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Senior criticizes Golden Age Center staffing and meals; commissioners pledge follow-up
Summary
A Vernal resident told the commission the Golden Age Center lacks an on-site RN, is short-staffed and serving smaller, lower-quality meals; commissioners and staff described an acting director, a contract dietitian and plans to raise wages and follow up with the commenter.
During the public comment portion of the Dec. 9 meeting, Sharon Schafer identified herself as a concerned senior and described what she said were declines in services at the Golden Age Center.
Schafer told commissioners "there is no longer an RN at the center" to manage Medicaid-funded programs and said meal quality and portion sizes have worsened, with more frozen meals served. She also complained that some activities have been canceled, including Tai Chi, and said staffing shortages have forced employees to cover multiple roles. Schafer asked whether mineral lease funding for senior programs is "up or down," noting that such revenue contributes to senior services.
County officials responded during the meeting. One speaker said the overall mineral lease funding is down but another commissioner clarified that mineral lease funding for the health district "has been maintained" and was increased by $200,000 this year, and that the increase includes both the care center and the Golden Age Center. The chair said meal-temperature problems had been identified and addressed and noted the center uses a contract registered dietitian out of Salt Lake who prescribes portion and nutrition rules required by law. "There's a new law out on what they can and can't do. You have to have a registered dietitian on staff," the chair said, adding that the county's dietitian is contracted from Salt Lake.
Commissioners also addressed leadership and staffing: the chair said an acting director is now overseeing the center after a termination and that county staff had increased the director's pay in hopes of hiring an experienced candidate. A commissioner clarified that Lisonbee Hatch serves as director over the health district (which includes the Golden Age Center) and encouraged Schafer to bring concerns to the health district board or to Commissioner Larson, who serves on that board.
Schafer said she appreciated the response and said she would follow up. Commissioners offered to meet with her in the chair's office to discuss details and next steps.
No formal action was taken during the public-comment exchange; commissioners recorded a promise to follow up and to share contact information for the health district board.
