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

March 8, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

March 4, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

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: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Forgetting to turn off the stove can make some seniors averse to cooking.

February 18, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

Last month I did an assessment on a man, close to 90 years old, who came to the US from Ireland. He says he really likes Meals On Wheels because the food is nutritious, and if he’s not hungry when the meal comes, it is easy to heat it up in the microwave later. He tries to make Irish stew at least twice a month but finds that once he walks away from the stove he forgets about it. ”I can’t tell you how many times I make stew and burn it,” he says. ”I use to be a good cook, but not anymore.”

His daughters have warned him about the dangers of both cooking and driving, at age 90, but he pays no attention to them and drives to see his wife who is in a nursing home in Hayward. He has a great need to see her everyday. He left his wife in Ireland with 4 kids to come to California to get a job. She had to raise the kids alone for years before he had enough money to bring everyone over.

Notes from the Field
Barb Proctor, Meals On Wheels Assessment Coordinator

 

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elders, end senior hunger, geriatric care, homecare, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit, senior malnutrition, senior meals, senior nutrition, senior services, seniors, volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have a healthy heart!

February 2, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.

LIFE ElderCare’s Meals On Wheels program helps seniors learn about heart healthy eating by including nutrition tips and information on the back of every monthly MOW menu. This month we featured information about diseases and conditions that put the heart at risk and the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. (To learn more about heart disease, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) website).

Sometimes seniors already know about these signs and symptoms because they learned about them the hard way — by dealing with the disease itself. One gentleman in his 80’s, who recently experienced heart failure and hospitalization, called to tell me that he recognized that his own nurse, while visiting him at his home, had symptoms of a heart attack and he called 911 for her.

You never know when you might be called upon to save a life.

Barbara Emge
Meals On Wheels Coordinator

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elders, end senior hunger, geriatric care, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit, senior malnutrition, senior meals, senior nutrition, senior services, seniors, volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

LIFE ElderCare can help older adults meet the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines.

February 1, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

Meals On Wheels

Meals On Wheels provides one nutritionally balanced, healthy meal a day.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued yesterday by the US Department of Agriculture, focuses on balancing calories with physical activity, and encourages Americans to consume more healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood, and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains. LIFE ElderCare’s Meals On Wheels program, along with the Fall Prevention program, can help get older Tri-City residents get on track to meet these goals.

Meals delivered through our Meals On Wheels program are specifically designed to meet the nutritional parameters set by the Older Americans Act and the Alameda Area Agency on Aging. Every fresh cooked meal provides one-third of the minimum daily requirements for older adults and includes food that is high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. The entrees are low fat, contain no added salt, and are delivered with a pint of milk and fresh fruit.

Our Fall Prevention program helps seniors by enrolling them in a 12-week, personalized, in-home exercise program that includes a weekly support visit from students enrolled in Unitek College’s LVN program. Through the use of resistance bands, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises, participants are able to gradually improve their muscle strength, balance and gait. This leads to greater mobility, enhanced functioning and less fear about falling in the future.

Here are some of the tips that will be provided to help consumers translate the Dietary Guidelines into their everyday lives:

  • Enjoy your food, but eat less.
  • Avoid oversized portions.
  • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
  • Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
  • Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals – and
  • choose the foods with lower numbers.
  • Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
Filed Under: 2010 Dietary Guidelines, aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, end senior hunger, fall prevention, falls prevention, geriatric care, hip fractures, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, nonprofit, senior malnutrition, senior meals, senior nutrition, senior services, seniors, volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kind and gentle, 90-year-old woman is a favorite with volunteers.

January 25, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

Just signed up a new client. She is 90 years old, a retired teacher who lives on her own in a mobile home in Fremont. Because she has a speech impediment I went to her home to do the initial interview/assessment. Her name is Myrtle and she learned about VIP Rides from a friend that lives in the same mobile home who had used VIP Rides and was pleased with the service. Myrtle greeted me at the door with a hug and she led me into her kitchen where she had milk and cookies ready for me.

After explaining the program to her she was eager to set up her first appointment. She had a doctor’s appointment later in the week and was concerned that she might not have a ride. I assured her that a volunteer would be available for the appointment. After her first ride, Myrtle was delighted with the service and set up two more appointments. So far, every volunteer that has helped Myrtle would like to do so again. Her kind and gentle ways are a gift.

Lori Vogel
VIP Rides Coordinator
510-574-2096

 

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elders, geriatric care, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, nonprofit, positive aging, senior services, senior transportation, seniors, vip rides, vip rides program, volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With VIP Rides, an active, 82-year-old woman now feels safe and confident about getting out in the community again.

January 24, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

I recently got a call from a man who was looking for a way to help his mom get to her monthly appointments. After researching transportation options on the Internet, he thought VIP Rides sounded like a good choice. I explained the program to him and he said it was just what his mom needed. I then called his mom, Claire, to tell her about the service. Because she has a slight hearing problem we decided to meet at her Fremont home where she has lived for over 40 years and raised both her children.

While her children now live out of the area, she enjoys good communication with them and finds that they are happy to help her find the resources she needs to continue living independently in her own home. Her limitations are similar to many women her age, she can no longer drive and finds it difficult to do the simple things she once enjoyed.

After I explained the program to her she didn’t hesitate to get started. Her first adventure was a trip to the grocery store. She was so comfortable with the volunteer that after getting home she called and said VIP Rides was just like having a friend take her.

In addition to regular trips to do her shopping, she has also scheduled twice a week physical therapy appointments. “I now feel safe and and confident about getting out to do I what I need to do,” she says. “I attribute this to to the VIP Rides program.”

Lori Vogel
VIP Rides Coordinator
510-574-2096

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elders, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, nonprofit, senior services, senior transportation, seniors, vip rides, vip rides program, volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For some, living longer can lead to loneliness and isolation, Friendly Visitors can help.

January 24, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

The idea of finding dating partners on the Internet is becoming increasing popular and is, for some, also leading to marriage. But not all people who are looking for companionship are interested in dating or marriage. A rapidly growing number of older men and women are finding themselves isolated and alone. In many cases this occurs because family members move away to take jobs in other cities, or long time friends stop driving because of illness or safely issues.

One service in the Tri-City area that excels at matching older, homebound adults with companions is the Friendly Visitors program at LIFE ElderCare. Started in 1985, this program has helped thousands of people find stimulating companionship as well as 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.

While there are a number of for-profit companies in the Tri-City area that offer a similar service, Friendly Visitors is the only nonprofit, community-based option. All volunteers go through a background check and a comprehensive training session.

Here are a few of the Tri-City seniors in the program who are currently looking for a friend:

NANCY - 77, lives alone in Newark senior apartment complex. Alert, friendly, humorous, she is eager for a new friend. Plays cribbage and backgammon. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she worked 40 years in credit collection. She is a very active person who would enjoy going out for lunch, shopping or a movie.

KWI – 76, lives alone in Union City home. Born and raised in Seoul, Korea. Friendly and conversational, she would love to meet a new friend. She is experiencing some chronic arthritis pain but still enjoys being outdoors, gardening and walking.

GLORIA – 84, lives with son and daughter-in-law in Union City home. Born and raised in New York, she came west in 1945. Very active for her age, she watches PBS, plays board games, reads mysteries, and enjoys taking walks in the neighborhood. Son Eric is her caregiver and would welcome a Friendly Visitor to give him a much needed break.

MARIA – 67, lives with husband in Union City home. Born in the Philippines, she came to the US in 1966. She has a B.A. in nutrition and has traveled extensively in Europe, Israel, Alaska and Hawaii. She is currently getting dialysis 3 times per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and really needs a good friend for visits, conversation, phone calls, possible car trips for groceries, lunch, and visits to mall. She is a very deserving person trying to make the best of a difficult situation.

To view all of the seniors looking for a friend, please visit our website.

Bernie Thien
Friendly Visitors Coordinator
510-574-2097

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, caretaker, elder care, eldercare, elders, friendly visitors, friendly visitors program, geriatric care, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, nonprofit, senior companion, senior friendship, senior services, seniors, volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Meals On Wheels helps homebound, obese woman get one healthy meal a day.

January 24, 2011 By LIFE ElderCare 1 Comment

We all know how hard it is to lose five to ten pounds. But what if you needed to lose 300 pounds? Where would you start? One woman in our Meals On Wheels program is starting with one healthy meal a day. At close to 500 pounds she is unable to shop or cook, and has not left her home in two years. While she does have friends who bring food to her every week, it is not the kind of food that contributes to healthy eating habits or losing weight.

Her weight started ballooning after a serious car accident in which many of her bones were broken. After going through many surgeries she has struggled to adjust to the changes in her body. Being unable to walk for many months, she gradually stopped participating in activities that she had previously enjoyed and started relying more and more on friends for her basic needs.

Obesity can lead to a number of chronic health problems but one problem that is rarely discussed is clothes. While there are stores that specialize in clothes for overweight people, they are of no use to those who cannot leave their home to shop, or who need to have their clothes custom made. Recently, she found someone who has sewing skills who has agreed to help her design a few new dresses. I put her in touch with a City of Fremont case manager to discuss the many programs that are available to help Fremont residents who are disabled and she was very grateful.

Notes From the Field
Barb Proctor, LIFE ElderCare Meals On Wheels Assessment Coordinator

Filed Under: aging, caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elders, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit, obesity, senior malnutrition, senior meals, senior nutrition, senior services, seniors, volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

LIFE ElderCare Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

December 27, 2010 By LIFE ElderCare Leave a Comment

Mary M. Anderson, Executive Director

Every year in December, LIFE ElderCare hosts a grand party at the Fremont/Newark Hilton to honor and appreciate their volunteers. This year’s theme, “Come Rain or Come Shine,” acknowledged the heartfelt commitment each volunteer makes to ensure that meals, transportation, exercise and companionship, are available to every homebound senior in the Tri-City area. During the past year, over 500 volunteers gave 35,500 hours to the organization.

Judy Zlatnik, Board President and Janice Futch-Claridge, Board Member

The celebration filled the ballroom to capacity with close to 300 guests that included Mayors Bob Wasserman of Fremont, David Smith of Newark and Mark Green of Union City. David Smith proclaimed the luncheon to be the one he looks forward to the most during the year. “Despite exceeding their contracted agreements every year, this organization has never put people on a waiting list to receive meals, he said. Janice Futch-Claridge, the event sponsor said, “Never in my long years of doing community work have I found more generosity, commitment and love than in LIFE ElderCare.”

Some of the volunteers shared their stories with each other during lunch. Jane Lotz and her husband Stewart have been volunteering with Meals On Wheels for twenty years. “I have delivered meals to 426 different people, she said. “I keep doing it because the people are so wonderful and the need is so great.” A group of four volunteers from the Dawn Breakers Lion’s Club talked about how they have enjoyed alternating first and third Friday meal deliveries for the past five years.

Mary M. Anderson, LIFE ElderCare’s Executive Director presented Gabrielle Chow, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Valley Care Hospital and Bill Stewart, CEO of RGW Construction the organization’s Friends for LIFE Award. Chow was acknowledged as a model partner for keeping food costs down and for working collaboratively with seniors in the Meals On Wheels program to create delicious, healthy meals. Stewart was commended for his company’s longtime dedication to the organization. “RGW is truly the wind beneath our wings,” said Anderson. “For the past fifteen years the annual RGW Golf Tournament has raised $40,000 - $50,000 to help Tri-City seniors.”

This year marks the 35th year of operation for LIFE ElderCare. In 1975 the organization delivered 350 meals a year. Last year they delivered over 95,000 meals. During the past six years, they have expanded services to include senior transportation and in-home exercise. Their friendly visitor program started in 1985. For more information, or to volunteer, visit their website at http://lifeeldercare.org.

This post was published in the December 24, 2010 issue of the Tri City Voice newspaper, as ”LIFE ElderCare celebrates 35 years of community commitment.”

Filed Under: caregiver, elder care, eldercare, elders, end senior hunger, geriatric care, life eldercare, lifeeldercare, meals on wheels, nonprofit, positive aging, senior services, seniors, volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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