Connections Area Agency on Aging

10/15/2026

Connections Area Agency on Aging Receives $5,000 Donation to Support Meals on Wheels!
Today, Connections Area Agency on Aging was honored to welcome Nicole Plendl from Pipestone Veterinary Services in Orange City, Iowa. Nicole presented our Nutrition Department with a generous $5,000 donation through Pipestone’s GIVE Project to help support Meals on Wheels in Plymouth County.
For more than 80 years, Pipestone has been dedicated to helping farmers today create the farms of tomorrow throughout the Midwest. Through its GIVE Project, Pipestone also demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting local communities and addressing food needs. Their generosity has benefited numerous agencies and nonprofit organizations.
We are incredibly grateful to Pipestone Veterinary Services and the GIVE Project for this kind and meaningful donation. Your support makes a real difference in the lives of older Iowans, helping ensure they have access to nutritious meals and the support they need to remain safely and independently in their own homes.
Thank you, Pipestone, for investing in our community and helping us care for the older adults we are proud to serve! ❤️

10/15/2026

Happy National Dessert Day!

Honestly, we’re not sure who decided we needed a whole day dedicated to dessert… but we totally support it.

And since we’re talking about sweet things, it seems like the perfect time to remind you about something pretty sweet coming up:

Connections’ Sugar & Spice Gingerbread Gala
Friday, December 4
The Warrior Hotel

Think holiday fun, delicious food, festive drinks, gingerbread creations, great company and a whole lot of reasons to celebrate the work Connections does for older adults and family caregivers across our communities.

So go ahead… have the dessert. You’re basically practicing for the gala. 😉

🎟️ Get your tickets and join us for a sweet night that makes a difference!
https://tinyurl.com/GALACAAA26

Sugar and Spice Gingerbread Gala Friday, December 4, 2026 6:00 pm 9:00 pm Register Now Add To My Calendar Save the Date! Contact Info Pam Wurster…

10/14/2026

🌿 Wellness Wednesday: Small Steps Make a Difference! 💚

Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to mean making big changes. Sometimes, it’s the little things that help us feel our best!

Here are a few simple ways to support your wellness this week:

🚶‍♀️ Take a short walk or enjoy a little movement throughout the day.

💧 Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

🥗 Enjoy a balanced meal with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

😊 Reach out to a friend or loved one for a quick chat.

😴 Give yourself permission to rest when you need it.

Remember, wellness looks different for everyone. Choose one small thing you can do for yourself today. Your well-being matters at every age!

What’s one thing you do to take care of yourself? Share it in the comments! 👇

10/13/2026

💙 Caregiver Conference – Honoring National Family Caregivers Month 💙
Caregivers give so much of themselves to the people they love. This November, let’s take time to support, celebrate, and recognize the important role family caregivers play in our communities!
Join us for a special Caregiver Conference filled with encouragement, education, and connections to help you along your caregiving journey.
✨ What can you look forward to?
🎤 Informative speakers sharing practical tips and valuable insights
🤝 Opportunities to connect with other caregivers who understand your journey
💡 Community provider tables featuring local services, resources, and support
💙 Helpful tools and ideas to support both you and the person you care for
Whether you’re currently caring for a loved one, preparing for future caregiving responsibilities, or working in a caregiving role, this conference is an opportunity to learn, connect, and feel supported.
Remember, caregivers need care and support, too! You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. 💙
Share this post with a caregiver who could benefit from a day of encouragement, connection, and helpful resources!

10/13/2026

Caregivers need care, too 💙

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a FREE six-week support program for grandparents and other relative caregivers age 55+ who are raising a child with special health or behavioral needs.

Hosted at SPLECC in Council Bluffs, the program provides a supportive space to learn practical caregiving skills, focus on your own well-being and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.

📅 Six weekly sessions
📍 SPLECC in Council Bluffs
🤝 Trained facilitators
📘 Workbook and caregiver resources
💙 FREE to attend

Know a grandparent, relative caregiver or family who may benefit? Send this post their way.

Learn more:
https://www.connectionsaaa.org/support/grandparents.html

10/10/2026

World Mental Health Day 💚

Today is a good reminder that listening to people who have lived through mental health challenges isn’t just about hearing their stories. It’s about valuing their experience and making sure they have a seat at the table.

People with lived experience bring knowledge and perspective that can’t always be learned from a textbook, a training or a policy document. Their voices can help shape better services, better decisions and better support.

Too often, we ask people to share their stories — and then move on without asking what they think should happen next.

Meaningful engagement means more than listening. It means giving people opportunities to help shape programs and services, challenge stigma, advocate for change and make sure the systems meant to support them are actually meeting their needs.

It also means supporting people to live in their communities, with dignity, choice and connection, rather than relying on institutions that can leave people isolated from the communities they call home.

So today, let’s do more than listen.

Let’s listen, learn and take action — and build mental health services with people, not just for them. 💚

10/08/2026

Celebrating 7 Years with Connections!

Today we’re celebrating Alisha Frady, Director of Consumer Services, and her 7-year anniversary with Connections Area Agency on Aging!

Alisha’s journey with Connections began seven years ago as a Service Navigator, working directly with individuals and families to help them navigate services, resources, and often some of life’s most difficult situations. She later moved into the role of Caregiver Specialist, where she had the opportunity to work closely with family caregivers—an area of work that has always been especially meaningful to her.

From those direct-service roles, Alisha continued to grow within the organization, eventually stepping into leadership and her current role as Director of Consumer Services. Having started on the front lines continues to shape how she leads today. She understands firsthand both the needs of the people Connections serves and the challenges staff face while trying to meet those needs.

As Director of Consumer Services, Alisha oversees Connections’ consumer service programs, including Information & Assistance, Options Counseling, Case Management, Elderly Waiver, IRTC, and CFOC. While her responsibilities have changed over the years, the heart behind her work hasn’t—helping people feel heard, supported, and connected to the services they need.

One of Alisha’s favorite parts of her role is supporting her team. She enjoys mentoring staff, watching them grow in their careers, improving programs and processes, and finding new and creative ways to better serve the communities Connections serves. She believes some of the best ideas come from the people doing the work every day and values creating an environment where staff feel supported and know that what they do matters.

Looking back over the last seven years, Alisha is especially grateful for the relationships built along the way—the coworkers who have become friends, the staff she has had the privilege of working alongside, and the individuals and families who have left a lasting impression on her.

Outside of work, Alisha enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, tackling DIY projects, and usually dreaming up her next project before the current one is finished.

Happy 7-year anniversary, Alisha! Seven years of learning, growing, leading, and serving—and still remembering that at the center of it all are people.

10/08/2026

The consumer services team had a great time of Nacho themed training yesterday. We had some fun with Nacho trivia and games. Then of course we had to get serious with policy and procedure updates. We also got to experience with Alzheimers simulators. We had a great day and a great luch filled with Nachos galore. Thanks Alisha Frady for a great job!!

09/30/2026

Hello friends. Connections Area Agency on Aging has been made aware that our 800 number is not currently working. If you need to call Connections, you can always use our local number 712-328-2540. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

09/26/2026

THIS TIME, IT’S FOR REAL!

We may have jumped the gun yesterday, but NOW we mean it… Connections Silent Auction ENDS TODAY!

Bidding ends at NOON!

And remember — extended bidding is in effect! If a bid is placed in the final minutes, the bidding on that item may be extended, giving other bidders a chance to jump back in.

So if you have your eye on something, NOW is the time to check your bids and make your move!

👉 Bid BIG. Bid OFTEN. And help support older Iowans and family caregivers across our service area!

🔗 32auctions.com/CAAA26

Let’s finish this thing strong! 💙