Texas Silver Haired Legislature

West Central Texas Town Hall Meeting, March 4, 2008

TSHL members from West Central Texas District conducted a town hall meeting as part of the third "Live Long and Love It," a daylong conference at the Abilene Civic Center on March 4, 2008. Approximately 1,200 area seniors turned out. The conference, sponsored by Pioneer Drive Baptist Drive and Abilene Christian's Pruett Gerontology Center, featured several breakout sessions, 60 vendors booths and Heart Healthy Lunch. Also, several state agencies representatives attended who answered questions and offered support.

Keynote speaker, Ben Dickerson, PhD, gerontologist from Denton, spoke on "Happiness in Overtime - Making the Most of the Bonus Years." Bruce Davis, PhD, TSHL West Central District, moderated the town hall meeting. TSHL members Walter Graham and Chris Kyker served as panelists and spoke to issues and questions raised by the group.

Several seniors identified issues of concern in the open forum, including: the rising costs of medical practice costs and decreasing Medicare reimbursement; making it easier to acquire inexpensive medications from Mexico; increase Medicaid reimbursement for nursing home care in Texas from current 47th rank to improve quality of care and avoid "hidden" tax on private pay individuals; the long standing problem relating to decreased or no social security payments for retired teachers; also, issues relating to imminent domain and transTexas highway; examine the formula relating to rate of inflation for Social Security to include food, fuel and pharmaceuticals; eliminate fees for kitchen inspection for senior centers; place political calls on "my do not call list."

Attendees were also invited to submit their concerns on TSHL Website, www.txshl.org. Gail Kaiser, Director, West Central Texas Area Agency on Aging, was the conference wrap up speaker.

As follow-up, TSHL members met with some of the testifiers to explore in depth the issues identified and develop resolutions for consideration at TSHL Legislative Session in September.

For more information, contact Bruce Davis, 325-725-0031, brucedavis@suddenlinkmail.com

Brazos Valley - Texas Conference on Aging Town Hall Meeting, April 7, 2008

As part of the Texas Conference on Aging, members of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature conducted a town hall forum, April 7, 2008, Hilton Hotel, College Station. Professionals of the aging network, elected officials and the public attended the event to discuss aging issues, concerns and solutions for consideration by the TSHL Legislative Session to be conducted in September in the House Chambers, State Capitol. The theme of the conference was "Silver Traditions: A Salute to Leadership.

Walter Graham, West Central Texas district and chair, TSHL Election and Credentials, was the master of ceremonies and Chris Kyker, West Central Texas district was the moderator. Glenda Rogers, past president, Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and director, Capital Area Agency on Aging, introduced the keynote speaker Representative Patrick Rose of Dripping Springs, Dist 45.

Rep Rose, chair of the House Human Services Committee, spoke on the many issues facing seniors. He showed extensive knowledge and understanding of the problems, expressed his commitment to find solutions, and then paid heed to the attendees as he fielded their questions. In the course of his delivery, he praised the efforts of the TSHL. Seniors are fortunate to have such an ally in the Legislature.

The TSHL Forum was highly successful, with more than 200 people participating in the discussion of senior issues that need to be addressed. Each of the TSHL members who attended actively participated when the assembly separated into "table discussion" groups to identify and prioritize senior issues. The issues the groups identified were many and varied. Several discussion groups highlighted senior transportation problems as being a major problem area. Another problem that was voiced has to do with funding problems and dietary limitations imposed on nutrition programs and Meals on Wheels efforts. Two groups discussed the high rate of infections contracted in hospitals as being unacceptable, and called for public disclosure of infection rates.

One other issue that was addressed by Doni Van Ryswyk, President of T4A, was the importance of providing more long-term care in the community in "home" settings. Rep. Rose applauded her description of the problems and needs, together with her comments and summary.

Chris Kyker made closing remarks and announced that future town hall meetings are scheduled for San Antonio, Amarillo, and Orange County; others in the planning phase. She invited participants to submit issues and comments on TSHL Website located at www.txshl.org.

For more information, contact Chris Kyker, 325-691-0855, ckyker@aol.com.

Panhandle Town Hall Meeting, April 24, 2008

TSHL members from the Panhandle district conducted a town hall meeting at the Amarillo Senior Citizens Center on April 24, 2008. TSHL members, Jean Clark, Alan Abraham, Chester Cunningham and Betty Trotter planned and coordinated the event. The town hall focused on two major topics of concern to seniors:

Financial Implications as We Age. Mark Ensign, JD, CPA, Ensign Law Firm of Amarillo, spoke on Texas's 2005 Medicaid Estate Recovery Program and the Truth about Miller Trusts. Jackie Goodnight, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Amarillo, spoke on Being Informed about Reverse Mortgages followed by Wendy Finney, 86th District Legislative Aide, spoke on Regulating Texas's Insurance Industry.

Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren. Melissa Carter, Director, Panhandle Area Agency on Aging, presented The Demographic, followed by Katrina Klaehn, Department of Family and Protective Services, who presented information on Custody of a Grandchild. . . It's the Law! Teana Wallace, Panhandle Area Agency on Aging and Kelly Stephens, United Way's 211 of Amarillo and Canyon discussed Accessing Community Resources and Public Benefits.

Participants asked questions and made comments on several issues including: new Medicaid rules, reverse mortgages, child protective services, financial assistance to grandparents raising grandkids and existing benefits and programs for grandparents.

For additional information, contact Alan Abraham, 806-355-1637, alannancy@sbcglobal.net.

Alamo/Bexar Town Hall Meeting, May 14, 2008

TSHL members from Alamo and Bexar County Districts joined forces to conduct a town hall meeting, which was webcasted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 9:30-10:30 a.m. from the studio of Morningside Ministries in San Antonio. TSHL members and area agency on aging staff served as facilitators at ten locations in San Antonio, Kerrville, Bandera, Boerne, New Braunfels and Sequin.

Homer Lear, TSHL Speaker Emeritus, from San Antonio, was the moderator. A panel of speakers made presentations on the topics of Elder Justice Issues, Affordable Housing, Transportation, and Community Resources. Following their presentations, the participating audience members submitted questions to the panel using the computers/telephones available at their connecting sites. Guest panelists were Robert Blancato, Washington, D.C.; Don Jones, District Director for the office of State Rep. Jose Menendez who is serving as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing; Carol Zernial, Director for Bexar County Agency on Aging and Debbie Billa, Director for Alamo Area Agency on Aging.

Arrangements were made with sites in Bexar County and the Alamo Area counties to host groups of interested seniors to view the webcast in their own locale, and participate in the follow-up discussions to identify those issues and legislative concerns which are important to them.

TSHL members who participated in the planning and conducting the town hall meeting were:

Homer Lear, San Antonio; Barbara Effenberger, Sequin; Estella Tyson, San Antonio; Dr. Bob Fitzgerald, Hondo; Doris Griffin, San Antonio; JoAnn McFarland, Pleasanton; Lewis and Juretta Marshall, San Antonio; LaVerne Peterson, Boerne; and Ed Dylla, San Antonio

The town hall webcast may be viewed at www.msm.mediasite.com. For additional information contact Barbara Effenberger, 830-379-5290, bareff@wireweb.net

Ark-Tex Town Hall Meeting, Paris, Exhibit Hall, Fair Grounds, May 20, 2008
Betty Kildahl, coordinator, 903-784-4058, bettykildahl@hotmail.com

South East Texas Town Hall Meeting, First Baptist Church, Orange, June 19, 2008
Margaret Williamson, coordinator, 409-786-3292, mewilliamson@gt.rr.com

Tarrant, Dallas, and North Central Texas Districts Town Hall Meeting, June 23, 2008
Oscar Garcia, coordinator, 817-299-9290, oscartxshl@sbcglobal.net

Harris County Town Hall Meeting, Lee College, Baytown, July 15, 2008
Stephen Coycault, coordinator, 281-487-2890, coycault3411@comcast.net

Harris County Town Hall Meeting, United Way, Houston, August 7, 2008, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Betty Streckfuss, coordinator, 281-350-9136, streckfuss2@msn.com