Minutes: March 11, 2014 Meeting

Aging and Disability Meeting Notes - 3/11/14:

Present: Maria Geizer (Home Instead), Ruth Jacobs (Certified Health Coach), Connie Weaver (OFA), Mary Ricard (OFA), Cindy Harrington (Shelters of Saratoga), Pat Harrington (OFA), Mary Sala (OFA), Ben Nichols (OFA), Sara Fryer (Mechanicville Community Center), Jennifer Harrington (MACSC), Beverly Custer (MACSC), Diana Martin (Wesley Evergreen), Ellen Egger-Aimone (Geriatric Care Manager), Judith McKinnon (SAIL), Rachael Pfieger (SAIL), JoAnn Zales (National Grid), Candy Rivera-Whitehead (NYS-EPIC), Jennifer Baldwin (Saratoga Hospital), Richard Curry (Care Patrol), Denise DiNoto (Consumer Directed Choices), Carol Durante (Consumer Directed Choices), Ardis Armer (OFA), Howard Vics (Medical Thermography Associates), Rebecca Zohn (Concepts of Independent Choices, Inc.), Karen Laing (Your Health Advocate), Shirl Lloyd (Shelters of Saratoga ), Ginny Stoliker (Shelters of Saratoga), Cathy Tucker (Ameriprise Financial), Ann Quinn (Home Health Care Partners).

Introduction: Cindy Harrington welcomed all attendees. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday April 8^th at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church. The Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Prevention Council will be speaking.

Attendees introduced themselves.

Today’s Topic and Presenters: Reed Lehan and Keith Kirchoff from Saratoga County Department of Social Services. Reed and Keith gave an overview of DSS programs, services and referral process, as well as the parameters of Adult Protective Services.

Programs discussed include:

Home Care

Personal Care

Long Term Care

Private Duty Nursing

Consumer Directed

County Homemakers

Transportation

DSS also has a Domestic Violence Liaison to assess an individual need for shelter and assistance.

Emergency Housing is a large part of what DSS does. Often they will shelter people in motels temporarily, while an assigned caseworker develops an Independent Living Plan, with a goal of securing housing and employment if they are job-ready. Caseworkers do a lot of screening to make sure that the person is sheltered in the safest place possible.

DSS is on call 24/7. The sheriff’s office has the contact info – referrals are made through the sheriff, who will then contact DSS if appropriate.

DSS also handles utility shutoff; they will attempt to educate the consumer about HEAP assistance and payment plans to prevent the shutoff.

Adult Protective Services:

When a referral is made to APS, for neglect, abuse, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, it can take anywhere between 24 hours to 3 days to start investigating, depending on severity of the report taken. Sometimes, the situation only calls for some education of the people involved about resources available to assist them. At other times, the investigation calls for a case to be opened for 60 days in order to ensure the person’s safety and well-being.

APS can also be the rep payee for a person, and have guardianship of a person if needed.

Any questions can be directed to Saratoga County DSS – 884-4140.