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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging-Disabilities 04-14-05 Sandy or her successor or the office staff. The council has more power to make sure that it continues to exist in the programs in St. Croix County. We must be sure that in the future if there is change that the Aging Difference is maintained. There is a law in Wisconsin — called the Wisconsin Elders Act. Every county needs to have an aging office. That aging office must have a full time aging director — a person in charge of aging programs in that county. Not a person that is in charge of aging programs and some other programs that might have to deal with another age group. There is a growing population in this county of seniors and that means there is going to be more and more attention that will need to be paid to the needs of seniors. That means there needs to be a dedication to that — it can not be split with something else. The other thing that the elder act calls for is adequate staff for that aging office. It calls for a Commission on Aging that has some authority of those aging programs. Those groups have to be composed of at least 51% of individuals over the age of 60. Remember there is a law out there, that law stands on your side to make sure that your programs are strong and operating on your input. We are embarking on a time now where we are talking about the development of resource centers. They were originally called Aging Resource Centers because the idea was invented in aging programs. Now it has expanded into Aging and Disability Resource Centers. A resource center is basically a single entry point, a one stop shop if you have questions regarding the period of life we call aging. There is a concept that you can think of as a set of concentric circles — 3 circles within another. The outer circle is where most people enter the aging or long term care system. Most people need just information and some assistance. Older persons are concerned about their health and the cost of health care and about transportation and access to services in the Council on Aging Page 3 04/04/05 COUNCIL MINUTES ON APRIL 00 CALL TO ORDER Council Chairman Ralph Bader called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Pledge of Allegiance was said. ROLL CALL Members present were: Gerald Peterson, Irene Burch, Ralph Bader, Richard (Buzz) Marzolf, John Mortensen, Alice Mullan, Carolyn Weisenburger, Richard Peterson, Esther Koosman and Jeanette O'Connell. Also present were: Kjersti Olson, Tracy Davis, Renea Aeschliman, Sue Kramer, Gladys Ellefson, Sylvia Heller, Julie Hillstead, Shirley Marlette, Vivian Keeling, Jan Thompson, Sallie Dull, Donna Lamson, and Bob Jacobson. Excused were Irene Burch and Bette Norman. ADOPTION OF AGENDA A motion was made by Richard Marzolf and seconded by Jeanette O'Connell to adopt the agenda as printed; motion carried. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2005. ACTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES A motion was made by Richard Peterson and seconded by John Mortensen to approve the minutes; motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS: Transportation Policy: Tracy meet with the Transportation Committee before the Council meeting to review the proposed policy. Copies of the policies were handed out to the Council members for review. A motion was made by John Mortensen and seconded by Gerald Peterson to approve the proposed policies; motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Upcomina Events: Card tournament is going well. Attendance is up from last year. Currently Woodville is in 1" place after three games with Ham/Rob in 2 nd and Hudson in 3` The Card Tournaments are a lot of fun. Volunteer Banquet will be held on April 21" at the Valley House in North Hudson. The Volunteer Banquet is an annual event that is by invitation only and for those volunteers that give ten hours of their time in the prior year. Individuals need to document their volunteer time on the In -kind sheets at the Nutrition Sites. The volunteer time goes towards our funding from the State. Each site should recognize their volunteers by putting together their own volunteer recognition day. Senior Celebration is scheduled for May 19` at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson. The day will begin with registration between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The day will consist of Carl "Energizer" Olson, The Zephyr Cabaret, Warren Petryk, Silent Auction, Outstanding Senior Awards, and lunch. The cost will be $15.00 and it will cover the whole day. Bidding for the silent auction will start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 1:15 p.m. Benefit Specialist's Report: Sue handed out a brochure that was written by attorneys at the Elder Law Center entitled `What You Need to Know: An Introduction to the New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit.' In the month of May, Sue will be visiting the sites to describe change occurring with Medicare Part D. Those dates were communicated through a hand out given to the Council members and Nutrition Program Managers. Council members and Nutrition Program Managers were asked to encourage older adults in their communities to attend these presentations. Sue will be visiting the sites in May and June. In May SeniorCare will also be sending out a mailing. Individuals are being told to re- enroll in SeniorCare to ensure creditable coverage. Volunteer Report: Please see attached listing of needs. STAFF REPORTS Kjersti's Report: Kjersti informed the council members on the staff positions that have been filled. Sallie Dull was hired as the Baldwin Nutrition Program Manager, Bruce Medchill the new New Richmond Van Driver, the new Outreach Coordinator is Caroline Yoerg, and Angie Nadeau filled the Elder Choice Grant Position. United Way Grants were received by the Senior Center Board Coalition, Aging & Handicapped, DayAway, and Caregiver Support. The check presentation ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 19th at the Hudson Hospital at 7:00 p.m. The Nutrition Program Manual is complete and will be handed out at the end of the Council meeting to the Nutrition Program Managers. The Manual is a guideline for Program Managers to use. Nutrition Program Managers were made aware they should be alert to phone scams. If an unsolicited call is made to update site information, please let the caller know you cannot give out any information and that he /she needs to call the Department on Aging for those updates of information. Tracy's Report: Tracy informed the Council that additional funding through United Way has become available. This set amount of money can be used to increase the funding of the Volunteer Medical Transportation Program and the Faith in Action long -term Transportation Program. The Secretary of Transportation will be visiting St. Croix County on April 19th. Other county agencies that are involved in transportation will also be present. The Governor has proposed an increase in 85.21 monies that fund our site vans. Tracy handed out flyers on the Fogey Follies and the St. Joseph Township's 500 Card Party. June 3rd is being considered as a potential date to get the sites together and use the vans to transport. SITEXENTER REPORTS BALDWIN Would like to start coordinating with a local Nursing Home for activities and parties. Would like to host a Senior dance at their site in the future. DEER PARK Everything is going well and things at the Nutrition Program Site have been "calm ". Still planning a trip to Cabella's sometime this month. The Center Board will be planning a special meeting before their Card Party day on May 11 th . GLENWOOD CITY: Bingo is going well. Getting ready for the Card Party day. Planning a soup and sandwich luncheon tomorrow night. Received new pots and pans and enjoy using them. HAMMOND: Bingo, cards, and birthday parties are going well. The trip to the Johnquist Family Kitchen in Baldwin has been cancelled due to increased orders. Hopefully, the tour will be rescheduled sometime this fall. A trip to Eau Claire with the Roberts Site is scheduled for May 27 for a day of shopping. They welcomed Rich Young as the new driver for the Hammond & Roberts sites. ROBERTS Senior Night Out began in March, but the building has been booked up in April and May. A Senior Dance is scheduled for Friday, May 13 at the Roberts Senior Center with entertainment by John Mikla from 2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. The Card Party had a large turnout and lots of door prizes. HUDSON Had a great birthday party last month. Doris Church spoke at the site on lambs and sheep and how we can all be good shepherds in other ways. Foot Care was great yesterday with lots of people that do not usually attend the Nutrition Program. Went to the Red Barn and it was enjoyed by all. NEW RICHMOND The card party on April 6 had a large turn out — 104 meals. The New Richmond Y attended the last Center Board meeting informing the Board members of the programs they have to offer and the possible collaboration of activities. Cards and bingo are going well. A new van driver was welcomed to the New Richmond site by the name of Bruce Medchill. RIVER FALLS: Absent SOMERSET Planning a van trip sometime somewhere. WOODVILLE Monthly birthday parties and blood pressure is going well. Cards and bingo are also going well. Working on a couple of van trips, but nothing planned. Synette Mai is May 13, 14, & 15. VAN TRIPS: Hammond & Roberts — Eau Claire — May 27` Somerset — somewhere - Sometime in May A motion was made by Rich Peterson and seconded by John Mortensen; motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: A motion to adjourn was made by Jeanette O'Connell and seconded by Gerald Peterson; motion carried. i