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Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Education Series
Offered by Rock & Jefferson Counties

Feeling Stretched as a Caregiver?

The Aging and Disability Resource Centers of Rock and Jefferson Counties are pleased to offer Powerful Tools for Caregivers, an educational series designed to provide family caregivers of someone with dementia the tools needed to take care of themselves. The class will run for 6 weeks beginning on Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 5:30-7 p.m. This series will be offered virtually.

The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, improve communication, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming help caregivers to choose tools and put them into action.

Registration is required. Class space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Tonya Runyard at the ADRC of Jefferson county 920/675-4035 or tonyar@jeffersoncountywi.gov or Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615 or karen.tennyson@co.rock.wi.us.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is owned and managed by Iowa State University of Science and Technology.

Editor’s note: The Banner has been told that Walworth County residents may be accommodated if space is available. Readers not living in Jefferson or Rock County should call a number shown above to inquire about this possibility.

 
The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Kim McDarison as guest speaker at its upcoming monthly meeting in August. Kim McDarison, who recently created a new online news source for the Whitewater community: WhitewaterWise.com, also is the publisher of Fort Atkinson Online, which continues to cover Whitewater’s neighbor, Fort Atkinson. 

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 10th at 7 a.m. at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St. Kim will be discussing the future plans for WhitewaterWise and its features. An RSVP is required to attend. To reserve your spot, contact Jeffery Knight at: jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, August 9th. 

WhitewaterWise.com is an online news site covering the city of Whitewater and stories of broader local interest in Walworth, Jefferson, and Rock counties. WhitewaterWise.com is an online property of Fort Atkinson Online LLC, which also publishes FortAtkinsonOnline.com. 

“We are very excited about WhitewaterWise’s new venture”, said GWC President Jeffery Knight, “and we can’t wait to hear Kim’s vision on the future of this news outlet.” 

About Kim McDarison: Raised in New England and a 1986 graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Kim McDarison wanted to be a journalist from the time she was nine. While in college, she earned a bachelor’s of business administration (BBS) degree, with a concentration in MIS (management information systems), and a minor in journalism. After working in journalism in the Connecticut and St. Louis, Mo., areas, McDarison arrived in Walworth County where she raised her two daughters full-time until they started school, returning to journalism in the early 2000s as the editor of the Whitewater Register. She has since worked as a freelance and staff reporter for such news agencies as the independently published Edgerton Reporter, CSI News (Walworth County Sunday), Southern Lakes Newspapers, Hometown Newspaper Group, with its network of papers surrounding the Madison area, and Adams Publishing Group. Her stories have appeared across the Walworth, Jefferson and Rock county region, in such papers as the Janesville Gazette, Daily Jefferson County Union, Watertown Daily Times, Milton Courier, Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent, DeForest Times-Tribune, and Lake Mills Leader, among others affiliated with each of the broad ranging consortium publishing networks. In February of 2021, McDarison became an independent publisher, launching FortAtkinsonOnline.com. The publication has branched out recently to include the newly launched WhitewaterWise.com. 

 About the GWC: The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to working with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. Its goals are to advance the economic, educational, and social policies required to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

WALWORTH COUNTY OWNED PROPERTY FOR SALE
Walworth County Treasurer Valerie Etzel announces the sale of county-owned properties. Sealed bids are invited and will be accepted by the Walworth County Treasurer’s Office, 100 W. Walworth, Room 103, PO Box 1001, Elkhorn, WI 53121, until 10:00 a.m., August 30, 2023.

Please visit the Walworth County website at www.co.walworth.wi.us and under the Treasurer’s Department page click on “Treasurer In Rem Tax Foreclosures” for instructions, a complete property listing, and official bid form. Properties are located in the city of Elkhorn; towns of Bloomfield, Delavan, Geneva, LaGrange, Spring Prairie, Sugar Creek, Troy, and Whitewater; villages of Bloomfield, Darien, Genoa City, and Williams Bay; cities of Delavan, Elkhorn, and Lake Geneva. Specific questions may be directed to the Walworth County Treasurer’s Office (262)741-4251; email treasurer@co.walworth.wi.us.

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia slowly destroy a person’s memory and diminish communication skills.  This is deeply frustrating for caregivers.  Here are some tips that may help.

Avoid “elderspeak.”  Persons with dementia may not be able to formulate their thoughts but they are very aware when they are being spoken to like a child.  Speaking loudly in a high pitched simple baby-talk tone is recognized as not being the way normal adults speak to each other and can seem condescending.  Speak in a normal adult voice but do modify your content.  For example, avoid open-ended questions like “What would you like for dinner?”  Instead ask “Would you like pork chops or a cheese omelet?”

Be aware of your body language.  The reality of brain change is that while cognitive process declines, emotional intelligence is still working.  Persons with dementia can read your moods and manners quite well.  Be sure your attitude and body language express love, concern, good humor, caring and friendliness.  Even if you don’t always feel that way.

Change your approach as the disease progresses.  Don’t make assumptions about the person’s ability to communicate based on a diagnosis.  Keep talking to your loved one, practice your friendly loving demeanor and adjust your expectations as time goes by.  The Alzheimer’s Assn. offers an excellent list of communication strategies broken down by the stages of decline.  Click here for more information.                                                 https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications

The National Institute on Aging has resources on communication and other issues in dementia.  Click here  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving-changes-communication-skills

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This article submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park to help inform the community about dementia and to support patients and caregivers.  New members are always welcome!  Contact jfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call Jennifer French at 262 473 0535.  More resources for caregivers:

https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center

https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/departments/human_services/aging_and_disability_resource_center/index.php

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/benefit-specialists/ebs.htm

ADRC of Walworth County Offers Walk With Ease Program

The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is offering Walk With Ease starting September 6 at Lake Geneva Public Library. Walk With Ease—a program from the Arthritis Foundation—is a structured walking program that teaches participants how to safely make physical activity part of their everyday lives. The program is designed to help people living with arthritis better manage their pain and is also ideal for people without arthritis who want to make walking a daily habit.

Walk With Ease offers support, information, and tools to help participants develop successful exercise routines. The six-week group series is led by certified instructors Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD, and Rebecca Way MSW, APSW. During the program, participants learn proper stretching and pain management techniques; they also build stamina and walking pace. The program can be modified to meet the needs of individual participants so that each person can develop an exercise routine that fits
their unique goals.

“Research shows that walking is not only good for joints, but also helps improve the health of the heart, lungs, and bones,” said Blaszczyk. “Walking can also help with weight management, which can reduce one’s risk for arthritis in the knee, heart disease, and diabetes. If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you will most likely have success with Walk With Ease.”

The information and strategies taught in the program are based on research and tested programs in exercise science, behavior change, and arthritis management. Updated and evaluated by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina, Walk With Ease is shown to increase balance, strength, and walking pace, as well as reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis. The program is also shown to build participant confidence to be physically active and improve overall health.

Walk With Ease will be held every Wednesday, September 6 to October 11, from 1 to 2 p.m., at Lake Geneva Public Library, 918 West Main Street, Lake Geneva. Pre-registration is required. This workshop has a suggested contribution of $10. For more information, contact Chetney Blaszczyk at (262) 741-3309. Always check with your physician before starting any exercise program.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.

New Technology Services Provider for Older Adults

Intergenerational Technology Services (IGeTS) at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-W) is a new provider of free technology services to individuals enrolled in IRIS, Family Care, Family Care Partnership, or PACE aged 50+ and any adults aged 60+ who reside in Walworth, Rock, Jefferson, or Waukesha County. Services, which will be offered in English and Spanish and provided by UW-W students and staff, and community volunteers, include group technology training classes, one-on-one technology support and telehealth visit support.

IGeTS will open its doors and begin service delivery on Monday, August 14, 2023. The hours of operations are Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. IGeTS is located in UW-Whitewater’s Community Engagement Center at 1206 W. Main Street, Room 124, Whitewater, WI 53190. Free parking is available. See the website for programming information https://www.uww.edu/orsp/igets or call 262-472-1837 or email igets@uww.edu to learn more.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use on the homepage the image by 377053 from Pixabay.

Upcoming performance by local storyteller, Jim Winship! Jim tells a range of stories that span centuries and continents, in which dragons and other beings we think of as imaginary appear.

Jim is a social worker, retired college professor, and documentary filmmaker. As a professional storyteller, he has performed in libraries, bookstores, schools, professional conferences, and community events.

The stories will be best appreciated by adults and young people 10 and older.

The Wright House is an old brick home in Whitewater, Wisconsin, originally built by the Wright family in 1857. Sarah Beth Nelson, the current owner of the Wright House, will host the storytelling concert.

Friday, August 11, 2023 at 7 p.m. Central

Please register through Eventbrite (https://dragons.eventbrite.com). Payment information and full venue address will be emailed upon registration.

Payment is handled separately from Eventbrite. You can pay for your ticket through PayPal, Venmo, or by cash at the show. Ticket levels are below. Choose whichever level best fits your situation. Additional tips before or after the show are appreciated.

$10 Attendee
$20 Supporter
$5 Student/Senior/COVID Discount
$0 Listening with Love

All ticket and tip funds are being collected by Sarah Beth Nelson, the host of the show. 90% of the funds will go to the teller and 10% will go to the house to cover production costs.

Jim Winship: www.beechwoodtrue.com

Sarah Beth Nelson: voxfabularum.com

Editor’s note: Our thanks for the homepage image by Devon Breen from Pixabay

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater Police Department.

The City of Whitewater Police Department purchased a DJI-M30T drone entirely from donated funds.

The drone was purchased in early June. The WPD drone team, consisting of seven officers trained to operate the drone, received training on July 26th, which is the same date the drone team became operational.

In the last year, Whitewater Police Department (WPD) has requested drones from outside agencies to assist in the searches of a missing at-risk adult, a missing juvenile, and an armed individual who fled on foot after crashing his vehicle during a pursuit. A drone was also requested to assist in documenting a major crime scene. Unfortunately, in each of those cases, officers lost valuable time waiting for the drone to arrive from outside Whitewater.

On the first day, the WPD drone team was operational, the drone was deployed to assist officers in the search for a male who fled on foot from a domestic abuse incident. “This is a major advancement in our department’s technical capabilities related to search and rescue operations and criminal investigation. This cutting-edge technology will make our officers and our community safer. We truly appreciate all the individuals and businesses who helped make this a reality by donating to the WPD crime prevention fund,” stated Chief Dan Meyer.

Having new equipment such as drones has already made a significant impact on the safety of the city and the efficiency of the organization. Without these donations, this equipment would not have been purchased. Thank you to all who have donated and assisted in these efforts.