Senior Services Committee

City of Verona Senior Services Committee Verona Senior Center 108 Paoli Street Verona WI 53593 Phone (608) 845-7471 Fax (608) 848-2784 Agenda Thursday March 9, 2023 5:30 PM 1. Call to Order a. 5:31pm 2. Roll Call a. Alderpersons Helmke, Cronin, and Posey present with Director Ehle. 3. Approval of minutes from December 8, 2022 meeting a. Correction to Quarry Ridge name b. Ald Helmke – moved approval – Ald Cronin – 2nd – All in favor or approval with correction. 4. Director’s Report a. 2022 Annual Report Building Usage Report: Increase in rentals for a variety of uses. Additional partnership with Rec Dept. Nutrition Report: Additional use of drop in and drive up meals. Added a la carte items in building for pick up. Looking deeper into the participation data for the Senior Center, there are lower ages, people who are more interested in active activities, seeing more veterans and more women than men, encouraging RSVP ahead of events, evaluating programs and attendance. Some virtual classes are still happening but the demand is for more in person. Tranportation: RSVP saw 110 requests denied because they couldn’t meet the service need. Case Management Services: City 130 Clients and 7 for Town of Verona. Case Management organized by high, med, low risk to help identified staffing needs, possible  future needs for additional staff person, Ald Helmke asked if case managers are funded through only the City. Director Ehle confirmed that they are only funded by city funds and not any outside agency. Director Ehle stated the Senior Center is seeing more issues with Mental Illness and related issues with personal care from a fall. Ald Cronin asked if the county provides services. Director Ehle, said that it depends upon the need also added that Food Share is being reduced and the hardest group hit will be seniors. Director Ehle is working with the food pantry to prepare for the change and to provide services, would funnel additional shelf stable food box for pick up through the Senior Center. There are concerns about maintaining staff morale in the face of heavy challenges for seniors. Ald Cronin asked about intern possibility and Director Ehle said they are looking for an additional intern through UW-Whitewater and other programs. Ald Posey asked if we help engage with family members. Director Ehle said that the staff are often finding in some situations they are removed from family members. Everyone on a meal plan has an emergency plan. Ald Helmke asked if they recommend additional assisted living and Director Ehle said they do but those are often not affordable in the area. The staff are planning to have promotions and booths at Miller’s and at the Community Meal at the Food Pantry. Also seeing younger seniors coming in to help volunteer on terms that fit their schedule but that can be challenging for the Program Director to fill volunteer roles. 5. Reports on Programs & Case Management a. Case Management: Increased needs in food insecurity and increase in falls. Ald Cronin added that EMS is seeing the increase as well. Director Ehle said that they are working to have seniors referred to Senior Center for services and fall prevention and cash management. There is monthly Outreach promoting services through the library to do speakers on dementia, falls. Case management is seeking ways to support caregivers. The Loan Closet continues to be a good resource. b. Programs: basics of cartooning taught by member; AARP taxes; birthday/anniversary lunch quarterly; did a 75 person event for Valentine’s Day; Mike Leckron from UW Band is coming in March 23; AARP safe driving class; Fall Prevention Class; Pickleball for Seniors; planning a Game of the Month; Trips in May & June and looking ahead to Fall plus formed a Trip Committee. The Pig Roast will be happening again but cost is increasing so they are seeking sponsors and looking out for sponsors for Senior Center programs overall. c. Started Constant Contact for emails and have a volunteer helping with the website 6. Other Business a. Louis Ifert – President of Friends of Senior Center. Tthey will be disbanding due to a lack of volunteer engagement. There was $57K left in the Friends funds when disbanding. They made purchases for the Senior Center included new coffee machine, water station w/bottle filling, buffet station, Club 108 supplies, and other materials and services for the Senior. Center. Gave positive feedback about the Senior Center Director and the job that she is doing in her role. March 15th is the goal deadline for  end of services from the Friends and they can continue to spend down balances until June according to the group’s attorney. b. BINGO – For 10 years, ComfortKeepers were donating to the Friends for prizes, told the Bingo group that they would have prizes but not cash. Bingo group was able to access cash funds and continued to spend it. Director Ehle called the state to find out the BINGO rules and was told that we had a license. The State has guidelines but City policy is not for it. Residents are receiving mixed messages from the upset resident saying that Bingo is not being offered anymore. Senior Center will continue to do Bingo under the guilelines. c. Ald Helmke brought to the Committee’s attention that there is a new reporter at the Verona Press. She may be able to do a story on the Senior Center and volunteer needs. Director Ehle mentioned using the City Website for updates and for Senior. Center needs being listed and at the bottom of the Constant Contact newsletter. 7. Adjournment – 6:29 Adjourned, Move by Ald Helmke with Cronin 2nd, Passed by all. POSTED: Verona City Hall Verona Senior Center Verona Public Library City Website @ www.ci.verona.wi.us Notice: If need an interpreter, materials in alternative formats, or other accommodation to access the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 845-6495 at least 48-hours preceding the meeting. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your request. Notice is hereby given that a majority of the City Council may be present at the meeting of the Senior Services Committee to gather information about a subject over which they have decision-making responsibility.