Senior Services Committee

CITY OF VERONA SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE May 11, 2021 VERONA SENIOR CENTER MINUTES 1. The meeting of the Senior Services Committee was called to order by Christine Posey at 6:04 p.m. 2. Roll Call: On roll call: Christine Posey, Phil Hoechst and Katie Kohl were present. Also present: Stephanie Ehle, Senior Center Director. 3. Approval of the minutes from the April 13, 2021 Senior Services Committee meeting. 4. Director’s Report  The Senior Center is opening more and more. First in-house concert will be on May 12th.  The Senior Center will be bringing on more volunteers as they open more in- house. This will help with the check in process as members visit for programs.  The nutrition department is expanding the Meals on Wheels program. Starting in June they will serve one meal per day Monday thru Wednesday and two meals on Thursdays. This program will also be supported by volunteer drivers and the Transit Solutions bus driver.  The first agreement was prepared and sent to the Town of Verona for discussion on the City of Verona/Town of Verona merger for senior services and nutrition services.  The Senior Center is in the beginning stages of bringing back their RSVP medical rides. RSVP completed a pilot program that was very successful. They are working to train more drivers and eventually roll out the program at the Senior Center.  The Senior Center is in conversations with a couple of community organizations about leasing space at the Senior Center. More information to come.  The Senior Center’s Case Management intern recently completed a member survey. Results are below. 5. Reports on Programs and Case Management: Programs –  The programs team continues to expand their offerings, both virtual and in- house. They continue to follow CDC and county guidelines.  The Senior Center’s first concert of the year will take place in May. Four more will occur in June.  The center is offering a few new programs such as Consultations for Elder Law, meditation, and doggie drive thru.  Case Management –  Outreach – The Senior Center is exploring topics for summer. They are currently using Zoom and phone to connect with clients. Alder Posey asked about CM visiting homes, is that allowed now? Is it happening? Ehle stated they actually have begun to return to this within the last week. Now that more people are taking advantage of the vaccines and Case Manager Julie Larson is fully vaccinated they feel better about sending her out of the building. PPE is still in place even if all are vaccinated. This is a very important service to identify unseen concerns (ie hoarding, safety etc)  Vets Group - a Drive-thru / delivered meal event is scheduled for May 27 to honor veterans on Memorial Day.  Caregivers – The group has been meeting over Zoom and will attempt to meet in person outdoors, weather permitting in June.  Triad – Triad is offering an outdoor Coffee with a Cop event on June 18th. The Senior Center hopes to have both local and county officers attend.  Case Management needs stay steady. New referrals come in every month, both self-referrals and professional referrals. The team is seeing more of those with higher needs.  The Case Management team is also seeing more families open to exploring needed memory care, assisted living and in-home care. Programs: 6. Other Business  Approval of the minutes was delayed until Alder Kohl was in attendance. Motion by Kohl, seconded by Christine. Motion carried 3-0.  Alder Kohl and Alder Posey both extended words of welcome to new committee member Alder Hoechst. 7. Adjournment  Motion by Alder Kohl, seconded by Hoechst, to adjourn at 6:31 p.m. Motion carried 3-0.