Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

The Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whose work is to serve as a highly visible and trusted place where people of all ages, income and disabilities can go to get information and one-on-one counseling on the full range of long-term services and support options.

What We Do

The ADRC of Green Lake County offers a no cost, single point of contact for information; assistance/referrals; options benefit and long-term care enrollment counseling; short term case management; advocacy; and health and wellness programs.

• Long-term Care Choices
• Social Security, Medicare and other Benefits
• Health and Wellness
• Support Services and Community Resources

The ADRC provides unbiased information about the providers and services in the community, their availability and costs. ADRC professionals will work with you to find the right options for your individual situation and help you make the best decisions.

Who We Serve

• Older Adults
• Adults with Physical Disabilities
• Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Youth with disabilities transitioning into the adult services system (over 17 ½ years old)
• Professionals
• Caregivers
• Family Members
• Healthy Adults Planning for the Future

For more information, contact the Green Lake County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 833-694-0192.

Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP)

This program was created to enhance the lives of informal and family caregivers while helping people with dementia remain living in the community as long as possible.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

Limited funds are available for qualified individuals to provide temporary caregiver respite care and purchase goods and services needed to help care for someone with irreversible dementia.

WHAT CAN THE PROGRAM PROVIDE?

Typical goods and services include:

• Respite care or home care services (personal care assistance, meal prep, medication assistance and monitoring, homemaker services, yard work, snow removal, etc.)
• Emergency response systems
• Transportation expenses
• Incontinence supplies
• Home safety modifications
• Home-delivered meals
• Specialized clothing
• Activities and hobby supplies
• Legal expenses related to guardianship
• Caregiver counseling services
• Caregiver education classes
• Individualized services as approved

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Families are eligible if three criteria are met:

1. There is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia
2. The person with dementia resides in a community or home setting
3. The person with dementia and spouse has a gross annual income of $48,000 or less (costs related to dementia-related care may be deducted when calculating gross income)

For more information on AFCSP, contact the Green Lake County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 833-694-0192.

National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)

This program offers respite, information, support, and other resources to family caregivers.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

Caregiver support services are available to all families caring for a person aged 60 or older or someone with dementia. Grandparents and older relatives caring for minor children or an adult with a disability may also qualify for the program.

WHAT CAN THE PROGRAM PROVIDE?

Limited short-term respite care is provided in the home, at a day program, or during a short stay in a facility. Respite services for caregivers include:

• Chore services such as yard work, snow shoveling, or heavy housework
• Personal care such as dressing, bathing, or toileting
• Daily homemaking tasks such as meal preparation, shopping, or light housework
• Companionship and general supervision for safety purposes

Services and items that assist the caregiver in provided care include:

• Transportation and assisted transportation
• Assistive devices (weighted silverware, adaptive clothing, door locks, bed alarms, etc.)
• Minor home modifications (wheelchair ramps, grab bars, etc.)
• Supplies (incontinent supplies, etc.)
• Safety equipment (emergency response system, Safe Return, etc.)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Any caregiver who provides unpaid care to a person age 60 or older, or to a person of any age who has Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. o Note: The older adult receiving care must need assistance with daily living.
• Grandparents or relatives aged 55 and older who are the primary caregivers for a child under age 18 or older relatives, including parents, age 55 and older providing care to adults ages 18-59 with disabilities.

For more information on NFCSP, contact the Green Lake County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 833-694-0192.

Elder Benefit Specialist

Elder benefit specialists provide free trusted and confidential advice to adults ages 60 and older about benefits, including health care and programs that could save them money.

Elder benefit specialists can help with:

• Income, including:
  • Debt collection
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)—program that pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you’re “insured,” meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes
  • Social Security Retirement
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—program that pays benefits based on financial need
• Health insurance, including:
  • Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
  • Medicare A, B, C, and D
  • SeniorCare Prescription Drug Program
  • BadgerCare
  • Other programs that help cover health care costs
  • Medical Debt Remediation
• Housing / Utilities
  • Financial Assistance Programs
  • Subsidized Housing Access/Tenant Rights
  • Utility Shutoffs
  • Evictions/Security Deposit Return
• Consumer
  • Debt Collection Practices

All elder benefit specialists are trained as State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors.

For more information or to speak to an Elder Benefit Specialist, contact the Green Lake County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 833-694-0192.

Disability Benefit Specialist

Disability benefit specialists provide free trusted and confidential advice to people with disabilities who are between the ages of 18 and 59. Specialists help people with disabilities by answering questions and solving problems related to:

• Medicaid
• Medicare
• Social Security
• Other public benefits

Disability benefit specialists can help with:

• Income, including:
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)—program that pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you’re “insured,” meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—program that pays benefits based on financial need
• Health insurance, including:
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
• Housing, Food, and utilities, including:
  • Financial assistance programs
  • Food Share

A disability benefit specialist can help you:

• Advocate on your behalf with other parties.
• Appeal disability benefits that were denied.
• Appeal Medicaid and Medicare services that were denied.
• Apply for Social Security disability benefits, including SSI.
• Compare options for health insurance plans, benefits programs, or solutions to an issue.
• Fill out disability review forms.
• Refer you to an attorney when necessary.

For more information or to speak to a Disability Resource Specialist, contact the Green Lake County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 833-694-0192.

Green Lake County Elderly Nutrition Program

Good nutrition is critical to good health—no matter what your age. Studies show that the right diet and adequate intake are especially important for older people and that poor nutrition is the biggest threat to an older adult’s independence. Wisconsin’s Elderly Nutrition Program is a step in that direction. The program offers tasty, nutritious meals to anyone age 60 and older (in some tribes age 55 or older). Each meal provides at least 1/3 of the daily amounts of nutrients needed to promote good health. Participants are provided with an opportunity to contribute toward the cost of the meal, but no one (age 60 or older) will be denied a meal regardless of their ability to contribute.

Home delivered meals/senior dining site menus are listed in the Green Lake County Aging/ADRC The Bridge newsletter and area newspapers.

Green Lake County Elder Nutrition Program has three dining centers at the following locations:

Markesan:
Calvary Chapel Church, 649 N. Margaret Street, Markesan

To order or cancel a meal, call Amy at 920-299-1228 or Green Lake County Aging Unit at 920-294-4070 one business day in advance.

Lunch served at 12:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Princeton:

Princeton Senior Center, 212 S. Howard Street, Princeton

To order or cancel a meal, please call the Aging Unit at 920-294-4070 two business days in advance.

Lunch served at 12:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Berlin:
Berlin Senior Center, 142 Water Street, Berlin

To order or cancel a meal, call 920-361-5422 one business day in advance.

Lunch served at 12:00pm Monday through Friday and is provided for anyone age 60+ (and spouse if under 60 years) at any of the above dining centers. The suggested contribution is $5.00 (effective January 1, 2024) per meal.

If under age 60 years, total meal cost is $17.06 for in-house dining (effective March 14, 2024).

For more information on home delivered meals, please call Green Lake County Nutrition Coordinator at 920-294-4070 or email to kmulhern@greenlakecountywi.gov .

Family Care

Family Care is a program that provides a full range of long-term care services, all through one flexible benefit program. Long term care is any service or support that a person may need because of a disability, aging, or having a chronic illness that limits the ability to do the things that people need to do throughout the course of the day. There are a variety of services and supports available in Family Care that can help people do these things independently or with the support of some else.

What is a Managed Care Organization?
When a person decides to enroll in Family Care, they become a member of a managed care organization (MCO), which manages and delivers the Family Care Benefit. The Family Care benefit combines funding and services from a variety or existing programs into one flexible long-term care benefit, tailored to each individual’s needs, circumstances and preferences.

How does Family Care Work?
When you are a participate in a Family Care program, a team of people con together to help you identify what sort of assistance you might need and work with you to arrange your long-term care services. You are an active participant on the team that also includes, at a minimum, a care-manager and a registered nurse. You can choose to include family members or loved ones on your team.

• People participate in determining the service they receive.
• People chose services providers from a comprehensive network.
• People receive the services they need through one benefit.
• People receive services that best achieve the results they desire.

Who is Eligible?
The Family Care benefit is available through Managed Care Organization (MCO). MCO’s serve people in three primary target groups who have long-term care condition expected to last for more than 90 days and are medical assistance. The three Family Care target groups are

1. Frail Older Adults (65 years or older)
2. People with Physical Disabilities (17 years, 9 months or older)
3. People with Development Disabilities (17 years, 9 months or older)

For more information or to start the Family Care application process, call the ADRC at 833-694-0192.

Transportation

Green Lake County provides door-to-door transportation services for individuals aged 55 and older, as well as those with disabilities. The primary focus of these programs is to offer transportation for medical appointments, nutritional needs, and essential personal errands required for daily living.

Services are contingent upon the availability of drivers. To secure a ride, it is recommended to schedule ahead of time for the best chance of availability. While rides cannot be guaranteed, every effort will be made to accommodate requests. Currently, Green Lake County has three service providers: Green Lake County volunteer drivers, Berlin Senior Center, and Fox River Industries, which operate under the 85.21 program.

The rates for transportation are as follows:

• $5 for local rides within your city
• $20 for rides anywhere within the County
• $40 for destinations outside the County

Green Lake County can also assist riders who require accessible vehicles, though availability is limited. After a ride, participants will receive a suggested contribution letter in the mail the following month, detailing the recommended contribution along with payment instructions. No cash is exchanged with drivers during the ride.

For more information regarding the program and eligibility criteria, please contact the Green Lake County ADRC at 833-694-0192.

Volunteerism

One of the keystones to the American way of life is volunteering to help others for the reward of giving back to the community. Volunteerism provides an outlet for your interests and concerns and gives you a good feeling knowing that you have made a positive difference in someone else’s quality of life. Volunteers play a vital role in area nursing homes, senior centers and hospitals. Volunteers also play a major role in many of the programs and services administered by the Green Lake County ADRC.

If you are interested in volunteering, submit following completed application and background information disclosure to the address or email stated on the application form:

Green Lake County Food Pantry Application:

Volunteer Application – Food Pantry

Background Information Disclosure form – Additional Volunteer Application Paperwork

Green Lake County Meal Sites/Driver Application: 

Volunteer Application – Meal Sites/Drivers

Background Information Disclosure form – Additional Volunteer Application Paperwork

ADVOCAP- Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Senior Friends Program

Volunteer Services – ADVOCAP

Caregiver Support Group

The caregiver support group is open to anyone caring for a loved one with a purpose of providing mutual support, ideas, and understanding in a caring and confidential environment.

The support group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10:00am-11:30am in Town Square’s Club Room, and online for those who are unable to attend in person. There is no charge to participate.

Town Square Community Center is located at 492 Hill Street in downtown Green Lake.

Can’t make it in person? Join us online– tinyurl.com/GLcaregivergroup
Meeting ID: 274 945 467 78
Passcode: RWMM5Y

For more information, contact the Green Lake County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 833-694-0192.

How are we doing?

In order to provide the best service possible to people who contact the Green Lake County Aging & Disability Resource Center, we are interested in learning about your recent experience and any suggestions you have for improving our services.

Take our survey here– Aging and Disability Resource Center Survey – Green Lake County, WI