Seniors have affordable, nutritious meal options in Crawford County
By Correne Martin
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Eagle County serves people age 60 and older, as well as individuals ages 18-59 with disabilities, in Crawford, Juneau, Richland and Sauk counties. Its two main programs in Crawford County are the senior nutrition sites and home delivered meals. Though participation in both is good, the ADRC is trying to conceive different ideas that might encourage greater numbers. With May being Older Americans Month, this has been the department’s most recent focus.
At the three meal sites in Prairie du Chien, Eastman and Soldiers Grove, Monday through Friday, seniors can enjoy a balanced lunch, companionship and being connected to additional services and resources they may need—all for a suggested donation of $3.50.
“What some people don’t realize is that, if you can’t afford to give, you don’t have to, or you can just give what you can afford,” assured new ADRC director Roby Fuller, who stepped into the shoes of retiring director Jeanne Christie last month. “Also, some people think it’s only for low-income seniors. But anybody can come.”
Each site is meant, in its simplest form, to be a social setting where seniors gather with old friends and new. Spouses are welcome, regardless of age, and friends over 60 are always invited in, no matter where they reside. The nutritious meals—which include all food groups, especially dessert—are planned by a registered dietitian. Diners only need to RSVP to ensure their meal(s), and they may call the site as late as 9 a.m. the morning of the meal to reserve a spot. Attending daily isn’t necessary but certainly accepted.
Currently, there are 504 meals served at the Prairie du Chien meal site each month, on average. At Soldiers Grove, about 391 meals are served, and in Eastman, 166 meals.
“Most who go are in their 70s, 80s and 90s. They’re all really welcoming,” Fuller said, having recently visited each site. “It’s a low-cost, totally balanced meal and there’s that socialization piece.” She added that the county ADRC’s Nutrition Advisory Council has met with representatives from each of the three meal sites, and they’ve all reported “how much they enjoy the meal and the company.”
“One of the greatest things about the meal sites is that they all become friends. They get to know each other and, if someone doesn’t show up, they get worried and check up on them,” Fuller noted.
Oftentimes, at the meal sites, the seniors play cards, bingo, host informal birthday parties, get complimentary blood pressure checks or just sit around in conversation. Occasionally, there are planned speakers, and, from time to time, information about health care, transportation and other services may be provided for those willing.
The Prairie du Chien nutrition site is located in the Prairie Maison Community Room, serving at 11:45 a.m. Call Mary Ann at 326-3224 for reservations. The Eastman site can be found at Salem United Methodist Fellowship Hall, serving at 11:30 a.m. Call Barb at (608) 412-0909 to attend. In Soldiers Grove, at TarZee’s, food is served at 11:30 a.m. To reserve a seat, call Elaine at (608) 624-3295.
Seniors who are unable to join others for meals on site may wish to have home delivered meals taken to their homes instead.
Home delivered meals are available for Crawford County residents age 60 and older who may be homebound due to illness, disability or otherwise. A spouse can qualify in addition to any disabled individuals living with the eligible senior. While home delivery caters that same affordable nutritious meal, it also provides the benefits of helping the senior maintain independence and live at home longer, and it allows peace of mind for family members to know their loved one is being checked on by a friendly driver.
Meals are delivered between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on weekdays. Like the nutrition sites, payment for the meals is based on a suggested donation. Each month, recipients receive a letter stating how many meals they received the past month and requesting a suggested donation. However, Fuller said, a donation of any amount is appreciated to help cover the cost of the service. No one is denied a meal because they are unable to pay.
Monthly menus are mailed out in the ADRC newsletter each month to participants of the nutrition site and home delivered meals programs. Nutrition tips are also available for those dealing with a nutrition risk factor. Transportation and handicapped accessibility are also provided by the ADRC.
The ADRC is funded and guided by the Older Americans Act, state and county dollars, and private and participant contributions. It is always seeking volunteers to help serve and deliver meals. Staff is also working on improving its community outreach countywide. Their hope is to start a Facebook page soon where seniors, and specifically their caregivers, can keep up with news and learn more about what the ADRC does.
As part of the outreach, the ADRC is hosting two listening sessions for interested seniors, community members, caregivers, business representatives and others who regularly interact with this population of citizens. The sessions will be Wednesday, June 20, at the Prairie du Chien meal site, from 12:15-1:15 p.m., and Monday, June 25, at the Soldiers Grove meal site, from noon to 1 p.m.
“A study by the UW-Extension says that, by 2020, Crawford County will be among the most extremely aging communities,” Fuller said. “We want to know what the community thinks about that and how we can take care of our aging population. What are we going to do about it?"
For more information, call the ADRC at 326-0235 or (877) 794-1150.
