Before the sun comes up, a caregiver may already be awake, checking on a loved one, preparing breakfast, organizing medications or making sure an appointment is not forgotten. At the end of the day, there may still be one more phone call, one more meal to prepare or one more reassuring conversation. This is caregiving.
Throughout Wabasha County, countless family members, friends and neighbors quietly provide this kind of care every day. They may be caring for an aging parent, a spouse, a grandparent, a sibling or a friend. Often, they do not consider themselves caregivers at all. They simply say, “I am taking care of someone I love.”
November, recognized as National Family Caregivers Month, is a time to pause and recognize these individuals and the important role they play in our families and communities. Caregiving is an act of love, but it is not always easy. It can mean rearranging work schedules, missing sleep, putting personal plans on hold and learning how to navigate medical, financial and emotional challenges. It can also bring moments of laughter, closeness and memories that caregivers treasure.
Just as importantly, caregivers need care, too. Fortunately, caregivers in Wabasha County do not have to navigate the journey alone. Three Rivers Community Action’s Age Well Connections helps older adults and caregivers connect with services and supports, including information about respite care, meals, transportation and other community resources. The Wabasha office can be reached at (507) 316-0610 or (800) 277-8418.
Elder Network also offers caregiver support, education and respite services for families in Wabasha County. Caregiver support groups provide a safe place to discuss and share whatever is going on in your life and in the lives of those you love. The group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Faith Lutheran Church, 905 Hiawatha Drive East, Wabasha, Minnesota 55981. Caregivers are encouraged to contact Bonnie at Elder Network at (651) 565-3237 or bonnies@elder-network.org to let her know they will be attending. These services can provide caregivers with information, encouragement and something every caregiver occasionally needs: a chance to take a breath.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Wabasha Hospital and Clinic also offers Home Health services to help older adults remain safe and supported in their homes. These services can assist with homemaking, meal preparation, personal care and other daily needs that can make it easier to stay independent at home. To learn more about their offerings, call Tina at (651) 565-5577.
Another effort is helping older adults remain safe and independent in their own homes. Wabasha County first piloted in-home safety checks with Wabasha Ambulance in 2018. Although the program was later paused because of staffing challenges, the idea gained new momentum after Wabasha County joined age-friendly efforts in 2023. Home safety and access to health services were identified as important community priorities, leading local partners to work toward incorporating HomeFit assessments, education and referrals into routine home visits.
The Wabasha Kellogg Age Friendly Collaborative was awarded a $2,500 AARP Community Challenge Capacity Building Microgrant in June 2026 to support this work. The funds are being used for practical safety items such as night lights, nonslip strips, task lighting, flashlights, door alarms, reachers, car door assist handles, grab bars and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Through partnerships with Three Rivers Community Action, Wabasha County Public Health and Wabasha Ambulance, HomeFit assessments can be offered during regular home visits, including meal deliveries. Bringing these resources directly into the home can help older adults who might not otherwise seek assistance remain safe, confident and independent.
The project runs through December 2026, with local partners looking toward expanded home repair collaboration in the future. For residents in the Wabasha Kellogg area who would like more information about receiving a HomeFit assessment or learning more about the Wabasha Kellogg Age Friendly Collaborative, contact Jodi Johnson at Wabasha County Public Health at (651) 565-5200.
For additional assistance, Minnesota Aging Pathways connects older adults and family caregivers with resources throughout the state at (800) 333-2433.
This National Family Caregivers Month, take a moment to notice the caregiver in your family or neighborhood. Thank them. Offer to sit with their loved one for an hour, bring them a meal, run an errand or simply listen. Sometimes the greatest gift is letting a caregiver know they are seen.
Because behind every caregiver is a story of devotion, and throughout Wabasha County, those stories are helping families stay connected, supported and together.
