ADRC Prevention and Health Promotion Workshops

REGISTER at least one week prior: Call the ADRC at 715-839-4735 or go to www.adrcevents.org.

Stepping On fall prevention program (in person)

Are you feeling unsteady on your feet? Stepping On can help you avoid a dangerous and costly fall so you can keep doing the things you love to do. In just 7 weeks, you will learn: Strength and balance exercises you can adapt to your individual level. To identify and remove or avoid fall hazards both inside and outside your home. How vision, hearing, medication, and footwear afect your risk of falling. To get back on your feet the right way if you do fall.

WHEN: Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm/ April 11 - May 23, 2023

WHERE: Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W Grand Avenue, Eau Claire

Healthy Living with Diabetes (in person)

Designed for adults of all ages who have type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or who live with someone who does. Learn how to manage the condition through 14 self-management tools.

Topics include healthy eating and nutrition, food label reading and meal planning, dealing with stress, preventing low blood sugar and complications, physical activity, feedback and problemsolving, positive thinking, short-term goal setting, communicating with friends, family, and your medical team.

Meets weekly for 6 weeks, plus optional class with a Certifed Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.

WHEN: Thursdays, 1:00 - 3:30 pm/ April 13 - May 25, 2023

WHERE: Eau Claire County Courthouse, 721 Oxford Avenue, Eau Claire

StrongBodies Information Session for new participants (virtual

and phone conference)

Strength training is especially important as we age. Being physically active and socially connected are both essential for health and well-being. The StrongBodies program provides a safe environment for older adults to improve strength and balance with a fun group of peers. Learn more in this free orientation and sign up for classes starting in July.

WHEN: Thursday, 10:00 - 11:15 am/ June 1, 2023

WHERE: Will receive information after registering

By Jim Alf

Planning for a crisis

I’ve often said caretaking a person with dementia is like piloting a passenger plane; it is necessary to be looking far ahead of the present position. Things may be going smoothly but a crisis can arise in the blink of an eye. If the caretaker is incapacitated suddenly, who can step in and how does that person know what to do?

One way to plan for the sudden absence of the caretaker is to have a team of friends, relatives or professional caretakers lined up to come into the home for 24-hour care at a moment’s notice. If the situation is going to last more than a day or two, prequalifcation at a suitable facility would take care of the crisis.

When I was caring for my wife who had Alzheimer’s and could not be left alone, I had a manila envelope pinned on the wall which I showed to every visitor and said, “If something happens to me, all you need to know is in that envelope.” In it was information of this nature: medications - doctor and hospital contacts; eating habits - dietary information; sleep schedule; toilet schedule - location of sanitary supplies; patient likes and dislikes - habits that endanger; home healthcare provider contact information; church contact information - funeral information/obituaries; banking information; a list of others who can be called on with contact information, and people to notify in the event of caregiver death. In addition to that, it is a good idea to have daily contact with someone who will respond if the caregiver does not answer the phone.

After 30 months this will be my fnal Caretaker Corner column. It has been a wonderful journey with my readers as I progressed from caretaker to assisted living resident on hospice. I have enjoyed sharing what I learned with the reading public and getting your responses. Thank you to all who shared knowledge and experiences with me. Lisa Wells at the ADRC has been my helper and encourager and I owe her a tremendous thank you.

Attend Aging Advocacy Day May 9th!

Are you interested in issues afecting older adults and caregivers? Would you like to tell your legislator what aging/caregiver services mean/have meant to you, your family, or those you serve?

Join members of the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN), aging network professionals, older adults, and family caregivers to “tell your story” and help educate state legislators about issues impacting Wisconsin’s aging population.

Citizens from around the state will gather in Madison on Tuesday, May 9 for training, to meet with other constituents from your Senate and Assembly district, and for ofce visits with your legislators. No experience is necessary; you’ll get the training and support you need before meeting with state lawmakers. Following the training, join others from your state Senate and Assembly district to provide information and share personal stories with your legislators to help them understand how specifc policy issues and proposals impact you, your family, and older constituents.

Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Day (WIAAD) Schedule

Best Western Premier Park Hotel, 22 S. Carroll St., Madison and the Wisconsin State Capitol 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Check-in, Best Western Premier Park Hotel 10:00 a.m. - Noon: Training - Issue briefng/advocacy skills, district planning time & lunch, Best Western Premier Park Hotel

12:15 p.m.: Cross the street to the State Capitol

12:30 p.m.: Group photo, State Capitol – Martin Luther King, Jr. Entrance (accessible)

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.: Legislative visits, advocacy activities/networking, check-out and debriefng, State Capitol Ofces and North Hearing Room 2nd Floor

Aging Advocacy Day 2023 activities focus on connecting aging advocates with their legislators to this year’s WAAN priorities: ADRC Investment (incl. Elder Beneft Specialist funding); Paid and Unpaid Long-Term Care Support (including Family Caregiver Tax Credit, WI Family and Medical Leave expansion, and Medicaid wage lifts), Home Delivered Meal Service funding, and Transportation funding (the priorities are subject to change).

Registration is open at: https://gwaar.org/aging-advocacy-day-2023 or contact your local ADRC. Eau Claire ADRC: 715-839-4735.

Registration deadline is April 26, 2023.

BONUS VIRTUAL SESSION: Cannot attend in person or want to learn more? Register for the Advocacy Day Information Session - Monday, May 1st, Noon -1 p.m. (Register at the same link above)

Your voice can make a diference! #WIAgingAdvocacyDay #WIAAD

Severe Weather Awareness

Spring showers bring opportunity for severe weather, storms, foods, tornadoes, and winter weather can even continue into May.

Take some time to create a plan of what to do when severe weather happens. Find a few sources of weather information you trust, put together a supply kit of things you may need if you have to take shelter, food, water, radio, battery charger, blankets or other comfort items.

It is also important to know the diference between a Watch and a Warning, so you know how to respond in severe weather.

Your feedback is requested on the future statewide ADRC website and resource database.

We are working with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and their partner, Palantir.net, to create a statewide resource database and website to help customers like you get information about services and supports.

In order to create the best possible experience for customers, our partner is seeking feedback from people like you.

Why should I participate?

Our partner wants to make a website you can trust and use. They need your input to guide the creation.

The activities will be confdential, low-stress, and will help make the website and database better. You will receive compensation for your time.

When is this happening?

Activities will occur between now and July 2023.

In what ways can I be involved?

You may participate in one or more of the following activities:

• Interviews

• Card sorting or grouping terms in ways that make sense to you

• Focus groups

• Surveys

• Interaction with a sample website

How do I sign up?

If you’re interested, sign up here today: https://bit.ly/ADRC_customer_research_signup

CAREGIVER CAFÉ: April 4th

The caregiver café is an informal gathering place where caregivers can drop in, relax and connect with others while enjoying a cup of coffee/tea and delicious pastries. An ADRC staff person is available to provide information and assistance regarding resources available in our community. Everything is provided, just show up!

What Can You Expect?

• Social connection with others

• Peer Support

• An informal and relaxed environment

• Reduced Stress

• Refreshments

• Contact the ADRC if respite is needed.

1st Tuesday of each month

9 – 10:30 am

Location: The French Press

2823 London Rd, Eau Claire

Vehicle Modification Grant Available

Do you have a vehicle that needs modifications for accessibility?

The Vehicle Modification Grant has money available, up to $5,000, to make a vehicle accessible for caregivers, adults 60 and over, or adults living with a disability. This may also help with the purchase of a new/used modified vehicle. Applications are reviewed and granted based on funding availability. Must be an Eau Claire County Resident to qualify.

Examples of possible modifications: lifts, ramps, left foot accelerator, right hand turn signal, modified-effort steering, swivel seat…and so much more!

Contact the ADRC at 715-839-4735, we may be able to help pay for those modifications.