Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County

If you make less than $22,500 per year ($30,600 for married couples), you may qualify for “Extra Help.” It could cut your Medicare Part D drug costs to no more than $4.50 for generic prescriptions and $11.20 for brand-name drug prescriptions.

Apply online through Social Security at www.ssa.gov/extrahelp.

Just a reminder that you can go back and watch previously recorded Caregiver GPS sessions by visiting our Dane County Human Services YouTube Channel at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9G4S9q9uDYTeN70BICct_Didrl3GZG1S&si=ZTC5hwVzJaHLpSDP.

Last month featured one of our Information and Assistance Specialists and Dane County Dementia Care Specialists on the topic of Legal & Financial Planning. This month, we'll be speaking about ways to increase quality of life and safety in the home for your loved one with dementia.

Email [email protected] to receive the zoom link

Tomorrow, Tuesday August 13th is the local primary election day! Make your plan to vote!

Repost • Have questions about returning your ballot? Want to know more about your rights as a voter? Need help getting a photo ID? Call or text the Voter Helpline at 608-285-2141 for support in English or Spanish. ☎️ Thanks to for this great resource!

Giving up your keys 🔑 can be one of the most difficult decisions to make as an older adult. Take a look at these tips 👇 that may help you in making this decision.
Give us a call for more information or alternative transportation options.
https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/news%202017-03/HealthyLivingTips_GiveUptheKeys.pdf

Are you tired of getting unwanted sales calls? Maybe it's time to register your home or mobile phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. It's FREE to register and registrations never expire.
https://www.donotcall.gov/register.html

Register for classes at ARTS for ALL Wisconsin Classes start next week!
artsforallwi.org/participate

Register today. Classes start next week!
artsforallwi.org/participate

Happy National Book Lover's Day! Here is video on the evolution of the book. What is your favorite book?
https://www.ted.com/talks/julie_dreyfuss_the_evolution_of_the_book?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Advance Directives are legal documents that allow you to choose who you want to make decisions about your health and finances if you aren't able.

Creating a Power of Attorney of Health Care (POAHC) lets YOU select the individual you want to make health decisions based on your preferences in the event that you lose your ability to make decisions. Without this document, family may be left to guess - or pay lawyers to have a court decide.

Often people forget to create a Power of Attorney for Finances (POAF or Durable POA). This document is just as important to have in place. You decide who you want to help you pay your bills or apply for benefits.

No matter your age - EVERYONE should consider completing Power of Attorney documents!

Head to the Resource tab on our website to find all the Advance Directive Forms, and fill yours out today!

The ADRC participated in a Dane County Aging event earlier this week at the zoo. We enjoy seeing people out in the community. Make sure you invite us to your next community event!

Did you know assisted living facilities provide different levels of care? Do you know the difference between a RCAC or CBRF? Give us a call and we can talk through these assisted living options. https://www.daneadrc.org/documents/pdf/ALF-Packet-No-Fillable-List.pdf

We answer your calls Monday through Friday during business hours. 608-240-7400

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month. Although SMA is not a commonly discussed diagnosis, SMA impacts thousands of people every year, and 1 in 50 people are a genetic carrier for SMA. Individuals with SMA also reported that on average, they required 1 to 3 caregivers to cover 100 or more caregiving hours in a weeks' timespan. Let us join together in spreading awareness for this progressive neurodegenerative disease.
https://www.curesma.org/

Join MSCR and the City of Madison for FREE Adapted Family Swim time! All individuals with disabilities and their caregivers and families are welcome. Accommodations include: Zero-depth entry, aquatic lift and water wheelchairs

Did you know that the State of WI has a website where you can find used adaptive equipment to either borrow or purchase? You can find wheelchair ramps, wheelchairs, walkers, adaptive aids, computers, and other specialized equipment. Check out the website to see what is available!
https://wisconsinat4all.com/

Everyday activities can become difficult for older adults experiencing memory loss.
Check out this list of engaging activities that can help your older adult feel productive and successful.

Activities for Dementia: 10 Fun, No-Fail Ideas – DailyCaring Boost self-esteem & reduce agitation, anxiety, anger with no-fail activities for people with dementia. 10 fun, free activity ideas help them feel successful

Does your disability affect your ability to do your job?
Have you ever thought of an accommodation that might help you do your job?
Do you know how to request that accommodation from your employer?

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free consulting services for all employees, regardless of your medical condition. Services include one-on-one consultation about all aspects of job accommodations. Contact them at (800) 526-7234 to see how they can help you.
https://askjan.org/info-by-role.cfm -individuals

Noah’s Ark Waterpark is partnering with the Autism Society of Wisconsin Affiliates to host Sensory Days this summer! Join them on August 19th at 9:00 AM to enjoy the waterpark in a quieter and more relaxed setting before the park opens to the public at 10:00 AM. Guests are welcome to stay past 10:00 AM when the park opens to the public.

Tickets can be purchased on the Noah’s Ark website. Watch the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin website for a promo code coming soon to get a discount on tickets!

https://autismsouthcentral.org/event/noahs-ark-waterpark-sensory-days-06-24-24/
https://autismsouthcentral.org/2024/wp-content/uploads/Noahs-Ark-Ride-Directory.pptx.pdf

Call the ADRC to ask for a benefit check up! The ADRC staff will ask you some basic questions to check to see if you are eligible for any of these programs.

Getting labs drawn are a significant part of healthcare. Here is an National Institutes of Health article on why we get those labs drawn.
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2024/06/beyond-basic-blood-tests

SAVE THE DATE!
Celebrate the changing seasons with music, friends, and family at this free concert featuring Karen Wheelock. Enjoy this afternoon of refreshments & music from 1:30-2:30; you are welcome to enjoy the park shelter as long as you like. This family friendly & dementia friendly event is hosted by the Middleton Senior Center and Dementia Friendly Middleton-West Madison

Save the Date - September 6th

Congratulations to the winner of our Brain Health Bingo contest!

We are thankful this activity inspired folks to try some activities they may not have otherwise, and we hope it expanded their palate for brain healthy lifestyle interventions.

Registration is now open for the Fall Community Conversation, which will be held on September 10 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Middleton Performing Arts Center. This free annual educational event will provide information to help people stay connected, improve brain health, support memory, and live healthier, happier lives.
The program will offer complimentary refreshments, a health and wellness resource fair and feature University of Wisconsin faculty Dorothy Farrar-Edwards, PhD, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, David Rakel, MD, and Vonnie Sisauyhoat, PhD, who will discuss the science behind social connection and why it is essential to our well-being. Art Walaszek, MD, will moderate the conversation and Q&A panel.

2024 Fall Community Conversation: The Impact of Social Connections on Brain Health | Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Free and open to all, register to attend this community educational event that will provide information to help people stay connected, improve brain health, support memory and live healthier, happier lives. The program will offer complimentary refreshments, a health and wellness resource fair and fe...

There is often a misconception that "falling is normal" for older adults.
Falling is NOT normal!
Here in Wisconsin, we have the highest rate of falls.
Take a look at what YOU can do to prevent falls.https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/STEADI-Brochure-WhatYouCanDo-508.pdf

TODAY is the Disability Pride Festival at Warner Park! Come join us!
Disability Pride Madison

https://www.facebook.com/DisabilityPrideFestival/

https://www.disabilitypridemadison.org/home

July 26th is National Disability Independence Day, check out the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website to learn more about laws and regulations that could help support you or someone you care about.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Disability rights are civil rights. From voting to parking, the ADA is a law that protects people with disabilities in many areas of public life.

Join the Dane County Dementia Care Specialists for their next session of Crossing Bridges.

Crossing Bridges is an educational 4-week program for people who have mild memory loss or the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and a primary care partner.

In this program, participants will learn coping skills, ways to enhance family communication, and have some guidance toward developing plans for the future. This is NOT a support group. An interview is required. Space is limited, and this will be the last session for 2024.

To discuss program specifics and have a brief interview, either work with a case manager to get connected to the ADRC, or contact us directly at 608-240-7400 or [email protected].

Did you know that the ADRC of Dane County has bilingual staff that speak Spanish and Hmong? Through interpretation services we can also assist consumers from over 200 languages!! Please give us a call today at 608-240-7400! We would love to help!

We are looking for caregivers to participate in this FREE SAVY CAREGIVER course!

This is a 6 WEEK COURSE focusing on caregiving for persons with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias. The course will meet weekly on Thursdays from October 10th-November 14th at the Pinney Public Library from 3:30pm-5:30pm

TO REGISTER:
Call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at 608-240-7443 by the deadline of September 30th, 2024.

Union Cab announces that they received the first of three new accessible vehicles! This will expand services and enable more convenient transportation for wheelchair users in the Dane County area. Union Cab of Madison Cooperative

If you've seen the flooding recently, you might be wondering what's in the water?
It's usually a combination of things from the surrounding environment like chemicals, animal f***s, and displaced animals. It's not something you want to come into contact with. Exposure to floodwater can lead to gastrointestinal issues and infections, especially if you have any open wounds.
Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/mmtxypds

If you've seen the flooding recently, you might be wondering what's in the water?

It's usually a combination of things from the surrounding environment like chemicals, animal f***s, and displaced animals. It's not something you want to come into contact with. Exposure to floodwater can lead to gastrointestinal issues and infections, especially if you have any open wounds.

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/mmtxypds

July is Disability Pride Month! Disability Pride Festival is this Saturday at Warner Park.
Come join us at this fun event! https://www.disabilitypridemadison.org/home

Disability Pride Madison