SERVICES TO SENIORS COMMITTEE
The Services to Seniors Committee Meeting was held on January 23, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. with co-chair Russell presiding. Members present were Mr. Hicks, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Massey, Dr. Matthews, Ms. Pohlmann, Mr. Stephens, and Mr. Truitt.
Agenda Additions/ Deletions
Mr. Hicks move for approval of the agenda, seconded by Ms. Johnson and unanimously carried.
Approval of Minutes – Regular Services to Seniors Committee Meeting of January 9, 2007
Mr. Massey moved for approval of the Minutes of the Regular Services to Seniors Committee Meeting of January 9, 2007, seconded by Ms. Johnson and unanimously carried.
Carolyn Fredricks - Modern Maturity Center - Discussion Regarding the Various Programs Available to Seniors.
Carolyn Fredricks, Executive Director of the Modern Maturity Center (MMC), informed members she is delighted the City of Dover is taking a look at the services for seniors. Membership is $10.00. They have the central kitchen at their facility. They are the federal Nutrition program for Kent County. They utilize a lot of commodity and surplus foods. If cost them about 10,000 more a month to feed persons if the commodity food program is cut. The meals are provide for a suggest price $2.50 if your are over 60 and $5.00 if you are under sixty. The meals on wheels program clients must be over sixty to receive the free meals. They don’t keep a record of who does not pay. Last year they served over 1,303 homebound meals of that over 50% did not pay for their meals. This is due to the high cost of medicines. The Meals on Wheels program is their largest program. Their annual budget is over 5 million dollars. They do not get any support from the City of Dover and never have. They receive limited funding from the county in the amount of $4,000. Many persons have indicated they move to Dover because of the Modern Maturity Center.
In response to Ms. Pohlmann, Ms. Fredricks indicated the meals on wheels program is free and the age has to be 60. The meal is provided on a suggested donation, however they don’t turn away any one because they can’t pay. The congregate donations actually support the home bound meals. The last Monday of each month they provide a new member breakfast. They invite all the new members in for an orientation and tell them at that time their meal is provided at the suggested price of $2.50. The staff at MCC informs the new members if they want to pay three dollars and have the fifty cents go to help pay for someone that can’t pay. They are seeing a trend where more and more people are moving to the City. About two (2) years ago they were getting about 90 new members a month. The next year MMC saw about 120 new members. This year so far MMC has about 130 to 140 new members every month. Most of the new members are moving from New Jersey and New York
Ms. Fredricks indicated the Retired Senior volunteer program had about 1,000 senior volunteers. The volunteer are place at various non-profit places throughout Kent County. They provide tutoring and other services. Ms. Fredricks indicated the MMC would not be able to exist if it were not for the volunteers. Ms. Fredricks indicated another program they
offer is the adult day care service program. This program currently has a waiting list. They take care of patients who need assistance throughout the day, while their care givers are working. They built a sunroom to accommodate more patients. They can enroll 60 participants in the program. Part of their strategic plan they decided this program would be a programs an increased in demand for services due to people living longer. Part of their strategic plan is to add on to the medical build a sister build to accommodate the growing demand for adult day care. There are various activities planned for the participants in the program they don’t just sit all day. They go bowling, pet therapy and other good things for them. The participants are taken very good care of. In the past year they did not loose any clients.
In response to Mr. Stephens, Ms. Fredricks indicated the new building is in the preliminary stages their strategic plan is to have the building in place by 2010. They hope to raise the funds for the new building, current they have $55,000 for the new building. They will go to foundations to support the building. They hope to get local companies to support as well.
In response to Mr. Hicks, Ms. Fredricks indicated they get a great deal of funding from the State of Delaware. The State of Delaware is one of the few states that give money for senior services. The allocation is based on the number of clients served and the activities they provide. The nutrition and volunteer program have federal dollars that are channeled down through the Older Americans’ Act. The major is federal dollars channeled through a state organization.
Ms. Fredricks indicated another program they offer is the state of the art fitness center with a pool. She indicated there is a fee to become a member of the fitness center. Ms. Fredricks indicated it is very expensive to maintain. They have partnered with local physical therapy offices to off-set the cost of maintaining the pool. They rent pool time and provide services to their clients and it is meeting a need.
Ms. Fredricks indicated the MMC is they are the largest facility in Delaware. She stated another program is the Wellness Center. The HOPE Program is a free health care program for residents and it is located in the Wellness Center. The HOPE program workers are not paid. The HOPE program operates on Tuesdays. They provide an employment program that focus on training to work. Majority of the participants are women who have never worked. They participants work 20 hours a week and are paid minimum wage. They have a very extensive social and wellness program where they have partnered with Wilmington College.
Ms. Fredricks indicated they want to provide a continuum of care for participants. Important player is Generations Home Care is on board they lease space and provide home health services. They worked with Bayhealth to obtain a gerontologist. The gerontologist is at the center on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Board certified in Internal Medicine and gerontology. The nurse and office manager is part of MMC staff. The Dr provides education programs and sees clients and staff who don’t have insurance.
In response to Mr. Hicks, Ms. Fredricks indicated the HOPE program is free. They provide free services to person’s age18 – 65. She informed the group if you are 65 years of aged you will receive Medicare 18 and below you will have Medicaid. The other services in the medical building they can use their medical insurance. Ms. Fredricks informed the committed Generation offer free transportation to doctor visits to residents over 60 years of ages.
In Response to Ms. Russell, Ms. Fredricks indicated they have been given a dental chair to provide dental services. Under the auspices of the HOPE clinic along with Dr. Mercer they will provide dental care for patients who have major problems. A company donated dentures and the chair should be in place in another month. Ms. Fredricks informed the committee she is looking forward to a mental health component coming as well. It is the hope of MMC to be a one stop shop for the seniors. They have a transportation component to get participants to the Adult Day Care Program. Transportation is a huge issue especially since funding has been cut. They are looking to secure Freedom Fund Dollars to assist with transportation costs utilizing volunteers. Ms. Fredricks indicated she is willing to partner with any one who is looking to improve the lives of our senior population.
The meeting dates will be discussed on a meeting to meeting basis.
Next Meeting Dates and Times, Meeting Format, Etc.
The next meeting has been scheduled for February 9, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at Council Chambers
Meeting Adjourned at 1:52 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sophia R. Russell and Timothy A. Slavin
Co-Chairs
SRR/TAS/sr/tm
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesMisc-MinutesSERVICES TO SENIORS1-23-2007 Services to Seniors.wpd