HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA Min 7-3-18 Oshkosh Seniors Center
200 N. Campbell Rd.
Oshkosh,WI 54902
0)232-5300 (920)232-5307 FAX
OSHKOSH COMMITTEE ON AGING (COA) MINUTES
July 3, 2018
A.)Ms. Richey called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
B.) PRESENT: Lurton Blassingame, Claude Benedict, Judy Richey,Julie Maslowski, Xandy
Kloeckl, Ron Duerkop, Deb Allison-Aasby
STAFF: Jean Wollerman, Senior Services Manager, Bobbie Luft, Office Assistant
EXCUSED: Peggy Bellin, Sue Ashton
ABSENT:
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
June 5, 2018 minutes, Mr. Blassingame moved to accept the minutes as written, Mr. Duerkop
seconded. Motion carried to accept the minutes as written.
D.)Citizens Statements-None
E.) NEW BUSINESS:
a) Mrs. Maslowski announced that the Geropsych unit at Ascension was now open as they had
their ribbon cutting on June 18th. She stated Fox 11 was there and there was a nice article in the
newspaper about it.
b) Mrs. Allison-Aasby apologized for her absence. She encourage members to have budget
requests in ASAP as the budget process will be July through November.
F.) OLD BUSINESS:
a) Strengthen our Partnership with Neighborhood Assoc. and Other Partners-Lurton
Blassingame-Mr. Blassingame stated that he had picked up File of Life packets from
the OFD and provided them to Pam Ruder, the liaison for the neighborhood association
to distribute to neighborhood representatives of the associations. Tom from the Harold
had an article about the neighborhood, good press coverage.
b) to Affordable Transportation and Delivery Services for Seniors-Judy Richey-Ms.
Richey stated she seen a news report that CVS Pharmacy was going to start delivering.
She stated Hometown and Omro Pharmacy are a couple others that do delivery service
as well. She stated Transit was getting new buses and was happy to see good things are
happening.
c) Create Community Design & Policy that supports an Age Friendly community-Jean
Wollerman-Mrs. Wollerman explained the concern for pets with fireworks. She urged
all interested in them to review the City's ordinances what is and what isn't acceptable.
d) Improve Communication and Visibility of Available Services to Seniors-Ron
Duerkop-Mr. Duerkop announced the new Medicare cards are starting to be received
in Wisconsin, people can begin using them immediately as all providers are ready to
accept them. He stated to destroy your old card and as scams continue be cautious.
He stated the World Elder Abuse Day held on June 13th was a success. Mr. Duerkop
announced the position for Winnebago County Dementia Specialist was approved on
June 19th, it is currently posted and will be accepting applications through July 5th
Take Me Home program was implemented on June 1St by the OPD. It is a data base
for people who may need special assistance if they are alone or in times of emergency.
The system includes a current photo of the person and emergency contact information
and any added info provided by the caregiver of the enrolled person. This is a free
and voluntary program, those interested should contact Sergeant Todd Wrage at 920
236 5700. He stated the first National Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day was
May 18th with a webinar sponsored by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration). He provided a few statistics: 20% of older adults (65+) have
one or more mental health/substance abuse conditions; 15.2% of US population are
older adults but account for 18.2% of suicide deaths, males age 75+have suicide rate
2x any other group; depression and other MH/behavioral health issues are NOT part
of normal aging; 11% of veterans diagnosed with a major depression-twice the rate of
non-vets, suicide rate is highest in the veteran group; senior centers are a major source
of mental health services;home delivered meals is a critically important outreach to
isolated persons, 60% of home delivered meals go to people living alone facing
isolation, depression and anxiety; concern for cost of MH intervention is blunted by
the fact that we are already paying for it by overuse of nursing homes, additional cost
of hospital care an physical health issues; there is a need for more focus on depression
in certain subsets of the older adult population that are most at risk. He stated ADRC
(Aging & Disability Resource Center) committee of Winnebago County held a
meeting on May 14th representatives from Senators Baldwin's and Johnson's offices as
well as Representative Grothman attended. Now is the time to let your
representatives know what is important to you as the 2019 budget appropriations is in
the process. Email is the best method to communicate with the reps or phone calls,
there will be no response to form letters. He explained that policy work is completed
in Washington and local office staff do case work on social security issues, support for
grants, individual citizen advocacy related to problems with government agencies.
He explained what bills were included in the 2018 Omnibus Spending Bill Increased
Funding for some Older Adult Programs (HR 1625) signed on 3/23/2018 by President
Trump. Social Security: increase of$388 million for SS administrative fund, $280
million set aside specifically for modernizing SSA's IT infrastructure and $100 million
for reducing the backlog of appeal hearings. Health: $49 million for State Health
Insurance Assistance (SHIPS) for 2018, this is a$2 million increase over 2017 but$3
million less than 2016. Energy Assistance: $250 million increase for low-income energy
assistance program (LIHEAP) for a total of$3.6 billion. Nutrition: supplemental
nutrition assistance program (SNAP) $4.5 billion cut (nearly 6%) form 2017.
Community Services: Community Development Block Grants received a$300 million
(10%) increase to $3.3 Billion. Legal Services and Elder Justice: $410 million for legal
services corporation (LSC), $25 million increase from 2017. Older Americans Act, Title
IIIB Supportive Services received 10% increase to $385 million. Adult Protective
Services (APS) and the Elder Justice Initiative received a $2 million increase to $12
million. He stated money to extend the Medicaid Money Follows the Person Program
(MA funding for relocation people form nursing home to less restrictive options) and
the BENES Act to improve Medicare Part B enrollment process were not funded.
G.)OTHER BUSINESS:
a) Ms. Richey stated the best investment would be in a shredder to protect against
identity theft when throwing away mail, etc. She announced the$15,050.00 in funds
from Capital Credit Union that went to OFD for ballistic armor for paramedics. She
stated Leadership Oshkosh granted $11,000.00 to OFD for inferred saunas for five fire
stations, this will help fireman after fires to cleanse their bodies from cancer causing
toxins found in smoke.
b) Mrs. Wollerman stated that June Food Truck Friday (FTF) was a success with 2,000
people attending, the average age groups was 30's with families. She announce the
next FTF will be held on July 201h and there will be three more food trucks added,
from 5-9 pm. There are now chairs and tables set up, easy access and fun for kids.
Ms. Richey stated that FOSC President Judy Brewer, stated don Herman donated a
trailer to the Center for band use.
c) Mrs. Wollerman announced that any requests that should go on board & commission
websites are to be sent to Bobbie. Ms. Richey stated that website will be for long term
items and they will use Facebook for more time sensitive issues. She stated this will
help increase visibility to this committee. Mr. Duerkop questioned the time line.
Mrs. Wollerman stated she was not sure. Mrs. Allison-Aasby will follow up on the
time line. Mr. Blassingame would like communication to the neighborhood
associations of the ways to access the website. Mr. Benedict questioned the amount
of funds designated to COA, he understood it to be$5,000. Mrs. Allison-Aasby stated
there was $2,500 designated for use of the strategic plan. Ms. Richey stated any
suggestions to go to budget should go to herself first then she will forward them to
Mrs. Allison-Aasby.
H.)ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Benedict moved to adjourn, Mrs. Allison-Aasby seconded, motion carried to adjourn at
8:40 am.
NEXT MEETING:
August 7, 2018
City Hall- room 404- 8 am
Respectfully Submitted,
Bobbie Luft
Office Assistant, Senior Services