Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of South Dakota launched the Older Adult Resource Network (OARN) in Douglas and Charles-Mix Counties in August of 2022. The mission of the LSS organization is “inspired by God’s love, we care for, support and strengthen individuals, families and communities”. For all people in the state of South Dakota to be healthy, safe and accepted is the vision of the organization. LSS feels the call respond to the changing needs in South Dakota communities. With more communities having an aging population and lack of skilled nursing facilities across the state, LSS decided to do what they could and create the OARN to assist with those needs with the goals in mind to empower older adults to age with independence, dignity and purpose in the community of their choice.

The South Dakota OARN project is a part of a regional Rural Aging Network Collaborative that is dedicated to expanding sustainable community-based services and supports for older adults that are underserved in several rural communities in Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

LSS touches the lives of South Dakotans 28,795 times each year through a variety of statewide programs and services. LSS is one of the largest private non-profit human service agencies in South Dakota, serving people of all ages, faiths, races and economic backgrounds through professional, confidential and affordable services. Through their whole-person, family-centered approach to care for individuals, families and communities have access to the support and resources they need to thrive; children and families have safe, stable home environment; and children and families have safe, stable home environments.

The Older Adult Resource Network (OARN) program is open to people 55 years of age and older and for their caregivers. This program is made possible through a grant from Lutheran Services in America. This initiative aims to improve the quality of life and allows for older community members to age in place. This same type of program has established in select communities in Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The mission of the OARN program is to connect older adults to resources, helping people aged 55 and older, age in their own home and in the community of their choice, by connecting them to service and support. Aging in rural communities is presenting unique challenges that can limit access to healthcare, transportation, and other services that are vital for older adults to maintain their independence. There is no charge for any coordination/ networking efforts made by the LSS OARN Coordinator and staff. Through their connection of networking providers, LSS offers referrals and services to qualifying individuals. LSS can see the need in rural communities to be able to expand their resources and networking in order to remove any barriers to care that may exist.

How the OARN program works is that the LSS OARN coordinator gets to know each individual interested in receiving services. Through conversations and a home visit, LSS can then make an assessment and give recommendations to individuals to let them know what services may be a good fit for their needs. There are five main areas that the OARN coordinator focuses on when it comes to identifying resources including transportation, food security, social isolation, healthcare navigation/ referrals and safe housing. The OARN coordinator serves as the connection point between the individual and service network. They make the necessary referrals and assist individuals in identifying solutions. Individuals may qualify for free access to LSS Behavioral Health Services and LSS Center for Financial Resources. This program also has a caregiver component to it. The program allows for caregivers and community partners to grow in their ability to address gaps in care needed for older adults as well as be made more aware of the needs of older adults and resources in their community. LSS can also coordinate unique educational sessions and materials to assist the community as a whole in addressing the needs of the older adult community members.

In Douglas and Charles-Mix Counties, LSS is currently seeing a lot of food insecurity; requests for home housekeeping/help at home; and requests for mobile life alerts. There are several food resources available in the area including food pantries, Senior Food Boxes, hot meals and mobile food deliveries in both counties. With technological advances becoming an even bigger part of society, there can be some challenges for older adults. The OARN program coordinator can assist with filling out forms needed to access services that may require the use of technology. One of the bigger programs that the program coordinator is seeing is the lack of transportation services in the area, which is a big concern for older adults who can no longer drive themselves to appointments for their healthcare, food, necessities, social activities, etc. There are actually numerous services available in the two counties, but finding the information can be tough. OARN can assist with accessing the information and filling out any paperwork that may be necessary to obtain transportation.

Since its launch in 2022, the LSS OARN has helped 166 older adults and caregivers in both Douglas and Charles-Mix counties thus far. Of the 870 referrals for services 147 were referrals to food resources; 65 were referrals for transportation services; 213 were referrals to healthcare services; 37 were referrals to social activities; 197 were referrals for safe housing services and 211 were referrals for miscellaneous services (legal, technology, etc.). An example of how the OARN program has had an impact would be during this past quarter when the OARN coordinator assisted five older adults with their applications for energy assistance, which totaled in the applicants being awarded $7254 in energy assistance for older adults, which is especially important for those individuals or couples with limited incomes.

One of the unique aspects of the program is that LSS is local. The LSS Coordinator personally meets with older adults and if applicable their caregiver in their home. Another unique aspect is that LSS created three OARN stakeholder groups (one in Douglas and two in Charles-Mix County) that help advise the project and come up with innovative solutions when there are gaps in services. A good example of this was when it was noticed that there were many technology gaps amongst older adults in the Armour area, so they partnered with the Armour School District’s National Honor Society students and invited older adults to bring their devices (laptops, computers, iPad, etc.) to a venue with Wi-Fi where the older adults were able to get their technology questions answered. Not only was it a great way to teach older adults more about their technology, but it allowed a fun interaction between the different generational groups.

Some final messages that the LSS would like to say to the older adults in the Wagner and Lake Andes communities are that you are not alone; there are many other older adults reaching out for assistance; even if you do not currently need services, but would like to learn more feel free to contact the coordinator; and they also will help assist long-distance family caregivers. The program has been so successful and influential to the Douglas and Charles-Mix counties that LSS will be expanding their OARN services to Hutchinson and Bon Homme counties later this year.

If interested in more information please call 605-496-4388 or email OARN@Lsssd.org . An individual, family member or caregiver can make a referral to the LSS OARN coordinator as well using either the above listed email or telephone number.