By Barb Nadeau –
Fox Valley Older Adult Service (FVOAS), a far west Fox Valley non-profit serving the needs of seniors since 1972 in Sandwich, is expanding its service into the tri-city area of Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.
FVOAS helps senior citizens continue to live at home by offering daily activities, adult day services, and home services. In addition, FVOAS collaborates with the Voluntary Action Center of DeKalb County to give seniors access to transportation services, daily congregate meals, and Meals on Wheels, which are cooked, packaged, and delivered in the FVOAS site. Other community groups can find a welcome home for their programs and events, too. FVOAS serves as a venue for youth organizations such as scout and 4-H groups, community bands, fundraisers, and for weddings and other social gatherings.
Recently FVOAS began offering some of their services in Kane County, operating in a small office space in Batavia. According to Cindy Worsley, executive director, they have received many requests throughout the years to expand their services into Kane County. In early 2019, the agency decided the time was right to start taking applications for employment and to offer one-on-one interviews and referral services for in-home services.
FVOAS seeks to help those seniors living at home, but depending on the help of others, those at risk of poor nutrition or food insecurity, and those with physical and mental impairment. “Eighty-five percent of all care needs of older adults are non-medical care,” said Worsley. “Our FVOAS aides can assist homebound isolated senior clients with non-medical assistance, including shopping, errands, appointment assistance, person-centered planning, meal preparation and assistance, laundry, light housekeeping, personal grooming assistance, companionship and respite care.”
Other private companies already offer home services in Kane County, “But the need in Kane County is so great,” Worsley said, “The more services available the better. It is our goal to help caregivers and to bring our positive perspective in the variety of programs we offer,” she added.
“For family members helping a loved one, this is uncharted territory,” said Jennifer Carpenter, associate director of home services for the new Batavia office. “Until you have a loved one in need, you do not even know where to turn or what kind of help you can find. Not every community has an agency as caring as Fox Valley Older Adults in which to turn. We are a unique agency with a good basis in our community in the Sandwich area. With this new office, our Home Health program now stretches from DeKalb to LaSalle, from Kendall to Kane.”
According to Worsley, her agency works in conjunction with Senior Services Care Coordinators who make assessments to determine the hours of home services needed by each client and then make referrals to FVOAS. Some clients may need help for a couple of hours, three or four days a week, while others may need more help. Many individuals who work as home services aides enjoy the opportunity to help several clients throughout the week, by moving from home to home. Others like to work as substitute aides. “To be a home service aide is a very flexible employment opportunity, one that is attractive to many job seekers,” Carpenter said.
In addition to referrals through the Community Care Program, CCP, FVOAS takes private pay clients. “Families can reach out to us directly. We network with other agencies to help families to access services,” Carpenter said. “We also offer respite care,” she said.
Carpenter brings a unique perspective to her position as associate director of home services for the new Batavia office. She has been a resident of the Batavia area for many years. Her career began in pediatric/horse therapy with the Blazing Stars center in Maple Park. She has personal experience as a caregiver for her own parents, too. “Taking care of people has always come naturally to me,” she said.
The FVOAS’ move into the Batavia market is to be helpful to more families in need, Worsley feels that the move helps folks in Kane County who may be looking for employment. “It’s just a natural fit for us,” she said, “as we are very connected to all of these surrounding counties. I also want to see these programs spread. All of us working with the needs of seniors have had some challenging years recently in Illinois. However, I want to spread what we do at Fox Valley Older Adults, our care, our work ethic, and our attitude.”
For more information, or to contact the FVOAS Batavia office, call 815-570-2531, extension 124.
Barb Nadeau is the Community Relations Manager for the Voluntary Action Center of DeKalb County. Barb has worked in television, radio, and print as well as in volunteer coordination and networking amongst non-profit social service agencies. She is a freelance writer and television host. Contact Barb at bvnadeau@gmail.com.