ADRC and Health Department of Monroe County hold joint open house

On the last day of September, the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Monroe County and the Monroe County Health Department held a joint open house, at their shared building, located at 315 West Oak Street, in Sparta. Autumn decorations, like pumpkins and Fall leaves, as well as informational pamphlets, helped to hold down the table coverings on the warm, breezy day. All tables were being attended to by professionals in their respective fields. It was a four-hour mid-day event, set to provide information for seniors on Covid and Tetanus vaccines, offer blood pressure checks and even get a free ride in a trishaw.

Pamela Weber, ADRC manager, and Laura Reutlinger, Community Health Educator, with the Monroe County Health Department, were on the scene. Weber stated that because the two entities share the same building, it made sense to have a joint open house. “This is primarily for vaccine awareness,” Weber said. “We also want to promote our other services that some people may not be aware of.” Programs she mentioned were the transportation program, meal place and use of social workers, to aid the elderly who are able to stay in their own homes.

Weber discussed how the role of the aging population is a primary point of discussion now, especially because that age group is growing rapidly. “In the next couple decades, that number is going to explode. We really need the resources to be able to serve those folks, and help keep them in their own homes, where they want to be,” Weber said.

Federal funds and grants are available through “The Older Americans Act,” for meal sites and  the home delivered meals program. Other grants are available for caregivers, to assist them in providing the necessary care they, and the folks they care for, need.

Weber stated that, like most other businesses, there is a shortage of healthcare workers. She said that the state of Wisconsin is working on programs to build that area of crucial care back up. An independent assessment was done, on the wages of healthcare workers in the state, and that raised some of the salaries for workers in the field. Weber says that she feels fortunate that that are pretty well staffed here in Monroe County, with only a few positions that need filling. A position had been open at the  Cashton meal site, for over two years, but was filled immediately after the assessment.

Laura Reutlinger, Community Health Educator, said that they would love to fill a few positions in the Health department. “We are at capacity with what we can offer right now, but we are trying to hire a few more people, to fill the gaps we currently have,” Reutlinger stated. “Right now we have an opening for public health nurse and WIC and Nutritionist director. That would fill our gaps for now,” she explained.

Weber feels that word-of-mouth is their best advertisement. “All that we offer is at no cost, except our transportation, but we do not make any money off of the transportation. We have an elders benefit specialist, a disabilities specialist, all helping to get folks the assistance they need and deserve.”

With live music playing in the background, and a steady breeze, the open house gave out valuable information, as well as stress balls, hand wipes, pizza cutters and an assortment of tiny gifts. The Veterans Services was on hand as well, represented by AJ Kirkland. Professionals on hand included: Elder Specialist - Alice Ackerman, Nutrition Program Coordinator - Patti Abbott, Transportation Coordinator - Julie Leis, Dementia Care Specialist - Emily Reitz, Disability Benefit Specialist - Kirsten Armour, Social Workers -Elizabeth Carney and Kellee Tourdot, Director/Health officer - Tiffany Giesler RN and Stephanie Hass, Community Health Worker. To say the bases were covered, would be an understatement.