(Audubon) Stacia Timmer from Elderbridge Agency on Aging met with members of the Audubon County Board of Supervisors this week.
Elderbridge serves 29 counties with physical locations in Mason City, Fort Dodge, Spencer, and Carroll. Timmer provided a summary of benefits in Audubon County. “The largest number of service units in a lot of counties are the meals. We do have a congregate meals site here in Audubon and last year we served 13,198 meals. We help fund the program, food, the supplies, and things like that.”
The number of meals served saw an increase during the pandemic. “We didn’t stop providing any of our services. We were never closed or shut down, but we didn’t encourage people to congregate.” Timmer says, “So we did a ton of home delivered meals at that time.”
Timmer explains they also provide support for caregivers. “The biggest caregivers support service we provide or help fund are respite. We provide a break for caregivers. If they burn themselves out they are no good for the person they are caring for. So we try to of that caregiver as well.”
32% of the Audubon County population is age 60 years and over. The past contribution from Audubon County has been $3.00 per resident 60 years and older or $5,250, but this year the organization is seeking $3.05 per resident 60 years and older. The board is yet to take action on the funding request.
