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dementia education. IEMC professional education is specific for professionals and meets Indiana State Department of Health or CMS guidelines. IEMC offered remote opportunities through COVID-19 from March of 2020 through November of 2020. The total number of professionals and community members educated through IEMC in a virtual platform totaled 976. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services Support Groups Meet Community Needs During COVID-19 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana is dedicated to family support, education, advocacy, and raising community awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia. The onset of restrictions for the COVID-19 pandemic changed the day-to-day operations at Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services. The structure that is so desperately needed by the community was severely disrupted but Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services modified and changed its practices to better serve those with needs. Most of the programming was easily transitioned into a virtual model. Online support groups were initiated with the help of dedicated volunteer facilitators across the area. In total, over 1000 caregivers were assisted through the call center, virtual education, and outreach. Over 670 religious facilities were contacted with information about programming options and support groups to share with their congregations. Aging and Disability Resource Center Overcomes Challenges During COVID-19 REAL Services Call Center, the Aging and Disability Resource
Center (ADRC), changed its service model due to COVID-19. All inperson meetings were moved to virtual meetings and Medicare Counseling (SHIP) was moved to a virtual consultation. Fewer staff members worked in the office while others worked remotely from home and were able to serve in this new platform of service. The ADRC was also tasked with keeping up with the most current COVID-19 resources, who later identified an increase in client needs related to the virus and the economic effects during the pandemic. The ADRC provided COVID-19 resources to all those that contacted us. From March through November, the ADRC responded to 22,342 phone calls. Area Agency on Aging Staff Work Remotely During COVID-19 REAL Services coordinates and funds services to help older and disabled adults remain at home. Care Managers quickly adapted to serving remotely and made sure that each one of our frail and elderly clients received the inhome care needed to remain safely
in the community. Between April and November of 2020, almost 2,500 frail and elderly clients in the region continued to live at home because of the work and advocacy of our Care Managers. And most of us want to live at home, don’t we? REAL Services Guardianship Program Responds to COVID-19 REAL Services’ Adult Guardianship Services Program provides support and advocacy to those who are unable to care for themselves and who have no one to make decisions on their behalf. Pre-COVID-19, REAL Services staff and Guardianship Volunteer Advocates (GVAs) visited each of these clients and provided them with hope and friendship. Visitation was shut down in long-term nursing facilities nationwide to help protect the residents from the rapid spread of the virus. To help defeat loneliness and isolation, REAL Services staff and GVA’s respond by making phone calls and dropping off flowers and other items to help cheer them up. Many (Continued on page 12)
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TRUST & WEAL LTH MANA NAGEMENT
SPECIALIZING IN: N: Investment Management Service 401(k) Rollover & IRA Investments Trustee of Revocable Living Trusts Trustee of Irrevocable Trusts Estate Settlements Estate Planning Assistance Guardianships and more Patty Yates Shannon G. Klein, CTF FA A Senior Vice President, Vice President, Trust Officer Trust Officer Patty yY@Bfirst.bank ShannonK@Bfirst.bank
www www.BFirst.bank .BFirst.bank • 5 574.295.3949 74 4.295.3949 Investment products off ffer erred through First State Bank T Trust/W rust/W /W Wealth Management are not FDIC insurred, ed, not bank guaranteed. Principal may lose value.
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