PSSN MINUTES
October 22, 2009

ATTENDEES: Charles Armstrong (Marlene’s Low Vision), Annette Balis (Home Instead Senior Care), Diane Barden (The Campus of Anna Maria), Eric Bloniarz (Medical Service Company), Kattie Crumley (Senior Helpers), Denise Czech (Crossroads Hospice), Terry Fagan (Atlas Rehab), Kathy Guckelberger (APS-DJFS), Jane Gwinn (FCS/Senior Track), Dorothy Jones (Po. Co. Society of the Blind), Michelle Kairis (Coleman Adult Day Services), Jessica Koller (Anna Maria at Home), James Lenahan (Vision Therapeutic Services), Lisa Little (Home Instead Senior Care), Genel Nichols (Kent Ridge at Golden Pond), Evelyn Peck (Reed Memorial Library), Janet Phelps (Coleman Adult Day Services), Barb Pochedly (Po. Co. District Library), Claudette Rogers (FCS/Map), Crystal Shanley (FCS/Senior Track), Tony Sinito (Medical Service Company), Marta Williger (Williger & Peters), Mandy Zantow (FCS/RSVP)

President-Elect Denise Czech called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. and called for introductions and announcements.
Eric Bloniarz announced a “thank you” card PSSN received from the Art Gesemyer for welcoming as a visitor to our “Joggin Your Noggin” speaker in August.
Jim Lenahan announced that Low Vision has some state funding coming down that he will pass along to PSSN. Contact name is Cindy Bloom, (330) 762-9755 x-236.
Annette Balis announced that Home Instead in Aurora is having an open house on November 18th from 3pm-7pm at their new location (215 West Garfield Rd – St Rt 82 – Suite 270… all are welcome and each guest will receive a copy of Home Instead’s new book: Stages of Senior Care... flyer passed around.
Lisa Little announced that Home Instead has a new satellite office in Ravenna, phone number: (330) 267-1700.
Barb Pochedly announced that there is a levy on the ballot speaking toward library funding… brochure passed out.
Michelle Kairis announced that Coleman Adult Day Services has opened a new satellite office site at Anna Maria and is set to open November 2nd. Janet Phelps will be the coordinator at the Ravenna office.
Dorothy Jones announced that the Society of the Blind will meet at the First Church of God in Ravenna on Monday Oct. 26th
Terry Fagan announced that Atlas Rehab has open enrollment right now for Medicare/Medicaid patients.
Claudette Rogers announced that the city of Ravenna has teamed up Health Department to offer a discount card (20% off) Rx coverage for Ravenna city residents. This will include pet medication.
Denise Czech passed around reminders for membership dues (due now) and reminders if you are interesting in serving on one of 4 committees within PSSN.
Denise Czech also announced that 17 PSSN members attended the Joggin Your Noggin event with Becky Metzger and 88 seniors were in attendance.

PROGRAM: Speaker Claudette Rogers, Program Coordinator for Portage County Medications Access, OHIP and Matter of Balance, spoke about the Medicare updates and passed out “for professional eyes only” handouts that include the many changes happening with coverage plans and monthly premiums. Claudette reports that any Medicare member will stay at $96.40 for next year but any new members will pay a higher amount. Claudette encourages all service professionals to urge clients/patients/residents to complete a Medicare comparison sheet to compare the insurance coverage plans that senior is eligible along with what plans include that most options for what the senior is paying in monthly premiums. Claudette will be available in your area over the next several weeks presenting on this topic, geared toward our seniors.
See www.medicare.gov for additional information or email crogers@portagefamilies.org.

Secretary’s report:
Claudette Rogers made a motion to pass last month’s meeting minutes with no corrections, Diane Barden second the motion, and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s report:
Eric Bloniarz reported that our budget is at $2,959. Eric reports that we had 7 member deposits and 6 Joggin Your Noggin events. Eric shared that we have paid on the Memory Walk, the Alzheimer’s speaker, and the post office box.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Relations: Jane Gwinn reports that a donation for the Harvest Ball was made for the event on October 28th. Jane reports that the committee is working on a flyer for professionals in the field to use for reporting elder concerns. Jane reports the committee is planning a senior dance, TBA.

Education Committee: Claudette Rogers announced that Marta Williger joined the committee and that the committee will meet November 6th to review topics for upcoming meetings.

Client Services: Kathy Guckelberger reported that the committee is working on a survey for the seniors to complete and Kathy reports the committee will team up with Sally Kelly (Ravenna Senior Center Director) for help in completing the survey. More information to come.

Membership: Eric Bloniarz reported no new information.

Old Business: Denise Czech reported that the Joggin’ Your Noggin’ event is scheduled for October 26th at 1pm at Shalersville Townhall. Contact Nancy Vines at (330) 296-4244 if you are interested in attending the event.

New Business: Diane Barden passed out information about our Holiday Party on December 4th from 12pm-2pm at Anna Maria of Aurora. (address: 889 North Aurora Rd, building D) Remember to bring an unwrapped gift for a senior, around $5 and bring a gift for our always exciting White Elephant Gift Exchange. RSVP to Diane Barden no later than December 1st, cost is $7.
Denise Czech shared information about a new opportunity for promoting PSSN and it’s members/agencies by sponsoring a monthly BINGO/Breakfast Buffet event at the Streetsboro Eat N Park on Tuesdays, 9am-11am. The event will have breakfast and door prizes for BINGO… Denise passed around a sign up sheet. See Denise for additional information.

Diane Barden made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Annette Balis second the motion and the motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20am.

The next meeting will be held November 19th at
Community Room at ROC at 8:30 a.m.
Portage Home Health will provide refreshments

Respectively submitted by,
Crystal Shanley
Secretary