Minutes from Meeting on February 8, 2011

Present: Karl Francis (CDCI), Jennifer Frigolette (Attentive Home Companions), Gina Gaudio (Mechanicville Area Comm. Service), Joann Zales (National Grid), Lois Bourke (Schuyler Ridge ADHC), Melissa Kamal (Schuyler Ridge ADHC), Kim Swire (CHOICES at St. Peter's), Ben Nichols (Saratoga OFA), Mary Rickard (Saratoga OFA), Lori Holmes (Interim Healthcare), Richard Amico (St. Edward's), Joan Bucher (Mary's Haven), Cindy Harrington (Shelters of Saratoga), Leslie Carroll (Vet Help), Ann St. Croix (Home Helpers & Direct Link), Pat Hughes (Home Helpers & Direct Link), Sharon O'Sullivan (Seton Health at Schuyler Ridge), Robin Blostein (Eddy VNA), Robin Sage (Millview Assisted Living), Shelli Crogan (Interim HealthCare), Susan Fitzpatrick (Burke & Casserly, P.C.), Cathy Tucker (Ameriprise Financial), Jocelyn Blanchard (SAIL), Bonnie Logan (RSVP)

Next meeting: March 8, 2011
Location: Malta Community Center, 1 Bayberry Drive, Malta, NY
Topic: "The Umbrella of Care"

**We will hold meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 2:00-3:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.

“Our mission is to promote community awareness of the programs and services available to Saratoga County residents who are aging and/or disabled, and their caregivers, so as to better meet the needs of these ever increasing populations.”

Introductions & Announcements:
• Opening/Introduction-Cindy Harrington
• Shelters of Saratoga-First Annual Gala to be held 4/7/11 at Longfellow's-$150. per person
• Karl Francis-Their service now includes all of Schenectady Co.
    -They are looking for referrals to the Healthy Living program.
    -They have moved to 845 Central Avenue.


Speakers
Pat Spritzer, Provider Relations Specialist & Community Liaison, The Community Hospice
Ann Reed, Director, Mary's Haven

Speaker 1: Pat Spritzer

Explanation of:
• What hospice is and what it entails.
• Whom it serves
• How it serves the family, as well as the patient.
• What specific needs hospice serves
• Who provides the care
• When to consider hospice
• Service areas covered
• Settings where care is provided, including specific hospitals where dedicated beds are allotted.
• How to access hospice services
• Parameters of hospice care
• List of specific services
• Financial concerns for patient
• How DNR affects care

Speaker 2: Ann Reed

• Mary's Haven is a program of Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties, in cooperation with Community Hospice. It has been in operation for eight years.
• It provides a safe and caring residence, usually for three months or less.
• The focus is on quality, rather than quantity. They have two bedrooms.
• Holistic care is provided.
• Referrals come, mostly, from Community Hospice but from other sources, as well.
• Preference is given to those with the greatest need and fewest options.
• Services are free of charge to patient.
• Mary's Haven has its own volunteers. Currently, there are 70 of them.
• Mary's Haven relies on funds from grants, fundraising, and donations. They get no reimbursement from insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.
• They have a waiting list of people who are getting close to hospice criteria.
• One of the reasons Mary's Haven has just two beds is that NYS specifies that any more than two beds means classification as a facility. After that, lots of rules apply.

Next Meeting: Our next meeting will be held on April 12, 2011 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., at Saratoga United Methodist Church, 175 5th Avenue, Saratoga Springs. The topic will be "Neurological Disorders 101" presented by Beth Smith-Boivin, Director of the Alzheimer's/Dementia Resource Program at the Alzheimer's Center at Albany Med. The presentation will include a discussion about the similarities, differences, and resources available for the most common neurological disorders including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Frontotemporal dementia, and Multi-vascular dementia.

Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie L. Logan, Volunteer
Saratoga County Office for the Aging/RSVP