Senior Advisory Board Wednesday, May 5, 2021

2:00 PM Virtual

Webex, Cary, NC 27511

May 5, 2021

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This meeting was conducted through simultaneous communication pursuant to NCGS166A-19.24. All votes were taken by roll call vote unless otherwise noted. Members participated through simultaneous communication via Webex for the entire meeting: Julie Keely: Present, Chair Barry Mitsch: Present, Tullie Johnson: Present, Amin Khan: Present, Lily Chen: Present, Larry Tombaugh: Present, Ronald Brigham: Present. Others present: Staff Liaison, Kris Carmichael, Staff Liaison, Brett Moraes, Assistant Clerk, Sarah Schubert, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, Doug McRainey, Superintendent of Recreation, Dwayne Jones, and Program Specialist-Seniors, Stefanie Nichols.

I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Mitsch called the meeting to order at 2 p.m.

II. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

The agenda was adopted without objection.

III. NEW BUSINESS

3.1 Introductions of staff and chairperson

Board chair Mitsch, along with council member Yerha, staff liaison’s Moraes and Carmichael, and board clerk Schubert introduced themselves to the group. Doug McRainey, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, Dwayne Jones, Superintendent of Recreation, and Stefanie Nichols, Program Specialist-Seniors also joined the meeting and introduced themselves.

3.2 Board member introductions and area of interest

All Senior Advisory Board members introduced themselves to the group.

Board member’s area of interests included: housing, transportation & mobility, communications & community connections, health & wellness, recreational activities, safety & security, and emerging issues.

3.3 Overview of current Senior Services

Moraes offered the group an overview of the current senior services. Moraes’ presentation is attached and incorporated herein as Exhibit A. Moraes went over the Cary Senior Center and the services it offers.

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Moraes reminded the board that the Senior Advisory Board is not just about the Senior Center, but about all senior initiatives across Cary.

Moraes said the mission statement of the Cary Senior Center, “strives to provide quality leisure activities and support services to all older adults helping them live active, productive, healthy, and independent lives.” Moraes shared the Cary Senior Center opened on December 5, 2000, so they just celebrated their 20th anniversary. Moraes shared the center is designated North Carolina Senior Center of Excellence since 2008. He shared this occurs every 5 years, so the center is up for the certification again in 2023.

Moraes shared the Cary Senior Center has a variety of amenities, programs for those age 55+, along with many organizations and clubs holding their meetings in the Center.

Moraes said the Senior Center has just gone through some renovations prior to the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, over 20,000 visits to the Center occurred. Moraes shared that the GoCary Door to Door service is used often to get citizens to the center and that GoCary has a transit coordinator located at the Senior Center. Moraes said there is also a Resources for Seniors rep also housed at the Senior Center.

Moraes shared the Senior Center is in track to re-open in the summer of 2021 as we enter a post-covid world. This will include modified programming.

Moraes talked about where the Senior Center goes from here and mentioned future certifications, expansions, renaming and looking at all senior services throughout Cary, not just at the Senior Center.

Moraes shared Cary seniors by the numbers, which noted as of 2019, Cary’s 55+ population represents 24.5% of its citizens, which was only at 11.5% in 2000.

Moraes concluded his presentation and shared he looked forward to working with everyone on the board.

Mitsch opened the floor for questions.

Member asked about what connections are made with the disability population. Moraes mentioned they offer a memory café and are always looking to partner with different organizations.

Member asked the relationship between the Cary Senior Center and the Community Center right up the road. Moraes said the big difference is you have to be 55+ to take any programs at the Senior Center and otherwise the Senior Center is very much a community center for those 55+.

Jones mentioned that staff that work out of the main Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources office provide inclusion services at the Senior Center as well.

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Nichols added that all community centers and art centers offer programs open to everyone, which includes seniors. Nichols noted that the Senior Center’s focus is on age 55+.

McRainey noted that their goal is to make senior programs accessible all-around Cary.

Mitsch thanked Moraes for the presentation.

IV. STAFF LIAISON COMMENTS

Moraes shared that Cary is doing a lot as it relates to the senior population but feels Cary may not be doing enough to get the word out about the opportunities available to seniors. Moraes said that communication will be key going forward.

Mitsch asked what is currently being done to get the word out about senior opportunities.

McRainey shared the department is trying to put more information out on social media and using surveys to target populations so that staff can understand what the needs are as well as sharing what Cary has to offer.

Jones noted that they produce a Senior Program Guide, which includes everything offered throughout the Town, not just at the Senior Center, for seniors. Jones said that has been their primary marketing tool prior to the pandemic.

Members expressed interested in the underserved and asked if data is collected on those who are underrepresented. Member was interested about figuring out how to do targeted outreach.

McRainey shared the community outreach program is on hiatus due to the pandemic. McRainey said staff understand there are pockets of populations that are not being reached. McRainey shared about Project Phoenix, which the Cary Police Department runs. It includes 8-10 apartment complexes in Cary that the police try to keep active through providing recreational opportunities and proactively interacting with the community.

Moraes shared that staff will be brought in each month to focus on various topics, allowing members to learn about Cary’s current opportunities and outreach.

Member would like to promote programs to the Asian American community that may currently be underserved.

Member would like to reach out to ethnic communities. Member shared some may feel reluctant to step out of their comfort zone if they do not see a familiar face. Member feels it would be great to have someone as a liaison to help make others aware and welcome people to try different opportunities out.

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Carmichael is looking forward to working with the group and feels honored. Carmichael said there were such great life experiences across the board with the group and she has already heard excellent questions asked. She feels it will be great energy for future policies and initiatives.

V. COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS

Council member Yerha shared that today’s meeting has exceeded hisexpectations. Yerha shared a lot is happening this year as Cary celebrates 150years and he was pleased to add this new board to Cary’s timeline of history.Yerha shared this was his tenth board he has been part of. Yerha said citizenadvisory boards are very important. It is important to have citizen input and Yerhasaid Cary citizens care about their community and neighbors. Yerha said heenjoyed hearing everyone’s introductions and his role was in selecting the boardmembers to form this board. Yerha shared there were 45 qualified candidates.Yerha thanked the members for applying and said he felt this was a great groupof citizens to guide this area. Yerha said he would not be as active going forward,but would be here to support, answer questions, and guide. Yerha sharedexcitement for the next meeting.

VI. CHAIR COMMENTS

Mitsch said it was an honor to chair this board and felt there is no reason Carycannot have the best senior community. Mitsch looks forward to touring facilitiesin the future and hearing from experts in various related areas.

VII. MEMBER SHARING

Members shared the following thoughts:

Members were excited to be involved with the Senior Advisory Board and lookedforward to future action items.

Member was impressed with what Cary offers for seniors.

Members were excited to investigate ways to engage seniors.

Member liked that the board members have a wide range of backgrounds.

Member would like to learn more about affordable housing in Cary.

McRainey thanked the board for volunteering to be part of the Senior AdvisoryBoard.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:16 p.m.

Welcome to the

Cary Senior Center

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EXHIBIT A

MISSION

STATEMENTThe Cary Senior Center strives to

provide quality leisure activities and support services to all older adults

helping them live active, productive, healthy and

independent lives.

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Quick History

Designated North Carolina Senior Center of Excellence

since 2008

The Cary Senior Center was opened on Dec. 5, 2000

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Who are we?

Programs (55+)

• Exercise

•Art

•Computer

• Education

• Trips

• Special Events

Organizations/Clubs

• Friends of Cary Senior

Center

• AARP

• Cary Senior Golf Assoc

• Stitchers

• Garden Club

• Granpaparazzi Club• Bharatiya Club

• Cary Senior Tech

Education

• Cary Senior Tech Users

Group

Amenities

• 2500 sq foot Ballroom

•Courtyard

•Computer Lab

•Community Garden

•Art Room

• Lounge

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Where are we?

Renovations

Number of yearly program hours: 5000+

Number of Yearly Visits: Over 20,000 per year

GoCary Door to Door Service

Resources for Seniors

Post COVID World

Re-open Summer 2021

Modified programming

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Where do we go from

here?

CERTIFICATIONS EXPANSION RENAMING

ALL SENIOR

SERVICES ACROSS

TOWN

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Cary Seniors By The Numbers*

As of 2019, Cary’s 55+ population represents 24.5% of its citizens. For comparison, in 2000 Cary’s 55+ population represented only 11.5%

30% of Cary’s 65+ population has a disability

65+ Population: Women represent 57.6% / Men 42.4%

36.3% of Cary Households are 55+

According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates (2010 -2019), 46% of Wake County's population growth came from people aged 55 and older.

*all data taken from U.S Census Bureau

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