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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Advisory Board - Minutes - 06/11/2008CITY OF FORT COLLINS SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES Meeting held June 11, 2008 Lemay Avenue Health & Rehab Facility 4824 S. Lemay Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80525 Chair — Marcia Richards — 970-223-8581 Staff Liaison — Barbara Schoenberger — 970-224-6026 City Council Liaison — Doug Hutchinson, Mayor — 970-221-6506 This was a quarterly Outreach Meeting which met at Lemay Health & Rehab Facility at 12:15 for lunch and a tour of the facility, prior to the regular scheduled meeting. Attendance: Marcia Richards Robert Phillips Anita Basham Valerie DiBenedetto Cathy Martin Stan Ulrich Excused Absence: Kathy Schuster Bud Herin Guests: Ruth Wilson Cyndy Pecic, SW Brandon Pietsch Liaison: Douglas Hutchinson, Mayor Staff: Barbara Schoenberger Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Marcia Richards, at 1:37 p.m. II. Attendance An attendance sheet was passed. III. Presentation of SAB Marcia Richards, Chair, gave a presentation of the mission and functions of the Senior Advisory Board. She then introduced the Board members, who spoke about their individual liaison relationships to other Boards and Commissions in the City. IV. Public Participation Three guests in attendance offered: 1) that they were pleased to learn that the SAB was focused on the transportation problems of seniors and of their problems accessing health care and recreational facilities; and, 2) pleased that we do outreach meeting at LTC facilities and that Columbine System is concerned about future transportation for seniors. A major concern raised by Mr. Pietch (manager) was that there is a need for State and Federal action to provide a type of "medical assistance program" that would provide financial assistance for Medicaid patients to be transferred to an assisted living facility following discharge from a short-term rehabilitation treatment program. He further stated that at the present time Medicaid is paying $153/day for short-term rehabilitation stays. This amount is not adequate to totally cover the cost and he is hopeful that an increase will be forthcoming. The current daily rate at Columbine for a private room is $220 and $199 for a semi -private with shared shower. Barbara Schoenberger informed Columbine about "Day in the Park" on August 20, and encouraged them to bring as many residents that were able to travel to the park. BREAK: Refreshments were served and evaluation were collected. V. Minutes A question was raised regarding the required length and detail of the minutes. Staff stated that the minutes were available to all citizens and Council members and therefore needed to be informative and give enough detail as to the actions and concerns of the SAB members. Valerie DiBenedetto moved to accept the minutes as written .The motion was seconded by Cathy Martin. The motion carried. VI. Correspondence A. A letter of resignation was received from Matt Jackson. He has accepted a new position which requires more travel time. His resignation was accepted and a letter of "Thanks" will be sent to him. B. Valerie DiBenedetto mailed a letter of "Thanks" to Mary Achiston for her presentation at the May SAB meeting. VII. Old Business A. Senior Center Expansion Committee report Stan Ulrich attended the last meeting with Gretchen Gaede, marketing specialist, to outline a marketing proposal for the expansion plan. The proposal was presented in 5-6 parts. The total cost, accepting all parts of the proposal, would be $15000. A fund raiser on July 3, "An All American Picnic", will contribute to the cost of the marketing proposal. It was noted that Stan made 41 pies for the occasion. B. Liaison Reports • Cathy Martin -Elder Care --no report -Senior Law Day --Plans are in progress and everything seems to be in place. -Bridging the Gap --no new changes • Stan Ulrich -TRIAD-- is still in inactive mode. They may decide to discontinue -AARP--Chapter 769 is in recess for the summer. The committee is still active and have been meeting regularly. The Conference Committee met June 6, approved the format and slate of speakers. the keynote speakers will be John Suther, Colorado Attorney General. the title of the conference this year is "Are you protected or have you been had?" Conference is scheduled for October 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Admission is free, but reservations are required. -Office on Aging -A presentation to the Council about the RVNA by director, Sheri Sauer, outlined the functions of the agency and that it was certified to accept Medicare and Medicaid. Chairperson, Elnora McCloughan, gave a brief overview of the United Way 211 report. During the last quarter, 6520 persons called 211, and most of them were for financial assistance. HB 1108 had been passed and signed by the Governor. As a result, the Office on Aging will receive approximately $150,000 in funding from the State. In addition federal funding will also increase about $33,000. However, that increase will be eaten up by the increase cost of food and gas. -Larimer County Alliance for Grandfamilies--hired a staff person through Naquama Center. This position will help family members who are raising grandchildren to navigate through the system. -ARCH--Laura Sutherlin reported that a grant is available for the program. The grant size is $800,000 with a possible additional $300,000-$500,000. She reported that there is a lot of competition for these funds. -Ombudsmen Program --added four new volunteers. The program is also working on facilitating some meetings in the community on "options for long term care" with the Larimer Center for Mental Health, and Behavioral Health Organization and other alternative care facilities in Larimer County. The purpose of these meetings is to make a flow chart to help the staff access resources for persons with a mental illness and identify. C. Communication Report Stan Ulrich reported for the committee. Following the submitted schedule of proposed articles, things are going as planned. In May, Marcia Richards submitted an article to "50 Plus Marketplace". It listed the members of the Senior Advisory Board, along with the group photo, and outlined the activities and issues in which the Board is involved. Other articles and writers are as follows: Sept. - Bridging the Gap Event by Kathy Schuster Sept. - Chili Cook -Off by Stan Ulrich or Peggy McGough Oct. - Transportation Issues by Anita Bash Dec. - Craft Fair by ?? Dec. - Testimonial by a first year SAB member by Cathy Martin All articles need to be submitted before the loth of each month. D. Bridging the Gap Report There was not a meeting of the BTG committee in June. See Liaison Report (above) by Cathy Martin. E. Following City Council Stan Ulrich attended the May meeting of the City Council. The major conversation involved the change of the zoning for the I-25 and Harmony property. F. Presentation for July There was discussion on the role of Park and Recreation Master Plan and how it fits into the issues that involve the Senior Advisory Board. Barbara Schoenberger, a staff member, enlightened the Board on the many ways that the Plan effects seniors, i.e. access to exercise, walking the trails, biking, etc. It was agreed that Anita Basham would contact Jean Helberg, Supervisor for Recreation, and ask her to speak to the Board at the July meeting. G. Picnic Following the conclusion of the regularly scheduled SAB meeting in August, the Board members and their guests are invited to a backyard picnic at the home of Anita Basham. The picnic is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Executive Committee will provide hamburgers, buns, condiments, and soft drinks. Others are requested to bring a dish or dessert to share. Anita Basham will mail directions —and this time with the correct address. VIII. New Business Election of Officers A slate of officers was presented by the nominating committee. Presented to the Board was: Marica Richards for Chairperson Anita Basham for Vice -Chair Kathy Schuster for Secretary There were no other nominations from the floor. A motion by Valerie DiBenedetto to close the nominations was seconded by Bob Phillips. The motion passed. The new officers were elected and presented. IX. Other Business A. Membership Members were asked to encourage qualified persons to apply for one of the two vacancies that presently exist on the Board. B. Letter A letter from Marjorie McTaggart to the SAB was read by Barbara Schoenberger. "The Women's Commission has been concentrating on young women, teen parents, etc. At the May meeting I opened my mouth about representation of the entire community, and passed around a flyer touting a DVD about aging and discrimination of older women. Result was, they requested it be on this month's agenda, and comment was made about wishing there was a liaison from the SAB The commission meets monthly 6:30-8:30 p.m." X. Adjourn - The meeting was adjourned at 3:27 p.m. Submitted by: �L Cii Karen Bryner, Kecording Secretary Marcia Richards, Chair Anita Basham, Acting Secretary