07-17-20201
CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION MINUTES
July 17, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE SENIOR CENTER: Jerry Cerchia, Mack
Titus, Lisa Lyons, David Crouch.
MEMBERS PRESENT via ZOOM: Bhakti Modi, Ruth Lunde, Dorina Tipton,
Linda Haight.
MEMBERS ABSENT: none
STAFF PRESENT: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Mary Blazanin.
GUESTS PRESENT: none
Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Titus moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Cerchia seconded
the motion. Approved.
Senior Commission Minutes:
Commissioner Titus moved to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Lyon seconded the
motion. Approved following spelling changes highlighted by Commission Haight.
Draft Onboarding Document:
Sharmeen Al-Jaff provided overview of the important highlights of the draft
Onboarding Document to ensure all Senior Commissioners are aware of how Senior
Commissioners need to operate together as a team and how decisions are made
collectively. Sharmeen reiterated that this document will evolve and any and all
changes and recommendations can be made either at regularly scheduled meetings or
via email to Sharmeen directly.
ACT on Alzheimer’s Update:
Commissioner Tipton updated the Senior Commission on her contacts with caretaker
attendees at The Maple Corner Café prior to all meeting cancellations due to COVID
19. It appears that caretakers and their loved ones are managing ok with the help of
family and friends. None wish to connect virtually via Zoom, but all are happy to
receive regular phone contact.
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2020 Goals and Objectives/Joint Session with City Council:
This topic will be reviewed when we receive confirmation re City Council future
meetings. Since we will probably not have a face to face meeting with City Council
this year, Commissioner Cerchia will draft a “This Was The Year That Was” letter
and have it sent to Mayor Ryan. DISCUSSION ON AGEISM FROM V.A.N.
Commissioner Cerchia reminded us that we need to constantly be encouraging
intergenerational understanding in order to dispel myths about aging.
Discussion on VAN info on New Habitat for Humanity direction as it pertains
to our Aging in Place/Universal design initiative:
- Habit for Humanity is prioritizing “Age Well at Home” by creating universal
design plans in new construction.
Commissioner Lunde provided info on new program for US to help people stay
longer where they currently live. There are currently 75 projects in the Twin Cities.
Funding comes from grants and Health Care organizations. Eligibility will be based
on senior income; there may be sharing of cost between seniors and community.
Based on one of our Major goals of education on ageing in place, there would seem
to be a natural tie in to working with Habitat for Humanity. Commissioner Cerchia
stated that we will try to incorporate what they are doing in our long-term plan.
- “Aging with Gusto” sessions will be offered via Zoom such as what does
“aging with gusto” means and creating life plans for our aging process.
Chairman Cerchia shared excerpts from Aging in Times of the COVID-19
Pandemic: Avoiding Ageism and Fostering Intergenerational Solidarity
“First, with the pandemic there has been a parallel outbreak of ageism. What
we are seeing in public discourse is an increasing portrayal of those over the
age of 70 as being all alike with regard to being helpless, frail, and unable to
contribute to society. These views are being spread by social media, the
press, and public announcements by government officials throughout the
world. This is problematic for a number of reasons. Behavioral scientists
know that older adults are an extremely heterogeneous group. They differ in
life experiences, cultural backgrounds, genetics, and health histories.
Further, the process of aging itself is highly diverse and context-dependent;
this is a fundamental insight of biological, behavioral, and social aging
research. In addition, innumerable older persons defy the image of being
frail and helpless, with countless older adults making valuable contributions
to society.
We know from stereotype embodiment theory that negative age stereotypes
can be internalized by people of all ages and when these views become self-
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relevant, influencing older persons’ beliefs about their own aging, they can
detrimentally impact health.
The second way that evidence from the behavioral sciences of aging can
contribute to the response to the pandemic is by highlighting the value of
strengthening solidarity between the generations. The distinction between
young and old, as well as language about “walling off the old” that is
stressed in current public discourse reinforce our already age-divided
societies. As older adults are portrayed as susceptible to the negative effects
of the COVID-19 outbreak, younger people tend to view themselves as
immune to the virus and, thus, engage in risk behaviors with consequences
that ultimately will need to be addressed by an already stressed health care
system. The growing division between young and old also allows younger
people to direct their anger and resentment about the situation towards older
adults, who are clearly portrayed as the out group. In the future, this age
division and negative portrayal of older adults and aging may affect younger
people’s aging process as they too internalize negative messages about old
age and aging in the context of the current pandemic. As behavioral
scientists, it is our responsibility to stay alert to these dynamics and to
educate the public about their dangers. Rather than pitting generations
against each other, we should facilitate intergenerational exchange and
solidarity.
At times of scarce resources, intergroup conflicts are likely to emerge.
Because behavioral scientists know about the risks inherent in such
intergroup conflicts, the current emergency situation is exactly the time
when we need social and intergenerational solidarity the most
One major step to tackle the current pandemic of ageism and
intergenerational divide is to avoid the use of arbitrary age cutoffs.
In fact, recent research suggests that younger adults are at greater risk of
psychological distress and loneliness during COVID-19 lockdowns than
older adults. Further, those with more negative aging attitudes were also
more likely to report higher distress and loneliness during the lockdown
Pointing Out Consequences of Physical Distancing
Given the promotion of physical distancing practices and the increasing
reliance on digital technology to manage daily functioning, limited access to
technology or limited ability to use technology might become major risk
factors for depression and loneliness. These factors may be especially risky
for some older adults by preventing them from accessing goods and services
and obtaining the social support they may need during the outbreak. Thus,
taking into account the “digital divide” that may exist for disadvantaged
older adults also deserves attention.”
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Commission Task Force report on recommendations for driving the
“Information, Education and Outreach” goal.
Commissioner Crouch, Modi and Lyon provided overview of what will be required to
create changes to city website so seniors can obtain appropriate information with
minimum clicks. Once their outline and recommendations are complete, they will
work with city staff to implement easy to use headers to get to information required.
Resource Guide:
Discussion held off until next month.
Senior Commission Comments:
Commissioner Titus complimented Commissioner Cerchia for his senior housing
editorial in the Chanhassen Villager.
Adjournment:
Chairman Cerchia called for meeting adjournment. Commissioner Titus moved to
adjourn; Commissioner Haight seconded the motion. Approved.
Prepared and submitted by Sharmeen Al-Jaff