HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA Minutes 4-2-19 Oshkosh Seniors Center
200 N. Campbell Rd.
Oshkosh,WI 54902
0)232-5300 (920)232-5307 FAX
OSHKOSH COMMITTEE ON AGING (COA) MINUTES
April 2, 2019
A.)Ms. Richey called the meeting to order at 7:58 a.m.
B.) PRESENT: Claude Benedict;Judy Richey; Ron Duerkop;Julie Maslowski; Lurton
Blassingame; Xandy Kloeckl; Deb Allison-Aasby; Heidi Basford-Kerkhof; Sue Ashton
STAFF: Jean Wollerman, Senior Services Manager; Bobbie Luft, Office Assistant
EXCUSED:
ABSENT:
C.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 5, 2019 minutes approved with changes; added energy
assistance program and removed the repeated item from F.) d), regarding Transportation
Assistance program. Mrs. Maslowski moved to accept the minutes with changes, 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 would be at a 15 bed capacity, in
two to three weeks. He explained there is a lack of mental health providers in this
area.
E.) NEW BUSINESS:
• Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney; Dave Praska, Deputy City Attorney and Amy Vanden
Hogen, Assistant City Attorney passed out a booklet to each member and presented on
open meetings, public records, ethics, rules of order and purpose of responsibilities.
F.) OLD BUSINESS:
a) Strengthen our Partnership with Neighborhood Assoc. and Other Partners-Lurton
Blassingame-Mr. Blassingame stated he met with the Greater Oshkosh-Healthier
Neighborhoods Initiative (GO-HNI) on March 19 and spoke about: elder Rights Project
and the availability for free service, call 844 614 5468; six week "Healthy Living with
Chronic Pain" workshop, to register call 920 232 3000; Property Fraud and Alert, a free
service to register call 800 728 3858; Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, needing
volunteer drivers, drivers can earn .58 per mile, call 920 232 3000; Almeda Fisk Gallup
Trust program for those who need but can't afford medical cost relating to vision,
hearing and dental needs, for further information call 920 232 5301; provided Pam
Ruder a list of City owned properties with addresses that might be used for improving
the neighborhoods.
b) Affordable Transportation and Delivery Services for Seniors-Judy Richey- No Report
c) Create Community Design & Policy that supports an Age Friendly community-Jean
Wollerman- No Report
d) Improve Communication and Visibility of Available Services to Seniors-Ron
Duerkop- No Report
G.)OTHER BUSINESS:
• Ms. Ashton explained the dental coverage for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) to allow for coverage in limited circumstances where dental care is
needed to get a medical procedure or when a medical procedure has caused the need
for dental care. Here are some examples of what Medicare could pay for if CMS
changed its policy include the treatment of an oral infection so an individual can
receive a kidney transplant or dental treatment when chemotherapy causes
inflammation and resulting gum and tooth damage (Attachment A); The Wisconsin
Department of Health Services (DHS) awarded mental Health America of Wisconsin
a grant to develop and manage the nation's first peer-run respite home for Veterans
experiencing distress related to mental health and substance use challenges. The
grant requires the peer-run respite to be located in the Milwaukee area, but services
will be available to veterans who live anywhere in the state. DHS grant funding
supports the services provided in Appleton, Madison and Menomonie. These homes
are not designed to cater to the unique needs of veterans. (Attachment B)
• Mr. Duerkop explained the bill that was introduced for "Credit for Caring Act", this
would create a $1,000 tax credit for people who serve as caregivers for a family
member and is targeted to individuals making less than$75,000 per year or couples
making less than$150,000. (Attachment C); The Executive Order #11 relating to the
Creation of the Governor's Task Force on Caregiving, signed by Governor Evers.
(Attachment D); Property Fraud Alert, call the hotline at 800 728 3858, Natalie
Strohmeyer, Winnebago County Register of Deeds. (Attachment F)
• Mrs. Allison-Aasby suggested the committee to review the process of the strategic
plan, she stated the council reviews every two to three years. Ms. Richey explained
the committee did review the previous plan as to the latest plan and what had been
accomplished or is being worked on. Mrs. Allison-Aasby announced that it was
election today and if she was not re-elected to wanted members to know it was an
honor and pleasure to have worked on this committee, if re-elected she would
continue on the committee.
• Ms. Richey thanked Xandy, Ron and Julie for attending the Caring for the Caregiver
Conference. She stated it seemed low in attendance.
• April 13th is Unity in the Community from 11 am to 3 pm at the Convention Center.
Members of the Committee on Aging will be attending.
• Mrs. Maslowski announced April 17th is National Decision Day, Ascension will be at
Bella Vista to help residents fill out paperwork for advance directives from 1:30 pm
to 3:00 pm.
• Jean invited all members to attend the 41h Quarter of Life programs on April 261h at
the Seniors Center. She explained there will be a panel discussion from 9:30 am to 11
am, to register please call 920 232 5300, the first 75 registered participants will receive
a free book, "I'm Dead, Now What" donated by an anonymous donor. She stated
the program was put together by the Health Committee.
• Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof announced May 4th will be a run/walk for suicide/mental
illness, the walk will be at 9:30 am and registration starts at 7:30 am, to register please
call 920 651 1148.
M ADJOURNMENT:
Mrs. Allison-Aasby moved to adjourn at 9:19am, Mr. Blassingame seconded, motion carried
to adjourn at 9:19 am.
NEXT MEETING:
May 7, 2019
8 am City Hall, Room 404
Respectfully Submitted,
Bobbie Luft
Office Assistant, Senior Services