Upon arrival at the Browning Room of the Central Library, attendees were asked to sign the attendance sheet and were offered refreshments.  Those attendees who had not previously completed the photo release form were asked to do so.  Previous bingo winners were presented with their photo, taken at the last meeting. 

The Area-Wide Resident Council meeting began at 2:30 p.m., at which time attendees were welcomed and provided with general housekeeping information.  Introductions were made for: Michelle Motta, Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Rebecca Adamson, VOICES, Inc.’s Administrative Assistant and Lynne Davenport, Ombudsman Volunteer.  Roll call was taken with residents from 5 local long-term care homes in attendance for a total of 21 residents present.

Michelle Motta informed the attendees that minutes from the last meeting along with photographs of attendees have been posted on the website at www.voicesinc.info.

Michelle Motta notified attendees she had sent letters to resident council presidents of the 19 long-term care homes in Vanderburgh County informing them of the area-wide resident council’s decision to have a liaison from each home to serve as the intermediary between the ombudsman and the residents.  The liaison may or may not be a home’s resident council officer and could be elected, appointed or a volunteer.  But the liaison should be the decision of each resident council.  It would be helpful, but not mandatory, if the liaison had his or her own phone or email. 

Only one facility currently had provided a liaison.  This liaison, Laura Williams, volunteered to be the Area-Wide Resident Council Liaison Chairperson.  She said she would contact the resident council presidents of the other homes in an effort to encourage them to participate.  Since the officers of the area-wide resident council were to be voted on from the various liaisons, plans for an election could not proceed.  Likewise, discussion of a logo, tag line, etc. was tabled until a future date.  

Free income tax filing was the next topic on the agenda.  Michelle Motta informed attendees that if they, their family or nursing home staff would not be able to file an income tax return for them, they could get free assistance through United Way.  Through April 15th from 6-8 p.m. attendees could get help on Tuesdays at Work One of Evansville, on Wednesdays at the Salvation Army, and on Thursdays at C.K. Newsome Community Center.

The next item on the agenda concerned the switch from analog to digital television.  Michelle Motta notified attendees the deadline to switch had been extended from February 17th to June 12th.  Attendees were reminded that if they did not have cable or satellite service, they would need to purchase a converter box.  They could receive a coupon towards the purchase of a converter box by going online to www.dtv2009.gov to obtain a specific form for nursing home residents or by calling the number in the television advertisement. 

A short PowerPoint program was given on various rights of residents of long-term care homes.  Michelle Motta answered questions from the attendees.  After the presentation, the council requested that there be a speaker at the next meeting and requested someone to talk about advance directives. Michelle Motta said she would contact a representative of Indiana Legal Services and see if they were available for the next meeting on May 1st. 

Refreshments were available.  Bingo was enjoyed.  The meeting concluded at 4:00 p.m.