Elder Network expands caregiver respite services in Dodge County

Elder Network, a nonprofit focused on supporting older adults and caregivers, has expanded its presence in Dodge County in recent years, working to address a growing need for respite services and community-based support.
The organization began serving the area about three years ago after the federally designated Area Agency on Aging reached out to explore local needs. Elder Network then partnered with Faith in Action, another nonprofit already active in the county, and identified gaps in both in-home and group respite care.
“Our goal is to be a soft landing for people who don’t know where to look first,” said Holly Brown, program director and caregiver respite manager.
Brown said her path to the organization was personal. While caring for her mother during a cancer diagnosis, she was approached by Elder Network’s executive director about joining the team.
“The job actually found me, and it has been a gift,” Brown said.
She brings nearly two decades of experience working with family caregivers, along with her own lived experience, which she said helps her connect with those seeking support.
Founded in 1988, Elder Network is funded primarily through grants, including support from South Country Health Alliance, as well as contributions from United Way, Mayo Clinic, the Alzheimer’s Foundation Association and local banks.
“We’re very appreciative of the support we’ve gotten from South Country Health Alliance to expand services,” Brown said.
The organization operates on a sliding fee scale based on income and offers a mix of services, including socialization programs for seniors, respite care for caregivers and educational programming. While services are nonmedical and typically private pay, staff can refer families to home health agencies when medical care is needed.
Elder Network also collaborates with other providers to coordinate care, allowing caregivers to transition seamlessly between respite services and in-home health support.
Support groups for caregivers are held in person on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Kasson. Participants are encouraged to bring their loved ones for respite care during the sessions. There is no fee, though registration is required.
Brown said the organization is also restarting a group respite program at the Kasson Hy-Vee on the same schedule, beginning March 24. The program will allow caregivers to drop off loved ones for supervised activities focused on socialization.
In addition, a Dementia Friends information session is scheduled for April 30 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Kasson Public Library. The free session will provide education for those interested in supporting individuals living with dementia.
Brown said nonprofit organizations like Elder Network continue to face challenges, particularly in the wake of increased oversight following the Feeding Our Future fraud case. She said while expectations and administrative demands have increased, funding has not kept pace.
“Nonprofit doesn’t mean free,” Brown said. “It’s still a business.”
She noted that about half of the organization’s clients fall at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and emphasized the importance of maintaining access to services.
“I think communities would suffer greatly if there were no nonprofits to help people on the lowest spectrum of income,” she said.
Elder Care serves Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona Counties and can be found online at www.elder-network.org or reached by phone at 507-285-5272.