All of these resources are available at little or no cost. For more information or assistance in obtaining them, contact Rev. Mark Anderson at the Synod Office (319-352-1414, andersonm@neiasynod.org) or Prof. Lynn Peters in the Social Work Department of Wartburg College (319-352-8472, lynn.peters@wartburg.edu).

Powerpoint Presentations: Three power point outlines designed to accompany hour-long lecture/discussions on the following topics:

All three of these programs may be downloaded directly from the MOA website.  They can be used by any church wanting to deliver lectures on these topics themselves, or they could be used by MOA workgroup members who are called upon to present the programs.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers.  Coordinated through the Iowa State University Extension Service, this privately-developed, copyrighted program utilizes trained facilitators across Iowa to work with churches and other groups to provide intensive, 6-week courses for family caregivers.  The MOA Workgroup serves as a point of connection for any of the Synod’s churches interested in hosting a PTC program.  Some costs are involved in implementing a PTC program, but facilitators work with sponsoring churches to minimize expenses and raise funds locally.

The Savvy Caregiver.  This program includes a set of 4 one-hour video programs and a 160-page training manual developed by the University of Minnesota and Healthcare Interactive, Inc. to help family members and professionals to successfully meet the challenges of caring for someone having Alzheimer’s Disease.  The Savvy Caregiver is one of the nationally-developed dementia care training programs endorsed by the U.S. Administration on Aging.  The DVD set has been purchased by the Wartburg College Institute for Social Work Consultation, Research & Training for use by the Synod’s churches.  The manual is free and can be viewed and transmitted electronically (or it may be printed).  The Savvy Caregiver program materials are available to churches at no cost.

Home and Community-Based Assistance for Older Iowans.  This is a 1-2 hour program presented at individual churches either by staff from Iowa’s Area Agencies on Aging or the Wartburg College Social Work Institute.  It is designed to acquaint the audience with home care services that are available to older Iowans and how to obtain them.  The MOA Workgroup serves as a point of contact for churches wanting to host such a program, which is provided at no cost.

Detecting and Reporting Medicare Fraud/Abuse.  The program presented at the 2010 Synod Assembly on the subject of Medicare fraud/abuse can be provided at individual churches across the region through the Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol project, which was created and is funded through a federal Administration on Aging grant program.  The program helps participants to understand the magnitude and costs of Medicare fraud/abuse, shows them how to recognize it, and describes how to report it.  This program is available to churches at no cost and can be arranged through the MOA Workgroup.

End of Life Planning: Five Wishes.  Developed by Aging With Dignity, a non-profit organization championing better care for those at the end of life, Five Wishes is an easy-to-use legal document that lets adults of all ages plan how they want to be cared for in the event they become seriously ill.  The forms, an instructional DVD, and an outline for a short presentation on Five Wishes can be obtained through the MOA Workgroup.  The documents are $5.00 each ($1.00 when 10 or more are purchased). 

Technical Assistance to Churches in creating programs and supports for Older Members.  The Wartburg College Institute for Social Work Consultation, Research, and Training can provide individualized, on-site assistance to churches wishing to organize services and support groups for older adults and their families at no cost.  Arrangements for this service can be made through the MOA Workgroup.

For more information about these programs or to make arrangements to obtain them for your church, contact:

Lynn Peters
Wartburg College Social Work Department
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-8472
Lynn.peters@wartburg.edu