Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2017, over 400 clients received over 6000 hours of staff and volunteer service. These support services included transportation (both local and long distance rides provided to medical appointments, errands and social outings), exercise programs, friendly visits, memory care support, caregiver consultation and support as well as resources and referrals. Many clients received multiple services through the year. Clients provided testimonials, some filled out surveys, participated in assessments and pre and post evaluations. Anecdotal evidence was also recorded. Using these tools we were able to get positive feedback and affirmation that these services did indeed improve quality of life, support individuals to remain living in their homes and increased their physical activity levels, reduced falls and improved their balance. NP has been averaging an approximate twenty percent growth in service demand each year for the past five years.
Current Goals
Northwoods Partners goals are: 1) to provide services that promote independence and aging well in one's community. These services would include transportation, friendly visits, resources and referrals and exercise programs like Tai Ji Quan, Matter of Balance, Exercise Buddy programs, Memories and Movement classes as well as group exercise options, 2) to become a Dementia friendly community by participating in the ACT on Alzheimer's. This will include convening an action team, assessing strengths and gaps in our community, analyze findings to understand needs and ACT together as a community to make it dementia friendly, and 3) to reduce caregiver stress - this will be accomplished through one to one support, offering Powerful for Caregivers Classes, support groups and caregiver consultant services.
Community or Constituency Served
We serve three groups of clients:
-Caregivers of elderly persons who need caregiver consultation, education, one to one and group support to help them in their caregiving
-Elderly persons with diminished health and mobility who live independently, who will benefit from social interaction with our staff and volunteers, and who need the kind of services we provide in order to continue to live in their own homes--assistance with errands, shopping, transportation, and exercise and balance training
-Caregivers living elsewhere, sometimes hundreds of miles away, who are managing the care of relatives in our community
Geographic Area Served
Northwoods Partners programs serve an area of approximately 480 square miles in northeastern Minnesota, including Ely, Babbitt, Tower and surrounding townships. These communities are rural with no central setting.
