TANSTAAFL (There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch)

Rascal flats has a song about growing old … ‘may your dreams stay big; your worries stay small.’

For over 40 years, Washoe County Senior Services has prided itself on serving seniors in the community. With their vision of “Living Well. Aging Well,” they have intended to provide excellent care and support to elderly individuals. However, an incident that took place at the 9th Steet Senior Center on September 28, 2023, raises questions about the sincerity of their claims. The real question is whether or not Washoe County Government genuinely cares about the well-being of seniors.

Picon had asked Washoe County Human Services Agency’s Senior Services Division about the incident, and we really still have no real answers. However, we do have a few public relations crafted responses we will share.

Washoe County wrote, “For your convenience, we will set forth your request and then follow it with the response.”

Picon: Mr. Gustafson statement regarding the allegations of the incident at the Senior Center during the Senior Line Dancing Class on September 28, 2023.

Washoe County: Mr. Gustafson has provided the following statement: “Washoe County values feedback from the public and program participants and takes complaints and concerns very seriously. All individuals participating in a Washoe County program, and those participating in events or activities at the Senior Center and other County property, are expected to be treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect by Washoe County staff. When this does not occur, the situation will be investigated and rectified immediately to ensure that participant treatment is placed at the highest priority.”

Picon: Reports regarding the incident.

Washoe County: WCHSA conducted investigative interviews with Senior Services staff that were involved in the incident complained of by Ms. Jones, which occurred on September 28, 2023. In addition, the investigation included interviews of the dance instructor and her assistants, as well as the Security Guard. Human Resources is working with Ryan Gustafson, the Acting Agency Director, and Cara Paoli, Division Director, to determine the resolution of this investigation, including the potential for discipline, if any, of the employees involved.

Division Director Paoli has reached out to Ms. Jones and requested a meeting to discuss the incident and her requests that she introduced in public record at the Washoe County Senior Advisory Committee meeting On October 4, 2023.

Picon: Videos that captured the incident at the Senior Center—to allow Commissioner Clark and/or Ms. Hawah Ahmad, Chair of the Senior Advisory Board to review the video.

Washoe County: Division Director Paoli is happy to meet with Commissioner Clark or Hawah Ahmad to review the video footage with them upon their request. Commissioner Clark has been made aware of this situation and is aware of the existence of the video.

Picon: Whether Ms. Jones will be allowed back at the Senior Center.

Washoe County: Ms. Jones is welcome back to the Washoe County Senior Center at anytime and has not been suspended from the facility. In fact, Ms. Jones attended the dance class last Thursday, October 5, 2023, and we are unaware of any incidents occurring.

Picon: How many seniors have been asked to leave the Senior Center in 2023?

Washoe County: Washoe County Senior Services keeps records regarding those individuals who have been asked to leave the building and suspended from the Senior Center for any period of time, without identifying or considering the individual’s age. To date in 2023, 14 individuals have been suspended (period lasts for 1 day – 365 days) and 5 have been expelled (period lasts 366 days – ongoing) from the Senior Center. See attached spreadsheet. In addition to those individuals, there are occasions on which individuals are requested to leave the building without being “suspended” or “expelled;” however, at this time Washoe County Senior Services does not keep records regarding those events.

Picon: How many have been arrested at the Senior Center in 2023?

Washoe County: To date, there have been 2 individuals arrested at the Senior Center in 2023.

Final statement from Washoe County: WCHSA staff will do everything possible to keep our consumers safe while they enjoy the services and facilities at the Senior Center, as evidenced by the hiring of a full-time security guard at the facility. Because it is a Washoe County public facility, anyone is welcome unless they violate the Participant Code of Conduct (see attached). People of various ages access services offered at that site including those having marriage ceremonies with the Civil Marriage Commissioner located inside the Senior Center.

Picon will be asking for additional public records based on Washoe County Government’s responses.

Expanding upon her earlier comments at the Senior Advisory Board on October 4th, Jones fearlessly expressed her concerns to the Washoe County Commission during their meeting on October 10th. We reached out to Commissioner Mike Clark to learn if he had viewed the soundless video tape. During our conversation, Commissioner Clark affirmed that the information relayed by Jan Jones during the meetings aligns with what he observed in the video tape on Friday, October 13, 2023. This validation strengthens the credibility of Jones’ claims, giving them increased significance and impact.

As members of the public, we yearn for transparency and accountability from our governmental institutions. The expectation of a response from Washoe County about Jones’ claims is necessary, as concerned senior citizens, their family members and caregivers, need clarification. How long will citizens need to wait for a statement from within the cloaked walls of Washoe County.

Why did Picon choose this photo for the article?

Washoe County Government is under scrutiny due to the quality of the food served to our senior citizens. They run out of soup at the 9th Street Senior Center, as many seniors have advised us. A photo surfaced on Commissioner Mike Clark’s Facebook page, the picture captures a senior lunch at the Sun Valley Senior Center, raising questions abut the quality and presentation of the food served to our vulnerable senior population, as contracted by the WCHSA, Human Services Agency within Washoe County. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the size of the serving is not substantial, for some seniors, with food insecurity, this might be their main meal of the day. Moreover, we have attempted to learn if there are seconds available and been told at most of the senior centers there has to be a reservation, so no extra meals, meaning Washoe County could be leaving our elderly community potentially unsatisfied and hungry. The only senior center is 9th Street where you ‘might’ be able to get a second meal if they have not run out of food.