Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-31 Council on Aging SummaryCOUNCIL ON AGING Janu-ary 31st 10:30 AM Aeenda Ap,royal Minutes from Prior,,Meeting · , ,. Old Business 1. Senior Center Town Meeting 2. Survey Report 3. Update on Assisted Living Housing New Business Introduction of New Board Members Hospital Presentation/Resolution/llam "PersOn Wanting to be Hca.rd COUNCIL ON AGING JANUARY 31, 1997 ***MINUTES*** Members present' Members absent' Others present' Sam Huddleston, Roger Meeks, Betty Nelson, Joyce Billings, Georgetta Funk, Al Pease Joanna Hollier, Arlene Enfield, Peggy Arness Councilwoman Swarner, Senior Center Director Pat Porter, Administrative Assistant Marilyn Kebschull Roger Meeks introduced Sharon Anderson of Columbia Health Care. Anderson gave the board a background of her personal life and how she moved to Alaska. Anderson advised she works for Columbia advising they own Alaska Regional Health Center in Anchorage and the V.A. Clinic in Anchorage. Anderson stated she is past president of Columbia and now works in a corporate position with Columbia. Anderson noted that on Wednesday there is a work session at the borough where Columbia will present options for the hospital. Anderson shared information from a handout she had provided to the members. Anderson explained how hospitals are accredited advising the Alaska Regional Hospital was accredited with the highest possible accreditation. Anderson stated they are committed to quality nationwide. Anderson added that Alaska Regional has received the high accreditation twice in the past two years and the only hospital in the state to do so. Anderson stated that quality and patient satisfaction are number one on their list. Anderson continued stating they have been working with other hospitals nationwide who are going through similar processes as the borough is currently going through with the local hospital. Anderson stated they have done leases with other facilities and that is one option the borough is considering. Anderson stated they have also owned part of the facility as another option. Anderson stated they have provided management to facilities but prefer to have equity. Anderson stated they have reinvested in each community they have been involved in and gave examples such as purchasing equipment, staff development, etc. Council on Aging January 31, 1 997 Page 2 Minutes Anderson stated that when they have done a 50/50 partnership in communities, the local communities establish a board to decide how their money should be spent. Anderson provided examples such as mobile clinics. Anderson stated they provide a significant amount of charity care in each of their facilities. In Anchorage they are at 5 percent. Anderson compared this with Central Peninsula Hospital who state they provide 1 percent. Anderson stated that medicaid and medicare is a large portion of the population they serve at Columbia. Anderson shared information on their national association called "Senior Friends" adding they have a national conference, local associations, exercise clubs, etc. Anderson added these are to supplement senior center activities with the physician aspect added. Anderson noted they get a monthly newsletter and shared a current newsletter. Anderson stated she would like them to remember Columbia's goal is to provide quality care in a caring environment and that they have the highest rating in Alaska. Anderson added that they are interested in what the local community wants and thinks that is the best way to proceed is with local input. Anderson commented that they had probably heard about the meetings involving the hospital through the local news. Roger Meeks thanked Ms. Anderson for sharing the information with the group. Porter noted she had no idea that Columbia was a five star hospital. Porter stated she was curious about the V.A. portion asking if Columbia became connected to the local hospital if local veterans will still have to go to Anchorage for treatment. Pease noted he could answer that noting the first visit would still have to be done in Anchorage. Then, if the service could be provided locally, they could do so for a period, such as 6 months. Anderson noted that the clinic in Anchorage is owned by Columbia which is leased to the V.A. Anderson added that they bid for inpatient care and they have won that bid for the last several years. Anderson stated they would hope to provide service locally. Pease noted that there is a facility in Homer but Homer residents are still required to go to Anchorage for the initial visit. Porter asked those present how many were aware that the borough was looking into the changes at the hospital. Those present noted they were aware. Council on Aging January 31, 1 997 Page 3 Minutes Group discussion about the Friends organization. Meeks noted that most of the seniors were with the old Friends who used to come down and provide cholesterol screening. Huddleston commented that most seniors were unhappy with the changes in the V.A. health services. Billings asked Anderson what improvements would this change mean to the hospital with specialist? Anderson stated that she could speak from past experience, that they have found by improving the diagnostic capabilities and providing current training that this helps to recruit specialists. Anderson noted they are currently working with the cancer treatment center at the University of Washington which has allowed them to bring experimental drugs to Alaska that were not available before. Anderson noted that doctors want to practice in a quality environment. Anderson noted that the number of patients from the Kenai peninsula who went to Anchorage for inpatient care increased 14 percent over the last year. Anderson stated they would be interested in knowing why the change. Anderson stated it may be the up-to- date technology or it may be the cost savings they can provide because they have national purchasing power. Billings asked if there would be a possibility to receive treatment here that is not now locally provided. Anderson stated that would be the goal. Meeks asked if Columbia was set up to provide radiation cancer treatment. Anderson stated they are set up to provide that service with two physicians who are there at all times. Meeks thanked Anderson for the presentation. At this point, the board proceeded with the regular meeting as per the agenda. AGENDA APPROVAL: Agenda approved by unanimous consent. MINUTES FROM PRIOR MEETING: Minutes approved by unanimous consent. Council on Aging January 31, 1 997 Page 4 Minutes OLD BUSINESS' 1. Senior Center Town Meeting & 2. Survey Report Porter stated she felt that the meeting went well and thanked the board members who were present. Porter stated they combined all the results into the survey, whether good or bad. Porter noted she has already taken action on .some items. Porter asked the board to read through the survey which they had been provided. Porter read some of the comments aloud. Porter explained that the survey also included comments from the mail-in survey. Porter stated that she felt because these were anonymous that people could be honest in their comments. Porter read the results and some of the comments from the mail-in survey. Porter commented that she felt one problem here as well as at other centers is that people have a tendency to sit in the same place at all times. Porter noted that this could make newcomers most uncomfortable. Swarner noted this was not only senior centers but everywhere. Porter stated that they need to try to overcome that somehow and added that she and her assistant try to greet newcomers and help them find a seat. Porter stated that she has gone through the survey with the cook. Porter stated she explained to the cook that these comments were from their customers and they must take note or they won't stay in business. Porter stated she had spoken with the custodians and forbid them to go into the dining room until 1 p.m. to begin cleaning. Several board members commented that the custodians do come in and visit before they clean. Group discussion about the food being too spicy or not spicy enough. Porter advised that there is so much that is personal taste. Porter noted she had advised the cook to cut back on spices adding that individuals can spice to taste. Porter noted that she will not be enforcing the comment to use plastic gloves for serving noting it is not a health requirement. Porter stated she suggested the kitchen close the window so that guests cannot see what the kitchen staff is doing. Porter asked the board to read the comments thoroughly as there are a lot of good comments. Porter stated she felt it was a good exercise and that she would be micromanaging to see that some changes were made. Nelson commented she felt that the comment she heard most is "too much" food. Porter stated that it is a problem because they are required to serve one cup of vegetables to each person. Nelson asked about a buffet? Porter stated Council on Aging January 31, 1 997 Page 5 Minutes she had considered trying a buffet every Wednesday and asked what the board thought. Huddleston noted there are a lot of people who cannot get up and hold a plate. Porter noted that others would have to help those who needed assistance. Porter stated that on any daily basis there are probably only three or four individuals who require assistance. Meeks stated they could try it and then they would know if it would work. Porter suggested they could try it for a couple months. Porter, commenting on the suggestion that they have a two colored ticket system, one for salad and one for the entire meal, stated she didn't think they should do that. Porter added that she felt the meal was cheap enough. Board members concurred. Nelson commented that she felt the salad bar was really nice. Porter suggested trying the buffet. Swarner asked if other facilities offer a buffet. Porter stated she and Meeks had just gone to Sterling and they didn't have a buffet. Group agreement to try the buffet on Wednesdays starting in March on a trial basis. Porter asked the board to bring anything from the survey which they felt was important to her attention. Porter advised she has ordered a dart board. Swarner noted that one thing missing from the survey is different levels of card games. Porter noted it is in the newsletter and it will be starting. 2. UPDATE ON ASSISTED LIVING HOUSING' Porter noted they are having trouble getting funding for facility. Porter noted that they have asked the city to assist with bonding. Porter stated that Mr. Grasso will be at the next council meeting with an expert to make a presentation on the bonds. Porter noted they are trying to make the loan interest as small as possible so it will be an affordable facility. Porter noted they have been leasing the land for a long time at $2,000 per month. Porter stated that the federal government has not been in support of this facility noting that the facility in Homer is not being fully utilized. Porter noted that last month out of 40 beds, the Homer facility had only 1 2 beds being used. Porter stated she thought the government felt anyone from this area should go to Homer. Nelson asked how much it costs for a month. Porter stated about $2,000 in comparison with Heritage House at $9,000 a month. Porter commented that the Continuum Corporation has put a lot of their money into this effort. Porter stated she didn't know if it was proper for the city to help the organization with the bonds. Swarner stated there is a portion of the code that deals with this and they will be reporting to the city on February 5th Council on Aging January 31, 1 997 Page 6 Minutes to see if they can meet those requirements. Meeks asked what kind of bonds they were talking about. Swarner stated she wasn't sure. Porter suggested they go to the meeting on February 5t~. Swarner stated she doesn't feel there is anyone on the council who doesn't believe the facility is needed. FRIEND DAY: Porter asked for comment on the friend day. Nelson stated the food was wonderful. Funk stated her guest liked it and came back the next day. Meeks stated it may get new customers but was it worth it. Porter commented that you can never have enough P.R. Porter commented she felt it was positive. Porter asked if they should do it every six months. Huddleston suggested once a month. Porter suggested once a quarter. Porter noted that if you say you must not have been here in a month to qualify for the free lunch, once a month would be too much. Group consensus to hold the bring your friend to lunch day once a quarter. Chairman Meeks asked if any further comments. Swarner stated that in regard to the hospital presentation, they will be meeting at 10 a.m. next week with the borough. Swarner stated that if anyone had any comments, they may want to attend the meeting. Swarner noted she had attended both the Columbia and Providence presentations. SWarner asked if Ms. Anderson had asked for a resolution. Porter noted that Jim Carter had asked for a resolution so she had checked with the city manager. Porter stated that the city manager suggested that no commission or committee should prepare any resolution without going through council. Swarner agreed. Nelson stated that she felt the cook should know that the comment, "Fire the cook" is not felt by all. Porter stated she felt all comments should be listed. Porter stated she has thought about having a waffle bar in the early morning. Porter explained that people could come in and make their own waffles. Porter stated she would like to try it. Billings asked if there would be a charge. Porter suggested using a donation can with a suggestion of a $1.00. Porter stated she felt it would be used not as a money maker but a way to bring those in who may not want to come for lunch. Huddleston commented Council on Aging January 31, 1997 Page 7 Minutes that his wife has trouble getting the waffles out and asked if it would be too much of a mess. Porter stated she felt she could get volunteers to watch it. Group census to try the waffle bar. Pease questioned how many people would get up and drive in for the waffle. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Introduction of New Board Members All new board members were absent. 2. Hospital Presentation/Resolution/11 a.m. Presented prior to the regular meeting. Person Wanting to be Heard ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at approximately 11 '40 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Mla/il~n Kebschull Administrative Assistant KEN I SENIOt CENTER TOWN MEETING RESULTS WHAT DO YOU THINK WE DO BEST? te 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Spoil the seniors. Treat people nice. Helping people who need help(with forms ) etc. Taking people on shopping trips and doctor. We always have nice people on the front reception counter. Yon do a wonderful job on special services, taxes, legal, Medicare, social security. 7. Have a good management. 8. By having coffee and other type of drinks available at ali times (along with ice. e 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. Serving tables at lunch time. Having two wonderful directors is a "Big Plus" Good housekeeping and maintenance upkeep is excellent. Excellent response from City administration. Celebrating birthdays Wellness Clinic Landscaping, Table decorations Homegrown rhubarb and parsley, in summertime. Carrot Salad, green salads, deep fried halibut. Welcoming visitors and residents. Provide interesting activities. Helping with problems, financial advice, gov't services, etc. Transportation when needed. Meals are good, but main meal too large. Making people feel comfortable. Offering special services. Treat everyone equal. 26. Promote the exchange of ideas from among all seniors. 27. Maintenance excellent atmosphere. 28. Making everyone feel very comfortable. 29. Taking care of many services that'are beneficial to living independentlY. 30. The meals yon serve are usually very good. 31. The dining room and building are being well kept and pleasant. WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICES? le 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The servings for the older person are often too much, causing waste. The everyday person can serve themselves: Help those who need assistance. Work on food area. Equal portions for everyone. A buffet so food will not be wasted. Have someone oversee the kitchen prior to serving. To see if the dinner is hot, serving up equal, serving with plastic gloves, hair nets, check the soup, and grease in food. 8. Develop more meal activities to increase attendance and participation. 9. How about cafeteria style? 10. Promote unisex activity. 11. Let people serve themselves (entree pre-served, if necessary) to save waste on food. 12. Handicapped could be served by volunteers. 13. More sophisticated entertainment, like belly dancers, high school chorus, band, cheerleaders. 14. Encourage others to be more sociable and not huddle at one table with certain friends. 15. Have two colored tickets, one for just soup/salad/drinks/desserts for $2.00. The blue tickets for everything $3.00. 16. Have the janitors stay out of the dining area until lpm or later so people can feel more at ease. 17. Bring back the clowns to visit the shut-ins, or ones you serve lunch tO. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Telephone reassurance/or companion. Send out forms to see who could/willing to do various things. Have more fruit for dessert/less pie and cake. Crispier hot vegetables. More adult type crafts. Have shopping trips to Soidotna. Trips to have train rides from Seward to .... 25. Go once a month as a group to have lunch with/at other senior centers. 26. Rotate which tables get served first. 27. Different preparation of food, too much hot peppers, overcooked vegetables. 28. People at front desk should be pleasant. 29. Shouldn't charge for using the bus. 30. Food is too greasy. 31. Should be open on Saturdays. 32. Try self-serve, w/one in attendance (try for one month to see how it works). 33. Try to play pool separate of card room 34. People talk to loud during entertaining. 35. Schedule craft classes in the afternoon instead of the morning. 36. Cafeteria Style Suggested New Activities Band Computer Class Book Club Dice Games Dart Boards Shuffle Board Square Dancing Sur, vey Re,suits, Surveys sent - 654 (to Kenai, Nikiski, Kasilof, Soldotna (HC Boxes only)) Surveys returned - 90 Do you know where the Senior Center is located? Yes - 89 No- 1 . Are you familiar with the services available? Yes - 80 No - 9 . Have you ever participated in activities at'the Center? Yes - 64 No - 26 If yes, was your experience favorable or unfavorable? Favorable - 57 Unfavorable- 1 What type of activities are you interested in? Crafts- 32 Music - 19 Cards - 25 Exercise (Light)- 21 Exercise (Moderate)- 13 Education - 24 Line Dancing - 7 Entertainment - 26 Other- 8 Bowling Computers Crocheting, knitting Trips Pool Board games Painting class Do you eat lunch at the Senior Center: Often - 33 Seldom - 41 Never- 14 Sm Would you prefer to have the meal served later in the day? Yes- 7 No - 70 1 Do you need transportation services? Yes - 20 No - 66 aw Would you recommend the Senior Center to your friends? Yes - 82 No - 3 Comments: Comment on why your experience was favorable or unfavorable 1. Usually fun 2. Our Senior Center is the most friendliest around thanks to the wonderful staff 3. I was in Boyd Schaffe~s Art Class -I liked the class at the college better ' Why do you never eat at the Senior Center? 1. Live in Nikiski 2. Go to lunch at Nikiski Senior Center 3. Live too far away and am handicapped 4. Eat at home 5. Have never been to the Center 6. I was not aware of the service 7. Prefer dining at home 8. Can't always afford it 9. Can't eat certain foods 10.Since my two operations ! don't get hungry 11 .! get up too late for the bus 12.T,oo greasy 13.Too early after late breakfast 14.Live out of town - not convenient 15.1 :have the care of three grandchildren 16.Cheaper to eat at home What suggestions do you have to improve the food service? 1. None - doing gmat!' 2. Cafeteria serving 3. A couple told me they eat at Nikiski because there the food is served buffet style and less is wasted. Other have said that there is just 'too much - too large of servings at Kenai 4. No fat- no salt- diet salad dressing 5. Self-serve- serve the ones that can't serve themselves with the cook in attendance at the counter 6. From what we hear the food service is very good 7. Service is fine, but vegetables are overcooked most of the time 8. It's great as is 9. Serve what is on the menu - no substitutes 10.Buffet-type meals 11.Less fat and sugar and cheese 12.Had a better menu in past years 13.Put on all you can eat for lunch (not all lunches) 14.Fire the cook 15.Smaller portions -less fat 16.Omit some of the items on lunches like veal parmesan (more MeXican/casseroles) 17.Have either soup or salad at 11:45, better look & cook vegetables as they seem to :be overcooked much of the time 18.B.read is usually stale, too hard for false teeth (home delivered meal comment) 19.No salt - no fat- sanitation improved 20.Don't put chunks of meat and vegetable in soup 21.Cater for diabetics Ge,.neral Comments 1. At Forget-Me-Not they have trivia and stories and play games. Some people don't like to come to the Center. Nobody talks to them and feel ou~ of place. People eat and just take off. 2. I think people are not friendly ' newcomers are not invited to join o~ers at the tables. Seems to be people sit together and leave now ones to sit alone, seldom even talked too 3. You do a wonderful job!