Senior Summit 2005

Oklahoma County Convenes 2nd Senior Summit. Seniors Discuss Challenges and Excpectations.

Oklahoma County – The 2nd Oklahoma County Senior Summit was held recently in Oklahoma City. The goal of the event is to make Oklahoma County a “senior friendly community.” To that end, seniors were given an opportunity to discuss issues with elected officials representing county, state, and city offices, as well as community leaders and service providers from around the county.

The event was organized by Oklahoma County’s Training and General Assistance Department (TGA). TGA provides Oklahoma County residents with a variety of employment and training services, and social and senior services. In addition to Oklahoma County Government, other agencies participating included: United Way of Central Oklahoma, Areawide Aging Agency, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Sunbeam Family Services, Homeless Alliance, and the Metropolitan Better Living Center.

The first Summit held in 2003 resulted in several successes, most notably the effort to provide property tax relief to seniors through the passage of State Question 714. In addition to property tax relief, seniors desired a clearinghouse for information about services available to them. The 2005 Summit also featured the roll-out of HEARTLINE 2-1-1, a free; 24 hour non- emergency line providing a quick and easy way for people to access needed help by phone.

Those in attendance at this year’s event had an opportunity to discuss and vote for those items that, in their opinion, provided the best opportunity for achieving the goal of becoming a “senior friendly community.” Among the items identified for additional discussion and possible action were: MAPS III focusing on seniors; developing enhanced information outlets, including continued funding and expansion of the 2-1-1 call service state wide; improving funding for senior nutrition programs. Several legislative initiatives were also discussed which include, seeking a Medicaid waiver for assisted living and a change in tax law allowing a care recipient to be considered a dependent of the caregiver.

County officials present at the meeting included District One Commissioner Jim Roth, District Two Commissioner Brent Rinehart, County Assessor Leonard Sullivan, Court Clerk Patricia Presley, County Clerk Carolyn Caudill, County Sheriff John Whetsel and District Attorney Wes Lane.