Active Generation's mission is to promote positive aging for adults and to enhance the quality of life for all through programs, services and education. The organization provides several services in the Sioux Empire, many funded by Sioux Empire United Way. We checked in with President and CEO, Gerald Beninga about the agency's current operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How does Active Generations help vulnerable adults?
Several of the programs and services Active Generations offers assist vulnerable adults. Meals on Wheels provides essential nutrition for those who may otherwise not have food to eat or the ability to prepare meals for themselves. Additionally, our Workers on Wheels program offers services to those who have transportation issues to medical appointments, pharmacies, or grocery stores; they also provide snow removal or lawn care to adults living in their homes who can no longer perform those activities. Those adults would likely have to move from their homes without this assistance. Those caring for vulnerable adults in their homes can utilize Adult Day Services for a safe, supervised environment while they go to work or for respite. The participants would otherwise not be safe at home alone, so the person-centered care they receive at Day Break or Ceili Cottage fills an unmet need for caregivers who otherwise would have to make difficult choices for their care.
How has your services evolved in relation to COVID-19?
The one essential service that has thrived during this unusual time is our Meals on Wheels program. With the “safer at home” recommendation for those over 60, our home-delivered meals program has exploded. Currently, we are packing and delivering over 500 meals per day, which is about 200 more than our prior amounts. We also offer a drive-thru meal for those who are still willing and able to get out of their homes; this is in lieu of our congregate meal that we served inside Active Generations prior to COVID-19. There is also an option for seniors to receive frozen meals that are prepared by Chef Dan and his crew. Participants can choose between 5 or 7 meals that are delivered one time a week; these meals can quickly and easily be warmed whenever they need a meal.
Unfortunately, many any of our other services have had to shift or even cease during this outbreak. Adult Day Services are closed, fewer volunteers are available for Workers on Wheels, and the other programs we offer have shifted to phone, email, or Zoom contact. We are still doing all we can to reach those who may be isolated during this pandemic and continue to look for ways to serve those in need.
Our building is definitely not the same hubbub of activity like it used to be; however, there are still many good things happening at Active Generations every day. The Nutrition staff have worked tirelessly to provide nutritious meals to a growing population of those in need. Their day starts earlier than most, as the meals need to be ready to package by 9:30am every day. Our employees and volunteers arrive to pack these meals, using protective gear and keeping 6’ apart. There are typically 20 people needed to pack meals every day, which takes about an hour to complete. We have been blessed to have some corporations offer to assist with this process, in addition to those who already help deliver the 20+ routes for home-delivered meals.
We also have maintenance people here cleaning and sanitizing every nook and cranny of the building – from the billiard room to the weights and equipment in the gym, everything has been wiped and sanitized for future use. We look forward to having our members back to fill our space with activity!
I love that the services we offer are even more vital to the quality of life for our community members than ever before. We are so much more than a gathering place for activities – we provide essential services to a population in need on a regular basis, but now they are even more important than ever.
What is something you want people in our community to know about needs in our community?
We naturally become more aware of people in need during a crisis; however those people are in need of our attention regardless of whether or not there is a pandemic. There are several organizations in our community who provide necessary services but are only able to do so by generous donations to United Way. Without the funding of UW, we would not be able to offer all of the programs we have.
You serve a population that has been strongly encouraged to remain home, what tips, ideas or resources do you suggest to help your clients and others to ward off isolation or loneliness?
I would encourage people to utilize the services available to them, even if they have never asked for help in the past. There are several services available to help with meal assistance, grocery delivery (or online ordering), and drive-thru options for various services. While our delivery drivers are keeping a safe distance, they also provide a personal touch that many may not receive.
The Helpline Center offers weekly calls to those who are isolated, just to check in and see how you’re doing; this is a great service that many people do not even know exists. Reach out to those around you however you are able – a phone call, text, or even waving through the window to say hello. It’s time we get back to the basics on how we connect with people. Go for a walk to get some fresh air and vitamin D in the spring sunshine or sit on the porch to watch the neighborhood.
Our Activity Directors have found a number of online resources to play games, watch funny videos, listen to music, etc. that can help fill some down time, which can be shared with those who have email.
What is something you have noticed in our community in the last month that you maybe hadn’t noticed before?
I have always appreciated the Midwestern mentality and ethics that exist here, where we take care of each other, especially in times of need. It’s during these times of struggle where we naturally come together to help our neighbors and put aside our differences to achieve a common goal. This pandemic has been different in the fact that everyone is affected, not just one population or sect of people. It is encouraging to see that in times of crisis, our community can bond together and support each other in ways we haven’t in the past.