Senior Connections

Providing meals, transportation, medical equipment and more

By Andrea Busche

With a better understanding of nutrition, along with more advanced health care, people are living much longer today than in previous generations. For a baby born today, the odds are good that they’ll live well into their 80s and beyond. So, chances are, even if you’re not a senior citizen yourself, you are acquainted with a few.

Between additional medical appointments, applying for Medicare, the need for medical supplies and requiring help with transportation, the aging process can be overwhelming. Senior Connections, an organization serving Douglas County’s aging population as the county’s designated Aging Unit, is here to help.

What they do

According to their website, the purpose of Senior Connections is to: “Provide advocacy and a broad array of services and information, to allow older persons to remain self-sufficient as long as possible.”

Some of the services they provide to help accomplish this goal include:

• Meal delivery

• Sites (and food) where people can eat together

• Transportation services

• Free medical equipment loan closet

• Interactive workshops

• Access to professionals

• Community events

Luann Teige, Senior Connections’ deputy director, says, “People are living longer than ever before in our community. We really want to get these benefits to folks who need them, so they can live independently as long as possible.”

Senior Connections’ funding is provided through grants, county funding and funding through the Older Americans Act. Some of the services are totally free to participants, and some require or recommend a small fee.

Meals

Senior Connections delivers nutritious, tasty meals to many people who need them: the elderly, infirm, disabled and homebound. This service is affectionately known as “Meals on Wheels.”

They also provide what they refer to as “congregate meal sites,” where folks can go to eat a meal with others. Congregate sites in Douglas County include Phoenix Villa, Superior Senior Center, University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Campus Café, Holy Assumption Parish, Amnicon Town Hall, Solon Springs Community Center, Gordon Town Hall and the Kro Bar.

A dose of daily socialization

Much more is happening here beyond a nutritious meal. With the home delivery service, the drivers really get to know their clients, forming a caring source of daily socialization for the recipient.

“Our drivers really get to know people’s routines,” Teige shares. “This meal delivery provides a daily check-in on the resident’s well-being, and the driver can tell if the shades are drawn when they normally aren’t, the dog isn’t barking when they normally do, or if anything else seems out of place.”

This service is provided to individuals 60 and older, and their spouse, regardless of age. A donation of $4/meal is suggested.

Transportation

Senior Connections provides transportation services to the elderly and disabled. Anyone 55 and over can utilize this service, including one guest or escort, regardless of age. There is no age limit on individuals who are disabled.

This is considered “curb-to-curb” transportation, meaning that while the vans are handicapped-accessible, the individual must be able to get him- or herself out to the curb for pickup. This service can be used for medical appointments, trips to the grocery store, visits with friends, or anywhere else they need to go. But, trips across the bridge to Duluth are reserved for medical appointments only.

While there is a small fee associated with this service, it’s very reasonably-priced. “We’re cheaper than a cab, but not as cheap as lower-cost Stride service or North Country Independent Living, which often provides vouchers.

Loan Closet

Often, a doctor or other medical professional will recommend a device such as a cane, commode, shower chair, or walker. Senior Connections offers what they call their “Loan Closet,” where people can borrow these items as long as they need them. Most of these devices have been generously donated by community members.

Support Services

Senior Connections offers helpful seminars for senior citizens and their caregivers. Topics include:

• Matter of balance (fall prevention)

• Living well with chronic conditions

• Healthy living with diabetes

• Powerful tools for the caregiver

Workshop attendees and their families are encouraged to develop action plans as a result of what they’ve learned. “Hopefully, by learning some of these tools, people can help stall or curb further progression of these issues,” Teige says.

Access to an elder benefits specialist is another exceptional option available through Senior Connections. This person will sit down with you to review and discuss issues such as Medicare and prescription drugs. This Specialist is backed up by an attorney based in Madison, who will pitch in when needed.

Fun

Besides all of the necessary services, Senior Connections also provides a lot of fun activities for the elder population. A Christmas tea, senior picnic and spring fling are held every year. They also provide a fall leaf tour and a Christmas light tour, which take place on a charter bus. Senior Connections also distributes vouchers for the annual farmer’s market, and occasionally serves lunch there, as well.

Knowledge is power

Teige would like to encourage people to learn what Senior Connections has to offer, even if they don’t need services yet. “Get to know us before you need us,” she says. “People are welcome to call, walk in, email us, or visit our website. And, even if we don’t have the answer you need, we can help point you in the right direction.”

For more information, call Senior Connections at (715) 3943611, visit their office at 1805 N. 16th St. in Superior, email them at contact@seniorconnectionswi.org or visit seniorconnectionswi.org.

57,483

Meals served in 2017, or approximately 150 meals per day.

8,766

Rides given in 2017, with 260 new transportation participants.

7 Employees who work in Senior Connections office, along with two full-time drivers.

30–40