(Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo) The Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency In-Home Services program provides Dickinson County seniors age 60 and older the help they need to be able to keep their independence. DICSA In-Home Services Director Dixie Youngs discusses upcoming schedules with client Lois Wall of Kingsford.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Many people want the same things as they age: to maintain their independence and remain in their own home.

Support programs such as In-Home Services offered by the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency can provide local seniors with the assistance they need to reach those goals.

“The most important quality of the program is to help seniors keep their independence,” DICSA In-Home Services Director Dixie Youngs said. “We also encourage them to do as much as they can on their own, and with a little help, they can stay at home.”

Four years ago, Lois Wall of Kingsford reached out to DISCA to help care for her ailing husband.

“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have been able to keep him home,” she said. “It was desperately important to me.”

After her husband, Alan, died about two years ago, they reviewed her situation and felt it was beneficial to continue with the In-Home Services.

“It’s keeping me in my house, instead of me having to go to assisted living,” she said. “I know I can depend on her (aide) to help with stuff I need.”

The non-profit organization focuses on three categories — personal care, homemaking and respite care.

A client’s personal needs may include help with bathing/showering; dressing; grooming; transferring; eating; bathroom needs and ambulation.

The homemaker’s service, which is the most requested, is light housekeeping duties. Aides can assist with laundry, cleaning, meal preparation or changing linens.

“Aides are unable to provide any transportation; however, they can do errands or shopping for a client,” Youngs said.

Grocery pick-up has become very popular with the clients since the COVID-19 pandemic years.

“I do my Walmart order and Tina (an aide) will pick it up before she comes for the day — it works out perfect,” said Wall, adding she also showed her how to do the ordering on her phone.

The respite care program allows primary caregivers some relief to go to appointments, errands, shop or other activities outside the home. While respite staff do not provide skilled nursing care, the caregiver at least knows someone remains at the home in their absence.

A senior’s needs will be discussed at the time of assessment, which takes place at their home.

A potential client is most often referred to the agency by either a doctor’s office, hospital or nursing home.

Young noted all the programs are grant funded and only available to Dickinson County seniors age 60 and older. Services in Iron County were discontinued about two years ago, due to staffing issues, she added.

“Clients are encouraged to make a donation, which is based on their monthly income,” she said. “It’s usually only $1 or $2 per hour of service suggested.”

“Gratefully I am able to do that, but those who don’t are still provided services,” Wall said.

All those donations go back into the senior services.

Young noted other agencies may provide similar services as well but charge an hourly rate.

DICSA has five trained aides and about 40 clients in Dickinson County.

“The staff have been with me for a long time — they are great and very dedicated,” Youngs said. “They do a great job for us.”

It’s important for clients to always have the same aide, she stressed, as it allows them to establish a relationship. The same aide will also be able to get into a routine and become familiar with a client’s home.

“It’s very comforting,” Wall said. “It’s great to have just someone to talk to once a week.”

The DISCA In-Home program currently has a wait list for new clients due to limited staff.

As soon as positions are filled, they will be able to add more seniors.

No certification is required and previous experience, while helpful, is not necessary.

“Anyone that enjoys working with the senior population, this is very rewarding,” Youngs said.

She noted each potential client is based on a priority scale. “Many, like Lois, depend on our services,” she said. “Without it they will face going to a nursing home or assisted living.”

“Being able to continue to provide these services is very important to area seniors,” Wall said. “I am very grateful for everything they do.”

For more information about the program or employment possibilities, go to the DISCA website at https://www.dicsami.org or contact Dixie Youngs, DICSA In-Home Services director, at 906-774-2256, ext. 234.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.