HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA Minutes 3-5-19 Oshkosh Seniors Center
200 N. Campbell Rd.
Oshkosh,WI 54902
0)232-5300 (920)232-5307 FAX
OSHKOSH COMMITTEE ON AGING (COA) MINUTES
March 5, 2019
A.)Ms. Richey called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.
B.) PRESENT: Claude Benedict;Judy Richey; Ron Duerkop;Julie Maslowski; Lurton
Blassingame; Xandy Kloeckl; Deb Allison-Aasby; Heidi Basford-Kerkhof
STAFF: Jean Wollerman, Senior Services Manager; Bobbie Luft, Office Assistant
EXCUSED: Sue Ashton
ABSENT:
C.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 4, 2018 minutes approved as written. Mr. Benedict
moved to accept the minutes as written, Mr. Blassingame seconded. Motion carried to accept
the minutes as written.
D.)Citizens Statements
• Kyle King, RN, BSN Program Director Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit, Ascension
Mercy Medical Center-Mr. King stated that the unit is nearing the eight bed capacity,
in two to three weeks they will begin construction and by July 1St will have a 15 bed
unit.
• Erin Robertson, Winnebago County Health Department announced; Healthy Living
with Chronic Pain will start April 2, this is and evidenced based class.
• Ms. Richey welcomed Heidi Basford-Kerkhof as the new committee member. Mrs.
Basford-Kerkhof will finish Mrs. Belliri s term that will end May 31, 2020.
E.) NEW BUSINESS:
• Kristina Ebbot; Attorney for Legal Action of WI and works out of Oshkosh, provided a
presentation on Elder Abuse 101: See Attachment A Mr. Duerkop questioned if they
receive referrals from Winnebago County. Ms. Ebbot responded yes they do. Ms.
Richey questioned if Meals on Wheels volunteers see abuse, how they would report it.
Ms. Ebbot explained they would make a recommendation to Adult Protective Services
(APS). She explained APS has more rights to do a welfare check on the person, whereas
she and her colleagues work for the person that is being abused. Therefor they would
need their consent to do any investigating. Ms. Allison-Aasby questioned if their office
has reached out to investment companies or banking facilities. Ms. Allison-Aasby
stated the challenge with connecting with the abused elder is the person doing the
abusing is usually the contact person. Ms. Ebbot explained the problem again, they
need consent from the client to do investigating and the client is usually not the contact
person for situations such as this. Mr. Blassingame questioned if Ms. Ebbot would
consider presenting before the Neighborhood Associations. Ms. Ebbot responded she
would.
• Elder Rights Project (ERP): Provides free legal assistance to secure safety, stability and
independence for elder abuse victims. It is a collaboration between Legal Action of
Wisconsin and Wisconsin Judicare. The number to call is 844-614-5468. Requirements;
must be Wisconsin resident, 60 or older and a victim of crime or abuse. The ERP is free
of charge to Wisconsin elder abuse victims regardless of their income or assets. See
Attachment B.
F.) OLD BUSINESS:
a) Strengthen our Partnership with Neighborhood Assoc. and Other Partners-Lurton
Blassingame- stated he will be attending the neighborhood meeting on March 19th and
he has been working with Pam Ruder regarding City owned properties. He stated he
would be sure to mention the Elder Abuse Program. He requested email addresses for
neighborhood representatives.
b) Affordable Transportation and Delivery Services for Seniors-Judy Richey-explained
hidden disabilities can be identified on driver's licenses or identification cards. Mr.
Duerkop stated Governor Evers is including a 20% increase in funding for the County
Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program. This is an investment of an
additional 3 million in each year of the budget for specialized transportation services.
c) Create Community Design & Policy that supports an Age Friendly community-Jean
Wollerman- stated she is continuing to research the eight domains and if anyone would
like to add any information please send it to Jean.
d) Improve Communication and Visibility of Available Services to Seniors-Ron
Duerkop-announced:
• Owner-occupied housing rehabilitation: March 15, 2019 is the deadline to apply for
the City of Oshkosh Owner-occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program. The
program is a 0% interest deferred payment loan for low to moderate income
property owners and can be used for roofing, exterior work, plumbing, electrical,
furnaces, painting and general repairs, but not for remodeling. Eligibility is based
on household sizes and annual income. For a single person household the annual
income limit is$39,850 and for a two person household the annual income limit is
$45,550. Interested persons should contact the Oshkosh Planning Office at City Hall
by calling 236-5059
• Senior Care Prescription Drug program has been extended until the end of March
and CMS continues to review Wisconsin's application request for a 10 year
extension of the program
• New resource: The Paine will begin hosting a free monthly program for people
with memory loss and their care partners called, SPARK. Beginning Wednesday
March 27th, SPARK will meet at the Paine from 1-2:30 pm every last Wednesday of
the month. Participants gather in the Studio located in the lower level of the
mansion before enjoying activities related to art, gardens and current events or
exhibitions happening at the Paine. SPARK is a cultural program for people with
early to mid-stage memory loss and their care partners. Reservations are required.
The contact person is Noell Dickmann at 920-235-6903
• Wisconsin Energy Assistance: The Wisconsin Home Energy Plus Program
provides energy assistance to help customers pay for winter heating. Eligibility is
based on your past three months gross income and family size. For a single person
household the three month income limit is$6,870 and for a two person household
the three month limit is $8,984. The program runs from Oct 1St to May 15th and is a
one-time yearly benefit. There is also Electric Assistance, Crisis Assistance and
Winter Weatherization services available. For Winnebago County interested
persons should contact Energy Services, Inc. at 800-506-5596
• Mrs. Maslowski announce, Our Savior Lutheran Church will provide respite care
on the 3rd &4th Tuesday
G.)OTHER BUSINESS:
• State of the City March 18, 2019
• Caring for the Caregiver Conference April 11, 2019-8:30 am to 3:00 pm, to register
call 236 1220 Nancy Ruedinger or email nruedinger@co.winnebago.wi.us
• Mr. Benedict requested more information on Catch a Ride program. Ms. Richey
responded there would be more information at a later date.
H.)ADJOURNMENT:
Mrs. Allison-Aasby moved to adjourn at 9:07am, Mrs. Maslowski seconded, motion carried
to adjourn at 9:07 am.
NEXT MEETING:
April 2, 2019
8 am City Hall, Room 404
Respectfully Submitted,
Bobbie Luft
Office Assistant, Senior Services