ADRC looks at ways to connect with community

At an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Taylor County meeting on Wednesday, August 13, the board looked at additional ways to create opportunities to connect with and serve the community.

Bingocize, the fall prevention program that combines the game of bingo with exercise and health education, will return to Medford on August 26 with registration occurring on the 21st. The prizes for Bingocize are all safety-related with items like reflection tape, stress balls, and handles for getting in and out of a vehicle. There is no cost to enroll in the informative 10-week class which will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

The ADRC of Taylor County hopes to see at least 10 individuals enrolled. The spring class was cancelled due to low attendance, though the recent Bingocize class held in Rib Lake hosted roughly 12 participants. The board intends to let the license expire for the Bingocize class after the recent session is complete as it is the most expensive license for the ADRC of Taylor County to maintain at a cost of $460 per participant. The board intends to use those funds for other health promotion classes.

The class Mind Over Matter, Healthy Bladder Healthy Bowels with Norma Thums started late July with the last session to be complete on August 29. Director Jenn Viergutz states that participation is high and the team may host another class on the same topic this year. A virtual Powerful Tools for Caregivers class is also in full swing and a class focusing on balance and fall prevention in collaboration with The REC Center could be in the works.

The ADRC of Taylor County has also hired an office assistant which will free up time for the existing employees to tackle other projects. In addition, a dining site position in Gilman has been filled. One board member questioned why there were two site managers in Gilman to which Viergutz replied, “We don’t have enough volunteers in Gilman.” The board is also looking forward to the Back-To-School Resource Fair which was held on August 19, and the Senior Health Fair scheduled for October 17.

Viergutz and her team plan to apply for a Fulcrum grant to create a space for a resource room within the ADRC of Taylor County building near the dining site. The hope is that this room will house large-print books, a computer with internet access for tele-health or social security appointments, and a quiet seating area.

In other action, the board: -Approved an ordinance to amend Chapter 12, Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities, Taylor County Code. The amendment includes changes to language, alternating from “senior citizens” to “older adults and adults with disabilities.”

-Approved a resolution expressing thanks to JoAnn Slaga for her many years of service to the county.

-Reviewed and approved monthly expenses. -Heard that dementia care specialist Dana Detwiler intends to reach out to the dining sites to plan dementia 101 training, and emergency management director Dan Gellert also intends to plan emergency preparedness bingo at each dining site in September.

-Observed a role-play training held by disability benefits specialist Amanda Brahmer as she showed the board the steps taken to ensure each individual is provided appropriate resources and tools with a specific emphasis on children. “We want to get kids in here and get them comfortable with what we do and who we are,” Brahmer said.