Staying Put, Inc

STAYING PUT’s mission is to help seniors and adults with disabilities to live independently in their homes continuing the rural tradition of “neighbors helping neighbors.”  Since 2015, we have coordinated volunteers to help provide non-medical assistance at no cost to our clients primarily in the Spring Valley and Elmwood, WI school districts with their surrounding rural areas in Pierce, Pepin, Dunn and St. Croix counties. Last year, Staying Put volunteers donated 4,561 hours and drove 54,875 miles – a distance of more than twice around the earth! We are primarily donor funded so your donation is critical!

We currently coordinate 135 clients and 99 volunteers to:

• provide transportation to medical appointments, physical therapy, prescriptions, groceries, banking, library books/movies, dances, etc.
• coordinate Meals on Wheels deliveries
• Memory Café and Coffee & Conversation regular gatherings where persons with dementia and their caregivers can meet in a safe space to socialize, discuss concerns and share helpful advice, and sometimes learn from a speaker such as Spring Valley Ambulance on preventing falls in your home and outside
• Strong Bodies exercise class, Walking Buddies, and Chair Yoga
• Coffee time, Crafts, Games, Birthday Parties, Holiday Parties, Movies, Foot Care Clinic in our office
• Expanding Horizons – birdwatching, orchard visit, flower garden tea, Tales of Quails, and other educational visits
• Caregiver Breaks, Friendly visits, and Therapy Dog visits
• Music at local care facilities and Dances at the Community Centers where senior royalty are selected to participate in our local town parades
• provide light home repair, yard work, pet care, and tech device assistance
• provide AARP HomeFit evaluations and modifications for safety
• Resource referrals for help outside our scope, such as to 211, ADRC and professional services
• and more!  (See pictures in Media Gallery)

Melodee was busy taking care of her husband Ken, who suffered from dementia in their home when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her world turned upside down as she struggled to “soldier on.” When she realized she needed help, she turned to Staying Put.

“Staying Put was a God-send!  I am thankful for all the services they provided. I would look out the window to see a volunteer weeding, trimming my small garden and tending the bird feeders. Ken was entertained by a black squirrel’s comical attempts to get at the suet and the wide variety of birds. This was good for Ken’s memory as he tried to describe the activity! Each week a volunteer also came to help clean-up the kitchen and offer to help in other ways. We are thankful for Staying Put, who encourage, uplift and help us as well as others struggling with needs.” 

Please donate today to partner with us to help others to STAY PUT! 
A monthly or one-time gift of any size is greatly appreciated! 
You can provide a donation in honor of our 10th Anniversary in 2025!