12-18-19 Meeting Minutes FINAL
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SENIOR ADVISORY COMMISSION
SUMMARY
December 18, 2019 @ 2:00PM
Hylebos Conference Room
Commissioners Present: Chair Debbie Harvey, Sue Ellebrecht, Lynette Karasuda, Kevin King,
Catherine North, Cheryl Volheim, Frank Fields (Alternate), Dora “Pal”
Leonard (Alternate),
Absent: Vice Chair Lana Bostic & Hope Elder
Staff Present: Deputy Mayor Susan Honda & Jeri-Lynn Clark, Executive Assistant
Citizens Present: Rev. Colleen Chinen (Assoc. Pastor from Steel Lake Presbyterian Church)
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
None.
3. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None.
4. COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. RESCARE PRESENTATION
Tanisha Haythorne, Exec. Director for King & Pierce Counties. ResCare was founded in 1974
and have 1,600 care providers in the King & Pierce County. Many of the staff speak the different
languages in the community e.g. Korean, Russian, Ukraine, Spanish, German, Vietnamese,
Chinese, etc. A majority of their clients are on Medicaid (State assistance).
They have different programs to not only help with the patient/client but their caregiver
(spouse, children, etc.) to give breaks for a few hours a week so they can go to doctor
appointments, personal care, etc. They found that a majority of the family caregivers end up in
the hospital due to lack of personal care for themselves. They have created the following
programs to help provide care through the following programs:
• MAC – Medicaid Alternative Care
• TSOA – Tailored Support for Older Adults
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Other programs ResCare offers are:
• HomeCare Services – Keeps seniors in their homes
• Residential - Supportive Living
• Shared Apartments – for those clients with mental disabilities
• Between Without Walls – Traumatic brain injury patients rehabilitation
• Youth Services
• Workforce Services
ResCare in home care personnel help with bathing, medication, cleaning, meals and
transportation to medical appointments or shopping.
All caregivers have to go through 75 hours of Home Care Training and have annual training
requirements to keep their license. Caregivers must be 18 years old or older and have their
High School Diploma or GED. Starting pay is $15.52 and at the beginning of 2020 the rates will
go up to $16 hr. with medical/dental/vision coverage and 401K.
For additional information, please contact 1-866-737-2273, or visit www.rescare.com.
B. WORKPLAN
Commissioner Fields shared information on what it would cost to create a website for
transportation and the program that we are creating. After discussion with the Commissioners,
we are going to use the City webpage and not create another website.
Currently staff is updating the Senior Advisory Commission page with updates for the
Commission https://www.cityoffederalway.com/page/senior-advisory-commission
The Transportation Subcommittee will meet to breakdown the different transportation options
for the pamphlet. They will each contact the different transportation companies to see if they
have senior discounts. Locate agencies that will provide transportation to citizens that live in
their homes. The subcommittee members will split the list and will call their designated
contacts.
LYFT has a GreatCall Rides program partnership with Jitterbug phone program for more
information: https://www.greatcall.com/services-apps/senior-rides-service-by-lyft. UBER had
a free 1st day of the month program, but it ended in 2017.
When we post resources online, we will list the website and phone number for convenience for
everyone.
Ms. Clark shared a list of free or reduced options for seniors and will list the link to the Senior
Advisory Commission page. Commissioners shared that not all locations have the same
discount, so please ask before purchasing.
If you find a company or person that we should speak with, please provide their contact
information to Ms. Clark so she can speak with that company to see if it would be a good idea
to have them come and give a presentation.
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Commissioner North shared an update on the resource guide. The subcommittee has divided
the booklet up and each person will call every number to make sure the information is current
and correct.
They will have two pages of transportation information provided by the Transportation
subcommittee. If anyone has resources that they think would be applicable for the guide,
please send Commissioner North the information.
The subcommittee is not sure if they will sell ads or apply for a grant for the printing.
Commissioner North shared that she received two quotes each for 1,000 guides each 6-8 pages
double sided; one for $680 & one for $790.
Commissioner Volheim shared that she spoke with St. Francis hospital and they are excited to
have a brochure for the local area and that is current and up to date.
Color of the brochure will be a bright color, will say Federal Way Senior Resource Guide for the
Greater Federal Way. It will have designed by Federal Way Senior Advisory Commission.
The Senior Advisory Commission would like to present a draft version to the City Council and
an update on what they are working on at a May 2020 meeting. May is also Senior Citizen
Month, Deputy Mayor Honda will request a proclamation at the next agenda setting meeting.
The deadline for publication of the brochure will be end of June, and distribute on July 4th at
the Red White and Blues festival.
5. STAFF REPORT
Deputy Mayor Honda shared that she provided Senator Wilson, Rep. Pellicciotti and Rep.
Reeves the concerns that the Commissioner shared about rent increases & taxes at the
Legislative breakfast. Many of the topics of concerns of the Commission are items that they are
working on currently. Commissioners are encouraged to reach out to the 30th District
representatives with their concerns. Staff will reach out to them to see if they would be willing
to talk with us on the items they are working on after they are done with the current session.
6. NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 @2:00 PM.
7. ADJOURN – The meeting adjourned at 3:31 p.m.
Attest:
Jeri-Lynn Clark
Jeri-Lynn Clark, Exec. Assistant to Council
Approved by Senior Advisory Commission: 2/19/2020