Formerly the Respite Worker Program under the direction of the Tribal Aging Unit, the renamed Ho-Chunk Nation Caregivers Program, is now a community health program designed to help the elderly and disabled stay in their home.  Caregivers Program Director, Diane Santa Maria stated the Program now has 41 full or part time workers giving care to tribal members living near Ho-Chunk communities across Wisconsin.

Some workers spend 40 hours a week working in one home; others may spend two or three hours visiting and assisting clients at various intervals throughout the week.  “ It all depends on the individual needs,” Santa Maria said.  Because the Program is not a home health agency, Santa Maria stressed that workers are on duty only when a doctor and/or nurse are available.  Because an “on call” system has not been implemented for the doctors or nurses involved with the Program, clients are only served during the normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.  The Caregivers Program currently has six certified nurses supervising workers at six Ho-Chunk communities. 

Santa Maria explained that the Caregivers Program provides both Supportive and Personal Care.  Supportive Care workers generally are responsible for the non-medical needs of the client, such as housecleaning, running errands or taking the client to appointments.  Sometimes, the Supportive Care workers are family members who are getting paid to help.  “Having a family member helping is always the best,” Santa Maria said, adding that all workers need a drivers license and proof of insurance.

Personal Care workers are certified nurses who sometimes perform the same non-medical duties but also monitor blood pressure, blood glucose and attend to other medical needs.  A medical record is kept in the home should an emergency arise during non-working hours.

The Caregivers Program is funded by the Ho-Chunk Nation and meets all state regulations.  A Community Health Nurse who visits the home and accesses the client’s needs determines eligibility.  Because the Caregivers Program has funding restrictions, Santa Maria stated that those who are eligible for a nursing home or other care that will be covered by insurance should first seek those other services.  “Sometimes the client just needs more than we can provide,” she said.

Once a person is in the Caregivers Program it is the responsibility of the client’s family or friends to care for, or make sure that care is provided evenings, weekends and holidays.  The local Community Health Nurse and can provide more information on the Program and help find alternative care.

As reported in the last issue of the Hocak Worak the Caregivers Program staff is working with the Clan Mothers creating an awareness of the Ho-Chunk tradition and culture among the workers.  The Caregivers Program has been under Santa Maria’s direction since November.  Since then, she has visited every Ho-Chunk community seeking to give a new structure to a Program that she recognizes as a valuable tool that allows people to maintain their independence.