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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA Minutes 11-3-20Oshkosh Seniors Center 200 N. Campbell Rd. Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920) 232-5300 (920) 232-5307 FAX OSHKOSH COMMITTEE ON AGING (COA) MINUTES November 3, 2020 A.) Ms. Richey called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. B.) PRESENT: Sue Ashton; Heidi Basford-Kerkhof; Julie Kiefer; Julie Davids; Ron Duerkop; Judy Richey EXCUSED: Xandy Kloeckl; Julie Maslowski; Deb Allison-Aasby; Lindsay Christian ABSENT: STAFF: Jean Wollerman, Senior Services Manager; Bobbie Luft, Activities Coordinator; Anne Schaefer, Marketing Fund Development Coordinator; Ray Maurer, Parks Director C.) CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: None D.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 6, 2020 minutes approved as written. Mr. Duerkop moved to accept the minutes as written, Mrs. Kiefer seconded. ALL IN FAVOR, Motion carried to accept the minutes as written. E.) PRESENTATION: a. Age and Disability Center report on Age Friendly community Project, Bryn Ceman, ADRC; explained at the end of 2019 an Age Friendly work group started networking, which consists of five members. She stated the group was notified in October by the Mayor’s office, of receiving a proclamation for their ongoing commitment to building an age-friendly community. Mrs. Ceman stated they have been accepted to join AARP’s National and Global Network of Age-Friendly Communities in partnership with the World Health Organization. She stated there will be a press release from AARP in 2021. She explained starting in March they will initiate a survey and will have two years to complete it; then they will have three years to develop a plan from the survey. Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof questioned why the subcommittee had not received notifications. Mrs. Ceman apologized for not getting the information out and will do so in the future. b. Fall Prevention for an Aging Population, Jennifer Skolaski, PHD, Community & Nonprofit Leadership Consulting, LLC; (See Attachment A-Fall Prevention for an Aging Population) Mrs. Kiefer questioned who was doing community education regarding this. Mrs. Wollerman replied, the Oshkosh Seniors Center will be holding Stepping On classes with eight participants (usually about 20, due to Covid-19 it has been decreased in size), and are increasing exercises classes indoor. Ms. Skolaski stated Chief Stanley is researching grants for aids to help with preventing falls. Mr. Duerkop questioned how the grant has been moving along. Ms. Skolaski stated it has taken a step back due to Covid-19. Chief Stanley explained some programs are moving forward, the Seniors Center continue to have programs, the YMCA and senior living facilities are doing their part internally. He stated some of the data has been through the Fire Department itself; at the first start of the pandemic the volume in calls went down 17%, the volume of calls is back to normal or higher than normal base line, Chief stated however; fall calls went up. Chief Stanley stated social isolation is a big problem. He explained they are working with Convention and Visitors Bureau regarding a partnership with local businesses, a person brings in their throw rug and they will receive a coffee mug to a partner business and receive a free cup of coffee. He stated request for funding have gone to the Community Foundation to get mugs printed. Chief Stanley explained how it will get people out from isolation and also, stimulate business. Ms. Skolaski stated she thought the tag line for the rugs was great; Decorative Rugs the Bane of Your Existence. She explained meetings like this help educate and get the word out regarding falls and prevention. Mrs. Kiefer questioned how to recruit someone to come speak on behalf of this at UWO-Living in Retirement Group. Ms. Skolaski replied she would be happy to share about the project but having one of the partners there speaking about the work being done would be influential. Chief Stanley stated he would be happy to participate as well. Mr. Nagler with ADRC explained they are a partner and when the Fire Department has a falls call they make a referral to the ADRC, Mr. Nagler kept track of referrals sent to them and there have been 99 referrals. He stated they have had connections that maybe they would not have had without the collaboration. Mr. Nagler explained how many follow ups go unanswered due to stigma and fear of being removed from one’s home. He stated they are there to educate as best as they can to reduce that fear and let the person know they are there to help them maintain their independence. Mr. Nager explained the ADRC has worked with several agencies to help with getting medical equipment to those in need, referring to support groups. He stated there could be more collaborative measures among the agencies to get more accomplished. Mr. Duerkop questioned if Mr. Nagler’s agency was able to involve family; Mr. Nagler replied yes they do involve all that are willing to help make decisions. He stated these types of conversation are much easier in person and more difficult over the phone. Ms. Skolaski explained the difficulty of a person to find a Power of Attorney and the importance of having those conversations with loved one regarding difficult decisions. Ms. Richey stated Ms. Skolaski had nominated Chief Stanley for a Hero Award from the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation along with Meg-Lite. Ms. Skolaski explained she nominated Chief Stanley for the Hero Award, the award is for a fire fighter who goes beyond the job and does community work. She stated she nominated Chief Stanley because of his incredible community work and how impressed she is with his work in trying to make changes while dealing with a pandemic. She stated that the Chief’s speech was very humble and he gave credit to the partners and community. Ms. Richey thanked Ms. Skolaski for nominating the Chief and congratulated him for receiving the award. Chief Stanley thanked everyone, he stated his message was heartfelt, not one person can take credit for what is being done with fall prevention, it is the things the partners are doing. He thanked all the partners and community for doing their part. Mrs. Wollerman and Mr. Duerkop thanked Chief Stanley and congratulated him. Mr. Duerkop announced how proud he was of all the partners collaborating together. Ms. Richey questioned Chief Stanley as to why the Fireman/Paramedics are in complete protective gear when on a call; Chief Stanley replied, explained they are taking a proactive approach after learning how exposures can impact the work place. He explained when they know it is a Covid-19 related call, they have one or two staff go in, to help limit exposure. He stated this is a way to protect staff as well as the public. F.) OLD BUSINESS: G.) NEW BUSINESS: H.) OTHER BUSINESS: a. 2021 SS/SSi COLA Adjustment (See Attachment B-2021 SS/SSI COLA Adjustment) b. SeniorCare Waiver (See Attachment C-SeniorCare Waiver) c. Medicare Open Enrollment Information (See Attachment D- Medicare Open Enrollment Information) I.) ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Kiefer moved to adjourn at 9:06 am, Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof seconded, ALL IN FAVOR, Motion carried to adjourn at 9:06 am. NEXT MEETING: December 1, 2020- 8 am City Hall Virtual Participation Respectfully Submitted, Bobbie Luft Activities Coordinator, Senior Services