Washington Co., WI – This May, Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County will announce the winners of the Judy Phillips Memorial Influencer in Aging Award. The award honors Judy Phillips and her legacy of passionate work for senior citizens. It will recognize those in the community whose work demonstrates creative, impactful and strong advocacy for the senior citizens.
Jen Fechter is the elder benefit specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in Washington County, was nominated in the community impact category; somebody who has made a difference in the community for senior citizens.
“I started at the Threshold working with adults with disabilities,” said Jen Fechter. “That was, for about 15 years then, ever since, I’ve been working for the Aging and Disability Resource Center as the elder Benefit Specialist.”
Fechter has definitely found her calling working with senior citizens; patient, caring, and an aggressive problem solver for a generation that can be stymied by cell phones, voice mail, and other gee-whiz technology.
“I love it because I can make a difference,” said Fechter. “I’m helping senior citizens with securing basic needs like income, shelter, food, access to medication, access to health care.”
Fechter shines when seniors are stressed and under duress with an unexpected bill or statement that causes a barrier and is full of government roadblocks.
“I’m able to cut right through that red tape and help them secure those basic needs. So, the ability to give someone some stability in their life is really profound,” she said.
Click HERE to read about Judy Phillips Award nominee Paula Hader
“By helping the one person you’re helping the whole family unit,” Fechter said. “Just relieving that stress by having a friendly face in a nearby location; someone who’s actually going to answer the phone and that is pretty special.”
Click HERE to read about Judy Phillips Award nominees
Tammy Dickman and Mona Dickmann from ADRC
Through the years Fechter has developed some Ninja networking skills and she has quite the Rolodex of phone numbers.
“I’ve been able to meet face to face with some of the people that work for Medicare as well as the Social Security representative; they understand my training and it is easier to work with them when you’re speaking their language,” said Fechter. “That’s often what throws a hard wrench into the mix for seniors or their family.”
While Fechter relishes working with senior citizens, she actually had her eyes on a much different career path. “I wanted to make educational toys for children,” she said. “I wanted specifically to work with kids with disabilities, because my mom worked in that field, and it always intrigued me.
“When I worked for the Threshold and got to work with adults with disabilities, I knew I didn’t need to make toys. I could make a difference right here in my community. So, it transitioned to seniors, and I’ve never looked back.”
Click HERE to read about Judy Phillips Award nominee Cedar Community
Fechter said the reward of working with senior citizens is experienced firsthand. “They give back to me with stories from their life,” she said. “To hear what they’ve done for our community over time, and how their lives have had an impact our community and made my life better.”
Click HERE to read about nominees Dave and Lisa Morbeck
The Judy Phillips Memorial Influencers in Aging Award will be May 24, 2022, at the Maurin Center at Lac Lawrann, West Bend, WI.
Awards will be presented for Creative Expression, Community Impact, and Aging Advocacy.
