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Volunteers have the magic touch

December 19, 2011 By


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: , , , , , , , ,

Senior men looking for a Friendly Visitor

October 5, 2011 By

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: , , , , , , , , ,

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

March 4, 2011 By

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

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

February 23, 2011 By

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

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

February 18, 2011 By

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

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

February 1, 2011 By

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

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

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

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

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