Senior program helps 'keep a balance'

Date: 03/11/2005

Edition: Wisconsin
Section: Tri-state
Page: A3
Story type: Current

Photo Caption: Dennis Rose (from left), Nancy Trenholm, Marna Thimmesch and Grover Appell enjoy breakfast at Emmy Lou's Cafe in Galena, Ill. Thimmesch is senior program supervisor for JDWI, which provides opportunities for workers with disabilities.

Photo Credit: Dave Kettering


Senior program helps 'keep a balance'
by MARY NEVANS-PEDERSON



Galena -- GALENA, Ill. - Nancy Trenholm enjoys the weekly "coffee outings" that are part of the senior program at JDWI, formerly Jo Daviess Workshop, Inc. On Wednesday, she and two co-workers chatted and laughed with program supervisor Marna Thimmesch at Emmy Lou's Cafe in Galena.
"This is my favorite part of the program. This and reading in the senior room," said Trenholm, 68, of Stockton, who works in the JDWI laundry department.
For years, JDWI has provided vocational work opportunities for many individuals with disabilities at its facility in Galena. However, as the workers aged, they could not keep up their previous work schedules, Thimmesch said.
"But it was clear that they still enjoyed doing some work and visiting with their friends," she said.
Seven years ago, the staff designed the senior program to meet the needs of JDWI clients who were aging out of full-time employment. The program and Thimmesch's position as supervisor are supported by the United Way.
Clients aged 50 and older can participate in the program as much as they want. Some, like Trenholm, are busy working most days and don't access the senior services very often. But others, like Grover Appell, of Stockton, work at JDWI in the mornings and take part in senior program activities in the afternoons.
A special senior room has been created at the JDWI center and every afternoon, Thimmesch or other staff members are there to play games or do crafts with the clients, take walks and exercise with them or listen to music and reminisce with them.
"I like playing bingo," said Appell, 76, who thoroughly enjoyed a slice of mincemeat pie at the cafe Wednesday. He planned to finish a fabric wall hanging later in the senior room and will put it up in his Stockton residence. For those who cannot hear or have problems identifying letters and numbers, bingo is played using pictures to match.
"This gives them an opportunity to ease off working full days, sort of like semi-retirement," Thimmesch said of the 25 program participants. "It helps them keep a balance between work and leisure. We try to meet their physical, social and emotional needs through the program."
United Way funding of $28,500 pays for half the senior program.
"Without that, we simply wouldn't be able to offer it," said Don Gereau, director of JDWI.
Copyright: Copyright 2005 Telegraph Herald
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