12-18-2020CHANHASSEN SENIOR COMMISSION MINUTES
December 18, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE SENIOR CENTER: none
MEMBERS PRESENT via ZOOM: Jerry Cerchia, David Crouch, Lisa Lyons,
Ruth Lunde, Bhakti Modi, Dorina Tipton, Linda Haight.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mack Titus
STAFF PRESENT: Mary Blazanin
STAFF ABSENT: Sharmeen Al-Jaff
Approval of Agenda:
Commissioner Lyons moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Haight seconded
the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Senior Commission Minutes:
Commissioner Haight moved to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Lunde seconded
the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
New Process for Vetting/Interviewing future Senior Commission Applicants:
Draft Criteria/Qualities for Senior Commissioners were discussed. Commissioners
unanimously agreed that 4 criteria should be submitted to City Council with remaining
two criteria as potentials. The Criteria for submission are:
1. Enthusiasm
2. Team Player
3. Reliability
4. Flexibility
For additional consideration – Initiative and Humbleness – may be added, but it will
be up to the City Council to make final decision. Draft potential questions will be
provided to City Council for consideration. Final Sr Commissioner criteria can be
provided to potential future candidate applying for such positions, but questions will
not be published in advance. It will always be up to the City Council to determine
what they will ask potential Sr Commissioner candidates.
Annual Goals Review:
Sr Commissioners determined that 2020 goals can be submitted as 2021 goals as well.
They cover broad spectrum and Sr Commissioners feel there is more work to be done
in all areas. Commissioner Lunde proposed further details to each specific project in
order to provide clarity and focus to all Sr Commissioners.
Commission Task Force report on recommendations for driving the
“Information, Education and Outreach” goal.
Commissioner Crouch, Modi and Lyons reported that they are still gathering
information and separating it into appropriate “buckets”. They will need assistance of
city IT and administrative staff before final recommendations can be made. When
website information becomes available, it will be a resource to seniors as well as their
families and caretakers who seek information to make informed decisions.
Housing Options for Seniors:
Following last month’s comprehensive report by Commissioner Lunde, Sr
Commissioners brainstormed ideas on how to increase awareness and education on
how aging in place can be disseminated. Ideas included:
1. Reaching out to seniors and their families
2. Possible article in upcoming Chanhassen newsletter in Silver Insights column
3. How to better utilize social media; ie senior webpage on Facebook
4. Contacting ACE Hardware to create a kit of product items for seniors and their
families to consider as important for seniors’ safety
5. Contact Senior Housing to identify what is already in place in apartments
targeted specifically for seniors
Additional recommendations should be forwarded to Commissioners Lunde, Haight
and Titus for consideration.
ACT on Alzheimer’s Update:
Commissioner Tipton identified activities taking place in past two months.
1. 15 October - Commissioner Tipton attended “Caregiver Research 2020
workshop” on adult caregiving and the impact on caregivers since COVID 19.
Caregivers are experiencing great difficulties due to quarantine and are more
“stretched” than ever with both elder generation and younger generation being
at home or isolated from loved ones.
2. 28 October – Commissioner Tipton provided “Dementia Awareness” to 35
Chanhassen Rotary Club members via Zoom.
3. November was “Alzheimer’s Awareness Month”. Due to restrictions,
unmanned tables were set up at the library and at the Sr Center with informative
literature about Alzheimer’s, the various Dementias, memory loss and where
those in need can turn to additions support.
4. 12 November – Commissioner Tipton attended a discussion and play hosted by
Benson, Marshall, Park Rapids, Prairie Island and Winona counties entitle “The
Remember Project”. It highlighted the 10 signs of Alzheimer’s and how these
counties were attempting to bring awareness and create Dementia Friendly
Communities through drama and discussion.
Senior Commission Comments:
Commissioner Lunde reminded the team that Commissioner Tipton can provide
Alzheimer’s or Dementia Awareness to faith communities and businesses via Zoom at
noticeably short notice. We should be alert to ways we can provide this type of support
while people feel isolated due to COVID 19.
Adjournment:
Chairman Cerchia called for meeting adjournment and wished everyone happy
holidays. Commissioner Tipton moved to adjourn; Commissioner Modi seconded the
motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Prepared and submitted by Sharmeen Al-Jaff