfully submitted, Alice O'Neill, Treasurer