ADRC shares plans for helping community members

The Chippewa County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) unveiled its three-year plan, during a public forum held during a Cornell and Lake Holcombe Camaraderie Club meeting Aug. 30.

ADRC manager Leslie Fijalkiewicz says the organization conducted a survey to determine what the greatest areas of need in the county are. The ADRC is required, as part of its funding, to form a three-year plan, with goals and input from the community.

“We did collect some really good data,” said Fijalkiewicz, adding they were expecting many of the results. “The reason we expected some of this, is because we know what people call our office for.”

The data is then used to help determine what the ADRC’s goals should be, while balancing taxpayer accountability, and funding and staffing availability. Fijalkiewicz says they work to see how they can have the greatest impact.

Survey participants were asked to mark the items they were most likely to need in the next three, five or 10 years, in order to live where they want to live.

The most common responses and top concerns, were rides to medical appointments, help with inside chores, and help with home repairs and upkeep.

“People could check as many items as they wanted to,” said Fijalkiewicz.

From there, data from other sources and requirements the goals must incorporate, as set by the state, were considered, before the Chippewa County goals were set.

The first goal for Chippewa County, is to eliminate the waiting list for Meals on Wheels throughout the county. Fijalkiewicz says, in the past year or two, they have expanded the geography covered by the Meals on Wheels program from 5 percent of the county, to over 50 percent.

Fijalkiewicz says they plan to work toward eliminating the list, by further expanding the areas the program covers and making sure they have enough volunteers.

The ADRC also plans to partner with Eau Claire County’s nutrition program, to offer a Hmong group dining site for residents in the county.

The third goal is to increase the variety and participation in programs, support groups, training, workshops and events for caregivers.

“One of the things we know, is that many family caregivers are challenged with finding respite, or finding somebody to provide the care, when they want to go to one of these workshops,” said Fijalkiewicz.

The ADRC plans to address those challenges by offering virtual workshops and spreading in-person events across the county.

“I think one of the things that was really telling about COVID, was the impact of social isolation and loneliness,” said Fijalkiewicz.

She says, for many members of the older population, COVID didn’t change their life. They were already socially isolated and lonely. Fijalkiewicz says the ADRC plans to use proven programs to reduce the negative effects of social isolation, in at least three communities in the county. She says the programs may differ, based on the needs of different areas of the county.

Another goal for the next three years, is to develop a program that provides in-home help for ADRC populations. Fijalkiewicz says the goal could manifest itself in a few different ways – such as creating a program that provides housekeeping, or starting a reimbursement program so people can choose their own company.

The ADRC also wants to provide more opportunities for community members to become involved in planning and developing services.

The final goal deals with encouraging advocacy in the political sphere and could include transportation to Madison for advocacy days, if there is interest from the community.

Following the unveiling of the three-year plan, members of the public had chance to add areas of concern the ADRC may be able to help address. Some of the suggestions were pockets without access to hospice, and in-home care or supports services; fire safety; and collaboration with other organizations to help provide services, such as the Lions clubs or the Red Cross.

“I’m still taking public comment,” said Fijalkiewicz, adding the comment period goes through mid-September. “Even if it’s past the public comment time, always feel free to give me a call if you have some thoughts you want me to give consideration to.”

The plan is available online for viewing and feedback, at co.chippewa.wi.us/government/ aging-disability-resource-center-adrc.