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HomeMy WebLinkAboutssminutes011289MINUTES SENIOR SERVICES BOARD January 12, 1989 PRESENT: Joan Eccles, Coordinator Jane Breazeal, Chairperson Elizabeth McRoberts, Secretary Florence Worstell, Treasurer Jim Council Randy Hardy Gene Hines Doris Ramey Dottie Shaw Harold Smith Dalia Stokes Anna Lay Turner M.D. Wickerham Senior Services Board met in the Loggia, Senior Services Center, at 3:35 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jane Breazeal. ROLL CALL: Roll was called by the Secretary and all were present. Mr. R. L. Henderson, our district Silver-Haired Legislator, was intro- duced by Jane Breazeal. He spoke on what the Silver-Haired Legislature did at the 62nd Legislative session to provide input for the needs of Senior Citizens in the State of Texas. The problem is the regular Legislators don't pay much attention to the Silver-Haired Legislators. He stated, "we are lobbyists" for 2-1/2 million Senior Citizens in Texas. We could be very powerful with that many votes. There are 230,000 Senior Citizens in Harris County. As long as we do not exercise that power, nothing will be done. Silver-Haired Legislators act like regular legislators with the same committees, and stand in testimony like regular legislators. Mr. Henderson is on the Public Utility Committee. Insurance Committee has same setup. They meet in the same place as the regular Texas Legislature. The difference is one has clout and the other does not. There were 60 bills before the State Legislature and the Silver- Haired Legislators reduced this number to 10 to receive the greatest priority to present to the regular Legislature. We need a representative to sponsor these bills on the floor in regular Legislature and push it through. Minutes--Senior Services Board--January 12, 1989--Page 2 Their work begins next Monday when sponsors are to be found to present the bills and push them through. Not an easy task. The Legislature is made up of ladies and gentlemen, 60 through 80, who feel strongly about the potential influence this organization could have on the regu- lar Legislature. They work hard - spending their time and their own money while in Austin representing fellow Seniors. A Silver-Haired Legislator needs to be financially supported. There are five in Harris County, and each went to Austin at a $70.00 - $80.00 a day cost to the individual Legislator; therefore, they did not return a second time. Mr. Henderson worked hard on a Utility Committee writing a proposed revision to an electrical regulation. He was given only five minutes to present it to the Texas Legislature and twenty people came to the mike to speak against it. Only four or five spoke for it because he was not properly instructed on the procedures and did not recruit supporters. Mr. Henderson is not going to run again for the Silver-Haired Legis- lature because he cannot afford it. He automatically became a member of APAC, but they have authorized no money to Silver-Haired Legislators. Therefore, every year, the representatives will be rookies and no work will be completed. Other organizations, like Nursing Homes, pay their lobbyists. A Texas Legislator works hard and pays his own way. Houston Lighting and Power did fund some Silver-Haired Legislators, as did AARP and United Way. The Silver-Haired Legislators need funding so that they will acquire some clout by following through on their work from year to year. The need is for a large endowment or foundation to supply the funds. Ten Bills to be Sponsored by Silver-Haired Legislators 1. Raise level of Medicaid eligibility. The Texas Lien Law Texas has the right to place lien on home left to survivor when nursing home occupant dies and provider dies, and leaves home to their survivor. 2. Funded program to give home nursing. 3. Safeguard of Homestead Act, as is. 4. Meet reeds regarding teen age pregnancy to help grandparents. 5. Tax freeze on Homestead Taxes. 6. Support the Texas Department on Aging. Minutes--Senior Services Board--January 12, 1989--Page 3 Silver-Haired Legislature--Continued 7. Torte Reform - eliminate excessive suing. 8. Fund the Silver-Haired Legislature. 9. Strengthen Liability Auto Insurance. 10. Seek equality for Medicare in all hospitals in Texas. The Insurance Bill has been sponsored. Mr. Henderson says, "So far we have not accomplished much". He brought up finally the idea of writing to your Legislator regard- ing the Houston Lighting & Power rate increase (48%), and to an organization, The Committee for the Consumer Rate Relief. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the last meeting were read silently. They were approved as read. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Medicare coverage changes for 1989 seminar, Wednesday, January 18, at noon. 2. Winter Luncheon and Program, Wednesday, January 25, 10:00-1, 50th anniversary of "Gone With the Wind" and two Elder- hostel adventures on slides. 3. Pasadena Municipal Band Concert, Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. 4. St. Patrick's Day Easter Luncheon, 10-1:00 MONTHLY REPORT: Joan read the monthly report, attached. TREASURER'S REPORT: Report by Florence Worstell. Balance 11/30/88 $1,779.40 Deposits 662.30 Disbursements 1,243.98 Balance 12/31/88 $1,197.72 Minutes--Senior Services Board--January 12, 1989--Page 4 APAC REPORT: Report given by Mr. Wickerham, attached. MEALS ON WHEELS REPORT: Report by Anna Lay Turner. Six or Seven new people have been added to the program. Many have had food given to them. Mrs. Turner has adequate funding. GARDEN CLUB REPORT: Florence Worstell reported there will be no meeting this month. OLD BUSINESS: Computer: The computer is out of the crate and will be in operation soon. Christmas Dinner at St. George Orthodox: The Secretary should send thank-you note to rather Joseph Shadha. NEW BUSINESS: Movie: Senior Services will be the subiect of a movie representing the City of West University. Warner Cable TV will do the filming, and they will meet next week with Joan. Wheelchair: The Landrys donated a wheelchair. We now have six. Mr. Hardy reported that Mrs. Hardy will do the program on "Gone With the Wind", and he recommends it. The River Oaks Baptist Church Senior group is going to travel with our group to Natchez March 20 -22. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Leah McRoberts, Secretary APPROVED: Jane Breazeal, Chairperson APAC REPORT The regular monthly meeting of the Area Planning Advisory Council was held January 5th at the Health Services Department. Chairperson, Doris Towne, asked all members of each committee to make an all out effort to be involved and concerned so that APAC can be even more useful and effective. The Legislation Committee is meeting with the Harris County members of both state and national representatives. Silver-Haired Legislature will monitor and offer advice. Housing Committee can now include plumbing and electricity to general housing improvements. Services Committee hopes to add more transportation and medical ser- vices with some additional staff. City meter readers, utilities, etc. are to report emergency conditions. Literacy group is doing very well. John Taylor reported for the Deaf Council on their services and needs. Financial development work is going ahead on a cash basis. Highly skilled services are required - some are both deaf and blind. Lip readers are needed, communication by "touching'", etc. SENIOR SERVICES BOARD 1987 to 1989 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1. ban A. Secured donations from Seniors. B. Helped select size and model of vehicle. C. Researched and provided specifications for bidding purposes. D. Purchased wheelchair to use in van. 11. Computer A. Asked contributors to van fund to release unused funds to purchase PC. B. Supplied funds to purchase software for computer. 111. Kept bank account of monies donated to Senior Services by grateful Seniors. 1V. Christmas Party A. Donated funds toward Christmas Party - $400.00 in both '87 and '88. B. Went to merchants to pick up donated Christmas gifts for party. C. Helped cook meal and serve at party both years. V. Purchased groceries for individual Seniors and Senior Services pantry. VI. Volunteer Service Individual Members Provided A. Program for Senior Wing 1. Weekly Bingo - organize, purchase prizes and run show 2. Educational one time - Elderhostel, legal, etc. 3. New Games Day B. Office Work C. Drive van D. Transport in own vehicle E. Wash and Cut Hair F. Designed Divider between Senior Wing and Hall G. Help staff members cook and serve at all luncheons and other events VII. Invited Silver-Haired Legislator to talk to Board Meeting. VIII. Listen in Board Meting to cases staff is handling and recommend action and/or policy changes.