HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA Minutes 5-7-19 Oshkosh Seniors Center
200 N. Campbell Rd.
Oshkosh,WI 54902
0)232-5300 (920)232-5307 FAX
OSHKOSH COMMITTEE ON AGING (COA) MINUTES
May 7, 2019
A.)Ms. Richey called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
B.) PRESENT: Sue Ashton; Heidi Basford-Kerkhof; Ron Duerkop; Xandy Kloeckl;Julie
Maslowski;Judy Richey
STAFF: Ray Maurer, Parks Director; Bobbie Luft, Office Assistant
EXCUSED: Lurton Blassingame; Claude Benedict
ABSENT: Deb Allison-Aasby
GUEST: Erin Robertson, Winnebago County Health Department
C.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 2, 2019 minutes approved with changes; page 2, under
Other Business, "Credit for Caring Act" should state it was introduced, not passed. Mrs.
Kloeckl moved to accept the minutes with changes, Mrs. Maslowski seconded. Motion carried
to accept the minutes with changes.
D.)Citizens Statements-None
E.) NEW BUSINESS:
a) Sandy Toland, Oshkosh Public Library-presented on various programs held at the
library: Home-Delivered Book Program, can be tailored specifically for person; receive
monthly, bi-weekly or call when you're ready for more; there are no fines-no reason to
worry about losing anything; can be suspended at any time; 7 volunteers working the
program; creates a social connection; library has CD players for use to listen to audio.
To register call 920 236 5206. Mrs. Maslowski questioned if there are any restrictions.
Ms. Toland replied there are not, however the library does not loan IPads. Ms. Toland
explained on the library's website a person can choose novelist and the program will
bring up other authors that are similar to your choice. Mrs. Robertson questioned if
deliveries were out of city or only within. Ms. Toland responded, she has connected
with two other libraries within Winnefox. Mr. Duerkop questioned the number of
people participating in the program. Ms. Toland stated there are 106 participating in
the program. Ms. Richey explained that the volunteer visits are very important for the
social connection. (see home delivery registration form attached) She stated one
problem for an avid reader was not being able to get the newest titles. Ms. Toland
explained on the Library website there is a location to click on and when books come in,
they will be placed on hold and you will then be notified.
• -Book a Librarian: offers one on one help with learning your technology device;
1/z hour appointments with multiple times if needed; call 236 5205 to book.
• -Tuesday is Tech Talk-group setting with questions and answers.
• -Cooking Program: held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
• -Considerations Program: discuss various topics, held on 2nd Tuesday of the
month; included are cookies and coffee; partner with Civility, respect others
opinions on various topics; the website vets articles on topic to be discussed, next
topic will be legalizing marijuana.
• -Adult DIY (free);held on the 2nd and 41h Tuesday of the month; example making
a succulent dish garden, registration is required
• -Volunteering opportunities: apply by calling 235-5206 or application on-line at
https://www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/; Ms. Toland is the volunteer coordinator and has 10
monthly volunteers with a core of 60; sends out an email for opportunity and those that
can address it, those that can't at the time, will receive updates on opportunities in the
future.
• -Brain Health-Gale Course are free on-line classes; Mango Languages to learn; Ancestry,
allows a person to go to the library and use their ancestry free of charge; and Hoopla,
will need a library card, then can download shoes, books etc.
• -Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library; source of funding; all volunteers.
• -Book club kits are available; choices can be suggested and the library usually can
accommodate. (See attachment, Library)
F.) OLD BUSINESS:
a) Strengthen our Partnership with Neighborhood Assoc. and Other Partners-Lurton
Blassingame-Mr. Blassingame was excused however he continues to relay messages to
the neighborhood associations.
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-Mr. Duerkop reported on April 13th was the 2nd annual Unity In Community,
which Mrs. Basford-Kerkhof; Ms. Richey; Mr. Blassingame and Mr. Duerkop attended.
He stated the food was good and the event was held indoors; the Committee members
handed out several pieces of information. Many people visiting were interested in
Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Finances and were able to receive the
necessary forms for both. He also indicated this was a great opportunity for visibility of
the OCOA and reach out to the Oshkosh community as well. As network with other
vendors and community resources.
• Oshkosh Seniors Center has a Resource Room, with various information, a
couple of items mentioned were; "Help for Agents Under Power of Attorney"
and "Money Smart for Older Adults", which has to do with scams.
• Mrs. Robertson, Winnebago County Health Department, announced a dementia
summit will be held on May 13, 2019. She explained they will be working on
building an infrastructure for businesses to work with customers that may have
dementia. It will be held at the Convention Center from 7:30 to 9:30 am, there
will be five panelists: Dementia Care Specialist;Jody Crainer; Todd Wrage OPD;
Oliver Zorno, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, will speak on the SPARK
program and Kate Pfaendtner, dementia care giver.
G.)OTHER BUSINESS: Mrs. Ashton explained the call for volunteers to help implement
the New State Dementia Plan. She stated the Department of health Services (DHS) is
working with partners across the state to implement a new Wisconsin State Dementia
Plan: 2019-2023, P-02241. She explained Alzheimer's disease and related dementia are
straining Wisconsin's long-term care system and it is going to increase dramatically as
the baby boomers generation ages. The Mission of the plan is to provide appropriate,
sage and cost-effective care throughout the course of the disease. The five components of
the plan: community Awareness; facility-based long-term care; crisis responses system;
guiding principles and training and research and data.
• Julie Davis, Homecare Assistance, stated she works with elders with the transition of
dementia, the disease usually takes 10-12 years to progress. There will be a training
from the ADRC, Friendly Dementia Friday from noon to fpm, anyone is welcome to
attend.
• Mrs. Maslowski stated they have a virtual dementia tour used for training care givers.
She stated if anyone is interested she can share the tour.
• Ms. Richey announced May as Older Americans Month, which was established in 1963
between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior
Citizens. This was created because about a third of older Americans lived in poverty
and there were few programs to meet their needs and the concern was growing. Every
President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month
of May requesting the entire nation to pay tribute in some way to older persons in their
community.
• Mrs. Maslowski announced Bells Vista's Concert Series: starting on May 15 from
5:30, every third Wednesday of the month through September 18th. It will be
held on the patio with refreshments-in case of rain the event will be held inside.
Please RSVP at 920 527 8327. (see attached Bella Vista Concert Series)
• Important "Observation Status" lawsuit moving forward. Mr. Duerkop explained
if a patient is required a stay in the hospital as observation status it would not
count toward the three-day inpatient hospital stay required for Medicare coverage
of skilled nursing facility care. Individuals that brought this suit forward were
forced to pay up to $30,000 out-of-pocket for their post-hospital skilled nursing
facility care because of the observation classification. Trial for this case is to begin
August 12, 2019.
H.)ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Duerkop moved to adjourn at 9:02am, Mrs. Maslowski seconded, motion carried to
adjourn at 9:02 am.
NEXT MEETING:
June 4, 2019
8 am City Hall, Room 404
Respectfully Submitted,
Bobbie Luft
Office Assistant, Senior Services