Cape Elizabeth Senior Citizen Advisory Committee

Covers: Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Start Date: January, 2014

Broad Overview

The Commission met, at least, twice a month over the course of a year at the Cape Elizabeth Town Hall for two hour meetings. The first hour was reserved for invited guests, that specialized professionally or served in some informal capacity within this demographic, to discuss their work with us. Our goal was to develop an on-going dialogue and mutual partnership with these guests. Through these exchanges we gained an understanding from their vantage point and areas of expertise. We were able to learn what was happening in their respective industry and field, what their work detail was like, the problems they encountered, their solutions to those problems and then we discussed future concerns. The second half of our meeting was dedicated to discussing related aging topics at the community and home levels.

How is your age-friendly initiative structured?

The Cape Elizabeth Senior Citizen Advisory Commission (the Commission) was established on January 6, 2014 to study the care needs of those in our community age 60 and over. A call for members was announced seeking a 7 town resident panel which, by design, would seat 3 Senior citizens with the remaining four open chairs available to the general public. A Town Council subcommittee reviewed timely filed applications of interest, conducted interviews, selected and notified 7 members to fill the Commission on March 11, 2014. The Commission met for the first time on April 10, 2014.

Describe any partnerships you have developed?

Library
Community Services
local churches
High School
Senior to Senior Program
Police Department
Fire Department

What is the role of volunteers?

A part-time position will be opened within the Town's Municipal office to provide information and support to resident and visiting seniors.

Strategies that have contributed to your success? Barriers you have encountered?

Our process was designed to be inclusive and broad. We corresponded with our local Maine State legislative representatives, many of our local churches, Cape Elizabeth Community Services officials, Cape Elizabeth High School officials, an attorney specializing in senior matters and forms of elder abuse, housing and transportation agencies, the Maine Center for Disease Control, the Maine Chapter of AARP, home care agencies, the Iris Foundation, Southern Maine Agency on Aging and the Cape Elizabeth Chief of Police and Chief of the Fire Departments, respectively.

Types of funding that your initiative has received

Municipality

Community Initiatives

Chores, Handyman & Upkeep

There are local programs that provide these sorts of services. A more formalized program is being considered.

Health & Wellness

There are many related programs offered through Community Services, with a corresponding Senior Citizen discount.

Social, Educational & Recreational

Community Services is undertaking this initiative with expanded Senior programming as well as a dedicated Senior gathering place in the town proper. A Needs Survey is currently underway to make use of vacant space within the Town proper. A portion of the vacant space and related hours of operations is being considered as a means to provide a Senior Citizen gathering space.

Communication

Community Service notices and bulletins, various Town media, School notices and the local newspaper.

Other

It was recommended by the CESCAC to become a permanent committee that convenes quarterly with the Town Council and Town Manager to report on these types of issues. The Fire Chief and Chief of Police would also serve on the CESCAC as ad hoc members.

Region

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