HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.05.2022 COA April MinutesOshkosh Seniors Center
200 N. Campbell Rd.
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(920) 232-5300 (920) 232-5307 FAX
OSHKOSH COMMITTEE ON AGING (COA) MINUTES
April 5, 2022
A.) Ms. Richey called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
B.) PRESENT: Judy Richey; Julie Kiefer; Heidi Basford-Kerkhof; Bryn Ceman; Joanne Murphy
Spice
EXCUSED: Lindsay Temple; Mike Norton; Cheryl Hentz; Julie Maslowski; Mike Ford;
Julie Davids
ABSENT:
STAFF: Jean Wollerman, Senior Services Manager; Bobbie Jo Nagler, Activities Coordinator
C.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 1, 2022 minutes approved as written: Mrs. Kiefer moved
to approve the minutes as written; Mrs. Ceman seconded; ALL IN FAVOR, Motion carried (5)
to accept the minutes as written.
D.) CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: NONE
E.) PUBLIC COMMENT ONAGENDA ITEMS: NONE
F.) PRESENTATION:
a. Kim Marheine, State Ombudsman Program- (See Attachment A-Board on Aging &
Long Term Care) Ms. Marheine explained Ombudsman’s were advocates for
consumer rights to quality of life and quality of care, under the office of the Governor.
She stated all services are free of charge. Ms. Marheine stated there used to be
approximately three closings of licensed facilities per year and not there are six.
Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof questioned if Ms. Marheine knew the reasons for facilities
closing because of staffing concerns. She stated she heard it was because the facilities
were not being reimbursed enough funds. Ms. Marheine replied, long term care
facilities had received a nice increase to pay for quality services. She state Medicare
and Medicaid had been stagnant for some time.
Ms. Richey stated she supports the ombudsman program. She explained she had a
personal concern with a family member in a facility and luckily she kept such good
documentation that validated the concerns and lead to corrective measures.
Mr. Duerkop, an audience member, questioned Ms. Marheine thoughts with the
Governor’s Caregiver Task Force. Ms. Marheine replied it was a greater focus on what
communities can do and that caregivers need to be compensated.
G.) OLD BUSINESS: None
H.) NEW BUSINESS:
a. Discussion of current scams- Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof explained people are continually
being scammed by government imposters. She stated they say, the person needs to
pay or their social security benefits will be cut, or they have unpaid taxes. Ms. Richey
provided the website for Senior Medicare Patrol, www.smpwi.org, prepared by
GWAAR SMP team to help Medicare beneficiaries and their advocates prevent, detect,
and report health care fraud, abuse and errors. (See Attachment B-Empowering
Seniors to Prevent Health Care Fraud in Wisconsin)
I.) BUSINESS:
a. Upcoming Community events for Older Adults- Mrs. Ceman handed out to all
members, the ADRC monthly newsletter. She provided the link to the newsletter,
https://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/adrc/adrc-newsletter.
b. Mrs. Kiefer explained a program taking place for two days for grandparents and
grandchildren, ages 8-12 years. She stated they could spend the night in a residence
hall, eat meals and have two days of education and exploration.
c. Mrs. Murphy Spice stated they had seven classes start this month. She explained that
a future class, Stand Up and Move More is not an exercise class and will be starting at
the Oshkosh Seniors Center in May and will be led by Jean Wollerman. She stated
moving less than 6 hours a day is equal to smoking sixteen cigarettes a day.
d. Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof stated she is the president of NAMI organization. She stated the
numbers for mental health have quadrupled over the pandemic and have increases in
the older population. NAMI Oshkosh 5K mental health and Suicide run/walk starts
May 7th at 9 am at Oshkosh North High School. She stated Mary Jannes is the Director
and can be reached at 920.651.1148. She explained many people sign up as teams to
honor someone living with a mental illness or to remember a person who died with
one. She explained the event will be bigger and more family friendly than before,
with; face painting, balloon animals, mascots, informational booths, the Verve photo
booth, team pictures, after there will be free food from Jimmy Johns while listening to
music from December Lotus Project.
e. Mrs. Wollerman provided all members the April monthly newsletter from the
Oshkosh Seniors Center. Mrs. Kiefer stated on April 18th at the Seniors Center LIR will
hold a program, Livable Communities and on April 19th Dr. Brian Davis, Oshkosh
School District, Superintendent, will discuss what’s new in the district. Mrs. Basford-
Kerkhof stated she had listened to Mr. Davis previously and he is great and has
exciting ideas.
f. Ms. Richey announced the Oshkosh Police Department (OPD) added a therapy dog to
the Department. She stated Magic, is a professionally trained, two year-old female
golden retriever who will provide emotionally support to both members of our
community and Officers. She explained Magic would be working with the Behavioral
Health Officer, Scott Sopata. Officer Sopata has been responding to behavioral health
related calls, sensitive/emotional calls for service since October 2021, he also supports
employees of the OPD after critical incidents. Ms. Richey explained the OPD has
partnered with Winnebago County Human Services who will be providing a Mental
Health Crisis Specialist Co-Responder to the team in the near future.
Ms. Richey announced April 17-23 is National Volunteer Week.
Ms. Richey announced Mike Norton requested to not be re-appointed, therefore
there will be an opening for an alternate June 1.
Mrs. Richey stated a recent UW Oshkosh was rated one of the top schools.
J.) ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Kiefer moved to adjourn at 9:00 am, Mrs. Ceman seconded, ALL IN
FAVOR, Motion carried (5) to adjourn at 9:00 am.
NEXT MEETING: May 3, 2022; Andrew Schaller, Oshkosh West High School & Oshkosh / West
High School Veterans Wall.
8 am City Hall
Respectfully Submitted,
Bobbie Jo Nagler
Activities Coordinator, Senior Services