Aging Services Advisory Council - Feb. 17, 2026

Minutes

FACILITATOR: Dan Hoeschen

NOTETAKER: Sean Wells

Present:

• Anne Meader
• Jim O’Brien
• Carol Bernhard
• Sonya Norton
• Dan Hoeschen
• Steven May

Excused:

• Eric Olson
• Sue Leslie
• Pat Torsen
• Joyce Caramella
• Marge Lorton
• Lynne Byrne
• Scott Stahl
• Alia Long

Staff:

• Tracy Garell
• Sean Wells
• Jeanie Butler
• Donna Marie Drucker
• Tonia Hunt

Meeting Called to Order

Quorum is majority. 

The meeting to order at 10:06 am. A quorum was present. 

Review and Adoption of Minutes January minutes approved. 

Older Adult Suicide Prevention

Donna Marie introduced herself and the work she does with the County in Behavioral Health working on the prevention of harmful behaviors such as self-harm and substance abuse. She provided her contact information to the ASAC and encouraged them to reach out to her or Galli if they or someone that they now need help. She went on to describe the goals of her program to promote mental health literacy and work to prevent suicide. That includes providing free suicide prevention training, consultations around policy, distributing secure storage devices such as gun safes, and mobilize resources and support for the community in the wake of a death by suicide. They accomplish this by collaborating with local, regional, and state partners. Another major goal is to change systems to reduce stigma and shift community norms around mental health.

She then shared statistics from 2023, the latest year with finalized data, and let the ASAC know that 57% of the suicide from that year were individuals 50 years or older, men were most likely to committee suicide, and that more than 60% of suicides are carried out with firearms. According to the QPR Institute Oregon has the 9th highest suicide rate in the country. 

Donna Marie introduced the concept of QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training to t he ASAC and told them that there is a version of the training tailored to older adults. She shared some of the specific changes from the standard training such as recognizing how suicidal ideation can look different in older adults versus younger people, how offering hope looks different to someone suffering from a terminal illness, and how to help older adults age in place. 

She also shared a successful Australian technique called Men’s Shed which allowed for a third space for men to work on projects together and find a sense of community. 

She concluded with the goals of her department to develop programs and trainings that address chronic pain management, building community, reducing isolation and loneliness, and increasing socialization. 

2026 ASAC Meetings Planning Round Table 

The ASAC agreed that in light of Donna Marie’s presentation a QPR training would be very worthwhile, even if it causes a meeting to run long. Several other topics were brought up as being of interest such as Death with dignity, options counseling, assisted living and family caregivers, senior housing and aging at home, and weatherization. 

Area Plan Subcommittees 

Jeanie will start scheduling the meetings for March. Some of the subcommittees will meet more often than others. 

Subcommittee Updates

• Community Center Liaison Subcommittee: There was a meeting to confirm questions that will be asked of diners and directors at the congregate meal visits.
• Behavioral Health Subcommittee: Nothing new to report.

Member Updates

• Tracy encouraged the ASAC members to take the Community Needs Assessment to help guide Social Services programs.
•  There will be a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels in March.

Adjourn 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:09 am.  

Next Meeting

Monday, March 16, 10am-12pm

Hybrid at DSB 401