mces

Description

Marinette County Elderly Services is a non-profit agency which provides services to elderly age 60 and over in Marinette County. The agency’s office is located in Crivitz and the agency employs approximately 23 full and part-time staff, working through Marinette County at several different site locations. Our mission is to assist older persons in maintaining a longer healthier, and more fulfilled life The majority of funding is received through both federal and state grants. The role of Marinette County Elderly Services as a County Aging Unit becomes more challenged as the nation's elderly population increases and funding becomes more scarce. Agency services include the following: Nutrition Program, Transportation Program, Benefit Specialist, Outreach, TeleCare, Information and Assistance, the Alzheimer Family and Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP), Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP), and CHAIN Reaction Day. In year 2007, the Nutrition Program provided 46,505 meals to elderly residents in Marinette County. Older persons interested in obtaining a Home Delivered Meal are assessed and must meet eligibility requirements. Current policy under the Federal Older Americans Act enables us to serve these meals on a donation basis, which allows individuals to pay what they feel they can afford, thus targeting services to the more economically disadvantaged homebound persons. Suggested donation is $3.50 per meal. Rural buses and meal site vans provide transportation to many county elderly. In 2007, 3,311 rides were provided throughout the county for various trip purposes. These include medical appointments, nutrition, and personal business/shopping. In addition, 22,867 meals were delivered to homebound elderly using these vehicles. Volunteer Medical Escort Program serves those frail elderly who for various reasons are unable to ride the rural bus. Volunteer drivers provided 1011 one-way medically related trips, donating a total of 1921 volunteer hours. The Elderly Benefit Specialist Program provides assistance to older persons regarding public benefits. In year 2007, over 700 elderly persons were assisted with homestead tax, fuel application, Medicaid, Medicare, S.S.I., SeniorCare (Wisconsin Prescription Drug Program), issues including supplemental insurance, and consumer issues.The TeleCare Program works with community volunteers who provide telephone contact to older people living alone who may be anxious about their safety, security, or who may have a chronic health problem. If offers family members living out of the area some assurance of safety for elderly relatives living alone. Information and Assistance Program links older persons and their families to opportunities and services available. Up-to-date information is provided to those requesting assistance, over 3,000 contacts providing information were made in 2007. Follow up and referrals are made as needed. The Alzheimer's Program provides coordination, assessments, and referrals for caregivers of family members diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other related disorders. Limited state dollars are available to assist families with respite care, supportive home care, and other goods and services. The Family Caregiver Support Program offers information and assistance to family caregivers of persons 60 and older. Dollars are available for respite and supplemental services for those meeting the eligibility requirements. A six week training “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” is also available throughout the year. Caregiver Support groups are also held monthly in Crivitz, Marinette, and Niagara. CHAIN Reaction Day is a spring/fall project and has been very successful, helping elderly with much needed outdoor chore services. In 2007, 88 elderly homes were provided service. This could not have been accomplished without the help of caring volunteers. As the population of frail elderly increases across the nation, as in our own county, we rely heavily on the support and involvement of the community. Our agency is fortunate to have committed staff, dedicated board members, and faithful volunteers that work together to accomplish our basic long-range mission to assist older persons in maintaining a longer, healthier, and more fulfilled life.

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