Security Health Plan Invests in Marshfield Adult Care Facility
OnFocus– “They help to improve people’s health and level of function and independence,” Security Health Plan claims auditor Jennifer Gilbert said of Companion Day Services (CDS), a social adult day service program in Marshfield.
Security Health Plan will invest $1,000 in Companion Day Services, whose mission is to support families by providing quality adult care in a home-like environment.
[READ MORE: Companion Day Services Continues Ten-Year Mission as Adult Respite Center]Gilbert nominated CDS to receive the grant, which Security Health Plan awards each month to a different charity or organization as part of its Employee-Driven Corporate Giving Campaign. Marshfield Clinic Health System employees are encouraged to nominate organizations making a positive difference in the community.
Gilbert said Companion Day Services is making huge positive differences in the lives of people of all ages.
“They help people recovering from surgery, any isolated adults or any person who is physically, mentally or socially challenged,” she said.
CDS Director Shannon Soyk said Companion Day Services is designed to meet the needs of adults who are: recovering from recent illness, injury or surgery; who are frail or socially isolated living at home alone or with a companion. Others who benefit from CDS may be experiencing a decrease in physical, mental or social functioning; with memory impairments – including those with developmental disabilities; and those with caregivers in need of respite.
“I honestly can’t tell you enough about how much this grant award means to us,” Soyk said. “We are very honored to have been chosen. As a non-profit we search for different grant opportunities to continue to offer low-cost care for Marshfield and the surrounding communities.”
Soyk said the funds will be used to help offset the costs necessary to run the organization, including activity and program costs, building rental and utilities and meal costs.
Gilbert said CDS offers so much to the clients it serves, but her favorite are the My Heart’s Desire Days. She explained a My Heart’s Desire Day is something CDS will set up for a client that may have a dream that is just not possible to make a reality.
“There was once an elderly client, maybe in her 90s who had always wanted to go to Mexico,” Gilbert explained. “That wasn’t physically possible so Companion Day Services brought Mexico to her. They decorated the whole place like Mexico, served Mexican food and brought in different Mexican traditions. They’ll do what they can to make their clients’ dreams come true.”
Soyk said CDS is designed to delay the progress of existing disabilities in the clients they serve and assist to preserve or improve their health and level of functioning.
“We strive to improve or maintain the quality of life for those who wish to live as independently as possible within their own homes or in other non-institutional community settings,” Soyk said. “We try to maintain a participant’s level of independence and establish an individual plan of care based on an assessment of personal needs and strengths.”
The director said CDS assists their clients with daily living activities and personal care. And all of this assistance is provided in a safe and secure environment. “We foster companionship through social interactions with other participants, children and students. CDS is part of the Tiny Tiger Intergenerational Center focused on bridging the gap between generations. We have three interacting services here under one roof: a child care, adult care and a human service academy.”
Gilbert said the inter-generational work is another great feature at CDS. She said the Grand Friends program, is one of the best she has seen. She said children at the child care center visit daily and interact with CDS participants doing crafts and other activities.
“Our activities, whether individualized or group, stimulate the mind and spirit in an effort to bring joy, satisfaction and a sense of purpose to the lives of our participants,” Soyk said. “We also provide family members the support needed to allow them to work outside the home or to enjoy much-needed respite time.”
Soyk said she knows CDS makes a difference because their participants tell her. She recounts a story of one participant with cancer. While the cancer was in remission, Soyk said this participant had residual physical limitations.
“She was at a point in her recovery where intense in-home therapies were not helping her. She felt she was confined to a walker or wheelchair in her home before coming to CDS,” Soyk said. “We were able to provide her with a stimulating environment that she said she could not find anywhere else, especially in her own home.”
Soyk said this particular participant was the perfect example that CDS is what participants make of it by choosing to join in on the various offerings, which range from devotions, exercising, trivia and crafts, to name a few.
The director said this participant had this to say, “CDS provides a caring staff in a safe, comfortable environment. They have given me the opportunity to meet other people with various needs and problems. We do not discuss our problems. We laugh, joke, eat snacks and lunch together, or sometimes we just relax. The most inspiring part of my day is the time I spend with the children. The 3-4 year-olds come in and sing, play catch, I may read them a story, or I just enjoy watching the children mingle with each other. I love to go to the baby room and rock the little ones. The kids and the staff always keep me in a great mood. We are so fortunate to have CDS in Marshfield.”
As a non-profit organization, CDS is always looking for volunteers and donations. The center will hold a fundraiser on Aug. 2 at the Brat Barn at Festival Foods, Marshfield, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone willing to share a talent, such as playing the piano, baking, doing crafts or just visiting with the participants are welcome to get involved. Visit www.companiondayservices.com for more information.
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Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., part of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, is helping its 230,000 members in Wisconsin and beyond reach their best health. Accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Security Health Plan offers health insurance coverage for employees of large and small businesses, individuals and families. Security Administrative Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Security Health Plan, provides full service third party administration for self-funded employers in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.
