Aging and Disability Resource Center Is Now Open in Monroe County
Do you have concerns or questions related to the care needs of someone you know? Perhaps a neighbor, an elderly parent, a friend… or possibly you have questions related to your own health needs? If you’re looking for a place to get answers to questions about a variety of topics, the Aging and Disability Resource Centers are the place to begin. The Aging and Disability Resource Center is considered the first place to contact for information and assistance relating to aging, disability, mental health or substance abuse. For a brochure go to: http://www.adrcww.org/Docs/ADRCWW%20brochure.pdf.
For a copy of the resource guide, go to: http://www.adrcww.org/Docs/community%20link%20-%20monroe%201108.pdf.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers provide a place for the public to get free, confidential, accurate, and unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability. Anyone can contact an ADRC to receive information and assistance regarding all local programs and services including public benefits that may be available for adults in the community. The information and assistance provided is specifically tailored to each person’s situation and needs. Although contacts typically begin with a phone call or a visit to the ADRC office, individuals can continue to get information via the phone or through a home visit.
Information and assistance provided by Aging and Disability Resource Centers encompass several areas of support. Providing consultation and advice about service options available in the community as well as in nursing homes or assisted living settings is a primary role of ADRC staff. Frequently, ADRC staff are asked to assist in prevention planning that allows individuals to remain safe in their home. ADRCs also have specialists in benefits counseling that can assist individuals in understanding their eligibility and options in various private or public programs. Determining eligibility for public funding to purchase services needed by an individual to address their long term care needs is also a service provided by Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Staff from ADRCs provide screening for care needs that is then combined with information regarding the individual’s finances. The outcomes from these screening processes are used to establish whether the person is able to privately pay, is eligible for public assistance, and what types of services may be appropriate.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers began in Wisconsin in the late 1990’s as part of Family Care. Family Care was designed to provide cost-effective, comprehensive and flexible long-term care that supports elderly and people with physical or developmental disabilities maintain independence and quality of life, while recognizing the need for interdependence and support. As a part of Family Care, Aging and Disability Resource Centers were piloted in five counties. The number of ADRCs in Wisconsin and across the nation has grown over the years. Currently, there is an initiative to create Aging and Disability Resource Centers in all counties in Wisconsin.
As the baby-boomer population ages, the number of individuals who are elderly and needing support to live independently will continue to grow. Also, as medical interventions improve related to formerly life threatening disabilities, the number of individuals needing assistance from this group will grow. The need for sufficient medical and home/community based services will be very important to many of us. Aging and Disability Resource Centers play a pivotal role in assisting community members to make well-informed choices from among the variety of options available. Several people that utilize the services of ADRCs contact them again as their care needs or situation changes or become more involved. They know they have received helpful information in the past. This illustrates the value that Aging and Disability Resource Centers can add to the decision making necessary at critical times in a person’s life. The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Western Wisconsin provides information and assistance to individuals in Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon counties (Monroe county office/availability will begin 11/3/2008). You can reach the ADRC of Western Wisconsin by calling 1-800-500-3910, on the internet at www.adrcww.org , or by stopping at one of our four offices:
Jackson County office La Crosse County office
420 Hwy 54 West 300 4th St. N.
Black River Falls, WI 54615 La Crosse, WI 54601
Monroe County office Vernon County office
Building B, 14305 County Hwy B Banta Building, 402 Courthouse Square
Sparta, WI 54656 Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: 800-500-3910 or 608-785-5700
Fax: 608-785-5790