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
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
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.
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
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
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.
