03-19-20211
CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION MINUTES
March 19, 2021
MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE SENIOR CENTER: none
MEMBERS PRESENT via ZOOM: Jerry Cerchia, Lisa Lyons, Ruth Lunde,
Bhakti Modi, Linda Haight.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dorina Tipton, Mack Titus
STAFF PRESENT: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Mary Blazanin
STAFF ABSENT: None
GUESTS: None
Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Haight moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Lyons seconded
the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Senior Commission Minutes:
Commissioner Lunde moved to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Lyons seconded
the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Website Task force Update (Linda & Bhakti)
Commissioners Modi and Haight reported that work with the City Administration
staff continues. Discussions included the possibility of adding buttons with labels or
rearranging the location of services offered to the older adults in the community.
Housing Options for Seniors Task Force Update:
Commissioners Lunde and Haight reported that websites addressing housing are
being compiled and sent to the Website Task Force to add to the information serving
older adults.
Ridgeview will partner with Habitat for Humanity to assist in the Aging in Place
program. Those eligible for Elderly waiver will be able to utilize this program to
make modifications to their home to help them age in place.
Other programs that assist older adults to age in their existing homes include The
Humanity Alliance which is a Minnesota-based nonprofit that focuses on health
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outcomes that are tied to food insecurity. Food ready to serve is prepared at Camp
Tanadoona.
Update from Commissioner Haight on potential Feed My Starving Children
volunteer opportunity: Commissioner Haight stated that there are 275 slots for
volunteers. She will organize a tour and will be joined by Chairman Cerchia. She can
make reservations for the Commission. There will be five volunteers per table.
Masks are required and the Volunteers can pick their playlist.
Brainstorming the roadmap (the how) for delivering the education and
resources around aging in place: The Commission discussed the following:
• What should go on the website?
• Education through Senior Center speakers:
o AARP Home Assessment
o Alina, Ridgeview, Habitat for humanity
o Understanding what a homeowner needs to be able to age in place.
Speakers to address finances to offset cost of improvements to age in
place
o Venders that provide services.
The improvements should be organized in subcategories as well as broken into
separate spaces.
Educate the older adult on products as well as how to use these products. This will
focus on technology. An individual from a group such as the Geek Squad can
introduce the public to types of technology available and how to use it.
Transportation is a crucial for aging in place. The Commission directed staff to
invite representatives from WeCab and Southwest Transit to the Commission’s May
meeting.
Senior Commission Comments:
Olive Branch Senior Living has been replaced by Elysian Senior Housing.
Adjournment:
Commissioner Haight moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Modi seconded
the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Prepared and submitted by Sharmeen Al-Jaff