Monday, February 12, 2007

Companion Day Services connects children, students and seniors

By Sara Riedel, CSW, Companion Day Services Director, 715-387-4411

Taking care of a senior spouse, grandparent, parent or loved one, especially if he or she is in need of regular supervision and assistance, can be difficult. What do you do if you need to work during the week, attend medical appointments or just need time away to focus on yourself? Is your loved one able to stay at home alone? If not, Companion Day Services can help. We’ll look after your loved one when you are not able to. Let us help you get your life and the life of your loved one back.

Companion Day Services (CDS) is a Social Adult Day Service program. CDS is part of the Tiny Tiger Intergenerational Center opening soon in Marshfield. The center will provide three interacting services: child care, adult care and a Human Services Academy Charter School under one roof. The facility is designed to bring generations together to interact and support one another. We will provide “learning for all ages and care for all stages.” We will be the first in the nation to offer this combination of services.

CDS is designed to meet the needs of:
1) Adults who are recovering from a recent illness, injury or surgery
2) Frail or socially isolated adults living at home, alone or with a caregiver
3) Adults experiencing a decrease in physical, mental or social functioning (including those suffering memory loss).
Participants of CDS may be facing different challenges, such as loneliness, forgetfulness, depression or the frailties of aging. Others face obstacles like strokes, early Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, cognitive disabilities, Down’s Syndrome as well as other illnesses or injuries.

Participant needs will be met through our comprehensive programs designed to:
1) Help delay the progress of a participant’s existing disability
2) Preserve or improve the participants health and level of functioning
3) Maintain a participant’s level of independence
4) Establish an individual plan of care based on an assessment of personal needs and strengths
5) Assist with activities of daily living and personal care provided in a safe and secure environment
6) Provide nutritional meals and snacks.
7) Foster companionship through social interactions with other participants, children and students

If you or someone you know is interested in receiving more information about Companion Day Services, feel free to call Sara Riedel, CDS Director at 715-387-4411 or email at companionday@hotmail.com.

Thanks to our Marshfield Community for their support.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Impact Process produces results you can see across the Marshfield area

The campaign is over—but that doesn’t mean we’re not busy at United Way. The Impact Process is in full swing.

In January we met with the three Vision Councils: Community & Basic Needs, Families & Seniors and Youth Initiatives. The Vision Councils are comprised of volunteers from human service programs and other programs working day to day with the community—from teachers, police officials, housing leaders, etc.

In the community’s Impact Plan, there are two levels: Emerging Issues and Community Services. Emerging Issues are identified needs in the community that if not addressed, will have a negative impact in other areas that will affect our quality of life. Community Services are core issues and services that are the foundation of a healthy community.

Last fall, the Vision Councils evaluated the goals set in 2003 and progress that’s been made since then. They have taken their findings to update the priorities and emerging needs of the Impact Plan.

Community & Basic Needs and Families & Seniors:
· Add transportation as an Emerging Issue
· Collaborate to investigate needs in dental care

Youth Initiatives:
· Move Life Skills & Self Esteem to Community Services—because programs in our community have done a fantastic job addressing this former emerging issue by creating and expanding programming to serve youth in our community.
· Add Safe Activities for youth: birth to age 11
· Add Safe Activities for youth: ages 12+

The Vision Councils will investigate these issues throughout the year and work towards solutions to helping those in need throughout the Marshfield area.

It’s exciting to see results from the current programs and new initiatives they are undertaking. Have you seen the results? They’re everywhere in our community. Elementary students are receiving preventative dental care, youth of all ages are participating in after school activities and homebound residents are receiving daily hot, nutritious meals, to mention only a few.

This spring, we take these needs and results to Review Panels to decide funding for 2008. We are working towards providing for priority or emerging needs throughout our community, ensuring your dollars are spent carefully.

It’s an ongoing, always changing process—working all year long to provide the best services to care for our community.

If you want to be attend a Vision Council meeting or participate in the Impact Process contact Community Impact Coordinator Sarah Krenn at 384-9992 or volunteercenter@tznet.com.