Breakthrough Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

October 3, 2006

 

Wilma Schmitz, Breakthrough President, called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. The meeting began with the traditional introductions of all members present. Wilma asked that because of time constraints, no announcements or marketing be done at this time.

 

Committee Updates

 

Ad Hoc Missouri Senior Report: No report.

 

Advocacy: Stephanie Rohlfs-Young made the advocacy report on behalf of Carroll Rodriquez and Debbie Schuster. The state of Missouri photo identification for voting is still pending. The state is appealing the District Court’s rejection of this law. Debbie wanted to poll the membership to determine preference for a legislative forum. The choices are to have someone from the Advocacy Committee provide a report of upcoming legislative initiatives or to have two professional lobbyists speak about how to contact one’s legislators and have one’s viewpoint heard by the legislators and speak about what the lobbyists do. The membership voted to have the lobbyists speak at the forum at the end of February.

 

Finance Committee: No report.

 

Gateway Grandparents/Kinship Network: The new grandparenting guides are out along with bookmarks explaining what Gateway Grandparents is all about. The next meeting of this committee will be Oct.18. at the Society for the Blind.

 

Outreach Committee: Barbara Buesse reported that the 2007 speakers and topics are set. The committee meets the second Wednesday of odd months at noon at the offices of St. Andrews, 6633 Delmar. The committee is working on a fall networking event. The date and place will be announced later.

 

Resource Guide Committee: Copies of the 2006 St. Louis Times Older Adult Resource Guide, which is endorsed by the Breakthrough Coalition, are available for members who have not yet picked up their copies.

 

Safety Committee: Hedva Barenholtz-Levy reported that the committee is trying to determine how to disseminate the checklist for meeting with one’s health care provider. There is a training on Nov. 2 on how to use the workbook, Solitaire. The committee meets on the second Tuesday in the odd months at the American Red Cross offices. Hedva is recruiting groups for the Solitaire training.

 

Steering Committee: Hedva, as a member of the ad hoc committee on credentialing the officers of Breakthrough, reported that effective January 1, 2007, the officers will go through a background check utilizing the Family Care Registry for a nominal fee. The fee will be absorbed by Breakthrough. Stephanie reported that the Minority Outreach Advocacy is now a subcommittee of Breakthrough Coalition. Minority Outreach sponsors the Village of Many Colors annually. Ric Cavanagh reported that the Nominating Committee is soliciting more nominations for the Vice President-President Elect position and the Member At Large position. Rick distributed nomination forms to be returned to him or Jean Romine.

 

Education Segment

 

Betsy Brueggeman spoke on elderly issues in real estate. Betsy is with Remax Associates and is a seniors real estate specialist.

 

Announcements

 

County Care Utility Assistance Program: Assistance from this one-time program is available on a first-come, first-served basis through Dec. 15. To be eligible, the client must reside in unincorporated St. Louis County and have family income of no more than 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Call for an appointment from Oct. 1 – Dec. 15. North County call 615-7454. South County call 615-4019. Central County call 615-4429. For general information, call 615-4516.

 

MEAAA Meals on Wheels: Home delivered meals are available in the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson. Contact Jamie Opsal at Mid-East Area Agency on Aging at (636) 207-0847, ext. 130. In the city of St. Louis, call St. Louis Area Agency on Aging at (314) 612-5918.

 

Chief Financial Officer: Mid-East Area Agency on Aging is searching for a chief financial officer. The candidate must have a Bachelor of Arts and three years in management. Call Cindy Wiggins at (636) 207-0847.

 

RN Manager: Home Helpers has added new position to the team. Contact Barth Holohan at (314) 863-9912 or Barth@HomeHelpersCare.com.

 

Medicaid Audio Services: Center for Hearing and Speech is sponsoring Medicaid Audio Services. Contact Lesley Schopper at (314) 968-4710.

 

Home Safety Assessment: Assessments are available through the Alzheimer’s Association. The cost is $75. Scholarships are available. Contact the Alzheimer’s Association at (314) 432-3422.

 

Safe Return: There is now an annual administration fee of $15. No one will be dropped from the program for failure to pay the annual fee. Scholarship funds are available. Contact The Alzheimer’s Association at (314) 432-3422.

 

National Family Caregiver Association: Join the National Family Caregiver Association. Membership is $40 per year for an individual. NFCA is the only national grassroots organization dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of all of America’s family caregivers. Call NFCA at (800) 896-3650.

 

October 13:

 

The Villa at Riverwood is offering flu shots from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Free with Medicare B. Other wise, $25. Call (314) 839-5000.

 

National Aging In Place Fair sponsored by Wells Fargo Reverse Mortgage. Time 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at Greensfelder Recreational Complex. Call (314) 220-3918 for more information.

 

Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities is sponsoring Trivia Night from 7:00 – 10:30 pm at The Richmond Heights Community Center. Cost for a table of eight is $120. Call AADD office (314) 647-8100 for more information.

 

Find Out Fridays topic will be “The Distinction of Spirituality in Holistic Care at The Willows at Brooking Park. Time is 8:00 – 9:30 am. Breakfast provided. Call Gail Lee at (314) 966-8077. Sponsored by Purcell & Amen LLC.

 

October 18:

 

Kelly Home Care Services sponsoring Open House celebrating 30 years from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Contact Barbara Buesse (314) 989-9552.

 

October 19:

 

Seminar “Free Money” at 6:15 pm at The Villa at Riverwood. See how you could qualify for VA benefits. Call (314) 839-5000.

 

October 25:

 

Find out about neuropathy. Balancing Act, Anodyne Therapy at 1:00 pm at The Villa at Riverwood. Call (314) 839-5000 for more information.

 

October 26:

 

University City SRT meeting at 9 a.m. at Heman Community Center. Speaker is Ron Wolf from LTC Ombudsman Program. Topic is the new assisted living bill.

 

October 28:

 

Halloween at the Villa, 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Horse and carriage rides, petting zoo, entertainment, food, games and prizes. Call Shawna Hester at (314) 839-5000 for more information.

 

October 29:

 

Wine and cheese reception sponsored by Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Contact Ric Cavanagh for more information (314) 918-8222.

 

November 3:

 

Purcell & Amen LLC and Transition Strategies sponsoring Find Out Fridays. Topic: A journey down the path of transition, end of life decisions and the probate process. Lunch meeting at The Willows at 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Contact Gail Lee at (314) 966-8077 for more information.

 

St. Louis Minority Advocacy Coalition sponsoring Village of Many Colors Festival at St. Ann Community Center. Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call Linda Willis at (314) 615-7430 or Ellen Sherman, (314) 615-4559, for more information.

 

November 11:

 

The Villa at Riverwood sponsoring Craft Fair from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Contact Shawna Hester at (314) 839-5000 for more information.

 

 

November 17:

 

Free seminar from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. Topic: The Medicaid Maze. Breakfast provided. Sponsored by Purcell & Amen LLC. Instructors include David Purcell, Charles Amen, Ken Buren, Sharon Minoff and Mary Lee Salzer. Call Gail Lee (314) 966-8077 ext. 133 for more information.

 

December 1:

 

Mental health issues in the elderly and psychotropic medication issues with the geriatric population. Find Out Friday breakfast seminar at The Willows at Brooking Park. Time: 8:00 – 9:30 am. Call Gail Lee for more information (314) 966-8077. Speaker is Saaid Khojasteh, M.D.

 

December 8:

 

LTCOP is sponsoring a caregiver luncheon. Call Ric Cavanagh for more information (314) 918-8222.

 

Respectfully submitted by Joann Eng-Hellinger, Secretary.

 

Next general meeting will be Dec. 5, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. in the Maryland Heights Centre.