LIFE ElderCare

When Health Problems Restrict Mobility for Older Adults, VIP Rides Can Help.

February 7, 2012 By rachael

Marlene, 71, heard about VIP Rides from her doctor two years ago while she was being treated for a back condition. He recommended the program when she told him that it was hard to get to appointments because she could no longer drive. Due to her back condition and minor strokes, and her husband’s vision loss, they had sold their cars. They had been using cabs to get around in Fremont but the cost was $40-$50 for each round trip.

She called Lori Vogel, VIP Rides Coordinator, and Lori was able to sign both of them up for the service over the phone. They use VIP Rides mostly for doctor appointments and light grocery shopping. “Every single volunteer driver has been so nice, friendly and helpful,” says Marlene. “We’re not used to asking for help from anyone for anything, we never have.”

Marlene’s husband Michael, 73, currently uses the bus to go to the bank and calls on their daughter and son-in-law to make larger grocery purchases. Michael was forced to retire two years ago from a long career in sales and marketing because he could no longer drive due to myopic degeneration. “The best thing about VIP Rides is that it’s personal and it works according to our specific needs,” he says. “We have never had a problem with the service, ever,” adds Marlene.

Marlene says she usually gives Lori a week’s notice but neither of them have been turned down because of short notice. “Lori has always been able to accommodate use, she’s super.”

They have lived in their Fremont home for 43 years, and feel reluctant to leave the area. “Our only entertainment now is being with our daughter and her family,” said Michael, “we used to have a big social life but all of our friends have moved away and we have no transportation.”

Marlene was a caregiver for her mother for 25 years and also made weekly visits to an aunt in an assisted living facility once a week. “I’m totally amazed by stories about people in their nineties who are getting along so well when we are only in our seventies and life is such a struggle,” said Michael. “Getting old comes up on you so quickly and the health problems are something you never expect; VIP Rides has been a lifesaver for us.”

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elderly, geriatric care, homecare, life eldercare, nonprofit, senior services, vip rides Tagged With: aging, caregiver, elder care, homebound seniors, life eldercare, vip rides

80-year-old community activist signs up for Meals On Wheels

January 17, 2012 By rachael

Clara, a long-time community activist, heard her daughter say to her recently,“You volunteer to help others, but you never ask for help yourself.” It got her thinking about how she might utilize the resources available at LIFE ElderCare to help her with some of her daily activities. At age 80, she now has to use a walker to get around and can no longer stand at the stove to make meals.

While her daughter, who she lives with, does grocery shopping, she was finding it hard to get a hot, nutritious mid-day meal. The Meals On Wheels program was the perfect solution. “I have been on the program for a little over a year now and I really enjoy the meals,” she says, “and, as a former registered nurse I know how important good nutrition is to my health.”

When she was younger Clara enjoyed gymnastics and was always physically active. Health problems required to her to take early retirement but she supplemented her income for many years with a small in-home business. After her retirement she moved in with her daughter to help raise her teen-aged grandchildren.

She stays proactive about her health and has three doctors who are concerned and helpful. “I think the community services in the Tri-City area are very good,” she says, “I have access to all kind of services and especially enjoy the caring, Meals On Wheels volunteers who sometimes bring their small children along to visit with me.”

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, elder care programs, elder care services, eldercare, geriatric care, homecare, life eldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit Tagged With: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elderly, elderly homecare, life eldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit

Having someone to help means Tri-City residents in their 80′s and 90′s can maintain their independence.

January 9, 2012 By rachael

Virginia, 86, was widowed in 1993 and has lived in her Fremont home for 43 years. She currently lives alone. Her five children live out of the area, the two closest in Marin County. She maintains her independence by taking advantage of three LIFE ElderCare programs: VIP Rides, Friendly Visitors, and Meals On Wheels.

After reading about the organization in the newspaper, she mentioned it to her daughter who lives in Denver. Her daughter called Bernie Thien, Friendly Visitors Coordinator to get more information on how her mom could sign up. Bernie delighted Virginia by matching her up with a Friendly Visitor from her home state of Rhode Island. The two have been meeting every Friday for the past year to take short walks, play Scrabble and enjoy each other’s company.

She uses VIP Rides for grocery shopping and started receiving Meals On Wheels last March after coming out of a rehabilitation center for a fractured vertebrae. Her back problem makes it hard to stand long enough to cook meals or to buy groceries without assistance.

“I highly recommend LIFE ElderCare and often suggest it to people in my arthritis support group at Washington Hospital. Without the services that are available in my community I would probably be forced to sell my home and move into a much more expensive nursing home or assisted living facility.”

For fun, Virginia is part of a birdwatching group and has bird feeders in her backyard, and she watches movies on Netflix. “Politics are dismaying and depressing,” she says, “and I worry about my children not being able to afford health coverage if cuts are made to Medicare.”

Filed Under: caregiver, elder care, elder care programs, elder care services, eldercare, homecare, life eldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit, senior services, senior transportation Tagged With: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, homebound seniors, life elder care, meals on wheels, senior services, senior transportation

Volunteers have the magic touch

December 19, 2011 By rachael

LIFE ElderCare’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon drew an enthusiastic crowd of 275 people to the Newark Hilton on December 7 for an elegant meal and entertainment by local magician, Ryan Adler. This year’s theme, “Volunteers Have the Magic Touch,” celebrated the efforts of 574 volunteers who, along with 318 nursing students from Unitek College and Cal State East Bay, donated close to 42,000 hours last year towards helping frail, at-risk seniors in the Tri-City area stay healthy and maintain their independence.

Mary M. Anderson, Executive Director of LIFE ElderCare, welcomed the guests by saying, “Within each of us is a powerful design for living. Every day that you volunteer, your own special magic makes life better on behalf of our community’s seniors.” Janice Futch-Claridge, event sponsor, added, “This is a special time of the year but you are special all year long.”

This year’s recipient of the organization’s Friend for LIFE Award was outgoing Newark mayor, David Smith. Smith accepted the award on behalf of the volunteers by saying, “Through your dedicated service to the community, all of you are MY friends for life. On my last official day of being Mayor, I couldn’t be spending it with a finer group of people.“

Smith moved some people in the room to tears with a heartfelt story about how sharing a candy bar with a classmate when he was in the third grade was remembered more than 30 years later at a high school reunion. “You never know how much you are impacting someone’s life,” he said, “with a just a simple act of kindness.”

One of the guests, Paul Ray Andrus, has been giving rides to homebound seniors through the VIP Rides program for the past two years. “I like the flexibility of being able to volunteer when I have a break or some free time during the week,” he said. Dori Alexander started delivering meals through the Meals On Wheels program three months ago. After she retired, she knew this was what she wanted to do. “When I see people on my route I feel so happy,” she said, “and if they have time to talk, I enjoy visiting with them.”

According to a recent article in the AARP Bulletin, the value of one volunteer hour in California is $23.42. When you add it up, this represents a $900,000 in-kind investment by LIFE ElderCare volunteers. If you would like to join them in building an aging-friendly community, and make some heart-friendly connections along the way, please sign up today.

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, elder care programs, elder care services, eldercare, homecare, life eldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit, senior services, volunteer Tagged With: aging, caregiver, david smith, elder care, eldercare, homebound seniors, life eldercare, meals on wheels, volunteer

For many Tri-City seniors, this holiday is not a holiday from hunger.

December 5, 2011 By rachael

Every day, through no fault of their own, older adults are faced with heartbreaking choices. And the harsh reality is that many are forced to decide between medications and food on the table. Or heating their home and paying their mortgage. Throughout this holiday season, we expect to deliver 15,750 meals to homebound Tri City seniors who otherwise would not have any food.

We cannot do it alone. Your financial contribution will sponsor a senior’s meals and reflect that they are not forgotten. You will make the difference between hope and hopelessness. Or in the words of one our seniors, “My Meals On Wheels volunteers bring food for my soul and hope for my journey!”

Filed Under: caregiver, donate, elder care, elder care programs, elder care services, eldercare, homecare, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit, seniors Tagged With: aging, caregiver, donate, elder care, eldercare, life eldercare, meals on wheels, seniors

Annual Wheels for Meals Bike Ride raised $100,000

October 31, 2011 By rachael

A great time was had by all who attended the third Annual Wheels for Meals Bike Ride in Livermore, CA on October 22. The ride drew 762 riders who enjoyed a beautiful day and great food. LIFE ElderCare assisted during the ride by staffing a booth along the way where participants could stop for refreshments. The booth theme was patriotism and Barb Proctor (as Abe Lincoln), Paul Emge (as Obama) and Barbara Emge (as Betsy Ross), donned costumes for the occasion. The ride included three routes, covering 81 miles in three counties. “I got a real kick out of seeing so many families making the ride together,” said Proctor, “everybody really enjoyed themselves.”

Filed Under: Alameda County Meals On Wheels, elder care, life eldercare, meals on wheels, Wheels for Meals Ride

Senior men looking for a Friendly Visitor

October 5, 2011 By rachael

Friendly Visitors is a Tri-City service that matches older, homebound adults with community companions. Started in 1985, this program has helped thousands of people find life long friends. Our experienced “friend-maker,” Bernie Thien, has developed a keen sense for putting the right people together. From a tentative first visit, he has watched friendships blossom that have led to both volunteer and Visitor developing a deep appreciation of the joys and challenges of aging. In addition, many of the Visitors provide a much needed respite for weary caregivers who desperately need a few hours during the day to recharge their batteries. All volunteers go through a background check and a comprehensive training session.

Here are the Tri-City seniors in the program who are currently looking for a friend. If you would like to talk to Bernie in more detail or sign up to visit one of the men below you can email him or call 510-574-2097.

ROBERT, 82, Fremont - Born and raised in Hawaii. He has limited mobility, uses a cane, walker and power chair. He worked as painting contractor for over 40 years. Enjoys sports, especially boxing (fought as an amateur boxer). Has traveled extensively in U.S., lived in Hawaii, Los Angeles, Alaska, Texas and California. He enjoys playing card games – Poker, Hearts, Spades, Pinochle and especially Cribbage. He is very talkative and friendly.

HERMAN, 75, Newark - Born and raised in Texas. Due to a stroke in 1991, he has limited mobility and uses a walker. Played football in high school and also excelled at bowling all his life. Herman is a very friendly guy and would enjoy having someone to share conversations, short walks, coffee, lunch and trips to the bowling alley. His wife Carolyn, who is his caregiver, could also use a break when a visitor comes to see him.

NATHANIEL, 76, Union City - Born and raised in Louisiana. He is a Katrina flood victim who came here to live with his family. Nathaniel is a double knee amputee and his mobility is limited to a wheelchair and scooter. Since he is unable to leave the house much, he would really appreciate a new friend for socializing, watching TV, playing cards, and wheel chair rides. The family is usually away at work, so Nathaniel is home alone most of the time.

JAMES, 73, Fremont - He has had multiple strokes that have affected his sight and thought/speech processes. James was a true “outdoorsman” – hunting, fishing, horseback riding, trap and skeet shooting. Also traveled extensively – Europe, Africa, Panama, Mexico, Canada. Needs a very special patient person for socialization, conversation, walks, lunch and coffee outings. His wife Elaine is his sole caregiver.

JESUS, 74, Newark - Born and raised in the Philippines, came to U.S. in 1971. He has Parkinson’s disease and is confined to a wheelchair. College degree in accounting with 20 plus years working in that field. Enjoyed fishing in both ocean and streams. Jesus needs a special, patient person to be his friend. Speaks both Tagalog and English. His wife Delia is his sole caregiver.

TERRY, 72, Fremont - Born and raised in Ohio. Alert, talkative, pleasant, and eager for a new friend. Enjoys the outdoors, uses a walker. Worked 30 years installing mainframe computers for various industries. Has traveled extensively in Europe, French Morocco, Belgian Congo, and 40 states. Served as boy scout leader for 30 years. Terry has led a full life and has some great stories to tell.

LEWIS, 96, Fremont - Lewis is alert, friendly, and conversational. He is quite adept at many skills – electronics, keyboard and organ. He worked for 50 years in advertising. His wife of many years passed away in 2005 and he misses her very much. Lewis has many stories and adventures to talk about and would like to share them with a new friend.

JOSE, 63, Union City - Speaks English and Spanish. He was born and raised in Canal Zone. Worked 30 years as journeyman carpenter and layout expert. Due to diabetes his mobility is limited to using a cane, walker and power chair. Jose is interested in finding a new friend for socialization, brief walks and outings for lunch, shopping and the park.

ZUYI, 80, Union City - Born and raised in mainland China. He has a University degree and taught agriculture and chemistry classes for over 30 years. Very interested in locating a Mandarin speaking gentleman with whom he can converse and go walking. Health is stable with arthritis and poor vision. He is friendly, but sometimes forgetful.

MANNY, 63, Fremont - Born and raised in the Philippines. He has a college degree in medical technology, and worked for 30 years in Seattle and San Francisco hospitals. Manny was afflicted in April with stroke that affected the left side of his body, causing limited speech ability as well a general paralysis to left side. His wife, Ofelia and her family are looking for a patient volunteer who could come to the house and engage in “conversation” with Manny. He currently speaks by nodding, and his regular speech is slowly returning.

Filed Under: caregiver, elder care, elder care programs, elder care services, eldercare, friendly visitors, friendly visitors program, life eldercare, nonprofit, senior citizens, senior friendship, volunteer Tagged With: caregiver, elder care, eldercare, friendly visitors, friendly visitors program, homebound seniors, in home elder care, life eldercare, senior loneliness, volunteer

The Lifetime Risk for Osteoporotic Fracture is 50% for Women Over Fifty

March 8, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare

At the March 4, Osteoporosis Update at Washington Hospital, I learned a few important things about how to protect my bones. The first presenter, Dr. Barry Shibuya, clarified the difference for me between osteoporosis and joint pain. Osteoporosis is painless, (unless you have a fracture), while osteoarthritis hurts. Also, osteoporosis medication does not relieve joint pain; it only helps protect the body against future bone loss.

Dr. Shibuya alerted the audience to the harmful effect of steroid medication such as Prednisone on bone loss, saying, “If you take 5 mg of Prednisone for three months or longer, you will lose 25% of your bone density within one year.” To protect against osteoporosis he recommended exercise to build bones (bones are like muscles, they become stronger through resistive exercises), increasing your intake of calcium and Vitamin D, ending bad habits such as smoking and enrolling in a Fall Prevention program.

Maureen Parent, Coordinator of LIFE ElderCare’s Fall Prevention program, spoke after Dr. Shibuya and reiterated the importance of exercise in preventing falls. She pointed out that falls are the number one reason why seniors lose their independence. After a fall, the fear of falling again restricts a person’s willingness to engage in normal activities. And, the more sedentary and homebound they become, the more likely they are to fall again. People who have completed the 12-week, in-home, Fall Prevention class have reported a significant decrease (up to 70%) in their fear of falling again.

The major risk factors for falls are balance impairments, weak muscles, impaired vision, medications, and home environmental hazards such as inadequate lighting, clutter, throw rugs, as well as the incorrect use of assisted devices such as canes and walkers. The Fall Prevention program at LIFE ElderCare addresses all of the risk factors through a personalized exercise program, assistance with medication management and assistance with reducing hazards in the home. Enrollment is continuous so if you are age 60 and older, and are predominately homebound, this is a great way to keep you free from falls.

Rachael Vander Martin, Communications Specialist

See links for more information:

LIFE ElderCare Fall Prevention
Assess your Future Fracture Risk
Dr. Barry Shibuya

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, elder care programs, elder care services, eldercare, elderly falls, fall prevention, falls prevention, geriatric care, hip fractures, homecare, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, nonprofit, osteoporosis, prevent senior falls, senior citizens, senior falls, senior services Tagged With: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elderly falls, fall prevention, falls prevention, hip fractures, homebound seniors, in-home exercise program, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, nonprofit, osteoporosis, prevent senior falls, senior services

Fun-Raiser at Sweet Tomatoes, March 9, 2011 from 5-8 pm.

March 4, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare

Please join members of the staff and Board of LIFE ElderCare at Sweet Tomatoes restaurant for our Fun-Raiser. This is our first partnership with a local restaurant to raise money and we need your participation to make it a success. 15% of the cost of your meal will be donated to LIFE ElderCare. Invite friends, family, friends-of-friends—everyone you know who likes to eat fresh, wholesome food.

*** NOTE: (You must present the Sweet Tomatoes Donation Form when you pay for your meal. Be sure to download this form and bring it with you).

Sweet Tomatoes is located at: 39370 Paseo Padre Pkwy (corner of Paseo Padre and Walnut Avenue) in Fremont. For directions to the restaurant visit: sweettomatoes.com

Filed Under: caregiver, elder care, elder care programs, elder care services, eldercare, end senior hunger, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit, senior services Tagged With: elder, elder care, Fun-Raiser, fundraiser, fundraiser fremont, homebound seniors, in home elder care, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, nonprofit, Sweet Tomatoes Fremont, volunteer

An increasing number the “near-elderly” (55-64) in the Tri-City area need our help.

February 23, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare

At 58, Susan has no permanent home, no car, and no valuables other than her loving cat. She lives in a nearby motel where the manager gives her a good rate. She has been getting meals from Meals On Wheels since March 2009 and started using VIP Rides in April of last year.

In November of 2009 she had a stroke that has made her unsteady on her feet and has brought on chronic back pain. Social Security is threatening to cut off her medical benefits if she does not meet their criteria for the medically disabled.

Susan uses VIP Rides on a regular basis to get to the Fremont Food Bank, her doctor visits, and to do necessary errands. After she received notice that her medical coverage might be terminated, she called us to get a ride to her local clinic. Fortunately, a volunteer was available to help her on short notice. They both went to the clinic and the desk attendant told Susan not to fear anything yet, and made an appointment with her doctor for the following day. This brought much relief. After returning home, Susan offered the volunteer a glass of water and thanked her for being so kind. “Without VIP Rides” she said, “I would be stranded.”

Lori Vogel, VIP Rides Coordinator

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, elder care programs, elder care services, eldercare, elders, geriatric care, homecare, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, near elderly, nonprofit, paratransit, senior services, senior transportation, seniors, vip rides, vip rides program, volunteer Tagged With: aging, caregiver, elder, elder care, elder care programs, homebound seniors, in home elder care, life eldercare, nonprofit, old age, senior transportation, vip rides, volunteer