Fall Prevention Week

Presentation by Mayor Hoffmeister to Jane Holt and Mary Lou Laubscher, representing the Fall Prevention Program, proclaiming the week of September 18, 2011 as "Fall Prevention Awareness Week."

The Second Annual Walk for Fall Prevention
A fun and non-competitive fundraising event for all ages and abilities benefitting the Fall Prevention Program.

Register at: www.fallpreventionwalk.org

 Saturday, September 24, 2011

from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

500 Ellinwood Way

Pleasant Hill, CA

April 4, 2011 Meeting Minutes

 Monument Community Partnership

SENIOR ACTION TEAM

April 4, 2011

Present: Elena Soto, David Vargas, Juan Corrales, Elizabeth Villafuerte-Jones, Mary Lou Laubscher, Wes Laubscher, Vicky Lizarraga, Sally Smith, Jean Fadavi, Mickey Ryan, Maxine McCormick , Ellen Breshears, Janet Johnson, Pat Martin, Susanna Myer (Friendly Visitors), Bill Miller, Susan Lawson, Bryan Balach

Announcements

4-8 Laugh, love, learn – Senior Live Well Forum at PH Community Center 8:30 am to 2 pm

5-19 Fall Prevention –Integration of Best Practices, 500 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill

6-18 Aging Family Members, Tools, Resources & Support – JFK University, 100 Ellinwood Way, P.H.

Contra Costa Transportation Authority Public Hearings on Deciding which Major Transportation Projects are most important for Contra Costa

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 6 p.m.

CCTA Offices 2999 Oak Street, Suite 100, Walnut Creek or

Thursday April 21, 2011, 9 a.m. City of Pleasant Hill

Community Room, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill

Community Reports:

Liz – they are off to a good start and can use a couple more volunteers to be trained for the bi-lingual Senior Peer Counseling Program- 925-521-5653

Mickey – Vicki has been helping her with her Senior Survey and Assistance and she as she has started working with seniors in the Monument Community

Susanna – Friendly Visitors organization. They are working at getting more low-income seniors, to volunteer as Friendly Visitors, especially Spanish speaking volunteers.

Sally – reported on the Book Giveaway this past Saturday at 5 apartment complexes and at Los Rancheros Supermarket.

Elena – a pre-school teacher in the past and is interested in MCP programs

David – he has been a volunteer with Vicky and is interested in helping more.

Juan- from Vicky’s group. Wants to to learn more about us.

Vicky – Catholic Charities and outreach to the elders of the community. It’s been a very productive month. Her program, Monument Corridor Senior Services Outreach (MCSSO). The Knights of Columbus provided two wheelchairs for residents. (Fair Oaks Church also has a wheel chair to loan out.

Susan – reported on successful Community Day that First Presbyterian Church held this past Saturday. Over 100 Presbyterians volunteered in the community.

Maxine – she has many resources and will be glad to share with you. Neighbors in her Mobile Home Park come to her for information.

Evaluation of East Bay Senior Expo and Senior Resources Fair on March 25 at Crown Plaza Hotel

Positive What Could be Improved

Happy visitors-enthusiastic response Workshops in Spanish

Jan Wall humorous speaker Translators at each table

Medical Management information

Excellent Resource Directory

Goodies at vendor tables

Variety of attendees manning tables

Guest Speakers -

Janet Johnson – At Home Care and Companion Services

When is it time to get a Caregiver? –

• It can be any time along the process as well as if the family caregiver is getting to the end of their rope. The family works hard themselves and when they are beyond the care they are capable of doing, then they need help. It is hard to find who is the right person to do the care giving. But, you need to choose the right person who is appropriate, not just the right schedule. Should a daughter do personal care for their father? And, does a mom want her son doing personal care? Frail Elder might be mortified to have a person of the opposite sex. The same with a young person. They may be willing, but is it right to do so? There are lots of choices for different forms of care.
• Janet brought a booklet prepared by the county “ Guide to Hiring in-home help”. Contact Mary Lou to get your own copy. 925-685-2332
• Referrals are best coming from someone who knows both people. Warning: don’t find your in-home care from Craig’s List. Hire with one of the companies that provide Caregivers you will receive valuable safety issues. The organization will do an assessment. Be sure to find out if there is an upfront cost.
• The placement of the caregiver is done with personality and skills in mind.
• The home needs to be environmental friendly, good lighting, warm/cool temperature … what is best for you might not be comfortable for the “patient”.
• Wear gloves as appropriate. assist when necessary but let them do what they can and be independent as long as possible. Remember … use it or lose it.
• Provide privacy – close off the area or room, keep other family members away.

Activities of daily living-

*Transfer and Ambulation --- cane, footed cane, walker, wheel chair, crutches, transfer board, Hoyer life. Do you know how to use them?

*Grooming …. Shaving, hair combing, styling, washing (at bath time or at a salon), Makeup for women.

*Bathing – set out soap, wash clothes, brushes, rubberized tub mat. Bath chair, comfortable water temperature, have family member check temperature also.

*Oral Care – self care or assist – set out toothbrush, paste, etc. Extra care with dentures so not to drop and break them. Rise thoroughly; if person has dry mouth, should rinse 3 or 4 times daily.

*Dressing – select clothing or not, help undress/dress with clean clothes, put clothes on the weak side first.

*Feeding Self/help Eating – Eat together or with part of the family, have them be part of the gathering. Explain what the foods are that are on the plate, if necessary. Make conversation. Do not rush the meal. If feeding someone, feed appropriate size bites; make sure they swallow.

Ellen Breshears Addus Health Care –

• There are different ways to get in-home health care so you should check out the different options before you need it. There is veteran’s home health care and they might be good for future speaker.
• To be eligible for Medicare a person needs to be homebound, have a physicians order, requires a skilled service, needs intermittent not full time care. Skilled services covered by Medicare rgulations include: Observation and assessment, teaching and training, skilled procedures, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social work, homecare aide.
• Ellen is very knowledgeable about all these issues and if you think you can use her services, please contact her at Addus Health Care. 925-671-4100

Please read the attachments from Addus Health Care for more information.

Next Steps:

Look at the goals of the SAT and pick those that are ready to start.

Parking Lot …

Check out community access TV to come to the meeting and film it so those at home can be part of the meeting.

Future Meetings

5-2-11 La Clinica – services for seniors – Katia Reges.

6-6-11 HICAP – Medicare counseling

Discussion on bringing new members to SAT

Evaluation of This meeting –

Positive – Bill came

Good information

Translation was good

Liked hearing about Mickey’s project. She commented that all the people she has met in developing her project, are special people who are welcoming and skilled at their trade.

Everyone here has a voice and are encouraged to work together

Improve – No suggestions

Next Senior Action Team meeting – May 2, 2011 9:30 am. Keller House, 1760 Clayton Rd, Concord

Mission Statement - The Monument Community Senior Action Team represents seniors ages 55+. We actively promote activities to meet senior needs resulting in an improved quality of life for all.

April 4 Meeting Agenda

Monument Community Partnership

Senior Action Team Meeting

Monday, April 4, 2011

9:30 a.m.

Keller House

1760 Clayton Rd.

Concord

Main Speakers:

Ellen Breshears, Addus Health Care

and

Janet Johnson, At Home Care and Companion Services

Topic:

Tips for Caring for frail elders at home

and

When should professional help be sought

March 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Monument Community Partnership

SENIOR ACTION TEAM

March 7, 2011 

Present: Judy Vared (Age Song) Elizabeth Villafuerte-Jones,  Mary Lou Laubscher, Wes Laubscher, Vicky Lizarraga, Arlene Phillips  Sally Smith,  Jean Fadavi,  Harold Blair, Mickey Ryan, Delores Leon, Elizabeth Leon, Maxine McCormick ,Catalina Wright, Hilda Paglia, Ellen Breshears, Janet Johnson, Suzanna Meyers

Note:  When we have seniors who have limited English, we will have someone translating for them.  Please be patient. Hilda and Vickie tried out the new translation equipment. It seems to work o.k.  

Announcements:

3-25 Senior Resource Expo at the Crown Plaza from 8:30 am to 4 pm
4-8 Laugh, love, learn – Senior Live Well Forum at PH Community Center 8:30 am to 2 pm
5-19  Fall Prevention –Intergration of Best Practices, 500 Ellingwood Way, Pleasant Hill 6-18  Aging Family Members, Tools, Resources & Support – JFK University, 100 Ellingwood Way, P.H.

Community Reports:
Liz – they just finished their first peer counseling training and six were Latinos, three in the Monument  area who are bi-lingual.
Ellen and others advertised the Health Expo, March 25th at the Crown Plaza Hotel.
Ellen told us about a new staff member and will give us more later.
Mickey – she has been exploring ways to complete her project on seniors at risk on the Monument Corridor. She is thinking she can do a project with a drop-in session. 
Delores – Commission on Aging representative. Sub committees are active.
Catalina – she shared articles “Super Foods’ and a Walnut Creek thrift store has moved.
Susanna Meyer – Friendly Visitors organization. They are working at getting more low-income seniors, to volunteer as Friendly Visitors, specially Spanish speaking volunteers.  Sally – upcoming book giveaway at many apartments and businesses in the Monument
Arlene – the Community Benefits part of John Muir Health works with partners to serve those in need in the community. There is funding for a school nurse at Cambridge and Meadow Homes.  One of their goals has been to get the kids to drink more milk. 
Vicky – Catholic Charities and outreach to the elders of the community.  It’s been a very productive month. Her program, Momunent Corridor Senior Services Outreach (MCSSO)

Guest Speaker- Judy Vared, Age Song – She discovered that every senior needs an advocate and everyone in the “sandwich generation” also needs an advocate.  We have not been taught how to work with our elders.  She works with the group called Age Song. Age Song uses the “Holistic Approach” to Elder Care It has several “communities of frail elders” within the Bay Area.
            They are using the word Forgetfulness as a substitute for Dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.  All of us are forgetful and we feel better using softer language.
Interesting thought is: that those with dementia often live ‘in the moment’ and that can be a good for all of us to remember. Living in the moment promotes brain health and decreases stress.

 Boost your brain by doing new things. Find new ways to challenge yourself because learning new things is better for our brain.
 Find a purpose
 Increase social and cognitive activities
 Try intergenerational experiences. 
 Internet sites have brain development information ….www.drugs.com Luminosity.com   also, postitscience.com, freerite.com, sharpbrain.com
 Staying engaged in your community is also important.
 Your heart and brain have the same kind of needs.  If you are helping your brain, you are also helping your heart.
 Blueberries, garlic, oregano, saffron, curry, rosemary, thyme and sage are good for the memory.  Drink lots of water and eat bright colored vegetables,
 Stay flexible, physically at well as mentally/emotionally
 Maintain a good sense of humor
 Use journaling …. Set yourself goals and keep accountable in your journal.  As you use this journal, you will see what you need to emphasize as well as see progress.
 Multi-vitamin, green tea, vitamin D help to maintain good brain functioning

Suggestion that will help you:
 Stop and “be in the moment’ is a good practice for all of us.
 Have a life with a purpose. Find something each person can do.
 Physical activity- Tai Chi and Chio are excellent for elders.
 Combine social, cognitive, and physical activity
Factors that increase memory loss:
 Over Medication can affect this – ask your doctor to monitor your medications for you. Go to the same pharmacist for every medication
 Website where you can put your medication in for an evaluation
 Alcohol
 Depression and anxiety
 Lack of adequate sleep
 Lack of physical and mental exercise
 Vitamin deficiency
 Loneliness and isolation
 By age 85 - 50 % of elders will have some range of dementia

Upcoming generation of elders (Baby Boomers)
     Increased dementia
     Living with technology
     Eating unhealthy fast foods
     Increased Speed of living
     Increased Pressure in professions

Goals and Projects for 2011
We had discussion on our goal priorities for the year. Mary Lou will present an outline of our Goals next meeting. 
In increasing our membership we need to find newly retired and educated Latinos …. How?  Maybe having our meetings out in the community in various locations.

Next Steps:
Mary Lou and Vicky will work together on Spanish speakers to invite to join SAT
Mary Lou will work on goals and present then at April meeting. Everyone will work at getting new members to attend SAT

Parking Lot …
Outreach to the Monument Community – how to reach those who need these different services?

Future Meetings
4-4-11  Tips for In-Home Care Givers Janet and Ellen
5-2-11  La Clinica – dental and seniors programs – Katia Reges. 6-6-11  Discussion on outreach strategies to bring in new members

Evaluation of This meeting –
Positive – excellent speaker, useful information
            New people
            Good to have Delores, Janet, and Elizabeth back
            Good exchange of ideas and resources
Improve –
       Nothing mentioned

Next Senior Action Team meeting –  April 4, 2011 9:30 am. Keller House, 1760 Clayton Rd, Concord  

Mission Statement - The Monument Community Senior Action Team represents seniors ages 55+. We actively promote activities to meet senior needs resulting in an improved quality of life for all.

February 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Monument Community Partnership

SENIOR ACTION TEAM

February 7, 2011

Present: Deborah McDonald, O.T., Elizabeth Villafuerte-Jones, Mary Lou Laubscher, Wes Laubscher, Vicky Lizarraga, Arlene Phillips Sally Smith, Jean Fadavi, Harold Blair, Mickey Ryan, Catalina Wright, Maxine McCormack, Ellen Breshears, Susan Lawson, Harold Blair, Bryan Balach.

Community Reports:

Arlen Phillips reported that the Monument Corridor Senior Services Outreach Program (MCSSO) funded by a John Muir Health grant is now operating with Vicky Lizarraga as the Senior Outreach Coordinator.

Vickie said that her focus will be education, outreach, presentations, and case management. John Muir wants her to encourage health, safety, and social well-being of isolated elders. Vickie is also doing referrals and follow-ups. Highlights of her first month showed:
     10 meetings with county or community leaders
     8 number of open cases 1 closed case
     54 older adults assisted with referrals: 36 HEALTH;17 SAFETY; 14 SOCIAL WELLBEING
     Number of follow ups 1
     3 Older Adult outreach table events 2 trainings attended
Vickie helped a 92 year old women facing foreclosure due to sweep stakes gambling from Hawaii. She lost $100,000. and was promised that she would double that amount if she kept gambling. Working as a team she was connected with Senior Housing, a social worker, Senior Peer Counseling, a representative payee to oversee her finances, Caring Hands and MCSSO case Management

Latino Senior Peer Counseling
Elizabeth reported that all day training sessions are now under way for bi-lingual seniors. Coming up in the future will be another Latino Senior Peer Counseling group in the Monument area.

Stan Hansen Day in the City was February 3rd. He was presented his Proclamation by the Mayor at the Heartfelt Dinner for Monument Crisis Center,

February 17 Fall Prevention Quarterly Meeting 9 a.m. 500 Ellingwood Way Pleasant Hill.
February 22 Brain Health and Fitness 9 am. to 11:30 am Rossmoor Community Fireside Room –Speaker Ruth Gay, Alzheimer’s Association, Linda Hughes, Premiera Care, Carrol Larhken, Brain Gym Instructor, Dr. Eric Freitag, Nueropsychologist. Call Lindsay at 925-516-8005 for reservations.
February 24 Town Hall Meeting on State Budget with Senator Tom Torlakson 7 – 9 p.m. Pleasant Hill City Council Chambers 100 Gregory Lane
March 25 - . Senior Resource Expo at Crowne Plaza from 8:30 to 4 pm. Jan Walsh will be the keynote speaker at 10 am. There will be many venders and other workshops
April 8 Laugh, Love, & Learn Senior Live Well Forum, 8;30 am to 2 p.m. Pleaseant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. P.H. call Kendra at 925-798-8788 for information or to reserve a display table

Helpful information on Assistive devices – canes, walkers, crutch, scooters and other assistive devices By Debra McDonald, Occupational Therapist.
Most of her professional work has been in home care. Here are her tips:

• To stay independent – ask per a prescription for a visit to a Physical Therapist so your walker or wheel chair can be fit properly.
• A walker is a two handed piece of equipment. It is not stable enough to use as support with one hand. It is important to use two hands on the walker and two hands reaching to the refrigerator (or whatever) you will be more stable with two hands.
• Turning is often a problem and that is when we might lose our balance
• Hold on to something sturdy when turning.
• A vertical grab bar can make stairs safer. 12 “ or 15” are best.
• A grab bar just outside the door of the tub or shower is very important.
• Bar soap in a nylon stocking saves bending over to pick up dropped soap
• Transfer benches can help you get in and out of the bathtub.
• Hand held shower hose – her example has an extra long hose which makes it very useful (cheaper sets may not have this). There is a swivel connector that is easier to use (Alson’s hand held shower swivel connector at Ace Hardware). There is a diverter fixture to use a regular shower head or a shower hose.
• If using a LifeLine, calling device around your neck put a sticky hook an the edge of the shower low enough so you could reach it if you fall.
• Shower chair can be a big help. Maybe you can sit the small seat in and use your back against the wall to slide down.
• Adhesive Tub Treads can be better for the bottom of the tub than a shower mat. She suggests putting them diagonally Herring Bone fashion on the bottom of the tub
• Replace towel racks with grab bars.
• PVC tapes in different colors … mark with tape on the burner button to show where ‘off’ is. One color can be for on and one for off.
• A “Reacher” is also a valuable tool … grabbing stuff in the dryer, high things,
• There is also a Dressing Stick that helps pull pants up and has a shoe horn on the bottom.
• Be sure to sit down when pulling pants on and off.
• Hook-on lights are good to put on a walker or put up in helpful places in the house.  When using a walker, attach a small basket with ties and Velcro.
• Shelf liners can be used to keep things from slipping ….
• Use a door stop with an extended stick to keep doors open.
• If you get a new bed, consider getting 3” box springs instead of a thicker mattress which makes the bed too high to get off easily.
• You can also purchase a button hook to help button your shirts.
• Straight back chairs are safer than swivel chairs for elders
• Rubber squares halp keep chairsd and couches from slipping.
• Rubber backed square rugs are best
• Elastic shoe laces are available and make it easier to get shoes on.

Ideas for Mickey
Mickey Ryan a nurse with the County Hospital is working on a second Masters Degree. She wants to do an 8 week volunteer program with seniors at risk in the Monument Ccorridor. These are the suggestions our group came up with for her to explore:

• Work with Vickie in the Monument Corridor Senior Outreach Program
• Work with Katia Regis in the La Clinica Senior Program
• Set up an Invite to Dinner Program where isolated elders do not need to eat alone
• Set up a senior to senior Friendly visitor program
• Distribute a shopping list for easy to prepare meals and distribute it widely
• Set up a weekly soup and salad meal for Monument Seniors
• Set up a cooking demonstration for Brown Bag seniors on easy to prepare meals.
• Have a weekly drop in “Talk with the Nurse” program at Keller House (MCP) or Lakeside Apartments.

Parking Lot …
• Rex’s Locksmith on Clayton will give a AAA discount (maybe even free) for seniors who need a car key made.

Future Meetings

3-7-11 Improve your memory by Judy Vared, Age Song
4-4-11 Tips for In Home Care Givers – When to call in a professional by Janet Johnson, At Home Care and Companion Services
5-2-11 Life Can Be an Amazing Adventure by Francoise Buchignawi

Evaluation of This meeting –
Positive – good information (best meeting ever)
     Lollipops from Ellen
     Good ideas
Improve –.shorter (how do you get great information in a shorter time)

Next Senior Action Team meeting – March 3-07-11, 2011 9:30 am. Keller House, 1760 Clayton Rd, Concord

Mission Statement - The Monument Community Senior Action Team represents seniors ages 55+. We actively promote activities to meet senior needs resulting in an improved quality of life for all.

January 10, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Monument Community Partnership

SENIOR ACTION TEAM

January 10, 2011

Pre Meeting Visit: Ray Kuzbari, Concord’s Transportation Manager came by to tell us about the Planned for Monument Corridor Bikeway Network connection to the Contra Costa Canal Trail (via Tioga Road) and the Concord Skate Park. Ray talked with Jean and other early to arrive members about Monument transportation issues. It pays to come early!

Present: Harold Blair, Ellen Breshears, Jean Fadari, Janet Johnson, Elizabeth Villafuerte-Jones (Liz), Jacie Jones (with the community health alliance and is the Monument connection with Caring Hands), Mary Lou Laubscher, Wes Laubscher, Vicky Lizarraga, Hilda Giminez-Paglia, , Arlene Phillips, Cynthia Rothschild, Sally Smith

• Jacie is with Caring Hands of the John Muir Hospital District. She is recruiting both Spanish speaking seniors who need the service, or volunteers to help with the program.
• Cynthia – works at a new position with Catholic Charities as Chief Program Officer for Catholic Charities which has many programs in both Alameda and Contra Costa county.
• Elizabeth is with Peer Counseling in the County Health Department. She would like to have a Peer Counseling Training in March in Spanish. Do you know a prospect for the training?
• Arlene Phillips and Vicky Lizarraga reported the Monument Corridor Senior Services Outreach grant is almost complete. It is in the process of being signed and should start soon.
• Janet – “Assisted Living in your home”- At Home and Companion Services. Working with Hospice clients.
• Ellen – Addis Health Care and is deeply involved with new health plan issues. Now a person who falls and needs extra care must see their primary care physician within 90 days.

Community Reports
• Our own Stan Hansen is being honored at the Heartfelt Dinner sponsored by the Monument Crisis Center at the Concord Hilton, February 3 from 5 – 9 p.m.
• A Consumer Boomer Survey is being conducted in our county. If you are or know of a boomer born from 1946 to 64 your are encouraged to fill out the survey - www.surveymonkey.com/sT3DHXk2.
• East Bay Senior Expo Friday March 25 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

Adventures in Portugal
Sally showed pictures of the trip to Portugal she ,Susan Lawson and Virginia Brunk took to Portugal.

Vickie’s Adventures
Vickie related highlights of the recent trip she and her husband took to Dubai, Turkey and Amsterdam

Evaluation of Senior Action Team Programs in 2010
First set of marks are ABC rankings on the value of program. The second set of C’s votes are to continue that program

Current Senior Action Team Programs to Continue or Not
Monthly speakers on elder health and well being A+ AAAA CCCCC
Individual and Group Support and Encouragement A+ AB CC
Encouraging use of senior experience and knowledge A+BA BAA CCC
Developing Senior Leadership in the Monument, City and County BCBB CCCC
to support community improvements
Advocating for space on Monument Blvd. A+CAC CCC
Planning for a Monument van to replace Route 8 CCBBB CCC
Advocating for affordable senior housing BCCC CC
Advocating for safe walking trails A+AAAAB/A CCC
Partnering with John Muir Health and Catholic A+AABAA CCC
Charities to bring additional services to elders

Continued active participation in the following Senior Action Team initiated programs now with partnership wide action teams of their own:
Children’s literacy Action Team A+BABAA CC
Community Gardens Action Team A+BACAA CC
Transportation Action Team A+BABAA CC

Goals for 2011
Possible additions to goals for 2011:
Developing local Senior Peer Counseling Trainings
Bring in new members especially residents

Note:The above informal survey and suggested goals will be used to determine 2011 goals at the February SAT meeting.7-

Future Meetings
2-7-11 Senior Assistive Devices -Deborah Mc Donald O.T.
Report on Monument Corridor Senior Services Outreach grant
3-7-11 Improve Your Memory – Judy Vared from Age Song

Evaluation of This meeting –
Positive –
• Cynthia from Catholic Charities
• Ellen’s Information on Federal Regulation Changes
• Liz’s efforts to bring Senior Peer Counseling in Spanish to Monument area

What Could be Improved –.
• More residents attending

Next Senior Action Team meeting – February 7, 2011 9:30 am. Keller House, 1760 Clayton Rd, Concord

Mission Statement - The Monument Community Senior Action Team represents seniors ages 55+. We actively promote activities to meet senior needs resulting in an improved quality of life for all.