HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/2012Health Care Issues and Services for Seniors
Committee Meeting Minutes
Date: January25, 2012
Attendees: Karen McLaughlin, STHRC, GEC, Jean DeLorme, STHRC, Jacqueline Martinez, STHRC, Phyllis Markopoulis, STHRC,, Jane
Mendelson,, Joseph Flaherty, RSVP, Tract Zaweski, Home Instead, Louise Blackburn, San Simeon, Stephanie Pacchiano, United Lifeline, Joe
Corso, Peconic Retreat, Colette Emery, Utopia Home Care, Shannon Mallon, Guildnet, Haether Newan, At Home Services.
TOPIC DISCUSSION ACTION
Review of Previous Minutes Minutes from 11/23 meeting were reviewed and accepted.
Southold Town Senior Karen McLaughlin: Greenport Rotary donated 130 poinsettias for
Services Report HDM clients. Heather Piscatelli, parttime Senior Citizen Aide, is no
longer with us as she increased her hours at San Simeon so position is
now open at HRC and being advertised 17 1/2 hours ~ $15.65/hour.
We received grant money and Karen met with DPW to plan opening of
our satellite office at Peconic Recreation Cente~will be open two
times a month. Fire chiefs grant provided free smoke detectors to the
community seniors and our Residential Repair person has installed some
of them. 80 detectors have been given out so far. Mattituck Lions also
provided 3 individual DVD players and headphones to STHRC for
seniors to use.
Jacqui Martinez: For Christmas Mattituck Lions provided 250 tote
bags and day planners for HDM and Congregate seniors. We had a
presentation on Reiki in January and beginning February l0th HRC will
host a Reiki Circle once a month. 15 people have already signed up.
The Reiki Circle will occur the second Friday of every month. The
Town Assessors will be coming to assist seniors with property tax
exemption applications on February 2nd. There is a presentation by
artist Hazel Kahn on "Leaf:ages" on February 23rd and she will start art
class for seniors.
Jean DeLorme: Katinka numbers are up for Southold Town residents.
As a result Non Southold residents now come twice a week.
Caregivers Support Group meeting continues to meet monthly and
include long -term participants 12-15 participants.
Health Care Issues and Services for Seniors
Committee Meeting Minutes
Phyllis Markopoulos: Home Delivered Meal (HDM) program seeing
more frail clients and more people with multiple social and health issues
(borderline APS referrals). More clients with hoarding issues, which
presents possible hazards. HDM's currently delivered to 115 clients.
Agency Reports Tracy Zaweski: Corporate Office sponsoring a Salute to Senior Service
program to recognize senior volunteers age 65+ who provide 15 hours
or more per month of volunteer services. This is a national program and
there will be one winner per state. The winner will receive $5,000
donated to their favorite charity. Nominations can be made from now to
March 15.
Stephanie Pacchiano: Medication management dispenser equipment is
becoming more popular. Possible demonstration at future meeting
Joe Corso: Peconic Retreat is now over 60 years old. It is a small ALF
with frail elderly residents 80 years old and over. They provide meals,
medical management and personal care. The demographics of the
Retreat's residents have changed over last 15 years. There has been an
increase in older clients with greater needs.
Heather Newan: AT HOME services now employs workers on payroll
with benefits and there is a new location in Southold Professional
Building across from Southold Pharmacy. They are looking to expand
by introducing a transportation service for medical appointments, home
from hospitals etc. The vehicle would be handicapped accessible with a
lift to transport people to and from hospitals on the North and South
Forks.
Joe Flaherty, RSVP: Replaced Bruce Petrucci. RSVP calls are made
Monday thru Friday, 8-12. RSVP has a dual thrust: A) Telephone
Reassurance to seniors. They now call 42 seniors from Westhampton
office, and they need new referrals of seniors to be called. B) RSVP is
looking to put together a package of senior volunteer activities to offer
Health Care Issues and Services for Seniors
Committee Meeting Minutes
to seniors.
Jane Mendelson: No longer with Comfort Keeper She is now an
independent Certified Senior Advisor. She offers consulting services
and training in-home services specializing in Housing and Care
Services; identifying housing options, CCRCs and ALFs.
Louis Blackburn, San Simeon ADHC: Former Director Priscilla
DeMasi is now in NJ. Interim Administrator is Susan Zimet. ADHC is
doing well. Participants can attend from one to five times a week.
Louise will make Home Visits and Nursing Home assessments.
Awaiting final approval from VA for the rural grant that provides
finances to help pay for Veterans' attendance to ADHC. You have to
apply through the VA Clinic in Riverhead and there are financial
guidelines that have to be met. ADHC's new bus with Driver Vincent is
on the road. Program also contracts with TLC Transportation. San
Simeon-ADHC is planning their Mardi Gras fundraiser in March.
Colette Emery, Utopia Homecare: She is based in Conn. but works in
LI one to two times a week. She is working with Riverhead and
Patchogue offices. They are not a licensed CHHA and do take
Medicaid.
Shannon Mallon, Guildnet: Guildnet is a not-for-profit, Medicaid-
funded, long-term managed care organization. They will do community
Medicaid (takes 2-3 months), and they do cover ADHC. They use
licensed and certified agencies to provide aides and transportation
(unlimited mileage). Plan of care services are individualized.
"Health Home" 90% of funding comes from Federal funds and 10%
from State. Senior Citizens Law Program at Touro Law will do free
Medicaid applications.
Our next scheduled meeting will be 2/29/2012 2:00pm.
Minutes Submitted By: Phyllis Markopolous and Jacqueline Martinez of STHRC