OCT/NOV/DEC 2017 We are thankful for the 400+ volunteers who deliver meals to homebound seniors, feed those in our senior centers, or provide support at Community Respite Groups every day. the Wreathmakers of St. Mary of Korona Catholic Church for the magnif ficent wreaths they made for our clients and their support of the Glenn & Connie Ritchey Community Service Award Gala. the Volusia County Emergency Operations staff who hold a fundraiser each Christmas to help purchase larger items (i.e. rollator walkers, vacuums, small microwaves, etc.) allowing needy COA clients to remain safely in their own homes. the talent and dedication of the members of the COA and Foundation Board who bring their time and expertise to help guide the organization. the commitment of our stafff who has devoted themselves to caring for the most vulnerable members of this community, seniors reliant on COA for basic necessities like a daily bath, a hot meal, a smile and a hug. YOU, our friends and supporters, who have donated your treasure to care for needy seniors. You, above all, deserve our appreciation. But, for every senior you have helped us care for, there is another sitting behind a closed door waiting for services. Please, open your hearts and your wallets today to help us care for those who have so little.
FROM THE DESK OF OUR PRESIDENT & CEO With the holidays fast approaching, I hope this finds you and your families well and excited about the celebrations ahead. It really is a very special time of year. We ve all heard the phrase the gift that keeps on giving and there really are some of those. For our COA clients who receive in-home services like grooming & bathing, respite care, laundry & light housekeeping and Meals on Wheels these daily support activities are a gift. They are a gift that allows our seniors to remain in their own home for as long as they want or are able. That independence is a pretty big gift. And, so is the peace of mind it gives to their children or loved ones. Imagine that you really are by yourself day in and day out. How comforting it is to hear that knock on your door each day a COA volunteer delivers your hot lunch and checks to make sure that you are okay. Over the next few weeks we will experience an increased volume in our customer service department. Family members who visit during the holidays will suddenly be confronted with the physical condition of their loved one. The reality does not always match the cheery words that have come over the phone for the last few months. And, we ll be here, ready to add clients to our home delivered meal program or inviting them to take a free bus ride to one of our neighborhood dining sites where they can socialize and enjoy some activities. In the center of this issue of COA News you ll see the first of three messages that will be appearing in the newspaper over the next few weeks. It asks you to support COA by opening your heart and your wallet. Please donate to COA between now and the end of the year. It will be a great gift - and we ll see to it that it keeps on giving. God bless. 2
3
4
5
6
7
Holidays are times to reconnect with our loved ones. This is also the perfect time to do an objective checkup on how the seniors in our families are coping. Here are a few questions to use as a guide. Is your family member clean and properly dressed? Has he/she experienced any significant change in weight? (up or down) How is his/her balance? Is he/she walking well? How is his/her short term memory? Can he/she perform daily tasks? Take a careful look at your family member s environment. Is the home neat, clean and well maintained? Should grab bars be installed in the bathroom? How safe is the neighborhood? Are services such as grocery stores, banks, and medical offices easy to access? If the person drives, take a ride with them during the day and at night. How is his/her driving? Does he/she see and respond appropriately to changes in traffic, road haz- ards and pedestrians? What is your family member s average day like? Does he/she have opportunities to socialize? If your loved one is caring for another family member, is he/she getting respite from care giving and receiving emotional support? If your observations lead to concerns, what are your next steps? As Families Gather Find a quiet, relaxed time to talk with your loved one to ask what does he/she see as their biggest challenges or concerns for daily living? In a calm manner, share 2-3 of your major concerns. Brainstorm with them and other family members about possible solutions. Consider hiring COA for an assessment of your family member s condition. COA will provide regular status reports on his/her situation and recommend other elder care resources. COA In-ho ome Personal Care can be your eyes es and ears while you ar re away. Call 8
COA HURRICANE RECOVERY By now many of you are aware of the extensive damage Council on Aging s main administrative office on Beach Street sustained during the hurricane. The storm rendered our office uninhabitable and the 50 staff members housed in that office, key to the daily operations of our business and the care of our clients, have been relocated to multiple temporary locations until a more permanent solution is found. True to our mission, COA was the caregiver to our most vulnerable seniors before, during and after the storm crisis. But, COA s house has been destroyed and we are now experiencing our own crisis. COA will be reaching out to you, our community, asking for your help. Please give generously to get COA restored. More information coming soon. COA is pleased to welcome Penny Young-Carrasquillo to our Leadership team. Penny, a former Volusia County resident who has come home again, took the reins of fundraising and donor development as our Director of Philanthropy. Before joining COA, Penny was the Director of Development Services at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. During her previous 13 years in Volusia County, Penny worked for Stetson University, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, and Easter Seals. In Recognition of 33 Years of Service We are happy to honor Lisa Lewis for 33 years of service. As COA s Vice President of Community Care Programs. In her role, she is responsible for the management of grant-funded clients and the Case Management team that oversees their care. Lisa joined COA in 1984 as a Case Manager herself and has seen many changes throughout the years. Thank you Lisa! 9
The Season of Giving The Season of Gratitude At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. Albert Schweitzer The fall season calls to us to give thanks for all that we have. Cherri Prosser, a resident of western Volusia County, says that she feels extremely grateful for the COA services that allow her mother to remain at home: light housekeeping and personal care two days a week and weekday transportation to and from COA s Neighborhood Respite Care program, where seniors with early-stage dementia engage in interactive structured activities. My mom enjoys being around the truly warm and compassionate people who work at Respite Care, as well as the other group members, Cherri says. She now lives in the moment, and there, her moments are active and fun! My mom is much happier, which makes me very happy. These programs have given both of us a much better quality of life." Prior to receiving COA services, Cherri s mother would sit in her home absorbed in very few activities. With the thought of institutionalization out of the question, Cherri, DON T LET HURRICANE IRMA CLOSE DOORS. Unf ortunately, Hurricane Irma has de vasted our headquart ers and forced us to relocate to temporary facilities. The extensive damage and additional costs have left us severely challenged to continue our much-needed Meals on Wheels program and in-home care for needy seniors in Volusia County. Federal and state funds don t meet the curr ent need. Help k eep our doors open and those of elders in need. Please open your heart and your wallet today. Donate at coavolusia.org or 386.253.4700 ext. 215 COUNCIL ON AGING A Non-Profit Servicing Volusia Seniors 10
like many adult children, became the primary caregiver, taking care of all of her mother s dayto-day needs and personal care. While my mother is in no way a burden to me, it was all very taxing, she says. As the aging population grows, the need for services such as in-home assistance and Respite Care increases. For each of our local seniors served through your support, there is another waiting for help. The need is great. And the support that Council on Aging receives through federal and state funding is not enough to assist all of our neighbors seeking help. When you give to Council on Aging, you ensure that the most vulnerable of Volusia County s elderly population remain safely in their own homes through services such as respite, light homemaking, personal care, transportation, and grocery shopping. You provide nutritious meals to homebound seniors. You sustain the wellbeing checks that naturally accompany meal delivery. You lift spirits by supporting senior centers and dining sites that promote the social interaction and activity so vital to all of us. In addition to everyday needs, your gifts provide something else: You help to maintain or restore dignity and happiness in an elderly person s life. You help to rekindle the light in the lives of many seniors in our community. This is why Cherri and her mother join all of us at COA in expressing our deep gratitude to you. Thank you. 11
12
13
14
GRAND OPENING CENTER AT DELTONA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 Doors open following Ribbon Cutting at 5:30 PM 1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Deltona Florida Hosted by the City of Deltona Preview the new COA Senior Activities Center area before you leave! See what programs we will have to offer and get a sneak peak at some of our new ideas! We anticipate moving our operations to this new location in January 2018. 15
Enjoy a safe holiday with seniors (in their home or yours) Things to consider: Decorating Use simple, non-cluttered decorations. Do not spread extension cords across the floor. Remove anything that may cause an elder to stumble. Replace candles with bright centerpieces of fruit or flowers or use battery-operated lights. Lighting Make sure all locations are properly lit, including doorways inside and out. In the guest bedroom, make sure that a light switch is within reach of the bed or a nearby chair. Add a night light between the guest bedroom and the bathroom. Be Aware of What s on the Floor Keep outdoor walk areas clear of rocks and tools. Arrange furniture so that people can easily move around it (especially low coffee tables). Add a non-slip pad underneath throw rugs on floors in bathrooms or hallways or, better yet, simply remove the throw rugs. Keep lively pets from running about when a senior guest is walking through the house. Foods & Treats Keep candy and sweets to a minimum to prevent sugar highs and lows. Keep alcohol to a minimum or avoid it altogether. Medications that a senior may be taking could create unwanted side effects with alcohol. Sometimes spending time with frail seniors over the holidays uncovers a need for extra care at home, whether the need is for a few hours a week or several hours a day. To learn more about our services, call COA Customer Service today at 386.253.4700 x 225 16
Healthy Aging Richard Potts, MD. Board Certified Family Medicine 17
Are you a Working Caregiver? Often, when we have loved ones who need a little extra help at home, our first impulse is to offer that help ourselves. Caring for loved ones can be a rewarding experience, but it's also a stressful, demanding responsibility. This certainly applies if you re raising a family or juggling a full-time job or, all too often, both! Working caregivers are everywhere. Many are in the position of keeping (or finding) work while meeting the constantly changing needs of the people they care for. They never know when a crisis is around the corner. Here are some tips if you are one of these working caregivers Tell the Boss Share your situation with your employer. It helps him or her understand the challenges you are facing and see that you want to be a valued employee. When you speak with an HR representative or your manager, be honest and realistic about your options. Know Your Resources Your first call should be COA s Respite Program. We are here to discuss services that will help you care for your loved one. In addition to an in-home respite option for those who qualify, COA has respite day programs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at one of 5 locations across the county. COA now offers a half-day session from 9 a.m. to Noon or Noon to 3 p.m. and may be able to provide transportation from home to the center. COA can also help you determine if your loved one qualifies for respite benefits from the VA, long-term care insurance, or Medicaid. Consider Your Own Health You need regular rest to keep you focused while fulfilling your caring responsibilities. COA offers respite care to give you time to recuperate and to be at your best. Our trained caregivers are here to give you temporary support whenever you need it. We're here to help you care for your loved one, giving you time to: Run errands Get your shopping done Meet with a support group Spend time with your family Make a dentist or doctor appointment Or rest and recover with some much-deserved alone time. 18 You can make a conscious choice to care for them as they have cared for you. We can help. For more information, please call our COA Respite Program Manager at (386) 253-4700 x 216.
19
P.O. BOX 671 DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32115-0671 www.coavolusia.org CURRENT RESIDENT COA NEWS is published as a free service to our LOCAL community. If you are not currently receiving this publication and would like to have a copy mailed to you quarterly, please fill in the form below. Please mail me the next copy of COA NEWS. NAME ADDRESS CITY FLORIDA ZIP To meet mail regulations and to help us reduce our costs, COA NEWS is also available in an email format. If you wish to receive an email version or if you live out of our area, please check and complete the email option below. Please change my subscription to email EMAIL Please remove my name from the COA NEWS list. MAIL TO: COA NEWS P.O. BOX 671 DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32115-0671 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Registration Number CH1960; LGF CH5523F. The Council on Aging of Volusia County, Inc. does not utilize any professional solicitors; 100% of all contributions are retained by COA. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. COA NEWS PUBLISHED BY COUNCIL ON AGING OF VOLUSIA COUNTY. Address all editorial and subscription correspondence to COA Marketing, PO Box 671, Daytona Beach FL 32115-0671 or call (386) 253-4700 x 250. COA accepts sponsorships to defray the cost of this newsletter. Sponsorships do not imply endorsement of the product or service described. COA reserves the right to refuse any sponsorship. License Numbers: 299992379, 5781, 5481 6/2017