AGING AND LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE
Monday, June 9, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
9:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Roger Plesha, Audrey Kader, John Medinger, Brad Pfaff, Andrea Richmond, Margaret Wood
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Ann Fisher, Jerry Sebranek
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
GUESTS & STAFF: Pam Semb, Pete Eide, Noreen Holmes, Jim Gausmann, Steve O’Malley, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Roger Plesha, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Richmond/Wood to approve minutes of May 5, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Fisher and Sebranek excused.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Wood/Kader to accept the following consent agenda items:
· Commission on Aging minutes of May 6, 2008
· Long Term Care Council minutes of May 2, 2008
· Ripples & Waves – Lakeview Newsletter (handed out)
Miscellaneous questions; one related to new change regarding nursing home care, called “non-nursing home level of care”; Pam Semb explained. The other question related to the number of aging related committees; it was pointed out that the Commission on Aging is required by State Statutes though reports to this committee as the standing committee, and the other committees are strictly advisory type with citizen and consumer membership. Motion carried unanimously; Fisher and Sebranek excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
VETERANS SERVICES REPORT
Update on La Crosse VA Clinic Expansion – Jim Gausmann briefly reviewed as information was sent with the agenda. The VA Clinic located in La Crosse is expanding; adding full-time psychiatrist, psychologist, addiction therapist and an additional social worker. There is more need for services due to longer and more frequent deployments.
National Guard Deployment Update – Jim noted 200 members of the 32nd Engineer Company located in Onalaska will deploy to Iraq and Kuwait in March 2009 and return March 2010. In total, 3400 Wisconsin Air National Guard members will be deploying next spring to include units in neighboring counties. This will be the Onalaska Company’s 2nd deployment to that area with last one in 2005-2006. Other units of nearby counties will also be deployed in March 2009.
Explanation of “Honor Flight “ Project– Jim noted 3 organizations nationwide have started a new program as a tribute to WWII veterans; this group is accepting donations that will cover airfare cost for one-day trip to Washington DC to view the WWII Memorial; for every 8 veterans on the flight, there needs to be 3 assistants. Jim is helping the organizers with publicity, etc., but there are no funds in his budget to assist with the program. General agreement by committee members to not offer funding for this particular program based on equity; concern raised as to what is being done for other war veterans.
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Miscellaneous questions. In addition to the above three items, Jim shared statistical information relating to veterans’ benefits of both the state and federal programs and number of daily office contacts.
AGING UNIT DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Easter Seals Mobility Planning Institute – Noreen Holmes briefly reviewed as information was sent with the agenda. She and 4 others from area organizations (Western Wisconsin Team) attended annual training in Washington DC, as sponsored by Easter Seals, to assist team members in the development of a coordinated regional transportation plan. The plan includes the development of a regional call center for scheduling routes, regional marketing and education, and the integration of regional transportation into the current County transportation systems; the next step is to discuss the plan with consumers and the transportation providers. This is an important endeavor as gasoline prices continue to rise as well as aging population continues to grow.
Purchase of Two (2) Vehicles from s85.21 Trust Excess Funds – Noreen noted excess funds in the s85.21 Transportation Fund which need to be spent as the reserve balance cannot exceed $80,000. She would like to purchase two Chevrolet Impalas that can be used by consumers with medical needs – in particular those with back problems who cannot ride buses. These autos will be available through First Transit and could provide rides for Human Services and CMO participants. Based on the State contract/bid, each car will cost $18,096, including delivery. The Commission on Aging approved the purchase at their meeting last week. Miscellaneous questions. Pointed out that the autos will be E-85 compatible. MOTION by Kader/Richmond to approve the purchase of two (2) 2009 Chevrolet Impalas in the amount of $18,096 each per State of Wisconsin contract/bid. Motion carried unanimously; Fisher and Sebranek excused.
3 Rivers Bulk Food Delivery Update – Noreen noted that 3 Rivers did not get the school contract and will be leaving the area by the end of June, and therefore, will be ending their bulk food delivery contract. Noreen contacted Riverfront to see if they were interested in providing the service to the end of the year; Riverfront will give an answer by the end of this week. A vote on Noreen’s recommendation will require a recess meeting during the June 19th County Board meeting as the amount will exceed $20,000. For 2009, an RFP will be solicited for the bulk food delivery service.
Proposal to Change Name of the County Aging Unit – Noreen noted that this came about due to the Aging & Disability Resource Center and the confusion created between that agency and the County Aging Unit. The Commission on Aging has discussed this at several meetings and has recommended a name change for the County Aging Unit to “Senior Services.” Committee Chair Plesha said the suggested new name could also be confusing, noting services for high school seniors. Steve O’Malley noted any department name change would also need County Board approval. Noreen noted changes in the phone book need to be done in July. General agreement by committee members to refer the matter to the July committee meeting.
MEDICARE/MEDICAID UPDATE
Pete Eide noted no good news; there will definitely be cuts in the future for Medicare and Medicaid. Pam Semb noted the State did not cut the Medicaid increase of 5% due in July of this year.
DISCUSSION ON MASTER PLAN AND ASSISTED LIVING FOR HILLVIEW
Pete noted Hillview is still looking at pursuing assisted living on their campus, whether it is a new building or to do a section within Carroll Heights. Gundersen Lutheran and Franciscan Skemp have also contacted Hillview relating to a “hospice house” on Hillview campus; it would be a 3-way venture and only in the planning stages; it would not be a profit maker. Pete also noted a parking issue at Hillview.
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Committee Chair Plesha and Supervisor Kader noted the importance of developing a master plan for Hillview for 10-20 or more years. This item will remain on future agendas.
DISCUSSION ON MASTER PLAN AND ASSISTED LIVING FOR LAKEVIEW
Committee Chair Plesha noted same master plan is needed for Lakeview, noting the loss of land over the years for other projects, etc. This item will also remain on future agendas.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
· Hillview and Lakeview Master Plans
· Hillview parking issue
· Aging Unit name change
Joint meeting with Health & Human Services Board today at 5:00 p.m. in the HHS Auditorium. The next monthly meeting of this committee is Monday, July 7th at 10:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Committee Chair Plesha declared the meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder