Healthy Living

Here at the Aging & Disability Resource Center we want to 
"Help people live their best possible life." 

Take a look at these support and prevention programs to help you take control of your own health and wellness! 

For additional information on programs and services in your area contact the ADRC of the Northwoods at 715-478-2015.

Caregiver Supports

Nearly everyone will be a caregiver at some point in life. And nearly everyone will need a little help providing that care.

Being responsible for someone else can feel overwhelming, especially if the role is unexpected or interferes with job responsibilities. This is why Wisconsin offers family members and other informal caregivers access to programs and education that can make being a caregiver more manageable.

The first phone call that caregivers should make is to the ADRC of the Northwoods. We provide free and unbiased information and assistance to connect families with in-home care providers, respite services and other caregiver resources in the area. ADRC Specialists can also refer families to other professionals that provide legal advice and financial planning services, including ways to extend their personal financial resources.

Caregiver Financial Support Programs 

There are some programs described below which provide funding to support caregivers and/or care receivers that are available in most communities. Click here for more information on the ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY CAREGIVING SUPPORT PROGRAM (AFCSP) & NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVING SUPPORT PROGRAM (NFCSP).

Caregiver Support Groups

These groups provide a great opportunity for caregivers and family members to share and learn from other experiencing similar frustrations and concerns. Occasionally, speakers are brought in to provide valuable information. Alcoholics Anonymous, Alzheimer's Support Groups, Caregiver Support Groups, Cancer Support, Diabetes Overeaters Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, "A Time To Mourn" Grief Support Groups, MS Support Groups, National Alliance on Mental Issues (NAMI), Parkinson's Disease Support Groups, Tobacco Cessation Support Groups, Stroke Support Groups and Visually-Impaired Persons Groups.

To locate Support Groups in your area, contact the ADRC of the Northwoods at 715-478-2015 for additional information and scheduling.


Dementia-Friendly Supports and Resources 

Memory Cafes

Memory Cafes are a nation-wide trend and they serve as a gathering place offering refreshments, activities, conversation, music, and programs at no cost to participants.  Both the caregiver and care receiver, with any kind of early-stage dementia diagnosis, attend together for support and fellowship.  Below are several that have now opened in the Northwoods region: 

Community Memory Cafe (Medford, Taylor County)

Rib Lake Memory Cafe (Rib Lake, Taylor County) 

Dementia-Friendly Businesses 

The ADRC Of The Northwoods is a participating member of the Taylor County Dementia Coalition.  The Taylor County Dementia Coalition will be offering "Dementia Friendly Community:  The "Dementia Awareness” Initiative," a training for local businesses in the near future.  The goal of the training is to develop an educated, understanding community within Taylor County to reduce the social stigma associated with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.  For more information, please call the ADRC at 715-478-2015 and ask to speak with someone in our Medford office. 

Evidence-Based Prevention Programs (WI Institute of Healthy Aging - WIHA)

These programs help people take steps to improve their health and quality of life through home-grown, evidence-based practices.

From the seed of an idea, WIHA develops and nurtures relationships between community organizations and researchers to test wellness interventions and - once proven effective - facilitates the spread of those programs and practices to people in Wisconsin and other parts of the country.

Here is a listing of current offerings throughout the Northwoods: 

Living Well with Chronic Conditions - a chronic disease self-management program

Healthy Living with Diabetes - a chronic disease self-management program for people with diabetes

Stepping On - a prevention program proven to reduce falls 

Powerful Tools for Caregivers - a program to support family caregivers and provide a "tool box" full of skills to pull from to re-energize body and soul 

With a strong, research-based record of success, these prevention programs have delivered tremendous results in decreasing ER visits, hospitalizations, and falls in Wisconsin.

***For more information and to find upcoming, evidence-based workshops near you go to https://wihealthyaging.org or check on our NEWS page 



Additional Caregiver Links:

Alzheimer's Association - http://www.alz.org

Caring for the Caregiver - http://caringforthecaregiver.org

National Family Caregiving Alliance - http://www.caregiver.org

To report concerns about the safety of an adult or elder, contact local law enforcement or your county social services department and ask for the Adult Protective Services worker.  More information is available about Elder Abuse by clicking here. 

For additional information on programs and services in your area contact the ADRC of the Northwoods at 715-478-2015