LIFE ElderCare honors community service awardees

October 3, 2012 by
HRC Awardees

Tammy Duran, MOW Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Margaret Simms, Patricia Osage, Executive Director, Marty Fraga.

LIFE ElderCare is proud to announce that the Fremont Human Relations Commission (HRC) has awarded two of its own: Marty Fraga and Mary Margaret Simms with 2012 Human Services Awards.

At the Fremont City Council meeting on October 2, Mayor Morrison presented the awards for outstanding community service to: Marty Fraga, Mary Margaret Simms, and also to Jeevan Zutshi, Raj Salwan, and Abode Services.

Marty Fraga received the Human Services Professional Award for her long-time leadership at LIFE ElderCare in the Meals on Wheels program. As a nurse and health care educator, Marty brings fourth-year California State University, East Bay nursing students in for a semester at a time to work with the vulnerable seniors who receive our meals. Marty’s deep concern for the needs of older adults has been a life long passion and she is passing that down to the next generation of young health care workers.

“Marty’s program at LIFE ElderCare has enhanced the care provided to our seniors and those with disabilities a hundredfold,” says Barbara Emge, Meals on Wheels Coordinator. “I can’t imagine us being without the vital services they provide.”

Mary Margaret Simms received the Human Services Individual Award for 26 years of service as a LIFE ElderCare Meals on Wheels volunteer driver. Twenty six years! Ms Simms brings a smile to the faces of both staff and meal recipients. She loves what she does and it shows.

“We are very proud of the contributions Marty and Mary bring to LIFE,” said Patricia Osage, Executive Director. “We feel lucky to have so many amazing people as part of the LIFE family. Speaking on behalf of the staff, the other volunteers, and all of our board members and program participants, I can say that we are Marty and Mary’s biggest fans!”

Since the early 1990′s, the HRC has recognized individuals and groups in the community that have made outstanding contributions in the pursuit of equality, justice, human services and human rights for all citizens.

 

Filed Under: Meals on Wheels, Volunteer Opportunities Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Our Fall Prevention program helps Beatrice, 95, maintain her independence.

August 7, 2012 by

For women in their 90′s who want to remain independent and live in their own home, finding the right combination of resources to keep them healthy and mobile can be an ongoing challenge. The biggest concern for many of them is simply getting around the house without falling and staying strong enough to bathe, dress, and cook meals. Having social support and companionship is also very important as advanced age often brings on feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Beatrice, at 95, is lucky to have family in the area who check in on her every day and take her out for trips to the grocery store and Macy’s. She likes shopping and gets a thrill out of choosing just the right gift for one of her children. During the past few years her mobility and strength have been declining but she still gets around her house with a walker and is able to dress herself and warm up meals cooked by her son. She attributes some of her success at remaining independent to LIFE ElderCare’s Fall Prevention program.

Four years ago, Beatrice and her son read about the program and thought it would be a good way for her to get personalized exercise assistance that was pre-approved by her doctor. They also liked the idea of nursing students coming to the home every week to monitor her progress, maintain her motivation and answer questions. Beatrice says about her experience, “Oh yes, I like the program and want to continue with it.” She says the program has helped her stability and she enjoys visiting with the nurses. It is the first exercise program she has ever participated in.

While she is no longer able to shower or bathe on her own, she still takes short walks with her children and accompanies her son to the grocery store every week for shopping. “We are so happy when the program helps older adults stay in the homes they love for as long as safely possible,” says Maureen Parent, Fall Prevention Coordinator, “sometimes for people in their 90′s, just ‘holding the line’ is an amazing achievement.”

The Fall Prevention program is open to anyone age 60 and older who lives in Fremont, Newark and Union City. The supervised exercise program lasts 12 weeks and includes a medication review and home safety check. For more information or to sign up, call Sandy at 510-574-2087.

Filed Under: Fall Prevention, Life Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Meal On Wheels helps Philip, 96, stay independent.

July 30, 2012 by

PhilipProfile of Philip, a Fremont resident who has been fixing clocks for 88 years.

In the small Colorado town where I grew up, people brought their broken clocks to the local jewelry store to be repaired. Those that could not be fixed were donated to kids who wanted to play with them. The first one I got couldn’t be fixed because I didn’t have the parts, but a few weeks later I was given another one that was the same model. By taking parts out of that one, I was able to get the other one working. I was eight years old and have been fixing clocks ever since.

I came to California in 1936, but after losing my job went back to Colorado. A high point of that trip was crossing the Bay Bridge from San Francisco to Oakland. It took four hours and cost 65 cents. In 1939, I came back to the Bay Area and got a job as a mechanic for the bus company. I retired in 1980 at 65.

My six children, 20 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 5 great-greats are spread out all over the country. I only have one son who lives nearby. My wife and I learned about Meals On Wheels about a year ago when I went to the hospital for some tests. I’m 96 and she’s 86, so we were having a hard time keeping up with shopping and cooking. The meals are healthy which helps me manage my diabetes.

Filed Under: Life Stories, Meals on Wheels Tagged With: , , ,

Seniors who desperately need rides for medical treatment or food can get help through LIFE ElderCare.

July 24, 2012 by

Joan, an 86-year-old woman suffering from arthritis and diabetes, recently moved from her home in the Midwest to the Bay Area at the urging of her children. Once settled in, however, the children had to relocate to keep their jobs. She is now living on her own, unsteady on her feet, and unable to shop for food. Her children have invited her join them in their new home but Joan doesn’t feel strong enough to make another move. She recently signed up for VIP Rides because she had no way to get to the grocery store.

Carol, a 71-year-old single woman, started using VIP Rides in April 2010 to get to her physical therapy appointments. She was so pleased with the service that she requested a ride to her doctor for a mammogram. A malignant growth was found in one of her breasts that required surgery. The two VIP Rides volunteers that had been taking her to physical therapy offered to give her a ride to the hospital and back home after her surgery.

Without access to safe and affordable transportation, many older adults may experience isolation and a reduced quality of life. A 2004 study found that seniors age 65 and older who no longer drive make 15 percent fewer trips to the doctor, 59 percent fewer trips to shop or eat out, and 65 percent fewer trips to visit friends and family, than drivers of the same age.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Senior Transportation, VIP Rides, Volunteer Opportunities Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Loneliness can be a risk factor for poor health in older adults.

July 10, 2012 by

We all know the sayings: ‘a task shared is half as difficult’ or how about ‘many hands make for light work’? Could it be that a task is easier when done by more people – or does having someone to share the experience help us function more effectively? A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, “Loneliness in Older Persons,” highlights the connection between loneliness and functional decline.

From 2002 through 2008, the study asked 1,604 seniors if they felt left out, isolated, or lacked companionship – all predictors of loneliness. Among the participants, 43% reported feeling lonely. Lonely individuals were more likely to experience a decline in their mobility and their ability to perform daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing and getting around in the home. Loneliness was also associated with an increased risk of death.

Given the number of health and social issues that health care providers must prioritize, the identification and treatment of loneliness may seem to be outside the scope of medical practice. Yet many health care providers may be missing a key “risk factor” of poor health.

If you are feeling lonely what can you do? How about a visit to your local senior center? Or, if you are have difficulty getting out of your home, call the telephone support group, “Senior Center Without Walls” at 877-797-7299. You are just a phone call away from enjoyable conversation, engaging group discussions and exploration of specific topics with others. If you are looking for a new friend but don’t know how to find one, call the Friendly Visitors program at LIFE ElderCare at 510-574-2097. This program pairs volunteers from the community with seniors who would like a friend to visit them, one to two hours a week, in their own home.

Or, how about a little exercise to help boost your mood and reduce your risk of falling? The Fall Prevention program at LIFE ElderCare can help with both of these issues. Enjoy a 12-week, personalized, in-home exercise routine that includes a weekly, one-hour coaching session with Unitek College nursing students. The program also offers a home safety check and medication review. Daily exercise will improve your mobility, make you stronger and help your balance. Call Sandy at 574-2088 to learn more.

- Sandy Hallgren

Filed Under: Fall Prevention, Friendly Visitors Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Friends Deliver Together

June 19, 2012 by

For the past 20 years, Susan and Marilyn have been delivering meals to frail, home bound seniors. We recently chatted with them about how volunteering has enriched their lives.

Susan and Marilyn - Meals On Wheels Drivers

Susan and Marilyn

Susan - I had a friend that used to deliver meals and thought it was something I might like to do, but at the time I still had a daughter who was in the lower grades and had to pick her up early from school. When she started going the full day I thought, I can do this now. I signed up in January 1993.

Marilyn was a neighbor and a good friend and I asked her if she wanted to deliver meals with me. We thought we were going to ease into it but the Coordinator said, “So, can you start tomorrow!” During the first 19 years there were only five times when we could not cover our shift.

It’s more fun to deliver with a friend; we usually have lunch together when we finish. I think the people we deliver to enjoy it too. Some of them see us as “the team” and worry if one of us doesn’t come.

Of course, not everyone wants a connection. Some people just leave their coolers out and we hardly ever see them. But there are other people we become friends with and when they go off the program Marilyn and I continue to visit them. One woman was 98 and almost blind when we started delivering meals to her. We went to her 99th and 100th birthday parties. She outlived all of her five children.

You have more people in your life that are going to leave before you do and that’s hard, but on the other hand, the people we get to know add so much to our lives. The two hours of the week I deliver meals are when I feel most appreciated.

Marilyn - It is nice to deliver together. Some people really look forward to us coming and light up when they see us. It’s an important part of their day and for us as well.

We had one fellow, who at the beginning, definitely did not want us there. He was grumpy and distant but after he got to know us we became really close friends. When he later went into a convalescent home we continued to visit him until he passed away. His wife told us that our visits were the highlight of his week. For some people, the caring connection means more than the meal.

Filed Under: Meals on Wheels Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Got Balance?

June 6, 2012 by

Do you know how to test yourself to see if you have good balance? A lot of seniors believe they have good balance because they’re still getting around. But if you would like to know if your balance is as good as you believe, here is a simple test you can do.

First, stand with both hands on top of a table or counter, and place both feet firmly on the floor. Now, with both hands still on the counter for safety, gradually lift one foot. So far, so good? Okay, now lift both hands. You should be standing on only one foot without assistance. Could you stay that way for 10 seconds? If yes, your balance is rather good. However if you are like a lot of seniors, you felt unsteady and unsure. Perhaps you wouldn’t even take your hands off of the counter. You’re in good company. Most seniors feel that way. So, what if you do need to improve your balance - is there anything that can help?

Yes! If you are a senior living in the Tri-City area of Fremont, Newark and Union City, call Sandy at LIFE ElderCare 574-2087 to enroll in the free Fall Prevention program. The program provides trained nursing students who will come to your home and instruct you on personalized exercises that will be approved by your doctor which will put the balance back in your life. Improving your balance reduces your risk of falling. A lot of seniors have improved their balance by joining the program and you can too. Call today!

P.S. LIFE ElderCare’s 12-week, in-home exercise program is offered at no cost to home-bound seniors age 60 and older. In addition, you’ll receive a free home safety assessment, minor home modifications and a comprehensive medication review. These combined measures may help decrease your possibility of a bad fall. If you are concerned about falling, doing fall prevention exercises can make all the difference!

-Sandy Hallgren

This article originally appeared in the March 9, 2012 edition of the Tri-City Voice.

Filed Under: Fall Prevention, Senior Health Concerns Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Elderly participants and registered nursing students benefit from the Sustainability Module in LIFE ElderCare’s Fall Prevention program.

April 26, 2012 by

Sustainability is a critical component of LIFE ElderCare’s Fall Prevention program. Anyone who has begun an exercise program or health improvement regime understands the challenges of maintaining their commitment to it. Now, imagine doing this in your late 80’s while also struggling with multiple chronic and debilitating health problems. The most effective fall prevention program would incorporate ways to maintain contact with their clients, and continue to review their fall risk, years after the initial training. LIFE ElderCare is able to offer this through a partnership with Unitek College’s LVN to RN program.

From the perspective of the registered nursing student, helping seniors maintain their strength and mobility is a challenge that calls upon their experience as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and the new skills and knowledge gained during their RN education. After completing a thorough assessment of the senior’s physical, environmental and psychosocial needs, the RN student gets valuable hands-on training in geriatric home care by helping the senior maintain their initial success.

After the students finish their training, LIFE ElderCare conducts a post-program interview. Here is what one student had to say about his experience.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Fall Prevention, Senior Health Concerns Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

More physicians need to ask their patients about falls.

April 25, 2012 by

A recent survey by the Hartford Foundation has revealed that only 19% of older adult patients have had their MD talk with them about fall prevention. This is alarming given the fact that falling is the cause of 90% of all hip fractures and is the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths in older adults.

We recently interviewed Dr. Dianne Martin, a Fremont, CA-based physician, about what she looks for in assessing whether or not someone is a fall risk. “The patients most likely to take a fall are ones that have balance and mobility problems, decreased muscle strength and are taking medications that affect balance.” She has found that patients who have even minor falls become less confident and lose their feeling of security when walking.

When a patient tells her about having a fall she recommends the Fall Prevention program at LIFE ElderCare. “Having someone who comes to their home really motivates them and gets them excited to participate,” she says.

Dr. Martin would like to see more physicians ask their patients whether or not they have had a recent fall because if the fall is minor, many patients forget to bring it up. If the patients says yes, it gives the physician a great opening to talk about the importance of fall prevention programs. “More and more older adults want to age independently in their own homes,” says Martin. “Whatever we can do to make this a reality is certainly a plus.”

Learn more about LIFE ElderCare’s Fall Prevention program.

View our Fall Prevention Coordinator’s presentation at the 2012 California Wellness Foundation’s Conference on Healthy Aging.

Filed Under: Fall Prevention, Senior Health Concerns Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Elderly falls are not inevitable.

April 19, 2012 by

Falls are the leading cause of death from injury in older adults, and most falls occur in the senior’s home. But falling is not inevitable. Fall prevention programs that include balance training, physical activity, medication management and home modifications do make a difference. LIFE ElderCare’s Fall Prevention Coordinator, Maureen Parent, talked about our holistic approach to integrating all of these these elements, along with the importance of community partnerships, at the recent California Wellness Foundation Conference on Healthy Aging on April 18, 2012 in Glendale, CA. The session, “Promising and Proven Solutions for Promoting Healthy Aging,” introduced the audience to several innovative programs to empower older adults to take responsibility for their health and promote healthy aging.

LIFE ElderCare’s Fall Prevention program is unique in that it addresses all dimensions of a senior’s well-being - physical, mental and social - by pairing seniors with trained nursing students for weekly one-on-one coaching, education and support. The successful implementation of this program over the past seven years is a testament to the power of partnerships. By utilizing nursing students from Unitek College and student pharmacists at Touro University, frail, older seniors get a customized, supervised exercise program, a medication review and minor home health modifications, at no charge.

During the past year 367 seniors were enrolled in the program and 318 student nurses received hands-on training in geriatric home care. In addition, the success of the program has encouraged Contra Costa County and other communities to start their own Fall Prevention programs.

Click here to view Maureen’s presentation on SlideShare.

Filed Under: Fall Prevention, Senior Health Concerns
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