HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2023 Council on Aging and Disabilities Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
COUNCIL ON AGING AND DISABILITIES
September 8, 2023 8:30 AM
St. Croix County Service Center-Rm 171 & 172
1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
Council on Aging and Disabilities (COAD) Chair Ostness called the Sept. 8, 2023 meeting of the
COAD to order at approximately 8:30 AM.
ROLL CALL
Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived
Paulette AndersonSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent
Paul AdamsSt. Croix CountySupervisorExcused
Carol HajicekSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberExcused
Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountyChair-Supervisor ChairPresent
Dave OstnessSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Maureen BrunnerSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent
Amy SchneiderSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent
Bonnie RichertSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent
Nancy E. MeyerSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent
Roxanne M. WakeenSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent
Martha MabisSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberRemote
Others in attendance:
Kristin Newton, ADRC Administrator
Bob Rohret, HHS Director
Dr. Paul McGinnis
Chief Mark Richert, Hudson Police
Tara Fick, ADRC Elder Benefit Specialist
Fay Strenke, HHS Financial Manager
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Ostness asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes. With
nothing noted Chair Ostness accepted the minutes as written.
1. Council on Aging and Disabilities Regular Meeting August 11, 2023 8:30 AM
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Ostness opened the floor for public comment. hearing none, he proceeded with the
meeting.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Aging Disability and Resource Center Financials Reports
Fay Strenke, HHS Fiscal Manager, reviewed the August 2023 Financial report. Strenke
then reviewed the current numbers.
Discussion and questions followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Communicable Disease Update
Dr. McGinnis spoke to the group and gave updates regarding current communicable
disease trends in St. Croix County and information regarding upcoming flu vaccine dates.
Dr. McGinnis presented a power point describing the new COVID variants, treatments,
and prevention. Dr. McGinnis also discussed the fall vaccine types, the benefits, who is at
risk and when to get them.
Discussion and questions followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Medicare Annual Enrollment
Tara Fick, Elder Benefit Specialist for ADRC provided information on the upcoming
annual enrollment period for Medicare Part D including the potential for scams. Fick
suggested to call ADRC if you have questions or concerns regarding Medicare
enrollment. ADRC Administrator, Kristin Newton added that ADRC has Elder Benefit
Specialist for those 60 years old and older and Disability Benefit Specialist for those 59
years old and younger.
Discussed and questions followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Senior Safety Presentation
Chief Mark Richert of North Hudson Police Department presenting a power point on the
risk of scams with our senior population. Chief Richert discussed the statistics, who are
vulnerable, risks and the type of scams.
Discussed and questions followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Dave Ostness asked if there were any suggestions for future agenda items. No suggestions
where noted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
ADRC Administrator Newton announced:
Disability Benefit Specialist(DBS) had a site review with the DBS program attorney and it went
very well. This review is done every year but in the past 4 years has been done virtually due to
COVID. This is the first review in 4 years done in person.
Dr. McGinnis shared he is scheduled to visit all the senior sites to give an update on COVID.
Next Saturday, Sept. 16, ADRC staff are participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's. For more
information or to participate reach out to Kim Bauer, our Dementia Care Specialist @ 715-381-
4411.
Friday, Sept 22nd is the 17th Annual Caregiver Conference at Northwood Technical College.
There is still time to register. If you would like more information or to register go to the
Northwood Technical College website.
Upcoming classes: Boost Your Brain and Memory(starting Sept. 20th on Wednesdays), Powerful
Tools For Caregiver's(starting Oct. 4th on Wednesdays) and Nutrition Talk at the New Richmond
Senior Center(for more information call the senior center 715-888-1205).
Also, the Monster Mash Senior event coming will be the last Friday, Oct. 27th 11am-1pm. It will
be located at the Parks building in Roberts. There will be bingo and chili.
Lastly, The Independent Living Support program has started and already have people enrolled.
Jo Anne Fridell is running this program.
HHS Director Rohret shared:
HHS Board meeting coming up, Sept. 20th. The proposed budget will be presented and
reviewed. A new position for the Information and Assistance specialist is in the budget for ADRC.
Rohret also mentioned that there is additional funding in the state budget for ADRC, an increase
of 5 million dollars. The state is still trying to determine how to spread this funding to all the
ADRC's in the state. St Croix will probably not see money this year.
Chair Ostness announced that while serving on the Wisconsin County Association HHS
committee the board has been thrilled with St Croix County. Ostness would like to say thank you
to the board and ADRC for the great work.
Council Member Anderson made a announcement about Journey Along. This is a group for
people with dementia and their caregiver's. The group recently met in Roberts and watched a
demonstration on unicycles. More information can be found in the Sept. ADRC Newsletter.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
October 13, 2023 @ 8:30 a.m. in the St Croix County Services Center, New Richmond.
ADJOURN
Chair Ostness called the meeting adjourned at approximately 10:09 AM