Senior Services Committee

CITY OF VERONA SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE August 10, 2021 VERONA SENIOR CENTER MINUTES 1. The meeting of the Senior Services Committee was called to order by Christine Posey at 6:36 p.m. 2. Roll Call: On roll call: Christine Posey, Rye Kimmett, and Phil Hoechst were present. Also present: Stephanie Ehle, Senior Center Director and Drake Deno, Case Manager. 3. Approval of the minutes from the July 13, 2021 meeting. 4. Director’s Report • The Senior Center’s new Case Manager started Monday, July 19th. Drake Deno is working full time Monday thru Friday. Moving forward the Case Managers will divide the caseload differently. Julie Larson, Lead Case Manager, will triage all new case management clients. • RSVP is looking at requiring vaccinations for passengers. More to come on that and how it will affect our riders and drivers. Alder Kimmett asked if RSVP would take someone who wanted to get their vaccination. Ehle answered if RSVP did require vaccinations they would have to ask that question. Currently the staff are referring to members to NewBridge for free rides to vaccinations. • The Senior Center is almost at capacity for their pig roast on August 27th. • Verona Dementia Friendly Committee has formed a walking team for the Alzheimer’s Awareness walk in October. The Verona Memory Champions will walk Sunday, October 03, 2021. Clickable link: 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Madison, WI: Verona Memory Champions | Walk to End Alzheimer's Registration starts at 8:30am and the walk starts at 10:15am at Madison Memorial High School. Adler Kimett asked when will the new senior community Oakmont open? And how will that impact our community? Alder Posey stated that time will tell. Verona is a growing community and starting in 2021 the Senior Center will also be offering services (case management and nutrition) to the Town of Verona. Ehle stated that they are open to partnership with Oakmont and the Senior Center services will be offered to their new community. COVID-19 has put a bit of a damper on growth so time will tell what the future will look like. 5. Reports on Programs and Case Management: Programs – • Things are going well. The staff continue to see members wanting both in-house and virtual events. • The first 2021 bus trip happens this week. Staff have partnered with MSCR and will be taking two pontoon boats out on Madison lakes. One other trip is planned this year to Palace Theatre in December. • The current student intern Tierney has been leading a few free exercise classes. One example is bocce ball on Wednesdays and it was well received. • There will be a free blood pressure clinic with Verona Fire department on Wednesday August 25th. This program is open to all. • The “Little Library” is almost done. This will available to anyone in the community. • The Senior Center is offering a Vendor Fair / Flu Clinic on Thursday, October 7th. In the past this program offered vision and hearing screenings, blood pressure checks, flu shots and more. Case Management – • Drake Deno, the new Case Manager, is working through training for the center and case management policies and procedures. The staff are working on implementing new procedures regarding caseloads. Julie Larson will triage all new case management requests and needs. • The team continues to explore the Outreach program. • Veteran’s group meetings will resume in August on the second Thursdays of each month at 2pm. Drake will be main contact for the group. • Caregiver’s group will meet in person for August and going forward (as allowed by pandemic). The Case Managers will incorporate those who can’t attend via zoom and work with them 1:1. • Triad - Coffee with a Cop is scheduled again for September. Drug Take-Back and Car check are scheduled for October. • Loan Closet – The team have recruited two volunteers to help manage the program. There will be new procedures to reduce unneeded or damaged donations. They hope to start taking donations again in September. • Needs – Needs remain consistent. The team continues to see more families open to exploring needed memory care, assisted living and in-home care now  that visitors are allowed. They are also seeing more families seeking in-home care (over facility) since before pandemic. Programs: 6. Other Business Ehle mentioned that the Senior Center staff have made contact with the Belleville Senior Center to start the process of transitioning care (nutrition and case management) to the Verona Senior Center. Next meeting can be moved back to 6pm. 7. Adjournment • Motion by Alder Kismett, seconded by Alder Hoechst, to adjourn at 7:18 p.m. Motion carried 3-0.