Lifespan Respite Care Program to be implemented

Recognizing the daily sacrifices and challenges faced by family caregivers across the nation who work tirelessly to keep their loved ones at home, Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging, Department of Health and Human Services, announced on Thursday, Sept. 24, 12 awards totaling nearly $2.3 million to implement the Lifespan Respite Care Program. The announcement was made by Assistant Secretary Greenlee during the opening session of the 2009 National Respite Conference being held Sept. 24-25, 2009 in Burbank, Calif.

One of the 12 recipients is the Illinois Department on Aging in conjunction with the Illinois Respite Coalition (IRC). Geneva-based Marklund is the fiscal agent for the IRC.

The grantees will develop and enhance coordinated, accessible, community-based respite care programs for caregivers across the lifespan.

The primary purpose of respite care is to give families and caregivers relief from the extraordinary and intensive demands of providing ongoing care. Respite strengthens the ability of families and caregivers to continue to provide care in the home. Occasional relief helps family stability and well-being.

“This is a huge opportunity for Illinois to collaborate with state and private agencies on such a passionate mission serving one goal, which is relief for caregivers. Together, we will focus on stabilizing families in Illinois,” states Lois Sheaffer-Kramer, CTRS, NHA, director of children’s services at Marklund and president of the Illinois Respite Coalition. “We cannot thank Senator Dick Durbin enough for being a national champion for Lifespan Respite Care. Sen. Durbin, along with the Illinois Department on Aging, was instrumental in coordinating services to make this dream a reality. Thanks to their efforts, the entire state of Illinois wins.”

Funding was made possible through the enactment of the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 which defines respite care as “planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver of that child or adult.”

The Lifespan Respite Care Program is intended to accomplish several objectives, including expanding and enhancing respite services in the states, improving coordination and dissemination of service delivery, improving access and filling gaps in service delivery, and improving overall quality of respite services currently available.

For more information about the Illinois Lifespan Respite Care Program, please contact Julie Pandya, Illinois Statewide Respite Care Coordinator, at juliepandya@marklund.org.

About the Illinois Respite Coalition

The Illinois Respite Coalition is a network of caregivers and providers collaborating to develop and implement community-based lifespan respite care networks, helping families and caregivers locate respite care services in their own communities.

Respite care is temporary, short-term care for individuals with special needs, such as developmental and physical disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, chronic illnesses, Alzheimer’s disease and related health concerns, medical fragility, and those at risk of abuse and neglect.

For more information about the Illinois Respite Coalition, call Julie Pandya at 630-529-2871 ext. 3242.

About Marklund

Founded in 1954, Marklund enriches the lives of those with special healthcare needs by honoring the unique purpose of each individual. Those served are able to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing environment; a strong partnership with the community; and an unmatched dedication to personal growth. Marklund’s vision: Rising above limitations.

Marklund’s community-based programs are designed to assist families in meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. Programs include early intervention for infants and toddlers age 0-3, school education for children age 3-22, developmental training for adults over age 22, and lifespan respite care.

For more information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482.

Geneva Third Street Plaza has New Name

July 25, 2009
10:00 am	to	11:00 am

At the Monday night June 15th Geneva City Council meeting, Mayor Kevin Burns announced the winning name in the “Name the Plaza” city-wide contest.  Mayor Burns said there had been about 50 entries.  The winning entry selected was “Joshel Plaza”.

The name submitted acknowledges Robert Joshel a long time Third Street businessman and public servant in Geneva.  Robert Joshel, ran Mid Valley Lumber at the site until the early 1990s.  Joshel was a relative of former Geneva Mayor A. Joshel, city officials said.

Also at the dedication will be Geneva’s city attorney, William Radovich, who suggested the Joshel name. His suggestion won the contest the city was having, and was chosen as the winner by Mayor Kevin Burns, with help from aldermen Dawn Vogelsberg, 3rd Ward, and Robert Piper, 2nd Ward.

In addition to Shodeen, Inc., dedicating the plaza land to the city, it also donated the sculpture “Rain Man” by Miles Metzger. The company Aquascape will install the sculpture in the plaza.

The plaza located at Third and Crescent Streets will be officially dedicated as Joshel Plaza on Saturday July 25 at 10:00am and will coincide with The Geneva Arts Fair to be held July 25-26.

Keep the Wreath Red

For the past 15 years, the Geneva Fire Department has participated in the Keep the Wreath Red program during the holiday season. There will be wreaths prominently displayed at each fire station illuminated with red bulbs. If a fire during the holiday season is caused by the misuse of holiday decorations, a red bulb is changed to white. The goal is to “Keep the Wreath Red”; and with the following tips and a little help from you, we can achieve this goal.

• Holiday trees that are not kept moist can present a very serious fire hazard.
• When placing your tree, make sure it is kept away from sources of heat like fireplaces or heat vents and out of the way of traffic.
• Inspect lights before placing them on trees; look for broken or frayed wires.
• Make sure that you do not overload extension cords and outlets. Do not use more than three light strands unless the directions indicate that it is safe to do so.
• Avoid using candles when possible. If you use them, make sure to put them out when you leave or retire for the evening.
• Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your house. Test them monthly.
• All decorations should be nonflammable or flame retardant and placed away from heat vents.
• Don’t cover your address with decorations.
• Check labels of lights to be used outdoors to see that they are suitable for outdoor use.

Remember, fires don’t take a holiday; and by taking some precautions, you and your family can celebrate a fire-safe holiday. For more information on holiday fire safety, you can contact Firefighter Dave Lentz at 630-232-2530, or visit the Geneva Fire Department Web site.

This article first appeared in the November 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Changes, Changes

If you have been in the Geneva Library in the last few months, you probably noticed the buckling floor in the checkout desk area. Although building damage is never welcome, this trouble gave us the opportunity to finally put in a new floor surface to reduce noise in that area. Those who have heard carts clacking along the floor there know just how jarring they can sound! The Library Board selected an eco-friendly cork surface that will be soft and durable and will provide a smoother and quieter path.

This summer, you’ll be noticing more changes we’re making. The public adult Internet computers are moving just north of the current computer room to make a new work area for the adult services staff. The area previously used for adult services will be used by the assistant director, graphics personnel and the adult services outreach coordinator, whose old room will be converted into a conference room for public and staff use.

The substantial community growth over the last 20 years requires us to make some changes to youth services as well. This fall, we will be swapping the workroom and the program room functions to provide both a more efficient staff workspace and a welcoming environment for youth services program participants.

“We are doing all we can to maximize the space we have and provide the best library environment we can for the community.”

Ultimately, Geneva needs a new library building, built on a site with adequate parking, that will provide for the community’s present and future needs. In the meantime, however, we are doing all we can to maximize the space we have and provide the best library environment we can for the community. Stop in to join a book discussion, hear a poetry reading or pick up some summer reads!

This article first appeared in the July 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.