October 3, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Monument Community Partnership
SENIOR ACTION TEAM
October 3, 2011

Present: Margaret Reviera, Chateau III, Mary Lou Laubscher, Wes Laubscher, Vicky Lizarraga, Sally Smith, Maxine McCormick, Delores Leon, Harold Blair, Susan Lawson, Liz, Dave Pitman, David Vargas, Hilda Giminez-Paglia , Catalina Wright, Liz Villafiurte-Jones, James Andrade, Bryan Balch

Guest Speaker – Margaret Rivera, Retirement Counselor Chateau III
Margaret has been working in senior care for five years. Because of health issues of her family, she was drawn into the senior care industry and began researching help for frail seniors. Currently she is working in Pleasant Hill at the Chateau.
Many seniors cannot afford the care many assisted living facilities offer. She has a dream and has a plan for an intergenerational model for the future… this is her personal project.

Finding the best place for frail seniors ….

1. · Three criteria …
2. 1) Be able to make your own decision, so make the decision before you need it. When home becomes too much to care for, family care givers can’t do it, nutrition is going down, especially when memory and confusion come together, it is time for a change. Start planning right now, when you are able to make the decision.
3. a. In this area there are many ‘fairs’ to educate you ahead of time.
4. b. Find a ‘buddy’ who will follow your wishes when you are ready.
5. c. Margaret suggested a concept of “village” groups to help care of the typical needs.
6. d. Low income people need to start planning for ways they can be part of a community. Need to find suitable/affordable assisted living
7. Note: there are Medicare Board and Care Homes, but they are not good. Skilled nursing expect to see something that says there is financial help. Margaret’s job at Chateau is to work with a family to see if they can afford their facility and to give other suggestions if senior cannot.
8. 2) If you didn’t plan ahead be realistic of what you can afford and where you don’t need to move.
9. 3) Look closely at what you needs are now and what you will need in the future. When outside care is needed ones brain is very confused and one cannot make rational decisions.
10. PLAN …. PLAN……..PLAN….PLAN……….now

Community Reports:

Review of Health Fair …. All comments were positive, however there were not as many people as wanted. Vicky gave a suggestion to think about changing to Sunday rather than Saturday. This year they had a special ‘rest place’ so people could take a break.
CCTA Transportation Group – Dave attended a meeting recently and discussion was concerning transportation for seniors. More information at the transportation blog … google transportation action team and it will take you to the blog. Concord does not have a senior van program. Others buy their van through section 5310 of MTC. and they can buy the van and get volunteer drivers. Elaine Welsh from Senior Helpline Services showed a pyramid starting the driving yourself all the way down to door-to-door transportation services. Another organization is Caring Hands and they also have a waiting list.
Harold –6th Annual Men of Merit Celebration will honor men who volunteer in the community and Wes Laubscher has been nominated. October 27th from 6:30-8:30 at Mt Diablo High School, 2450 Grant Street, Concord
Cultural Arts, a sub-committee of SAT – the goal is to encourage art in the Monument Community, There are so many suggestions and many people ready to offer their talent. If you know of a cultural arts group in the Monument, please tell Mary Lou Laubscher, 925-685-2332.

Announcements:

• Getting around -Senior Transportation Today and Tomorrow ,Rossmoor on October 26th, 8:30-noon. Carpool from Keller House call Mary Lou if you need a ride. Need to sign up now because of limited seating-
• Cultural Foundation annual senior volunteer awards at the Jewish Community Center 2071 Tice Valley Blvd
• Contra Costa Leadership in Sustainability Awards Celebration Friday, October 7th at the Lafayette Veterans Hall, 3780 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
• The Monument Community Outreach Program that Vicky heads up won the top project of this year for John Muir .
• Vicky has an award from the California Senate office and Congressman George Miller, County Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, and Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla. Of the John Muir Community Benefit Sponsored The Monument Senior Services Program that Vickie coordinates has the highest rating. (Sat acts as an advisory committee to that program.)
• Sally is heading a Children’s Education Task Force for children in the Monument area. Their meeting is Friday, October 7th. Call Sally if you wish to join the task force – 798-1680.

Next Steps:
Now Do your planning for what may happen when/ if special care is needed.

Future Meetings
11-7 Rosemary Robles, DMV Senior Driving – being safe
12-5 District Police Commander – Senior Safety during the Holidays

Evaluation of This meeting – Like – speaker from the Chateau, because she is talking about the process. What she said was part of Dave’s experience with his mom.
Good participation at the meeting. Happy for Vicky’s awards.
Improve – we could always have more people

Next Senior Action Team meeting – November 7, 2011 9:30 am. Keller House, 1760 Clayton Rd, Concord

Mission Statement - The Monument Community Senior Action Team represents seniors ages 55+. We actively promote activities to meet senior needs resulting in an improved quality of life for all. We are Young in heart and Rich in experience.