Long Term Support Planning Committee

MINUTES LONG TERM SUPPORT PLANNING COMMITTEE January 16, 2014

Members present: Mary Christensen, Sharon Coats, Kevin Conradt, Shirley Ebelt, John Hill, Jody Johnson, Caroline Melcher, Bonnie Olson, Robert Rebman, Linda Vandenack, Lynnae Zahringer.

Members absent or excused: Judy King

Others present: Department of Social Services Staff: Melissa Bezio, Melissa Hogan, AmiJo Micoley, Angie Nowinsky, Lori Wendorff.

Department of Community Programs Staff: Kimmery Weber

Location & Time: Lundmark Room at Fellman Center 607 E. Elizabeth Street, Shawano 1:00 p.m.

1. The meeting was called to order by Bonnie Olson at 1:00 p.m.

2. Lynnae Zahringer led us in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Review and Approval of the November 21, 2013 Full Committee Minutes. A motion was made by Kevin Conradt and seconded by Robert Rebman to approve the November 21st, 2013 Long Term Support Planning Committee minutes. All aye. Motion carried.

4. Public Comments. Caroline Melcher inquired about how many clients are served. Lori Wendorff discussed that this information is found on the statistics and wait list summary page. Currently Department of Social Services has 284 program participants in Long Term Support and Department of Community Programs has 31 program participants in their Community Options Program.

5. Motion to Deviate from Agenda, if Necessary. A motion was made by Shirley Ebelt and seconded by Jody Johnson to deviate from the posted agenda, if necessary. All aye. Motion carried.

6. Client Situations/Variances. Melissa Hogan, Social Worker, is requesting a 90-day variance for an 84 year old woman who suffers from diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and small bowel obstruction. She was taken to the emergency room by ambulance for confusion and weakness. It was discovered that she had cellulitis and needed to be on IV antibiotics. Due to her overall weakness, it was recommended that she go to the nursing home to receive therapy. She is getting stronger every day. A 90-day variance is being requested.

Angie Nowinsky, Social Worker, is requesting a 90-day variance for an 83 year old gentleman who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, depression, arthritis, and general weakness. He was taken to the emergency room for breathing difficulties and at the time the doctor felt he would do better in a nursing home until his health could be stabilized. A 90-day variance is being requested.

Angie Nowinsky, Social Worker, is requesting a 90-day variance for a 58 year old woman who suffers from diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, and COPD. She had rotator

- 1 - cuff surgery and will need to go to the nursing home for recovery and rehabilitation. A 90-day variance is being requested.

Angie Nowinsky, Social Worker, is requesting a 90-day variance for a 67 year old gentleman who suffers from chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. He had back surgery and is now at the nursing home for recovery and therapy. A 90-day variance is being requested.

Angie Nowinsky, Social Worker, is requesting a second 90-day variance for an 86 year old woman who suffers from chronic pain, diabetes, and depression. In October, she began struggling with a urinary tract infection that landed her in the hospital. She has been in the nursing home since trying to regain strength and independence. In December, she came down with a severe bout of pneumonia and edema in her legs, which set her back. She continues with therapy and hopes to continue to regain strength and independence. A second 90-day variance is being requested.

AmiJo Micoley, Social Worker, is requesting a 90-day variance for a 94 year old woman who suffers from osteoarthritis, restless leg syndrome, chronic pain, depressive disorder, and dementia. Over the last couple of months, her overall health has declined. She struggles with remembering to complete her day to day activities. At this time she has asked to go into a nursing facility. Because she is her own person, it is unknown if she will remain at the nursing facility or not. A 90-day variance is being requested.

AmiJo Micoley, Social Worker, is requesting a 90-day variance for an 89 year old woman who suffers from blindness, osteoporosis of the spine, constipation, anxiety, and hip spasms. During the month of December, she struggled with sever constipation, severe hip spasms, and anxiety. She had her granddaughter call the ambulance. The hospital requested that she have 24 hour care. Her family support could not assist with such care and so the client was admitted to a nursing facility for rehabilitation. The client’s goal is to return back to her home. A 90-day variance is being requested.

AmiJo Micoley, Social Worker, is requesting a 90-day variance for a 62 year old gentleman who suffers from morbid obesity, chronic pain, bilateral lower extremity edema, diabetes, and seizures. Over the last month and a half, the client’s edema has gotten worse. He had to use his lifeline for assistance. An evaluation was completed by a physical therapist and it was determined that he cannot transfer safely to a toilet, bed, and lift chair. The client admitted himself to the hospital where he was transferred to a nursing facility to regain strength, lose weight by following a diabetic diet, med management, and to transfer safely. So far he has lost 37 pounds of which 22 pounds was fluid retention. A 90-day variance is being requested.

A motion was made by Robert Rebman and seconded by Sharon Coats to approve all of the first 90-day and second 90-day variances requested by the social workers. All aye. Motion carried.

7. Review of the Community Options Program (COP) statistics and wait list for Department of Community Programs. The statistical summary was distributed to all persons present and reviewed by Mary Christensen, Fiscal Services Manager. It should be noted that this report is not final as yearend is not complete yet. There is one individual on the developmental disabilities wait list currently receiving partial services; one individual was added to the active category – Community Integration Program. There is one individual on the mental health wait list currently receiving partial services. There are 20 children on the children’s services wait list; one child has been added to the wait list.

- 2 - 8. Review of the Community Options Program (COP) Statistics and Wait List for Department of Social Services. The statistical summary was distributed to all persons present and reviewed by Lori Wendorff. It should be noted that this report is not final as yearend is not complete yet. There are no physically disabled and no elderly individuals on the Community Options Program waiting list. There is no wait list for Alzheimer’s disease or supportive homecare. There is no wait list on the Community- Based Residential Facility wait list.

9. OLD BUSINESS A. Family Care Update. No update to report.

B. Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Wolf River Region Update. Bonnie Olson discussed the new location in Oconto Falls had its open house in December. It is a nice building and looks to have enough room to expand in the future if need be. The Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Wolf River Region continues to be busy.

10.NEW BUSINESS A. Letter to MTM. A letter to the transportation provider, MTM, Inc was distributed to all persons present and discussed by Lynnae Zahringer. There have been many concerns involving MTM as drivers are not showing up to pick up clients for their medical appointments or are making clients wait for long periods of time. After review and discussion of this letter, Kevin Conradt made a motion to approve the letter and to also get support from Robert Cowles, State Senator, and from the Assembly Representatives Gary Tauchen, Jeff Mursau, and Kevin Petersen. This letter should be sent to MTM, Inc as soon as possible and if other action is needed to appoint Bonnie Olson to act on the committee’s behalf and handle this before the next scheduled meeting in March to keep this moving along. John Hill seconded. All aye. Motion carried.

B. 2014 Community Based Residential Facility Contracts. Lynnae Zahringer reviewed and discussed the 2014 contract renewals for facilities utilized by Long Term Support clients. Autumn Lanes and Cady Home will received a 2.5% rate increase, Kindred Hearts will receive a 1.5% rate increase, Shepherd’s Inn will receive a 1% rate increase, Homme Home will receive a 3% rate increase, Sunburst will receive a 3.5% rate increase, and the Cottages and The Cottages RCAC will receive a 2% rate increase. The rates will remain the same for Gladstone and Care Partners. After discussion of the program rates, John Hill made a motion to accept these contracts. Kevin Conradt seconded. All aye. Motion carried.

C. Contract with Luke Onesti. Lynnae Zahringer discussed the 2014 contract with Luke Onesti. Luke assists with moving heavy furniture and equipment, snow removal, lawn care, etc. for Long Term Support clients. There are two changes with his contract: the IRS mileage rate decreased to $.56 per mile and if he needs another person to help him with a job then the charge will be $40 instead of $30 with prior social worker approval. After discussion, Jody Johnson made a motion to accept the contract with Luke Onesti. Sharon Coats seconded. All aye. Motion carried.

D. 40 Hour Work Week Policy for Homecare Providers. Lynnae Zahringer discussed that effective January 1, 2014 homecare providers are only allowed to work a total of 40 hours per week. Lynnae discussed that some homecare providers were upset over this new policy and she has addressed some of their concerns with

- 3 - phone calls she received. After discussion, the Committee members asked for this item to be brought back in March as a follow up to see how this new policy is working and the number of people affected by the change.

E. Other Business. None.

F. Per Diem Approval. Shirley Ebelt made a motion to approve the per diem payments for today’s meeting. Caroline Melcher seconded the motion. All aye. Motion carried.

G. Next Meeting. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 1:00p.m. in the Lundmark Room of the Fellman Center. Please note this is a different meeting date than normal.

11.ADJOURNMENT. A motion was made by Jody Johnson and seconded by Robert Rebman to adjourn the meeting. All aye. The meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by: Approved by:

____ Lynnae Zahringer Bonnie Olson Long Term Support Supervisor Chairperson