Great Bend’s ElderCare revives Meal-Sponsorship program

As Brandi Gruber looks ahead during this new year, she knows one thing for sure – the Friendship Meals Program could use a boost.

In her role as executive director of the Great Bend ElderCare office, 1121 Washington, Gruber wants to revive the Meal-Sponsorship Program with the help of local and area businesses and individuals.

Meal Sponsorship began late in 2017 and was helpful for a couple of years. Then COVID came along.

“Like everyone else we had to switch gears during the pandemic,” Gruber recalled. “But now that the situation has improved, we hope to enhance our efforts to seek sponsorships.”

Sponsors have choices about how they can help. For example, they could sponsor a certain number of meals for a day, a week or a month.

“Again, like everyone else, we are living with much higher food costs,” Gruber commented. “And while we are doing our best to economize, we can’t sacrifice the quality of the nutritious meals we serve to thousands of people every weekday.”

ElderCare’s territory for Friendship Meals is 28 counties from central Kansas to the Colorado and Oklahoma borders.

“This is a huge geographic area,” Gruber said. “Many meals are served in senior centers but when they are delivered to private homes, they are known as Meals on Wheels.”

There are 11 senior center kitchens in the 28 counties that whip up the meals. ElderCare, a nonprofit agency, also contracts with other entities to supply the meals. Cost per plate has risen to almost $7; a $3.50 fee is requested.

“Many people may not realize that ElderCare administers the Friendship Meal Program in addition to our more well-known in-home services,” Gruber added. “The programs are equally important as we strive to assist seniors with their physical and emotional health.”

In-home services

The local ElderCare covers six counties with services that allow seniors to remain in their own homes instead of moving into assisted-living or long-term-care facilities.

These counties are Barton, Pawnee, Stafford, Pratt, Edwards and Kiowa where certified nurse’s aides and certified medication aides provide care. A registered nurse also is on staff Services include:

• Case management, which includes an evaluation of a person’s capabilities. This leads to designing a plan that best meets a client’s needs.

• Personal care involves bathing, dressing, skin care, grooming, and oral and personal hygiene.

• The homemaker service offers cleaning, laundry and shopping.

• Respite care provides the primary caregiver with the opportunity to run errands, have a night out or go on vacation.

• Medication management entails devising a plan that makes it easier for the client to take prescribed drugs at the appropriate time and in the correct dosage.

• Nutrition management offers meal planning and preparation, along with grocery shopping.

• Wellness checks with a registered nurse are available.

“The client isn’t the only person who benefits from these services,” Gruber said. “Families enjoy peace of mind when they know their loved one is being cared for.

“In addition, all our services offer companionship for seniors. This is so important to our clients and their emotional wellbeing. We understand that physical and emotional health go hand in hand.”

Since circumstances vary, Gruber noted that the ElderCare staff adapts to each situation. “We have offered in-home care for as little as a weekend up to 17 years - whatever the senior needs.”

ElderCare offers a sliding-fee scale; many insurance policies cover the services. For more information about Meal Sponsorship and/or ElderCare’s inhome services for those 60 and older are encouraged to contact the office by calling 620-792-5942.