Outreach

Upcoming Trips

OUTREACH Outreach keeps reaching out

Despite a challenging year, dedicated staff has still been able to help clients

As we look back on the year we are about to leave behind we are reminded of how lucky and fortunate we have been in the past, especially by how humbling this last season has been. For your SHIP-certified counselors here at LCCOA and WCSC, it has been a very unusual season, full of an abundance of new procedures, policy and trials, but we have prevailed.

We have managed to still assist a large capacity of individuals throughout this pandemic, and more recently, in this nearly finished Open Enrollment Season. It has not always been easy finding new ways to help someone without the ability to just see them, face to face, and know that we can read their body language or see the glassing over of their eyes as we explain something. Yes, this enrollment period has been a challenge, but we have welcomed this challenge because it meant that we could still be here for you, yes, in a new and different way, but still here assisting those we so deeply care about. We’ve had a few bumps and bruises along the way but we keep finding new ways to make things better, so that we can better service our community of senior friends.

It is because of this that we want to send out a huge thank you to all those who we have been able to assist these past months: for your patience in our being able to get back to you all, for your kindness when we spoke; because you didn’t know we were having a rough day full of stress trying to figure out how we can fit just a few more people into our already oversized stacks of Part D’s and call backs. For those who asked how they could still make a donation for our services, for all of you who trust us each year, to help you ensure you are in the best and most cost effective plan for you, Thank You. Thank you for your understanding that this is all new to us, just as it is for you. It is your understanding, patience and kindness that keep us moving forward and finding better ways to assist you and those that follow you. You are our reason for our being here. Thank you, all!

For those we were unfortunately unable to assist this year, please know we missed you! We have made it through and hopefully you reached out to Medicare directly as we suggested so that you still had some guidance. Thank you for your understanding, I know it wasn’t easy being told we were full and that things were being done differently than you are used to, so thank you. We do hope to see you in 2021, we hope to assist you on your Part D next year.

As we move forward please remember to read our Golden Echo articles each month. Like our Facebook pages and check out our websites, because these places are where we post about updates, changes and how things are going, what our Outreach services will look like and so much more. We look to the future with excitement and motivation and hope that you do too!

May you soar as we wrap up and head out of 2020, and may we all let the light of the New Year find us more prepared, stronger, kinder, better educated, and lifted up! Thank You All! Until next year, Your dedicated Outreach Staff

Samantha, Lindsay, Wendy and Linda

Sterling Hearing Aid Center Inc.

All-Access Print • Online • Mobile

603 Freeport Rd., Sterling, IL 815-626-3220 sterlinghearingaidcenter.com

Jones Funeral Homes

Ask Us About Our Guaranteed Prearrangement Contracts DIXON AMBOY

204 S. Ottawa Ave • 288-2241 303 E Main St. • 857-2611 www.thejonesfh.com

If you subscribe to the Daily Gazette or Telegraph, you can view your local newspaper online by following these instructions...

Go to www.saukvalley.com Click subscribe at the top right hand corner. It will say Digital Access, click subscribe. Click choose by current subscribers for $0.00. Enter your email address and create your own password click SIGN UP Next, Verify your address

NOW OPEN

KSBCenterfor Wound Healing

At the KSBCenter for Wound Healing, our approach to wound careisaggressive and comprehensive, coordinating traditional and advanced therapiesthataid and acceleratethe healing process. Our center is staffed by ateam of skilled clinicians with advanced traininginwound care.

We treatwounds of all types, including:

•DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS •VENOUS ULCERS •PRESSUREULCERS •SURGICAL WOUNDS •ARTERIALULCERS •RADIATION WOUNDS •COMPROMISED SKIN GRAFTS

AND FLAPS •CRUSHINJURIES •TRAUMATIC WOUNDS

And the winner is ... The Change of Seasons raffle basket winner is Marilyn Kollie. WCSC 2020 members were able to enter to win a basket filled with two wine glasses, non-alcoholic wine, snacks, a Jimmy John gift card, a beautiful sparkly infinity scarf, fall kitchen towels and a fragrant pumpkin spice candle. The winner was drawn November 17. Congratulations Marilyn!

HELP FOR SENIORS Need some emotional support? Help is available

At the WCSC, we recognize the many challenges people face during this pandemic, including increased mental health challenges. The Aging Network (IDOA) is known for rising above challenges and providing you with extra support during these unprecedented times. Here is more information on emotional support services which may help anyone in need: • The Warm Line is a team of Wellness Support Specialists who have experienced mental health andor substance use recovery in their own lives. The Warm Line is a source of support, if you just need to talk. Call 1-866-359-7593 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. At the main menu, select option 2. • Call4Calm, Mental Health Support Hotline – The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division has launched a free-of-charge, emotional support text line, Call4Calm, for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19. Individuals who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0, or for Spanish, “HABLAR” to the same number: 5-5-2-0-2-0. Once a resident sends a text to the hotline, they will receive a call from a counselor within 24 hours. • IDoA has also published resources to help connect older and disabled Illinoisans with family and loved ones to prevent distress and feelings of social isolation. Those resources can be found on the IDOA.gov website. Formoreinformation,call: 815-285-5814 Winter is right around the corner, now is the time to reserve your assisted living apartment at Liberty Court! $500 OFF your rent in December, January, and February Limited Number Of Apartments Available!