March 28, 2024

Aging Resources of Central Iowa wins award

Aging Resources of Central Iowa recently was presented one of 16 awards at the 2017 National Association of Area Agencies on Aging Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards luncheon in Savannah, Ga. The awards program, sponsored by WellCare Health Plans, Inc., recognized Aging Resources’ Family Caregiver Program for implementing a successful initiative to support older adults, people with disabilities and their family caregivers.

In partnership with Mercy Ruan Neurological Center in Des Moines, the Family Caregiver Program established a referral system that connected patients’ caregivers to a family caregiver specialist, who could assess the home situation and offer suggestions of appropriate services. By sharing ideas on how to be the most effective caregiver and listening to their emotional struggles, the specialist raised their confidence and reduced their stress. Many of these families were dealing with the diagnosis of memory loss. These caregivers learned about the disease process and were connected with services and programs that were available to them.

This support is available to any caregiver in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story or Warren Counties. If you are providing care to an older adult or a person with a disability, call an “award-winning” family caregiver specialist at Aging Resources of Central Iowa at 515-255-1310 to find out what options are available.