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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging and Disabilities 12-14-2000 ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Thomas Dorsey, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Richard Peterson, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Council on Aging DATE: Thursday, December 14, 2000 TIME: 8:30 a.m. LOCATION: County Board Room, Government Center CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS OF NEW MEMBERS ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: January 18, 2001 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES INTRODUCTIONS UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Final Budgets _- Older Americans Act Reauthorization NEW BUSINESS: AgeAdvantAge Special Projects Funding 2001 Events Meals on Wheels Association offerings Life Alert Packets Staff Reports Site/Center Updates ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Sandy Gehrmann DATE: November 30, 2000 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE COUNTY CLERK NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS ATTN: SITE SUPERVISORS : POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MEETING ROOM 1216 8 : 00-8 : 30 A.M. COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING December 14, 2000 St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER: Chairman, Rich Peterson, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. ROLL CALL: Members present were: Richard Peterson, John Mortensen, Margaret Wolske, Glenn Hoberg, Marguerite Sumner, Doris Teigen. Carolyn Weisenburger. Ralph Bader, Florence Patrick and Mary Lou Smith were excused. Also present were: Barb Blaisdell, Sandy Gehrmann, Faye Kangas, Tracy Davis, Shirley Marlette, Jolayne Mehr, Janice Thompson, Cindy Ahrens, Betty Jordahl, Gladys Ellefson, Donna Lamson and Dianne Rhein. Rhoda Wood was absent. Introductions were made. ADOPTION OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Margaret Wolske, and seconded by John Mortensen to adopt the agenda as printed; motion carried. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be Thursday, January 18th, 2000 at 8:30 a.m. at the Government Center. ACTION OF PREVIOUS S: A motion was made by Marguerite Sumner and seconded by Margaret Wolske to approve the minutes as printed; motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Older Americans Act Reauthorization On October 26, U.S. Senate unanimously re-authorized the Older Americans Act. This bill also included the National Family Caregivers Support Program, an initiative proposed by President Clinton. Funding for the Family Caregivers Support Program as addressed in the Labor Bill has yet to be passed. Members were urged to contact their legislators encouraging them to support the Labor Bill. NEW BUSINESS: AgeAdvantAge Special Proiects Funding: Dianne Rhein: Eau Claire Regional Area Field Rep for AgeAdvantAge highly commended the St. Croix County Office on Aging on its innovative fund raising techniques. Advocacy issues she addressed included possible increased funding at the state level to address elder abuse issues, and to build up the Long Term Care system in Wisconsin. Dianne also discussed the Helen Bader Grant that AgeAdvantAge has received. It provides funds for the position of a statewide Inter Faith Coordinator now filled by Melinda Storey. The Area AgeAdvantAge is seeking a board member from this area. Barb will be addressing this at future Center Board meetings. Sandy: Addressed special projects. AgeAdvantAge is offering up to $2000.00 for each county or tribal aging unit in the district that may be used for nutrition screening programs, information and assistance, or health and wellness programs. The St. Croix County Department on Aging will be requesting $1931 .00. The request includes print directories for area agencies, training for staff and volunteers and 100 hours of staff time to update the directory. A motion was made by John Mortensen, seconded by Dr. Glenn Hoberg to approve and submit the request. Motion carried. To submit the to update Iris and to provide additional directories for other agencies. 2001 Events: Tentative dates for 2001 events include: 3-20 and 3-22 for the WITC 2nd Annual Spring Break for Seniors, 3-27 for the Silent Auction and Day Away dinner at the Faith Community Church in Hudson, 4-26 as Volunteer Recognition Day, 5-10 for the Senior Celebration at the Faith Community Church in Hudson, Monday 6-18 for The Annual Golf Tournament at the Killkarney Golf Course in River Falls and The St. Croix County Fair in August. Meal on Wheels Association offerings: Sandy explained the "Care Bar", an Internet resource bar that remains open on the bottom of a computer screen when a user browses the Internet. Use of this fundraising technique generates revenue for your local Meals on Wheels Chapter, with County providers earning a portion of that revenue. A motion was made by John Mortensen, seconded by Margaret Wolske to authorize further research by approaching St. Croix County Computer Services. Motion carried. Life Alert Packets: St. Croix County Department on Aging has been approached by the Pierce County EMS in regards to coordinating efforts in distributing Life Alert packets to clinics, hospitals and senior centers. Formats offered by both agencies were examined. Staff Reports: Sandy's Report: The theme for Older Americans Month in May 2001 will be "The Many Faces of Aging. The theme acknowledges the many promises and challenges posed by our rapidly increasing multi-cultural and multi-generational aging populations. The City of Hudson Housing Authority sent a letter expressing its excitement with its participation in serving meals to seniors and has agreed to pay for coffee for the Croixview Site. Sandy invited Janice Thompson to share knowledge she gained regarding the controversy surrounding the use of plastic wrap in the microwave. The Department was reassured in writing by the Reynolds Company that their product contains no natural or synthetic Latex additives that would pose any health hazard. Sandy shared a warning in regards to a possible scam that has also been passed on to the Sheriff's department. This possible scam involves a post card that urgently requests that the recipient call an 800 number and provide personal motor vehicle information. Furthermore, the individual is pressured into purchasing a very high price extened warranty for their automobile. A computer update sheet was distributed to program managers. Some site computers are up and running, others are not. Faye's Report: Explained that she is in the process in trying to get the Faith In Action Board reactivated. Faye shared her interest in organizing inservice training. A sheet with possible topics was distributed and program managers were to number their preferences. She shared that she is willing to travel to each site to provide this service for the staff and volunteers. Faye is also seeking feedback and referrals for future caregiving support groups. Sue's Report: Alerted group of a scam involving the use of an 809 area code. Victims who do dial a number with the 809 area code may be charged over $2000 per minute. This alert will be turned over to the St. Croix Count Sheriff's Department. Sue discussed new developments in the Spousal Impoverishment provisions that allow the community dwelling spouse of nursing home resident to preserve more assets. She may be contacted with a questions or for referrals. Sue also discussed recent changes in Medicare reimbursements to hospitals for outpatient services. Co-payment for some services is no longer 20% but may be substantially more. This will likely impact lower income seniors the hardest. One more month of the 2000 pro-bono attorney elderly information service remains. The next and last is scheduled for January 18`x, 2001. December's meeting was cancelled. Sue has been in contact with the St. Croix Valley Bar Association in hope that this service will once again be provided throughout the year 2001. As of January 1, 2000, ambulance service providers should have been accepting Medicare assignment. Due to Y2K concerns, this date has now been pushed back to April 1,2001. Homestead tax credit income has been increased to $24,250.00 per individual. Barb's Report: Thanked senior centers and drivers for returning the United Way Budget sheets in a timely manner. The Department is busy planning the United Way Budget for 2001. Vehicle inspection took place. The Glenwood City, Deer Park and New Richmond vehicles were pulled out of service for a time but are now back in service. Minor infractions with the other vans were taken care of promptly. Enough funds remain in the current United Way Grant to purchase a new lift for the Hudson van. Though the lift g passed inspection, recent lift failures and the unavailability of certified mechanics for this particular lift, warrants a replacement. Funds remain available in the Transportation Grant and Trust Fund to pay for improvements and additions for the Glenwood - City van. Previously there had been a hold placed on outside agencies using Department on Aging vans and vehicles due to concerns about liability issues. However, Presbyterian Homes has provided proof of liability insurance that would cover Deerfield's use of The New Richmond Site van. A motion was made by John Mortenson to release the freeze on vehicle use and require that each group provide a certificate of insurability, seconded by Margaret Wolske. Motion carried. SITEXENTER REPORTS: BALDWIN: Christmas dinner will be held on the 21" . Van is needed on Monday December 18' for viewing Christmas lights. DEER PARK: On Veterans Day in November a meal was held honor veterans. "The Happy Grannies" provided the entertainment. Center Board meeting was held on the December 13`x. Community Craft Fair was held with $98.00 in funds being g GLENWOOD CITY: Monday morning card party is going well. Bingo Christmas party was held the previous Friday. Nutrition Site party will be held on the week of the 18'. Pearl Harbor Da was remembered with Y a film and presentation by WWII vets. HAMNIOND/ROBERTS: Donna shared that cards and bingo are going well. Open house held on 11-29 was successful with 64 in attendance. Margaret Wolske was thanked for providing the cakes for the Open House and today's Council Meeting. Shopping at Target took place on December 51. Another van trip in the near future is in the works. Martha Mabis will give a presentation on December 14`x. HUDSON: People enjoy massages each Monday morning at the Hudson site. A light trip on December 27' is being planned. Plans for community trips are tentatively scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month NEW RICHMOND: Pat Otto was ill. In her absence Mortensen stated that he appreciated the pedicure John previous Monday morning. Appreciation P e he had on the Dinner was held this week despite a broken dishwasher. This was attended by County Board Supervisors, township and local municipality s and Mayor of New Richmond. P reps the SOMERSET: On December 4', the PanhandlersP erformed. Christmas party will be held on December 21St. The Somerset Nutrition Site will be closed the week between Christmas and New Year. On January 3' a "Noon" Years Eve will be held with "Mocktails". Five seniors completed the beginner's computer course. The Quest Program from Somerset High will P r up computer tutorial packets and possibly g be making P p bly providing monthly tutoring. Hobby week was a success. Next week Center Board elections will be held with 5 candidates running for office. WOODVILLE: Cards and bingo going well. Christmas dinner will be held on December 21St A motion was made by Margaret Wolske, seconded van taps.by Marguerite Sumner to authorize aforementionedd . Motion carried. _- Ideas for future agendas were solicited. A motion was made by Margaret Wolske seconded Mortensen to adjourn the meeting. Motion by John g carried. Q