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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging-Disabilities 11-15-07 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING Thursday, November 15, 2007, 8:30 am County Board Room, St. Croix County Government Center 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin 54016 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Introductions: Cheryl Emerson — New Richmond Community Ed — Step Program 2. Old Business: Caregiver Conference Monster Mash Bash Long -Term Care Reform/ADRC Development Update 3. New Business: Medicare Part D Outreach Update Caregiver Awareness Month Presentation Volunteer Requests Secret Santa 4. Staff Reports 5. Nutrition Program/Senior Center Updates 6. Possible Agenda Items for next meeting ADJOURN (Items may be taken in different order) SUBMITTED BY Kjersti L.O. Duncan, Thursday, November 1, 2007 COPIES TO County Board Office County Clerk News Media/ Notice Board Committee Members Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Wednesday morning preceding a County Board meeting. 11/08/2007 2:25 PM COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING November 15, 2007 St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER: Council Chairperson Nelson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Pledge of Allegiance was said. ROLL CALL: Supervisors: John Mortensen, Gerald Peterson, Charles Grant, Councilmembers: Judy Harrison, Sue Nelson, Al Schrank, Inge Bleier, Jeanette O'Connell, Vince Tubman, Olive Terpstra, and Pat Shilts. Also present were: Department on Aging Director Kjersti L.O. Duncan; Community Outreach Specialist Tracy Davis; Administrative Assistant Renea Aeschliman; Department on Aging Caregiver Support Coordinator Nancy Abrahamson; Department on Aging Outreach Coordinator Rhonda Johnson; Department on Aging Intern Abby Kubly; Nutrition Program Managers: Donna Lamson, Vivian Kemling, Sheila DeRosier, Trisha Stork, and Sylvia Heller; Area on Aging AgeAdvantAge Regional Planner/Program Consultant Dianne Rhein. Excused was Councilmember Bette Norman ACTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: A motion to approve the previous month's minutes was made by Supervisor Mortensen and seconded by Councilmember O'Connell; motion carried. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. 1. Introductions: Director Duncan introduced the new Department on Aging Outreach Coordinator Rhonda Johnson. Johnson is a retired nurse from United Hospital and will visit those individuals that utilize the Home - Delivered Meal program. 2. Old Business: Caregiver Conference: Director Duncan informed the Council that last month's Caregiver Conference was a well- attended and well- received event. The conference was a collaborative effort between the Department on Aging and a number of private and non - profit agencies who assist caregivers throughout the lifespan. UW -River Falls social work students volunteered. Approximately 100 people attended, along with a variety of vendors. A common theme of the day was that caregivers of children, adults, and/or elders are more common than different: as family members who care for loved ones, despite age differences, they share similar grief, humor, anxieties, and hope. Monster Mash Bash: This year's dance was bigger than last year. The costumes were very enjoyable to see and our own Nutrition Program Manager Randi Hanson won the costume contest. Director Duncan thanked the Senior Center Board Coalition for their support to help make the day such a success! Polka dancing is the key to staying young! Long Term Care Reform/ADRC Development Update: A meeting was held on November 5 th with Buck Rhymes, the consultant hired by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to assist counties with Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) planning. Director Duncan thanked those who attended and appreciated their feedback on the Council on Aging Page 1 01/09/08 day. Those in attendance included: older adults, family members of younger persons with disabilities, Long Term Support staff, members of the Long Term Support committee and members of the Health & Human Services and County Boards. Attendees were first split into small groups to discuss concerns and issues regarding the ADRC. The large group reviewed these concerns and issues. There was a consensus that the initial Ad Hoc committee is too small and that a lot of confusion exists regarding what an ADRC even is. Communication is a key for both consumers and leaders. A planning group meeting is set for November 26 with Director Duncan, Council Chairperson Nelson, Health and Human Service Director Fred Johnson, Long -Term Support Supervisor Ron Lockwood, Health and Human Service Chairperson Esther Wentz, Birth to Three Coordinator Norma Vrieze, County Board Chairman Buck Malick, County Administrator Chuck Whiting, County Human Resource Administrator Tammy Funk, Consumer Representative Peg Gagnon and Consultant Buck Rhymes. This group will look at how to collect information from consumers to determine what decisions should be made and how to communicate back to consumers what is happening. It will also consider the ADRC's organizational structure and governance. Director Duncan opened the floor for discussion from those that attended the November 5 meeting. Councilmember Schrank stated that it was an informative meeting which pointed out the good and bad points of the ADRC. Supervisor Grant also stated that is was very interesting. Supervisor Mortensen mentioned that the Ad Hoc committee is rather small with only 3 people. He questioned how the formation of an ADRC will affect the wait list that has been mentioned by Ron Lockwood during Long Term Support meetings. He asked about persons who are currently getting waiver services as well as those on the waiting list — their ages and how they are being served. Director Duncan stated there are persons over the age of 60 who are currently receiving waiver services, who also receive support from our department including: home - delivered meals, light housekeeping, respite care, and transportation. Our department does not know who is on the waitlist, however we may be providing services to some of those individuals unknowingly. We do not have a functional or financial eligibility guideline — persons seeking assistance need only to be 60 years or older. It is important to note that the 80% of the persons who utilize the ADRC will not qualify for waiver services (hence, they wouldn't even qualify to be on the waitlist). An important goal of the ADRC is to help these individuals make informed and cost - effective decisions so as to conserve their personal resources, health and independence and reduce the demand for public funding by delaying or preventing that need. Director Duncan will request information from the state regarding numbers of persons served on the waiver program and who are on the waiting list, for the next Council on Aging meeting. Tracy Davis pointed out that people younger than 60 often call the Department on Aging seeking help. Most requests are for help with transportation. Persons younger than 60, are referred to the St. Croix County Disability Transportation Program; a program that started a few years ago with grant money from the Department on Aging and other agencies. It is a program modeled after the Department on Aging Volunteer Medical Transportation program. Davis also Council on Aging Page 2 01/09/08 stated that the Department on Aging does its best to provide transportation or information to individuals no matter what their age, function, or income. Supervisor Mortensen pointed out that he would not like to see the Department on Aging integrated into Health and Human Services. He mentioned the County Board would make this decision and it would be a good idea for the Council to make a motion regarding its stance. Supervisor Peterson stated that a major concern he has with the Department on Aging moving into Health and Human Services is the future role of the Council of Aging. The role of the Council on Aging would change; it could express its preferences, but the "powers- that -be" would make decisions regardless of the opinions or recommendations of the board members. Supervisor Peterson feels that it is the utmost importance that the Council on Aging maintains its identity. He also asked, "What do the consumers want ?" Speaking for himself, Supervisor Peterson stated he would like an organization pattern where consumers can advocate for their own self interest. This value would be shared by older adults, adults with disabilities, and other stakeholders served by the ADRC. A motion was made by Councilmember Schrank that the Council on Aging recommends a governance committee, which reports directly to the county board, oversee the Aging and Disability Resource Center. Seconded by Councilmember O'Connell; motion passed unanimously. Area on Aging AgeAdvantAge Regional Planner/Program Consultant Dianne Rhein, pointed out that the 10 member planning group mentioned earlier consists of one Department on Aging staff, one Council on Aging board member, 3 Health and Human Services staff, one Health & Human Services board member, one County Board member, two County employees, and one consumer whose child has a disability and is receiving services through Long Term Support. Currently it does not look like there is equal representation within the planning committee, or the Ad Hoc committee. A question was raised regarding who set up the planning committee and the Ad Hoc committee for the ADRC. Director Duncan stated that the County Board Chair Buck Malick appointed the members of the Ad Hoc committee. A motion was made by Supervisor Mortensen to recommend that there be four older adult consumers be added to the planning committee and seconded by Councilmember Shilts; motion passed unanimously. Rhein pointed out that it will be harder for Aging Units to remain separate from ADRCs. At the Federal level, it is the preference to combine the Aging and Disability Resource Center with the Older Americans Act programs. What needs to be decided in St. Croix County is if the ADRC and Department on Aging will create an autonomous entity or if they will be integrated into Health and Human Services. 3. New Business: Medicare Part D Outreach Update: Director Duncan informed the Council that open enrollment for Medicare Part D started on November 15 and will run until December 31 st Benefit Specialist Liza Gibson has visited some of the Senior Nutrition Sites and has been mailing forms to individuals that would like to research which plan would be best for them. Caregiver Awareness Month Presentation: Nancy Abrahamson, Caregiver Support Coordinator, presented information on caregiving. November is National Caregiver Awareness Council on Aging Page 3 01/09/08 Month.' Abrahamson pointed out that caregiving is an investment. The role of caregiving affects individuals emotionally, physically, and financially. Family member provide 80% of the caregiving that's provided in this nation. The Department on Aging has offered conferences throughout the years for caregivers and a course for employers called Elder Care in the Workplace. Not only can caregiving be a financial burden for the individual doing the caregiving, but employers as well. Individuals may need to leave work more often or may need to leave their job permanently. Volunteer Report: Review the attached information. Secret Santa: Director Duncan informed the Councilmembers and the Nutrition Program Managers that the Secret Santa program for 2007 just began. Items are collected and given to isolated elders who live in St. Croix County. Those who receive these donations may not have loved ones in the area, or may have experienced a recent loss. These donations are meant to spread holiday cheer. Nutrition Program Managers will be setting out bins at the local Senior Centers for the collection of items. Press releases to the local media informed the public they can drop off items at the Department on Aging or the local Senior Centers until December 3 Bags will be sorted and packed by December 20 to be distributed by volunteers. 4. Staff Reports: Kjersti's Report: Kjersti informed the Council that the local United Way campaign has begun. St. Croix County employees are being encouraged to participate and donate. The local Senior Centers, DayAway, Faith in Action, and the Nutrition Program all benefit partnering with the United Way. Kjersti thanked the staff for considering participation. She informed the Nutrition Program Managers that Laurie Diaby - Gassama, Public Health Sanitarian, will be setting up her annual visits to the Nutrition Sites. With Veteran's Day in November, Kjersti thanked the Veterans who were present as well as recognized the current sacrifices that are being made by our nations military. Tracy's Report: Tracy informed the Council that the 85.21 Public Hearing will be next month since the budget information was just received. The vehicles were inspected earlier in the month and all passed. Tracy informed the Council regarding a grant for transportation for which she would like to apply. Last year the Department on Aging invited private, public, and volunteer providers of transportation together for a meeting facilitated by the DOT. It was identified at that meeting that St. Croix County lacks a centralized position to help facilitate the coordination between these entities. Tracy would like to pursue grant money that would help with this effort. A motion was made by Councilmember Schrank and seconded by Supervisor Grant for the Department on Aging to pursue the grant; motion carried. Tracy shared that with funds provided by the area Lions Clubs, she was able to purchase a used CCTV to add to the loan closet for the Vision Impaired Outreach program. CCTVs are pieces of technology that help increase the size of printed material for persons with vision impairments. For those individuals that borrow the CCTVs from the Department on Aging, they are very appreciative for the opportunity to again read — or even look at old photographs they could not see on their own. Council on Aging Page 4 01/09/08 5¢ Nutrition Promm/Senior Center Updates BALDWIN Nutrition Program Manager Sallie Dull stated that on November 2e the Baldwin Senior Center Board will be hosting an appreciation dinner for the community supporters. There was a Veteran's Day ceremony held earlier in the month. In December a Christmas craft is being planned as well as a volunteer appreciation dinner on December 18 DEER PARK Nutrition Program Manager Jan Thompson was not present for the meeting. Councilmember Shilts shared that the Panhandlerz entertained in November. In October they had a Halloween Party and then came to watch the Wisconsin Supreme Court in action at the St. Croix County Government Center. GLENWOOD CITY: Nutrition Program Manager Shirley Marlette was not present for the meeting. Councilmember Schrank shared that there are plans for a community Christmas dinner on December 20 HAMMOND: Nutrition Program Manager Donna Lamson informed the Council that all activities are going well. They will be having a fundraiser — a bakeless bake sale. Participants will be attending a Christmas party at Denise's in the Hammond Cold Storage facility. Lamson also mentioned that the temporary location is working out well. HUDSON Nutrition Program Manager Sylvia Heller reported that everything is going well. They had a very nice volunteer appreciation lunch last month with entertainment. Bingo and exercise is going well. The Vision Impairment Support Group meeting this month will have Monica Rudiger, United Hospital, speaking on Recognizing Your Heart Attack. NEW RICHMOND Nutrition Program Manager Vivian Kemling informed the Council that the New Richmond VFW members came to Senior Center and held a presentation of the flag ceremony for Veteran's Day. John and Maureen entertained for the day as well. A Christmas light tour is being planned for December. On December 2nd participants will be attending a play at the Little Theater. RIVER FALLS: Bette Norman was not present for the meeting. ROBERTS Nutrition Program Manager Randi Hanson shared that bingo is being played on Mondays and Wednesdays. The annual fundraiser for the Roberts Senior Center Board was held during a craft fair earlier this month at the Roberts Park Building. Volunteers sold food to those that attended the craft fair. Benefit Specialist Liza Gibson visited the Senior Center to discuss Medicare Part D. On November 21 the Nutrition Site will be closed due to the Red Cross Blood drive. The participants would like to start having activities in the afternoon. SOMERSET Nutrition Program Manager Sheila DeRosier told the Council that there has been some interest starting up a painting class at the Senior Center. It will be a 9 week class and approval needs to be given yet by the town board to use the space. The Panhandlerz entertained in honor of Veteran's Day. The St. Annes' 4 d ' graders visit every month to make tray favors for Westfield's Hospital. Blood pressure is once a month and exercise is every Monday and Wednesday. WOODVILLE Nutrition Program Manager Trisha Stork informed the Council that the Center celebrated its 30 year anniversary earlier in the month. A Thanksgiving Day and appreciation dinner is planned for next week. In December, Stork has planned holiday craft day and a day to make gingerbread houses. On December 6 a holiday lights tour and dinner in New Richmond is Council on Aging Page 5 01/09/08 planned. The Christmas parry is scheduled for December 20 with a visit from Santa Claus. VAN TRIPS: Dec. 2 — New Richmond after hours Dec. 3 Hudson to Stillwater Dec. O h — New Richmond to Amery Dec. 28 Deer Park to Bloomington, MN A motion was made to approve van trips by Councilmember Schrank and seconded by Councilmember Terpstra; motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE The public hearing for the 85.21 will be next month. POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Shilts and seconded by Supervisor Mortensen; motion carried. Council on Aging Page 6 01/09/08