March Elder Report: Rosalie Gokee Named Director of Elder Services

By Rosalie Gokee

Tribal Aging and Disability Services Director

I am happy to announce that I have been selected as the Tribal Aging & Disability Services Director! It is truly and honor to be able to serve the Tribe in this capacity. I have a goal for staff and myself of expanding and growing important needed services for the aging and disabled population. I can’t stress enough “that it is not about me but about we” as we move forward as a team to meet the needs of those in the community.

This year is a Title VI Grant Application Year. This means that the Elder Needs Assessment will be going out to the community to those 55 years and older. This is an opportunity to gather much needed data that will be helpful for grant applications, funding opportunities, identification of elder needs, etc. Please fill out the Assessment once you receive it and let your voices be heard! Staff will be available to answer any questions or if assistance is needed in completing the paperwork.

We are excited to announce that we are participating in the Anti-Hunger Task Force Stockbox Program. One time per month a shelf-stable food box will be delivered to elders 60 years of age and older that participate in the home-delivered meal program. Initially a registration form will need to be completed and kept on file with our office. In addition to the Stockbox a block of cheese will also be distributed. Distribution of the Stockboxes will begin the week of March 14th. A limited number of Stockboxes will be available at the Elder Center for pick up first come first serve for those 60 years of age and older who are not on the home-delivered meal route.

I received notification from the Ford Motor Company that our refrigerated van is being built. Rich has completed a third route for home-delivered meals so that we are ready when the new vehicle arrives. We will need a driver and a runner to assist with the new route and will be posting for those positions. We are also looking for individuals that would like to be on a call list to assist in the kitchen, drive the home-delivered meal van, or be a runner of meals to the door of meal recipients. Please call Carla at the Elder Center if you are interested.

I recently attended the Great Lakes Native American Elder Association “GLNAEA” meeting in Crandon with elders that signed up to go. There has not been a meeting for the past couple years and attendance at the meeting was great. There were very good speakers on Dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as stroke awareness and prevention initiatives. A touching memorial was held for those that lost community members during the Covid Pandemic over the past two years. The next GLNAEA meeting is scheduled for June 8-9, 2022 and hosted by St. Croix. Please call Carla, DiZ, or Rose at (715) 865-3379 to sign up.

If you have any questions regarding services at the LCO Aging & Disability Services Department, please do not hesitate to call.