Aging with excellence starts at REAL Services

Aging with excellence starts with the proper support system. Transportation, housing, Medicare or Medicaid assistance, health education classes, or meals and nutrition — the list goes on. For those in the struggle, finding the right support or caregiver can be half the battle. At REAL Services — Northern Indiana’s premier access point for information on aging and program assistance — accessibility, support, and community care is a top priority.

Community care starts with trusted, reliable assistance programs. Assistance programs are the unsung heroes that feed and educate communities when members fall on tough times or have no one to turn to. REAL Services will connect you or your loved one to the care they deserve, creating brighter futures for aging adults, their caregivers, and anyone facing financial or medical barriers.

To help individuals maintain their sense of independence through care and support, REAL Services continues to honor its mission in strengthening the community from within by providing resources and support for aging individuals who strive to maintain a healthy, independent, and fulfilling life well into the golden years.

“We are an Area Agency on Aging, which is a national organization created as part of the Older Americans Act to serve the needs of older adults,” said President and CEO Karla Mapes. “We began as a small community program, providing meals and support to those affected by Studebaker’s closure. Today, we are recognized as an organization with nearly $30 million in funding, 28 programs, and 150 staff members.”

REAL Services’ efforts are only possible through community support, fundraising, and advocacy. Its goal is to ensure the most impacted community members receive the care they need and deserve. These efforts are made possible through the organization’s commitment to advocacy and addressing changing policies at the state and local levels. Support from state and local governments is crucial, and REAL Services strives to keep community members informed about policy changes, in real time, and for real results.

Advocacy for the voiceless is paramount to REAL Services’ commitment to serving Northern Indiana and has been for the last 60 years. The organization was founded in 1966 as Resources for Enriching Adult Lives. Over the decades, REAL Services has continued to evolve, addressing the emerging needs of communities through program expansion. REAL Services remains dedicated to its founding principles while adapting to the changing landscape of social services and the specific needs of the populations. With big-picture and future-proof thinking from the start, you may wonder how they began.

“Our claim to fame is from when we started the congregate nutrition program, which are sites where seniors can come together and enjoy a meal together. That program became part of the Older Americans Act as the national model, which is now available all over the United States.” said Mapes. “There are specific site directors; most of our sites donate their space for us to be there. That includes churches, senior high rises, community centers, senior centers, and different locations in our five-county areas.”

REAL Services offers a variety of programs designed to support the well-being of older adults and their families in Northern Indiana. These programs focus on improving nutrition through meal services, promoting self-sufficiency by providing resources such as transportation and in-home care, offering educational workshops on health and wellness, and ensuring the protection of vulnerable adults through legal advocacy and guardianship. Each year, these services benefit approximately 30,000 people in Northern Indiana.

In addition to its works with housing, nutrition, and self-sufficiency, REAL Services offers support to people living with dementia. The primary focus of REAL Services is not only to help people gain access to a caregiver, but also on the support for the caregiver, both in terms of planning for services and care. The focus is also on obtaining respite from care and getting emotional support for this most challenging time.

“We can assist by providing information and helping with screenings. While we do not diagnose because we are not medical providers, we can support individuals through the screening process. Screenings are important for establishing benchmarks, especially as memory is impacted,” said Mapes.

REAL Services offers training programs for potential caregivers. It also provides counseling and access to support, such as respite care and support groups. The organization works candidly with the aging populations in Northern Indiana, and as demands rise, so does its level of care and dedication to the cause.

“We’re also the organization that operates Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana (ALZNI). Through ALZNI, we support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers and families,” Mapes said.

The organization’s efforts to support the community remain possible through its dedicated network of volunteers and guardians, and the growing need for care. Volunteer opportunities are available for those interested in memory care and support. While volunteering with ALZNI, volunteers participate in outreach activities that build community awareness and promote dementia-friendly practices. Any and all volunteer help will go toward promoting a friendlier and safer environment for all community members.

Giving back to your community does not always mean monetarily. Volunteers can pledge their support by adopting a meal delivery route, engaging with seniors at the community center, advocating for policy changes to assistance programs, leading wellness workshops, or simply advocating to state and federal entities for these programs to exist.

To find job listings or more information on volunteering opportunities, check out the Volunteer section of the REAL Services website.

From there, visitors will also find information on the organization’s upcoming event — the Diamond Gala’s 30th Age of Excellence award ceremony – honoring individuals who provide compassionate care and dedication to the aging community. This event takes place Thursday, August 6 and is available to the public while tickets remain.

“The evening will feature author and former South Bend Cubs player Chris Singleton as the keynote speaker. After losing his mother in the racially motivated shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, Singleton has dedicated his life to promoting unity, forgiveness, and understanding. His message of resilience, compassion, and bringing people together deeply resonates with the spirit of this celebration and the values that have guided REAL Services for 60 years,” said Mapes. “Our website has tickets available for that evening, it’ll include some awards recognizing people in our community that are doing extraordinary work, as well as a live and silent auction, and some stories that really talk about the 60 years of REAL Services and how we help those most in need across northern Indiana.”

Supporting your loved ones or creating impact in your community can look different to everyone, and getting the ball rolling starts with REAL Services. For more information on how to get involved, program assistance, or the organization’s commitment to the aging community, visit their website at realservices.org. It is never too late to make an impact.