Patricia Osage selected as new Executive Director at LIFE ElderCare

The Board of Directors of LIFE ElderCare has named Patricia Osage as its new Executive Director. Osage brings over 20 years of experience in helping vulnerable populations in the nonprofit sector. Board President Judy Zlatnik, said, “We are delighted to welcome Patricia and look forward to working with her to strengthen and expand our services to older adults, and to more actively engage community members in fulfilling our mission.”

Osage was formerly the Director of Resident Services at Satellite Housing where she developed expansive programs around civic engagement and intergenerational opportunities that helped senior residents to not only age in place, but to also thrive in their community. “When seniors recognize that they are truly being seen and heard,” she says, “they open up and are able to collaboratively tailor their own services in ways that work.”

Prior to Satellite Housing, Osage worked in San Francisco as a director of social service programs providing case management to formerly homeless adults living in the Tenderloin district. In 2005, the agency opened its doors to a new type of housing, the Ramen Hotel on Howard Street, a residence designed solely for seniors. Her commitment to the wellbeing of this most vulnerable population quickly became a life direction.

Originally from Missouri, Osage moved to the Bay Area in 2001 and has been living in Fremont for the past eight years. “I am thrilled to be working in my hometown,” she says, “alongside the passionate staff and volunteers at LIFE who help older adults in the Tri-City area get the services they need to remain independent and healthy.”

To share her experience working with seniors who are hardest to reach, Osage created a guidebook called Connecting with Socially Isolated Seniors: A Service Providers Guide. With the help of many colleagues, and suggestions from hundreds of seniors themselves, the book is filled with concrete, real-life methods that can be used to connect with those most at risk for isolation and increased emotional, cognitive and physical health issues.

She is very excited to start collaborating with the community and welcomes all comments and suggestions on senior services in the Tri-City area. Osage can be reached at posage@fremont.gov or by phone at 510-574-2091.

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A heartfelt thanks to Bay Jewelers for their generous donation.

Janice Cook with Larry and Nobil Ayad

On May 5, LIFE ElderCare’s Board of Directors, led by Janice Cook, held the second Bay Jeweler’s fundraiser at Larry and Nobil Ayad’s lovely Fremont store.  A steady stream of customers enjoyed a delicious buffet luncheon provided by Spin-A-Yarn Restaurant and learned about our services for frail, homebound, Tri-City seniors.  The all-day event generated a $4,500 donation that will help sustain our four programs: Meals On Wheels, Friendly Visitors, Fall Prevention and VIP Rides.  “It was a terrific day with a wonderful turnout,” said Cook.  “In addition to being very knowledgeable jewelers, Larry and Nobil are caring members of the community who enthusiastically support our mission.  We look forward to holding this event with them again next year.”

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Older Americans Month 2012

May is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for the older adults in our community.  Since 1963, we have honored this annual commemoration — a proud tradition that shows our nation’s commitment to celebrating the contributions and achievements of older Americans.

The theme for Older Americans Month 2012 — Never Too Old to Play! — puts a spotlight on the importance of older adults sharing their experience, wisdom, and understanding with younger generations in a variety of ways.  At LIFE ElderCare, this sharing is what sustains our four direct service programs each and every day.

By delivering meals, older adults in their 60’s form close ties with people in their 80’s and 90’s.  Home schooling moms and other parents volunteer with their children.  As a Friendly Visitor, young people experience face-to-face conversation and hear real life stories from their elders on the rich historical heritage and events of our country.

The rides to doctor appointments by VIP Rides volunteers help frail, isolated seniors stay connected to health care and medication.  And, through our partnerships with Unitek College and California State University, East Bay, LVN and RN nursing students provide ongoing assessment, assistance and education about fall prevention, blood pressure monitoring, exercise and the importance of staying active.

There are always stories in the news about the dire consequences ahead as our country adjusts to a rapidly aging population.  What we need to hear more about are the adaptations people are making to cope with these changes.  While it is true that aging does present challenges, it is also true that older Americans are finding ways to thrive by simply taking advantage of the resources available in their community.

LIFE ElderCare currently has over 400 volunteers who have made an inter-generational commitment to healthy aging in the Tri-City area.  Make your commitment to Older Americans Month by signing up to join them or visit our website to learn more about community-supported elder care.

 

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Easter lilies bring cheer to Meals On Wheels seniors.

For the past several years, Pastor Bryan Murphy and members of his congregation at South Bay Community Church have contributed an array of gorgeous lilies to Meals On Wheels participants for the Easter holiday.  This year the group delivered lilies to 281 seniors on April 2nd.

Calls of thanks and love have been coming in all week to the LIFE ElderCare office for this kind gift.  Gig and Rob Ingebretson, who are members of the church and also MOW volunteers, arrange this joyful giving with the help of Lowe’s Home Improvement who provide a wonderful discount for the flowers.   Assisting Rob and Gig this year are Larry Roberts, Charlie Dickinson and Jose Aguilera who are also MOW volunteers.

South Bay Community Church
47385 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont,CA

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Community Leaders Deliver on Mayors For Meals Day

Enis, 95 and Mayor Morrison

On Wednesday, March 21, Mayor Gus Morrison of Fremont and Mayor Al Nagy of Newark helped LIFE ElderCare volunteers deliver meals to seniors as part of the organization’s annual Mayors for Meals Day.  They were joined by five City Council members, Anu Natarajan, Suzanne Chan and Bill Harrison from Fremont, Maria Collazo from Newark and Emily Duncan from Union City.

“On this day, there are close to 1,200 other elected officials delivering meals all over the country to frail, homebound seniors,” said Mary Anderson, LIFE ElderCare Executive Director.  “We enjoy celebrating this event because it shows how important community support is in building and sustaining our Meals On Wheels program.  Last year we delivered over 102,000 meals and we could not have done it without the enthusiastic support of people like you.”

During the event, Suzanne Chan presented Anderson with a donation in honor of the late Fremont mayor, Bob Wasserman.  “This was a very special program to Bob and his wife Linda, a longtime Meals On Wheels driver,” said Chan.  “It takes financial support and volunteers to make a daily connection with the frail elderly who need our help.  I encourage all of you to join me in making a commitment to sustaining this vital service.”

In addition to providing meals, volunteers do a daily wellness check on each of the people on their route.  While delivering meals with Mayor Morrison, Janaki Arayambath, 46, warmly greeted each of the seniors and asked them how they were doing.  Janaki started volunteering four years ago when her son left for college and currently delivers meals three to four days a week on different routes.

“I had fun delivering meals today,” said Morrison.  “It gave me the chance to meet some of the older residents in our community and to hear about how grateful they are to be getting one hot meal a day.  I was also impressed by the commitment of the volunteers.”

Mayors For Meals Day is a component of March For Meals, a national campaign, initiated by the Meals On Wheels Association of America that utilizes the involvement of local Mayors and other elected officials to raise awareness of senior hunger. Senior nutrition programs across the United States, like LIFE ElderCare, promote the event through public events and partnerships with local businesses.  This year’s refreshments were provided by Super Suppers.

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Save the Date – May 5th Bay Jewelers Fundraiser for Meals On Wheels

Bay Jewelers Supports LIFE ElderCare
Saturday, May 5, 2012
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13th. In honor of your mother, your spouse, a loved one or special friend, LIFE ElderCare will be hosting a reception at Bay Jewelers to benefit our Meals on Wheels program. On this day, 20% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to this vital service that has helped seniors in the Tri-City area for 36 years.

Refreshments will be served and all who make a purchase will be entered into a raffle for a special gift.

Bay Jewelers
46539 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA

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Long-term care is a ticking time bomb; let’s defuse it with community-based services that work.

The cost of long-term care is something American families are becoming afraid to talk about. And with good reason. Recent reports have shown that nursing home and assisted living rates rose significantly from 2009 to 2010. Private room nursing rates rose 4.6% to $229 per day or $83,585 per year, (in the San Francisco East Bay $104,025), while assisted living rose 5.2% to $3,293 per month or $39,516 per year (in the San Francisco East Bay, $45,00 per year).

Because of the rising costs, along with an overwhelming desire to stay independent, more and more older Americans are choosing to age in place. But for some, issues relating to maintaining mobility, home safety and good nutrition are causing caregivers and loved ones to worry. Advanced age can start to restrict one’s ability to do normal activities and it may be hard for the older person to ask for help or to get help at an affordable price when they do.

As a trusted and respected non-profit organization, LIFE ElderCare has been providing community-based services to older adults since 1975. With a volunteer team of over 500 people, and internship programs at two colleges that help train 300 nursing students every year in geriatric care, the organization serves as a model for how healthy aging in place can be embraced and sustained at little to no cost to Tri-City seniors who need help.

If you are a senior in need, or a community member who wants to support healthy aging, call us today to sign up, or make an online donation. With your help, we can reduce the cost of care and bring together those who are in need with those who want to give.

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“It’s lunchtime and I don’t have to cook,” Alice, age 82.

Many older adults have chronic health problems that make preparing meals difficult; a backache or knees that won’t cooperate and . . . when a few other things go wrong, a headache too!  Alice understands this because she is going through the same thing, which is why she signed up for Meals On Wheels.  As she puts it, “A healthy meal delivered by friendly volunteers who greet me with a smile.  How much better can it get?”

Before needing help herself, Alice volunteered at LIFE ElderCare with Barbara Emge, Meals On Wheels Coordinator.  “It was Alice who showed me, in her quiet manner, how to diligently manage the daily maintenance of the office files and paperwork,” says Barbara.  “I’m glad that I can be of service to her, as she was to me.”

The meals that seniors receive 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.

To sign up call Barbara at 510-574-2092 or sign up online at lifeeldercare.org.

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LIFE ElderCare volunteer has a passion for helping seniors.

Don Hammack

Finding caring, compassionate people to help the frail elderly is LIFE ElderCare’s mission; Don Hammack, who volunteers with the organization’s Friendly Visitors program, is a great example of how one person can make a significant contribution. In addition to working in Building Maintenance for the City of Fremont, Don currently visits three men in the program who greatly value his friendship and assistance. “One of them has Parkinson’s Disease,” he says, “and I think our walks around the block three times a week have slowed the progression of his illness. We also went to the Annual Friendly Visitors Party last September which was a lot of fun.”

Married 42 years, with two daughters, Don has lived in Fremont since 1967. At age 65, he works out at a gym every day to keep up his strength and energy. In addition to working with LIFE ElderCare, Don also helps seniors through faith-based groups with home repairs, mowing lawns and giving rides. “My passion is seniors,” he says, “they are the people with the most special needs and should be honored for their wisdom, experience and longevity.”

As a 14-year cancer survivor, his own experience with illness helped him develop the compassion he now enjoys sharing with others. “The way I see it, there are not well people and sick people,” he says, “It is more a matter of degree. We do everything we can to stay healthy but none of us have total control over what happens.” Don finds that the best remedy during hard times is family love. “Families who show compassion and love for their elderly ones are a benefit to everyone; my family is like this and I enjoy sharing my experience with others.”

Don says he really likes recruiting people into the Friendly Visitors program because it lightens the burden of people in need and gives meaning to people who are helping. When asked why he spends so much time helping people who may not be here in a few years, he says with a laugh, “I don’t know what your destination is going to be, but I know where they are going and when I get there I’m going to have a lot of friends.”

His advice to people with elderly friends and relatives is to give them lots of hugs. “Showing affection is very important, even if it’s just to hold their hand or caress their shoulder; so few of them receive any physical warmth or gentleness from people.” Don also thinks it’s important to acknowledge the contributions older people continue to make as they age. Some of the seniors he visits are providing friendship to people who are going through difficult times or struggling with serious health problems. “You can create your own loving community right here in your own town,” he says, “it just takes is a little bit of your time. ”

If you would like to join Don as a Friendly Visitor, call Bernie Thien at (510) 574-2097 or sign up online at lifeeldercare.org.

This article originally appeared in the January 24th issue of the Tri-City Voice.

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VIP Rides program trains volunteers to help blind and vision impaired riders.

On September 7, our VIP Rides program held its first volunteer training.  The thirty-four volunteers in attendance shared stories about the memorable seniors they have assisted and enjoyed a short video that was provided by guest speaker, Larry Bunn, entitled, “What to do when you see a blind person.”  In addition to enjoying a buffet lunch, the volunteers were presented with an inspirational coffee mug that contained a $50 gas gift card.

Mary Anderson, LIFE ElderCare Executive Director, got things started by sharing some highlights about the organization and thanking the volunteers.  “Sharing our strengths and weaknesses is what volunteering is all about,” she said.  “We are so blessed to have caring people in our community who give their time to help the frail and homebound.”

Jeff, a retired Teamster, and volunteer since March, told the audience how much it meant to him to help a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor.  “My brother said to me, you are touching history right now.” Pat, a long-time volunteer with the program talked about how moving it has been for her to help one of the original pilots trained by the U.S. military.  He fought in Australia and North Africa and was in the third wave that landed on the beaches of Normandy.  Other volunteers reiterated the importance to them of meeting elders who provide a historical connection to events they had only read about.

A small percentage of the people who use VIP Rides are blind and/or vision impaired.  Tips to keep in mind when helping these individuals include:

• A blind person will generally ask for assistance if he or she needs it.
• When you walk with someone who is blind describe the surroundings.  For example, let them know if there are obstacles in their path or if they need to turn left or right.
• When greeting a blind person, be sure to introduce yourself, don’t expect them to recognize your voice.
• Explain things verbally before providing motion guidance.
• If you have made contact, don’t walk away from them without saying something.
• When in a restaurant, using a clock analogy is a good way to orient a vision-impaired person as to what is on their plate and around the plate.
• Most importantly, if you don’t know what to do, just ask.

We would like to thank Shawn Fong, Paratransit Manager for the City of Fremont, for her assistance and for the background information she provided on the program and its accomplishments.  Barbara Proctor, VIP Rides Volunteer Coordinator, encouraged participants to help her recruit new volunteers.  During the past month twenty new people have signed up for services but only five new volunteers.

One volunteer summed up the training by saying, “This meeting has given me a better sense of what I am involved in.”  When a vote was taken on whether or not to have future meetings, almost everybody raised their hand.

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