HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-03 Nurse Advocacy Task Force MinutesNurse Advocacy Task Force - Meeting Minutes
Lower Level Conference Room - Town Hall
October 3, 2006
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING. MASS.
2001. UN 12 AA 1 i 43
Present: James Bonazoli, Patty Chinetti, Anne Marie Bourque, Carol Patterson, Dawn
Folopoulos (Staff), George Lonergan (Observer), Marcia Dresser (Observer), Paula Koppel
(Observer).
Meeting was called to order at 5:15pm
Motion by Anne Marie to accept the minutes of Sept. 26, 2006 20d by Patty
Dawn and Paula will be meeting with Maureen Comier, Clinical Director at Hallmark
Health (HH) and overseer of the Reading Response program.
Goals for the meeting include:
o Explain the Nurse Advocacy position
o Discuss how the NA role fits with HH's mission statement
o Discuss which of the job tasks HH is able or unable to perform because
of mitigating factors.
o Discuss how the NA position would benefit both HH and the Town of
Reading.
o The programs of Reading Response and NA are different but there will
most likely be overlapping clients.
Discussion to clarifying our agreement about the philosophy and role of the NA:
o Seniors have a right to make decisions about their lives.
o The NA should ensure that the senior's right to make informed
decisions on their own behalf are protected.
o The NA may not always agree with the decision of a senior but as long
as the senior is competent and fully informed will honor their
decisions.
o When a senior's decision would potentially endanger the senior or the
public, the NA will work towards an amicable and safe solution.
o If a question of the senior's competency arises, the NA will work with
the senior's family and physician to clarify their ability to make
decisions independently and help ensure the senior has appropriate
representation if necessary.
Patty stated that an advocate should tell you what is in your best interest. The seniors need
to be able to trust the NA and know that they aren't presenting options based on financial
or other outside considerations.
Financial
James stated that if we are able to combine the NA position into Reading Response,
therefore, funded by the Hospital Trust Fund, the NA position would be more viable as it
would not be subject to Town budget cuts.
Paula discussed funding from more than one source as a way to help protect the program's
sustainability. (Grants, fundraising, State and Town funding)
Paula described the Elderberry Institute and their use of both grant writing and fundraising
to support the Living at Home/Block Nursing Program.
James will research the difference between revolvingfund and 501C3 as far as what types
of income/donations are allowed with each.
Liability
We discussed the possibility of having each NA client sign a waiver (i.e. I absolve the
Town of any responsibility. I am choosing of my own accord to stay in my home. I have
been provided with a written list of alternative living/care options and am choosing to
Meeting adjourned at 6:30pm by James, 2 d by Patty
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