HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-06 Nurse Advocacy Task Force MinutesRECEIVED
TO CLERK
Nurse Advocacy Task Force - Meeting Nfl , M A S.
Town Hall, Berger Conference Room
April 6, 2006 2001 JUN 12 A11:42
Present: James Bonazoli (Chairman), Lyn White, Anne Marie Bourque, Carol Patterson, Patty
Chinetti, Dawn Folopoulos (Staff, Paula Koppel (Observer), Betty Cronin (Observer), Marcia
Dresser (Observer).
James called the meeting to order at 6:15pm
Our scheduled guest speaker was unable to make it tonight because of an injury. Her visit has
been rescheduled for April 10th
Marcia told the group about the many ways Community Parish Nursing had helped her mother.
Some of the services included meals and grocery shopping. CPN also helped her move furniture
to accommodate a hospital bed.
Anne Maxie and Lyn explained the purpose of our task force to Marcia.
James reported that he recently spoke with Rep. Brad Jones. State funding for Community Parish
Nursing (CPN) has been on a phase out plan.
2004 - CPN received $100,000 from the state
2005 - CPN received $75,000 from the state
2006 - CPN was offered a matching grant of $50,000. This will be the last offer.
Paula and James had both recently spoke with Sandy Trainor, Executive Director of CPN. We
discussed CPN's resolution. CPN is proposing a staff for the Neighbor Caring About Neighbor
program of
2- full-time Coordinator of Volunteers
1- 10 hour nurse
Several overnight on-call people (Rate: $15/per hour)
James explained that Sandy doesn't feel nursing is an essential part of CPN and that neighbor
care is sufficient to carry out the program.
Community Parish Nursing is changing its focus from nursing to volunteerism. Paula stated that
Sandy Trainor, Executive Director of CPN, felt that as a healthcare provider advocating for an
elder she was perceived as an adversary (i.e. healthcare provider vs. healthcare provider). As an
"advocate" for an elder, Sandy reported that she was better able to help the seniors.
Patty questioned if the problem was a case of Sandy's personality.
Paula noted that she felt CPN was successful in creating one on one relationships and that
difficulty negotiating with other healthcare providers may have produced some conflict. It was
always a goal of CPN to help healthcare providers understand that if seniors are competent we
need to honor their wishes even if the choices are not safe.
Paula noted that CPN's flexibility as an organization was a strength that enabled them to help
seniors in a variety of ways.
In regards to a Nurse Advocate for Reading:
The task force has determined through the use of a survey that there is a need for a nurse
advocate in Reading.
The task force feels the nursing component is essential. Keeping people in their homes requires
knowledge and medical care.
Paula feels that a nurse advocate for Reading would need at least an RN degree and a lot of
experience working with seniors.
The task force feels that local government should be meeting the needs of the citizens.
Paula suggested that James speak to Brad Jones to see if he would be willing to fund a Nurse
Advocate position if we could find a way to incorporate some of CPN's volunteer aspects.
CPN is available 2417. The only way we could provide that type of coverage would be to
contract with an agency that is already doing this (i.e. VNA)
We would like to move things along faster: .
Idea: Request $25,000 be added to the Reading Elder/Human Service Budget from free cash.
Idea: Create a job description based on Winchester's Senior After Care Coordinator.
Idea: We need a Finance Committee representative at the April Igth meeting. We need a strong
financial plan.
Idea: Consider building a strong plan and bringing it to the Hospital Trust Fund Commissioners.
Anne Marie made a motion to recommend the task force look at the feasibility of funding a part-
time nurse at $26.00 per hour. 2nd by Carol. Passed by a vote of 4-0.
Paula and Anne Marie will review Winchester's Senior After Care Coordinator in light of the
Nurse Advocate description the task force created.
8:35 Motion to adjourn by Anne Marie, 2nd by James
Next meeting: April 19th-6-pm-Berger Conference Room-Town Hall