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ElderCircle

ElderCircle is a nonprofit organization that serves older adults. They strive to empower and support older adults so they remain in their homes and communities. ElderCircle puts great importance on providing quality living for older adults, with focus on health, lifestyle, and keeping older adults active.

Education

  • Respite Education & Support Tools: interactive training program that educates individuals on how to provide respite care to all ages of people
  • Dementia Friends: 60-minute session where individuals learn the five key messages to know about dementia, what it is like to live with dementia, and how to make a difference for those living with dementia
  • Dementia Champions: this session teaches individuals how to facilitate Dementia Friends sessions in their own community
  • Powerful Tools for Caregivers: a workshop that provides tools to cope with the challenges that come with being a caregiver
  • Memory Matters: Navigating MCI and Dementia is a 10-week workshop in affiliation with the Alzheimer’s Association designed for individuals in the early stages of cognitive impairment

Adult Day Stay

  • Care, supervision, and socialization for adults with physical or cognitive conditions in a safe environment for the day
  • Features include, raised gardens, patio, pool tables, bingo, and paved walking trails
  • Other services include information and referral, registered nurse/review and monitoring health concerns, recreational/education/social programming, exercise routines, showers, community outings, and peer and staff camaraderie

In-Home Care Services

  • Assist older adults to live healthily and age well living in their own homes
  • Allows older adults to keep their independence
  • Provides in-home Care Companion
  • Provides Caregivers a respite break and a chance to recharge
  • ElderCircle’s licensed non-medical home care ensures older adults maintain as much self-sufficiency as possible
  • ElderCircle provides varying levels of assistance, they will work with you to prepare a customized care plan that fits your personal needs.

Assisted Transportation

  • Volunteer drivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments anywhere in Minnesota for 60+individuals
  • Transportation helps those at home remain independent

Grocery Shopping & Delivery

  • Weekly service that offers grocery shopping and delivery for anyone regardless of age or income
  • This is a short or long-term service so it can help individuals remain in their home
  • This service is available in Bigfork, Grand Rapids, Deer River, and Nashwauk

Caregiver Consulting

  • Provides family caregivers with personalized service to equip them with knowledge, skills, and tools to achieve a balanced lifestyle while caring for a loved one
  • Consultants assist caregivers in identifying needs and values, facilitate goal setting, develop personalized strategies, and provide ongoing guidance and support

Lawn & Snow Removal

  • Provides assistance for lawn mowing and snow removal for individuals 60+
  • There are income guidelines to qualify for this service

Minor In-Home Repair & Maintenance

  • Volunteers provide minor home repairs, maintenance projects and safety checks for individuals 55+

Home Visitor Program

  • This service allows trained Home Visitors to meet with older adults 60+ in their homes
  • They assess overall well-being, risk factors and safety concerns
  • Home Visitor will educate older adults on resources, and identify support networks and assist with paperwork

Support Groups

  • Caregivers: First Tuesday of each month – 1:00-2:30 pm * Active Learning Center YMCA Campus: For a caregiver of any age, who is caring for an ailing parent, child, spouse, or other individuals of any age, near or far.
  • Memory Loss: Second Tuesday of each month – 1:00-2:30 pm  * Active Learning Center YMCA Campus: For caregivers of a loved one with memory loss condition or other cognitive condition. Partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association, the group learns communication techniques, shares resources, and support in all aspects of care and everyday life.
  • Parkinson’s Disease: Second Wednesday of each month – 1:00-2:00 pm  * Active Learning Center YMCA Campus Collaboration with Essentia Health: For anyone with Parkinson’s or a similar movement disorder, and their caregivers.

Health and Wellness

  • Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL (Bone Builders): is a no-impact, non-aerobic exercise program for older adults to build strength, improve balance and flexibility, and increase bone density. Led by trained volunteers age 55+, ongoing sessions are offered twice weekly at 14 sites in Itasca County and two sites in Koochiching County. Sessions are free, open to adults of all ages, and people can attend a few sessions with no obligation before registering.
  • Living Well with Chronic Conditions: helps participants and their caregivers with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, COPD, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, anxiety, heart disease, and others. This class runs 6 weeks for 2 ½ hours, one time per week.
  • Living Well with Diabetes: helps participants with type 2 diabetes develop strategies to improve well-being and practical daily techniques to manage symptoms. You will learn techniques to deal with symptoms. This class runs 6 weeks for 2 ½ hours, one time per week.
  • Living Well with Chronic Pain: this addresses the management of pain for those with a chronic illness. The topic includes techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep. Also how to effectively communicate with family, friends and health professionals.
  • Matter of Balance : these classes are designed to manage falls, increase activity levels, strength and balance. This is an 8-week class, 2 hours each session or 2 hours twice a week for 4 weeks. This program is suited for all fitness levels.
  • Tai Ji Quan: fall prevention program that uses the principles and movements of Tai Ji in helping older adults improve their balance and increase their confidence in doing everyday activities. This is a 12 week, 60 minutes, 2 times per week program led by trained volunteers. This program is suited for all fitness levels.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Assisted Transportation Volunteer Driver
  • ElderCircle Front Desk Receptionist
  • Grocery Shopping and Delivery
  • Guardianship Friendly Visits
  • Health & Wellness Class Leaders
  • Knitting/Sewing/Crocheting Group (Warm Fuzzies)
  • Minor Home Repair (Handy Hands)
  • Volunteer form