AGING AND LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE
Monday, September 8, 2008
County Administrative Center – Room 3220
10:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Roger Plesha, Ann Fisher, Andrea Richmond, Jerry Sebranek, Margaret Wood, Audrey Kader (arr @10:02), Brad Pfaff (arr @ 10:07), John Medinger (arr @10:10)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: None
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
GUESTS & STAFF: Pam Semb, Pete Eide, Jim Gausmann, Noreen Holmes, Kelly Kramer, Steve O’Malley, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Committee Chair Plesha called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES and
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Sebranek/Fisher to approve minutes of August 11, 2008, including acceptance of the following Consent Agenda items:
· Commission on Aging minutes of August 5, 2008
· Long Term Care Coordinating Committee minutes of July 25, 2008
· Transportation Coordinating Committee and Transit Coordinating Council minutes of July 11, 2008
· Aging-Friendly Community Tour – September 23 from 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; cost is $15.
· Medicare Part D Coverage Gap
· Charities Ask Congress to Ease Gas Price burden
· Ripples & Waves – Lakeview Newsletter
Motion carried unanimously; Kader, Pfaff, Medinger absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
LA CROSSE VA CLINIC EXPANSION UPDATE
Jim Gausmann distributed a 2-page report relating to both of his agenda items. Regarding the VA Clinic expansion for mental health services, it was scheduled to open in August and was delayed until September 15th.
VET CENTERS PROGRAM IN WI – GREEN BAY AND LA CROSSE
Veterans Affairs has modified their Vet Center placements and is looking for space in downtown La Crosse that is close to the schools; the center will offer readjustment counseling to Veterans and their families. Outreach workers were in the area last week searching for free space; Jim gave them suggestions. Sometime in near future, they will get funding for such space; in the meantime, they may have reached a temporary agreement with Logistics Health. They are in the midst of hiring two counselors and plan to open as soon as possible. More information may be obtained on their website: www.vetcenter.va.gov/Vet_Center_Services.asp.
AGING UNIT
Video re Reaching Out – Noreen Holmes showed a 6-minute video relating to “reaching out to Hmong elders. The video included:
· Planned pontoon trip on the river, including lunch, a walk, and a visit to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Fish Hatchery. Hmong elders like to get together for scheduled events and the sharing of food.
· Health Fair for Hmong elders. They receive flu shots plus additional health screenings; they learn available services and listen to speakers; again lunch is served. They also like to learn some basic English language.
Noreen noted the grant funding for this is running out and she is searching other funding sources.
2009 Aging Plan – Noreen noted the 4-pages, as sent with the agenda, relate to Amendments to the 2009 Aging Plan; she reviewed in detail. The amendments relate to 1) Transportation Coordination, 2) Emergency Preparedness, 3) Evidence-Based Prevention Activities, and 4) Modernization Activities. The Commission on Aging approved them as presented, including additional language relating to the need “to work with the local medical facilities and others in the community” in relation to the Emergency Preparedness. MOTION by Fisher/Wood to approve as presented the Amendments to the 2009 Aging Plan. Motion carried unanimously.
UPDATE ON MISSISSIPPI VALLEY HEALTH SERVICES (MVHS)
MVHS held its Annual Meeting on August 20; held election of officers and there are no changes. They approved via a resolution the acceptance of Western Wisconsin Cares (former CMO) into their organization; it will be considered as a separate entity and that they must follow the same guidelines as the other 8 member counties. Because of the distance for some counties to travel to attend these meetings, Marinette County participated via telecommunications; other counties may use similar at future meetings. At this past meeting, they approved $39/day for the per diem rate; they plan to meet again in November to review Lakeview’s budget that will also include the capital improvements in which staff is currently doing a detailed analysis. There is a concern due to taking on Western WI Cares’ clients, that eventually Lakeview may exceed capacity. Also a concern on how to define “county responsibility” noting 90% are court ordered but the other 10% is more complicated; Pam and Jerry are meeting on this issue. In addition, there is a meeting in Madison on Thursday (9/11/08) in which the State DHS is questioning MVHS operation, revenues/losses, etc. Pam Semb noted many at the state level were aware of MVHS creation; this may have come about due to three reasons: 1) the fact that Western Wisconsin Cares has applied for a waiver, 2) the state is preparing their Medicaid Plan for the feds, and 3) there are several other counties in the State that are looking at creating same regional concept as MVHS. Not sure why the State is questioning regionalization when they promote the same. The MVHS regional concept is also supported by the Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Association of Homes & Services, and Wisconsin County Human Service Association.
DISCUSSION ON MASTER PLAN AND ASSISTED LIVING FOR LAKEVIEW
No discussion.
DISCUSSION ON MASTER PLAN AND ASSISTED LIVING FOR HILLVIEW
Pete Eide and Kelly Kramer distributed two graph reports. One noted that since January 2008, 54 of Hillview’s clients were discharged and went to assisted living or other homes with services. The other handout showed comparable assisted living rates of 11 other entities in the County – ranging from $1,200-4,200 per month depending on number of meals and additional services. Pete noted that he and staff are thinking of 24 assisted living units that would be attached or very close to Carroll Heights and would be affordably priced, though depending on cost to build. Such a unit would provide a complete continuum of care. Steve O’Malley noted “hard” numbers are needed; it would be a decision by this committee and the County Board.
JOINT MEETING WITH PUBLIC WORKS & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Today at 5:00 p.m. to jointly review the Shelby Youth Baseball group’s request to move further out the outfield fence at the north end. Chairman Plesha noted that if the two committees want to approve it, that it be so noted as “temporary” due to future needs of Hillview – one in particular relating to change in the entrance road.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
None requested.
NEXT MONTHLY MEETING
Monday, October 6th at 10:00 a.m.
MOTION by Sebranek/Richmond to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:14 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder