May is Older Americans month. Each year a theme for the month is chosen and this year's theme is, "Engage at Every Age." There are so many ways you can engage in different activities. Here are just a few:
Get involved in your local senior center
Senior centers have such a variety of activities to engage in! They're also a great place to engage with others and meet new friends!
Try something new
C.S. Lewis once said, "You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream." Try that thing you've always been wanting to try or go to that place you've ...
April is National Volunteer Month, so we wanted to take the opportunity to tell you what you, our volunteers, mean to us. We're going to do that in the form of an acrostic poem.
V - Valuable
The work you do for clients is crucial and means the world to them. The work of volunteers can mean the difference between an older adult being able to remain independent or not. The work you do as volunteers is extremely valuable!
O - Outstanding!
Everyday we receive letters and phone calls from clients who are so grateful for their wonderful, hard working volunteers! ...
What is Thrivent Choice®?
Thrivent Choice® is a program of Thrivent Financial. With Thrivent Choice®, you can recommend where some of Thrivent Financial's charitable outreach funds go. Since 2010, more than $330 million has been distributed to churches and nonprofits nationwide.
What are Thrivent Choice Dollars®?
Choice Dollars are the dollars made available to you from Thrivent's charitable outreach funds, based on your eligibility, to designate to the charity of your choice.
How do I know if I'm eligible to direct Thrivent Choice Dollars®?
Me...
By Jon Burkhow, Director of Household & Outside Maintenance
Well… we knew it was only a matter of time before we would experience a big snowfall again! Our staff, contractors and volunteers were busy helping clients get sidewalks and driveways cleared recently. A big storm like we had in January not only produces a lot of snow but also a lot of anxiety. Part of our job is to calm nerves and provide reassurance as well!
Our mission is to help keep seniors safe not only through shoveling but also with safety checks, cleaning, minor repairs and mowing. ...
By Krystal Wiebusch, LSW
People with Alzheimer’s or other memory loss impairments may repeat things…a lot. It’s annoying to hear the same question over and over again.
Your loved one isn’t doing it on purpose to bug you. They truly have no memory of asking the question. You might be able to answer kindly the first few times, but after hearing the same thing a dozen times, it’s natural to get a little angry. Here are some tips to prevent you from getting too frustrated.
In most cases, the behavior of repetitive questions is because they’re ...
By Deb Taylor, CEO
Sharon Taylor, my mom, was a senior finance accountant for the city of Apple Valley for 29 years. She retired at the age of 62. A couple years later, I began to notice that mom was forgetting things. Then, she had trouble writing a check. My dad, Garry Taylor, my sister, Marie Taylor and I went with mom to an appointment with a neurologist. The doctor oversaw testing for Alzheimer’s.
At our next appointment, mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 64.
The next thing we noticed was that mom would begin to miss ingredi...
By Adele Mehta, Director of Senior Outreach & Caregiver Services
Family gatherings around the holidays – or socializing with friends – can offer special challenges for those with memory loss and their caregivers. As one family member lamented, “I want to talk with Uncle Bill, but I’m confused about what to say and concerned that I’ll embarrass him.” One of the best ways to include everyone in the conversation is through reminiscence. Sharing memories together of each person’s favorite trip or favorite foods can bring everyone into the conversat...
On November 28th, 2017, we will be participating in #GivingTuesday in support of family caregivers.
Your financial contribution towards our goal of $5,000 will make a world of difference in the lives of family caregivers this holiday season.
But don't take our word for it...
Meet Mollie, a family caregiver and client of the Senior Outreach & Caregiver Services program here at Senior Community Services.
"I came to Senior Community Services because of all of the changes I was experiencing in my life at the time. My husband was diagnose...
Support idea #1: Donate!
Join us tomorrow, #GivingTuesday, to raise funds to support family caregivers. Several generous donors have pledged to kick off the 24-hour, national giving day with gifts totaling $3,300. With your gift, we can reach our goal of $5,000 to provide 60 caregivers support for 6 months.
DONATE
Support idea #2: RSVP!
Stay up to date throughout the day tomorrow on the progress of the project by RSVPing to our Facebook event.
RSVP
Support idea #3: Engage!
Spread the word to ...
by Cameron Smith
Each November, we celebrate National Caregivers Month by recognizing those people in our lives who put others’ needs ahead of their own. Caregivers provide security, medical assistance, love, and more for their patients. Whether the caregiver you know is a coworker taking care of her disabled child, a nurse that takes care of your mother, or your own personal caregiver, take the time this month to properly thank them.
According to caregiver.org, on average, family caregivers spend 24.4 hours per week caring for their loved one and 1 in 4 spend ...
