The Mission of Elder Network is to meet the emotional, social, and mental health and respite care needs of older adults in Douglas County by utilizing the services of specifically trained volunteer peer counselors to meet the chore and transportation needs of older adults through a collaboration with area churches.
One out of every four people in this country are caregivers-that means there are millions of Americans who are caregivers. Of those 75% are caring for a friend or relative who is 50 years old or older. The elderly are more often placed in nursing homes as a result of their caregivers no longer being able to care for them. Alexandria has had a dramatic increase in population in the past few years, many of whom are retirees.
We need to address the increasing number of elderly needing care; especially the elders taking care of the elderly in the absence of local family members. Attempts must be made to protect caregivers against financial, physical and emotional consequences of care giving that can put their own health in potential jeopardy.
Family caregivers should have access to affordable, readily available, high quality respite care, as well as reliable sources of transportation and chore services. There is a serious shortage of affordable paraprofessionals to provide non-medical assistance for seniors.
The dignity and self-respect in being able to manage one’s needs will be evident by improved self-esteem in our clients. Elder Network and our volunteers have and will continue to fulfill this need now and into the future. Elder Network is making a significant difference in the lives of both client’s and their family members.
Details about how and when we were formed in Central Minnesota, our status as a non-profit organization, specific functions and responsibilities of our volinteer staff, fundraising activities, volunteer training schedules, points of contact and addresses, etc., are provided under the links above. We encourage you to participate in our program as a volunteer, a contributor or as a recipient of our support for older adults in the County.
Thank you.
