On Veteran’s Day we honor Nick, WWII vet and Meals On Wheels participant.

At LIFE ElderCare, we feel honored to be able to help those who have put their lives at risk to serve and protect their country. Nick, 87, went to work at a dairy at 15, and then worked for the railroad and the Civilian Conservation Corp. He served with distinction during WW2, fighting and surviving three battles in the Pacific that included Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.

He has lived alone for many years and really appreciates the meals and the regular visits he gets from our Meals On Wheels program. “The people who deliver Meals On Wheels are wonderful,” he says, “they make my day.”

 

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Frail seniors are five times more likely to report that they often don’t have enough to eat.

A national study of older Americans shows those who have limited mobility and low physical activity – scientifically categorized as “frail” – are five times more likely to report that they often don’t have enough to eat, defined as “food insufficiency,” than older adults who were not frail.

The nationally representative study of more than 4,700 adults older than age 60 in the United States uses data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results are online today in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Lead author Ellen Smit, an epidemiologist at Oregon State University, said we need to target interventions on promoting availability and access to nutritious foods among frail older adults. Because frail adults may have difficulty leaving the house to access fresh fruits and vegetables, communities could work on identifying programs or nonprofit organizations that can deliver nutritious meals or fresh produce to those most at risk.

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LIFE ElderCare brings team spirit to 2012 Wheels for Meals Ride

Many thanks to Barbara Proctor and Barbara Emge for their hard work this weekend hosting the LIFE ElderCare (ar)rest stop. They were up early prepping food and drinks and decorating the rest stop to look like the County Meal on Wheels jail.

They graciously took care of hundreds of riders as they came rolling in and then cleaned everything up afterwards. Barb E. was the sheriff and Barb P. was the “tattooed” inmate (along with my twins) and they were a hit!  Thanks also to Paul, Barb E’s husband, who picked up all the supplies and helped all day, and of course to Eva – the prison mascot dog, who was just plain adorable.

Congratulations from all of us to Board President Judy Zlatnik, for her inspiring 15 mile ride and for raising $982.00.  Her goal was $1,000 — and with a little help she can meet it.  The donation period is still open and the Top Fundraiser will be named on Thanksgiving.

Great work, all! — Patricia Osage, Executive Director

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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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LIFE ElderCare receives Sobrato Family Foundation Fundraising Challenge Grant

LIFE ElderCare, a nonprofit organization serving frail, homebound seniors in Fremont, Newark and Union City, was recently awarded a Challenge Grant from the Sobrato Family Foundation. The grant will be used to support general operations and community programming for the organization’s Meals On Wheels program. This is the third Challenge Grant the organization has received from the Foundation.

The initial grant amount of $10,000 was received this month. If LIFE ElderCare successfully matches this amount with new or increased cash donations by June 30, 2013, the Foundation will increase the award by another $10,500 resulting in an overall $30,500 increase in funding.

“During our last fiscal year, we served over 100,000 meals to seniors with the help of 236 community volunteers,” said Liz Jardin, Interim Executive Director at LIFE ElderCare. “Donations from individuals and businesses are needed to provide meals to those who are most at risk of suffering from malnutrition.”

Since 1975, LIFE ElderCare has been providing direct services to homebound seniors living in Fremont, Newark and Union City, California. Their four programs, Meals on Wheels, Friendly Visitors, VIP Rides and Falls Prevention promote healthy aging and enable independent living for as long as safely possible. Donations can be made online or by calling Liz Jardin at 510-574-2073.

Located in California’s Silicon Valley, the Sobrato Family Foundation’s investments are targeted toward strong community-based organizations that promote self-reliance and economic independence, and positively contribute to the quality of life for economically, physically and/or emotionally challenged individuals in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Southern Alameda Counties.

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What do you do when a 98-year-old woman wants to kiss you?

Volunteers playing Jeopardy

When the opportunity came up to talk about problems during the 2012 LIFE ElderCare Meals On Wheels training session on June 4, the only question that was raised came from a male volunteer who asked, “What should I do when a 98-year-old participant wants to kiss me?”  The answer came from the man sitting next to him, “What’s her name?”  The laughter that followed set the tone for a delightful two hours of sharing, learning and joking among the 100 volunteer attendees.

Alameda County requires Meals On Wheels programs to provide annual training on the program’s policies and procedures to ensure that both the person receiving the meal and the volunteer delivering the meal have a safe and rewarding experience.  Rather than doing the training as a dull session of powerpoint slides and handouts, LIFE ElderCare makes it a fun, stimulating group experience that includes a free lunch and complimentary gifts.  “We do this training to provide updates and talk about food safety and also to thank the volunteers for their support and the wonderful gift of their time,” said Mary M. Anderson, Executive Director.  “In addition, we like to provide the information in an entertaining way so our volunteers can have fun as they learn.”

This year’s theme was based on the popular Jeopardy television show.  The LIFE ElderCare Meals On Wheels team, Barbara Emge, Tammy Duran, Barbara Proctor, Evonne Phelps, Bob Siller and Carol Leary created a Jeopardy game format to help volunteers refresh their knowledge of important safety and procedural issues, and added some fun facts about the history and highlights of the program.  Liz Jardin, LIFE ElderCare’s Development Director provided the technical wizardry to put the training materials into the Jeopardy format.

After being divided into two groups the volunteers chose a representative to push the buzzer to answer the questions.  A lively exchange of answers brought both laughter and insights.  Team A won the game and after being served dessert, complimentary prizes from Harriet Whitney of Harriet’s Hands and Anita Ford, were distributed.

“When I became the Executive Director of LIFE ElderCare 12 years ago I quickly learned that the Meals On Wheels program is so much more than just delivering a meal,” said Anderson to the volunteers.  “For many of the seniors you serve, your warmth and friendly smile are more important than the meal.  I want to thank all of you for your healing hands of time that touch and enrich so many, many lives.”

Appreciation was expressed to Meals On Wheels volunteer driver, Jeboy Koshy who as a member of the Fremont Sunrise Rotary Club continues to be a strong advocate on behalf of funding for LIFE ElderCare.  At the Club’s recent fundraiser, “Evening of Sparkles,” $5,000 was raised through the “Fund in Need” auction.

To sign up as a Meals On Wheels volunteer contact Tammy Duran at 510-574-2086.

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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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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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Five Star Night supports the delivery of meals to local homebound seniors in Alameda County.

Five Star Night is an elegant evening where guests are lavished with a delec­table four course meal and enjoy excellent wine while perusing select live and silent auction items. This year’s event will be held April 27, 2012 at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland near Lake Merritt. Attendees are comprised of Bay Area foodies and wine lovers who enjoy an evening of epicurean exploration. Celebrity Chef Narsai David will be the emcee, guiding guests through each course of the extraordinary meal, prepared by skilled chefs from the finest restaurants. It’s like touring the best East Bay restaurants without leaving your seat!

For 24 years, Five Star Night has been a major fundraising event for Alameda County Meals on Wheels. 

Tickets are $250 per person. Tables of ten may be procured for $2,500.
Click here to buy tickets.

LIFE ElderCare is one of the five beneficiaries of this event.

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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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