HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.07.2021 COA September MinutesOshkosh Seniors Center
200 N. Campbell Rd.
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(920) 232-5300 (920) 232-5307 FAX
OSHKOSH COMMITTEE ON AGING (COA) MINUTES
September 7, 2021
A.) Ms. Richey called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m.
B.) PRESENT: Heidi Basford-Kerkhof; Bryn Ceman; Julie Maslowski; Judy Richey; Julie Kiefer;
Lindsay Temple; Mike Ford
EXCUSED: Cheryl Hentz; Julie Davids
ABSENT:
STAFF: Jean Wollerman, Senior Services Manager; Bobbie Luft, Activities Coordinator
C.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 3, 2021 minutes approved as written: Mrs. Maslowski
moved to approve the minutes as written; Mrs. Temple seconded; ALL IN FAVOR, Motion
carried (7) to accept the minutes as written.
D.) CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: None
E.) PUBLIC COMMENT ONAGENDA ITEMS: None
F.) PRESENTATION:
a. Melissa Sell, Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)-Contacting Access and
What happens during an appointment; (See Attachment A- What to Expect When
Calling the ADRC) Mrs. Sell stated she was a social worker and assistant specialist for
the ADRC. She stated the majority of the calls made to the ADRC were housing call,
and there is a lack of housing available. Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof stated at times when
she calls Outagamie County she would be bumped to another county. She questioned
if someone calls Winnebago County, would they be bumped to another county; Mrs.
Sell replied no, all calls coming to Winnebago County stay in Winnebago County. She
stated after caller is connected with a specialist, they will then be given a direct line.
Ms. Richey stated a misconception of the ADRC was that they want to put people into
nursing homes and dig into their financials; Mrs. Sell replied, she is there to provide
information to make the best decision for the individual, the intent is to keep people
living in their own home for as long as safely possible. She explained the
misconception regarding digging in people’s financials; it would depend on what the
individual was calling in regards to, for instance if it were to receive financial help or
housing, a person’s financials may be needed. Mrs. Sell stated all information on calls
was private. She explained respite services do not need financial statements at all. Ms.
Richey stated she explains to people the ADRC is a neutral party that is there for
assistance. She stated the staff with the ADRC does a really good job.
Mrs. Sell stated anyone interested in receiving the ADRC monthly newsletter should
contact the ADRC and get on the list. Mrs. Maslowski stated she’s been in on meetings
with individuals and Mrs. Sell and commended her on respect to the families.
b. Jeannie Tondryk- Senior Expo-(See Attachment B- Senior Expo) Ms. Tondryk stated
there would be 80 exhibitors at the Senior Expo on October 5th and this was the 5th
year. She explained at this time masks were not mandated, however, that could
change. Elite Hearing is a platinum sponsor and would be doing free hearing tests;
Dr. Koehler would be speaking on relief for aches and pains; Attorney McCleer would
be presenting on wills and estates; Julie Davids, Home Healthcare would speak on
brain health and Carmen Scott would be speaking on her experiences. She stated the
ADRC, Winnebago County Health Department, Oshkosh Seniors Center and the
Oshkosh Committee on Aging were also sponsors. She stated Joanne Murphy Spice
would be demonstrating balance and strength and senior Tai chi; the YMCA would be
doing demonstrations; Walgreens would be providing flu shots and Tundra Land
would be there with karaoke in a shower display. Mr. Ford questioned the times of
the event; Ms. Tondryk replied 9am to 1pm. Ms. Tondryk stated Physical
Achievement Center would be sponsoring a one hour breakfast beginning at 9am.
c. Joanne Murphy-Spice, Coordinator of Wellness Plus at Winnebago County Health
Department-Mrs. Murphy-Spice stated she had been busy with handling Delta variant
concerns. Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof questioned if the test can determine if it is COVID or
the variant; Mrs. Murphy-Spice replied with further testing, she stated the symptoms
seem to be worse with Delta variant than with COVID. She stated Oshkosh hospitals
were maxing out of ICU beds and that this would be something we see each year in
fall.
Mrs. Murphy-Spice explained her roll with the County Health Department entwined
with the ADRC through evidence based classes, falls prevention and chronic
conditions. She stated finding leaders and places to hold classes was a problem. She
stated the classes in Winneconne and Neenah-Menasha were going well, Oshkosh was
more difficult to find leaders. She stated Oshkosh Seniors Center was the biggest
partner, however leaders were lost after COVID. She handed out class descriptions
and class schedules (see Attachment C- Class Descriptions and Attachment D- Class
Schedules) Mrs. Ceman questioned what becoming a leader entails; Mrs. Murphy-
Spice replied, three eight hour days, willing to teach two classes; She stated Walk with
Ease was a one day on-line class, and each class has an action plan.
G.) OLD BUSINESS:
a. Bryn Ceman/Jean Wollerman update on Age Friendly Community-Mrs. Wollerman
stated they would be meeting in November.
b. October Meeting Cancelled
H.) NEW BUSINESS:
a. New Sensory Bags for Autistic Citizens in Crisis- (See attachment E- Sensory Bags)
b. SCAM Alert, Impersonating an OPD Employee-Ms. Richey urged everyone to be
aware of perpetrators calling to impersonate police.
c. Vote to meet in person or virtually- Mrs. Wollerman explained that meetings needed
to be voted on to meet in person or go virtually, it needs to be one or the other and can
be evaluated each month. Mrs. Maslowski questioned if there was a preference among
staff; Mrs. Wollerman replied no. Ms. Richey stated she had problems logging into
web ex and still had some issues after going to the Center for the meeting. She stated
Ms. Hentz expressed through email she would like virtual. Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof
motioned to continue to meet in person; Mrs. Maslowski seconded, ALL IN FAVOR,
motion carried.
I.) OTHER BUSINESS:
a. Upcoming community events for Older Adults- Mrs. Wollerman announced some
upcoming events; Saturday, September 11, Family Fun walk with the Friends of the
Oshkosh Seniors Center, starts at 9am; there is still some room in Stepping on to
register; tai chi class went over very well with 25 participants-continuing classes for
half hour starting in October; Powerful Tools for Caregivers will be starting and is
accepting participants.
b. Mrs. Ceman proved all members a copy of the ADRC newsletter
c. Mr. Ford getting ready for budget workshops in October.
d. Mrs. Kiefer stated Learning in Retirement started today. She state the City has one of
the most robust senior programming for our Seniors Center and at the YMCA and that
our community is pretty great.
e. Ms. Richey thanked Mrs. Maslowski for care and compassion shown to her friend
during a tour of her facility.
f. Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof urged everyone to do research and get vaccinated, she had a
friend that at the age of 51 passed away from COVID.
J.) ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Maslowski moved to adjourn at 9:03 am, Mrs. Kiefer seconded, ALL
IN FAVOR, Motion carried to adjourn at 9:03 am.
NEXT MEETING: November 2, 2021
8 am City Hall
Respectfully Submitted,
Bobbie Luft
Activities Coordinator, Senior Services