> Meetings & Minutes > Office on Aging Advisory Council > Minutes

Office on Aging Advisory Council

April 14, 2005

1:30-3:30 PM

Held at Harmony Library

Front Range Community College Campus

4616 South Shields Street

Fort Collins, CO  80528

 

Members Present:

Bill Benton

Olivia Larry

Elnora McCloughan

 

Thomas Nix

Barbara Nuss

Carol Rehme

 

Karen Reinhardt

Mary Shultz

Lloyd Spawn

 

Earl Stevens

Stan Ulrich

Hal Wilson
 

 

 

 
Members Absent

Paul Bell

Steve Budner

Carolyn Funk

 

Gerry Hinks

Reggie Kemp

Ray Martinez

 

Ken Tharp

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staff Present:

Tina Barker

Ruth Coberly

Tina Hugo

 

Margaret Long

Katy Mason

Lynette McGowan

 

Diane Pelletier

Linda Rumney

Karen Wagner

 

 

 

 

Guests Present:

Nancy Arthur

C. Dean Miller

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mary Shultz called the meeting to order.

INTRODUCTIONS

Mary Shultz welcomed Hal Wilson and Tom Nix back to the council.  Mary also acknowledged Commissioner Karen Wagner.  

OPEN DISCUSSION/COMMUNITY INPUT

There was no open discussion or community input.

ADJUSTMENTS, THEN MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES OF January 13, 2005, February 10, 2005 and March 10, 2005

January minutes need to be adjusted on page 2 under the Provider Presentation section.  Second paragraph states that First Call received a total 1,126 calls in 2004.  This number should state 13,310.  Earl Stevens moved to accept the January minutes with one correction.  Karen Reinhardt seconded the motion.

 

Earl Stevens moved to accept the February minutes as printed.  Karen Reinhardt seconded the motion.

 

Mary Shultz noted that there is one correction to page 1 under Chair Report for the March 10th minutes.  The “s” should be removed from the end of Angie Paccione’s name.  Earl Stevens moved to accept the minutes with one correction.  Karen Reinhardt seconded the motion.

CHAIR REPORT

Mary Shultz reported that she mailed Legislative Breakfast packets to Bob Bacon and Steve Johnson. 

 

Mary noted that the Health committee met with dental providers to discuss the problems and gaps in dental services.  The Health committee agreed to help the Office on Aging deliver Senior Yellow Pages to doctor’s offices. 

 

Mary stated that the Job Fair committee has delivered flyers to grocery stores. 

 

Mary reported that the Bridging the Gap Networking Luncheon committee will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on May 18th. 

 

Mary passed around a card for Carolyn Funk whose father passed away. 

 

Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board Report

C. Dean Miller shared that he felt it was a privilege and good experience to be part of the focus group that will submit issues for the White House Conference. 

 

Dean reported that the Advisory Board is in the process of finalizing a response to the City of Fort Collins regarding four funding cut scenarios.  Three of the four scenarios include big reductions in the support of the elderly and disabled.  Affordable housing and transportation continue to be crucial issues.  A third concern for the board is a proposed cut in recreation which would mean a loss of three professional staff.

 

Loveland Senior Advisory Board

Earl Stevens reported that their computer class was very successful and they may schedule another class this summer. 

 

Earl mentioned that the Senior Prom sponsored by the Chilsen Senior Center and Thompson Valley High School will be on May 9th from 7-10 p.m.

 

Foundation on Aging

Mary Shultz reported that the Foundation did not meet this month.

PROVIDER PRESENTATION – Criminal Records Checks

The presentation will be rescheduled.

UPDATE OF OFFICE ON AGING

Update on State Policies

Margaret Long reported that the Criminal Background Check policy will be finalized at the PAC meeting on April 18th.   Margaret noted that at the last discussion the CBI checks included a clause that would grandfather in existing volunteers.  The current volunteers that work alone with seniors would be required to sign an affidavit stating that they have not committed any crimes.  Margaret will work with United Way to help make culture change easier.  Margaret reported that other policies are coming along but require additional reporting and oversight of programs to the Office on Aging.

 

Update on the One-Year Plan

Margaret Long reported that funding at the state level seems to be holding firm.  As Margaret stated at the last meeting there was a shift of Federal monies between the 16 AAA’s.  Margaret stated that she will be looking at the Federal funding plan and present it to the Advisory Council at the next months meeting.  The Advisory Council agreed that Margaret should send a basic package with the minutes so council members can review the figures before the Advisory Council meeting on May 12th.

 

Request for Volunteers for LCOOAC Focus Groups

Lynette McGowan distributed information regarding the Governor’s White House on Aging Conference.  The White Conference takes place every 10 years and started in 1961.  Lynette stated that significant policies, programs and services have come out of these conferences.  The Governor’s White House on Aging Conference will be in Denver on June 23rd.  This conference will be a solution forum titled “From Strengths and Needs to Action”.  The national conference will be in Washington DC on October 23rd.  At the local level, the Office on Aging has decided to hold six focus groups.  Lynette distributed a flyer with information on where and when the focus groups will meet.  Lynette asked for volunteers to come to the meetings as non-participants to record the discussion topics.  If members are interested, please email Lynette at lmcgowan@larimer.org.  If members are interested in attending conference in Denver, email Margaret at mlong@larimer.org and she will organize a transportation plan.

COMMITTEE & STAFF REPORTS

Education Committee

Mary Shultz reported on behalf of Steve Budner.  She told the council that Lloyd Spawn is working on scheduling another PowerPoint presentation training. 

 

Mary announced that the Older Adult Job Fair is next Wednesday, April 20th at the Chilsen Senior Center.  The Bridging the Gap Networking Luncheon is coming up in September.  The committee will start working on the Legislative Breakfast which will be coming up this Fall.

 

Mary announced that the committee is keeping track of news articles and are writing letters thanking the editor for articles regarding senior issues.

 

Executive Committee

See Chair Report. 

 

Health Committee

Katy Mason reported that the committee discussed the dental meeting and problems with access to dental services for low income seniors.  Katy also reported that the committee agreed to distribute Senior Yellow Pages to various large clinics and doctor’s offices.  The goal is to establish rapport with the office managers to help facilitate communication and placement of the Senior Yellow Pages for optimum exposure.  Margaret Long stated that if the offices need a forms rack, the Office on Aging will order some. 

 

Membership Committee

Stan Ulrich reported that the committee met and selected a slate of officers.   Stan distributed the ballot and took nominations from the floor.  Tom Nix motioned to accept Lloyd Spawn as Chair, Barbara Nuss seconded the motion.  Tom Nix motioned to accept Earl Stevens as Vice Chair, Barbara Nuss seconded the motion.  Tom Nix motioned to accept Mary Shutlz, Carolyn Funk and Elnora McCloughan as the nominating committee, Barbara Nuss seconded the motion. 

 

Karen Wagner confirmed that the commissioners are set to start the interview process in late May or early June for new council members. 

 

Nutrition Committee

Hal Wilson reported that the committee has not met.  Hal stated that Loveland Meals-On-Wheels has opened their new kitchen. 

 

Senior Attainable Housing Committee

Stan Ulrich reported that the committee has nearly completed with survey calls.  Stan stated that the next step is to complete an analysis of the data and with the assistance of Susan Carlson, compile the data into a report.  The committee will then send a copy to the Coloradoan and Karen Wagner. 

 

Stan and Hal Wilson discussed an article from the Trail Gazette that stated that more than 20% of people in Estes Park pay more than 30% of their income for housing.  Seventeen percent of Estes Park’s population pay more than 35% of their income for housing. 

 

Transportation Committee

Karen Wagner noted that it would be good idea to have representatives attend the MPO meetings which generally meet the first Thursday of every month.  The next meeting will be 6pm in Greeley on May 5th.

 

No committee report was given.

 

Staff Reports

Katy Mason reported that the Office on Aging is in the process of compiling a list of senior housing communities.  In order to obtain a comprehensive list of the complexes, Katy has obtained the help of a realtor.

 

Katy discussed the Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage project that she is working on.  The Office on Aging has decided to focus on the dual eligible seniors.  Katy has been working on gathering information on available training and forwarding this information to other agencies that work with seniors.  Nancy Arthur commented that she will participate in a Train the Trainer training and will be available to help train others.

 

Katy reported on the results of the dental meeting.  The next step will be for the Women’s Resource Center, Health District and the Office on Aging to research on the number of dentists that currently perform discounted services. 

 

Tina Barker reported that the Ombudsman are working on expanding the Centenarian program.  Tina has requested that council members participate in the presentations.  Tina will put together a list of upcoming presentations for the council members. 

 

Tina reported that the State just completed their annual audit of the Ombudsman program.  The results were great; they were 100% compliant with no deficiencies.  Tina distributed a copy of the audit findings.  Tina noted that there is 1 full-time and 1 three-quarter time Ombudsman on staff to cover all of Larimer County.  They currently have a part-time intern and four volunteers to help with the program.  Tina reported that the Ombudsman have started visiting nursing and assisted living facilities during off-hours.  The off-hour visits include early morning, late evenings and Saturday and Sunday.  In general, the facilities have been receptive to the new policy. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Mary adjourned the meeting.