Seni r Spirit The Official Publication of Henry County Senior Services and the Vol. 8 No. 10 October 2012 From the Director Henry County Council On Aging Come Join Us For Fun! Life’s Like a Boomerang. The more good you throw out, the more you receive in return. ~Josh S. Hinds As the Fall season is approaching and a little nip is in the air, we begin to think about the holidays. One of the first priorities on many of our “to do” lists is purchasing and preparing gifts to share with others. During Thanksgiving we are reminded of how thankful we are for the many blessings we receive during our lives. We also are thankful for blessings which did not feel positive when we were in the midst of situations. In December, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah or in some other way, giving and sharing is normally at the top of the list. The Senior Services Department is planning our annual Adopt-A-Senior program for 2012, with the anticipation of adopting out around 400 senior adults. As the above quote says, goodness is like a boomerang and always comes back to us. If you would like to help this year, please contact our offices. You will truly be blessed knowing you brightened the day for someone who might have been forgotten during this time of the year. Susan Craig, Director Henry County Senior Services 770-288-7000 There is something for everyone to enjoy at Henry County’s senior centers! Card games such as canasta and bridge, billiards; arts and craft opportunities; oil painting, stained glass, computer, line dance, crochet and Tai Chi classes are available. Hot breakfast and lunches are available at all three centers and best of all, a great group of people to enjoy it all with. Stop by your local center and see what we have to offer. You will be glad you did. See you soon! Page SS-2 Senior Spirit Joke of the Month! October 2012 Volunteer Spotlight 2013 Travel Plans I received from a friend outlining her travel plans for 2013: •I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently you cannot go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. •I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. •I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. •I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore. •I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go and I try not to visit there too often. •I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. •Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older. •One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! •I may have been in Continent, and I don’t remember what country I was in. It’s an age thing. From one unstable person to another... I hope everyone is happy in your head – we’re all doing pretty good in mine! Bless her heart and may she have safe travels in 2013. Ms. Deborah Furnish, our Meals on Wheels Volunteer for this month is going on six years of getting up every Tuesday with a smile; “I wake up feeling good, I’m going to visit my friends, my extended family. Tuesdays make me happy!” she said still smiling. On Tuesdays you will find her delivering meals not to just our senior clients but to her “family”. Deborah and her husband Duane have two wonderful children that enjoy helping her when they are home from school. When she’s not checking in on her “family”, she loves to read and do scrap booking with her daughter – it’s their own special mother-daughter time. Wishing Ms. Deborah many more “Happy Tuesdays” and sending a big Thank You to her and all of our Henry County Senior Service Volunteers. Statistics from the Senior Services Department for August In-Home Personal Care: ............................................. 1,703 hours Information & Referral: ............................................ 248 contacts Case Management: ......................................................... 399 hours Home Delivered Meals: ............................................... 4,161 meals Senior Center Meals: ................................................... 6,655 meals Ensure Supplements: .................................................... 1,116 units Volunteer Hours: ............................................................ 688 hours Waiting List for Services: ......................................................... 159 Thank you to our supporters from the senior citizens who benefit from these services. The home delivered meals and in-home personal care enable many seniors to remain in their homes. The Senior Spirit is published monthly by The Henry County Times, Inc. Mickie Jackson, Publisher 48 Racetrack Road • McDonough 770-957-6314 October 2012 Senior Spirit Goodbyes Are Not Easy SUSAN CRAIG Director Henry County Senior Services After working in the Henry County Board of Commissioners’ Office for 21 years, I transferred to the Senior Services Department in 2006. To be honest, I thought this department was a place for the geriatric population to have fun, make quilts, shoot pool, play cards, exercise, and congregate. The senior centers have proven to be great places for seniors to have fun; however, my eyes were opened very soon after my arrival to issues facing our homebound geriatric population, which are addressed by this department every day. On one of my first days, I stood in the hallway and listened to case managers screen incoming calls to prioritize true emergency cases. In my world, I did not realize an 85 year old Veteran could be hungry. I did not realize some seniors lived on a mere $500 per month and had to choose between purchasing groceries and having prescriptions filled. I also was naive to the fact family members would actually abuse, exploit and neglect the older generation. On the reverse side, I saw community Volunteers picking up hot nutritious meals for delivery to homebound seniors. I also witnessed many family members and friends going the extra mile to enhance the lives of our older population. During fundraising events, it was heartwarming to see the outpouring of support, both monetarily and in other ways. The in-home services provided by the Senior Services Department are normally unknown to most until a need arises in one’s own family. The Department and the Henry County Council on Aging work very hard all year long to support its own cause by raising at least 45% of its total budget through grants and fundraising events. This may seem insignificant to many; however, to the 90 year old lady who is able to remain in her home, it is the difference in her quality of life. As I prepare to retire on October 26th, I have come to realize what a privilege it has been to work in Senior Services. I was raised by parents who believed in sharing with others, and this experience has opened my eyes to how insignificant most of our own concerns are in comparison to many others. While I prepare to say good-bye, I won’t be going away. I have learned how to lobby at the State Capitol for populations who need assistance and I have had the privilege of meeting others in our community who support those less fortunate. My intentions are to continue my lobbying efforts and to become an active volunteer so I maybe can make a difference in someone’s life. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this chapter of my life. HOME MEDICAL SUPPLIES • Lift Chairs • Scooters • Power Chairs • Stair Lifts • Vehicle Lifts • Hospital Beds • Walking Aids • Oxygen • Orthopedic Supplies • Bathroom Safety • Incontinence Products Page SS-3 Why visit a senior center? What do you think of when someone says the words senior center? Do you picture older people (much older than you, of course) sitting around playing bingo and shuffleboard? Eating bland meals while a television is blaring? Time to update your vision! Senior centers are not what they used to be. Today’s senior center is a vibrant, action-packed combination of local fitness center, job and volunteering headquarters, transportation hub, and tasty dining locale. And September is a great time to get to know your local senior center. September is National Senior Center Month. Make plans to visit your local senior center this month. Here are some things you might discover: Most senior centers are for anyone aged 50+. You don’t have to be on Medicare to Call the senior center nearest you for information on activities and to register! Heritage Senior Center 770-288-7001 Hidden Valley Senior Center 770-288-7002 Locust Grove Senior Center 770-288-6944 Providing the Best in Hospice Care to the Henry County Area At VITAS, the Focus is on Life If you knew someone facing a serious illness, wouldn’t you want to make life as meaningful as possible? When patients cannot be cared for at home, VITAS offers inpatient care in its Stockbridge and Austell inpatient units and in facilities in Roswell, Marietta, Cartersville, East Point and Atlanta. That’s what VITAS is all about: • VITAS is about the person, not the disease. • VITAS is about making the most out of the time we have. • VITAS is about comfort, even during a crisis. • VITAS is about Life. • SALES, SERVICE & REPAIR • MEDICARE, MEDICAID & PRIVATE INSURANCE 10 OFF your next purchase! % Must present this coupon at time of purchase. Some restrictions may apply. Expires 12.31.12. Specializing in Homecare Equipment Since 1992 3200 Hwy. 42 N, Suite A • Stockbridge 770-474-7644 take advantage of all the great opportunities at your local senior center. Today, nearly11,000 senior centers serve 1 million older adults aged 50+ every day. Approximately 70% of senior center participants are women. Three-quarters visit their center one to three times per week and spend an average of 3.3 hours per visit. Research shows that compared with their peers, senior center participants have higher levels of health, social interaction, and life satisfaction. Senior centers don’t just offer card games. Sure, cards are available (and fun and challenging). But most senior centers offer far more than that— everything from trips and special events to fine arts and crafts, music and dance, lifelong learning, and fitness and health programs. Referrals: 1.800.93.VITAS Information: 1.800.723.3233 VITAS.com twitter.com/VITASHospice Serving Greater Atlanta VITAS Office 31 Rock Quarry Road Stockbridge, GA 30281 Page SS-4 Senior Spirit October 2012 OCTOBER EVENTS Heritage Hidden Valley Locust Grove Senior Center Senior Center Senior Center 1050 Florence McGarity Blvd. McDonough 600 Spraggins Memorial Pkwy. Stockbridge 280 Mose Brown Dr. Locust Grove 770-288-7001 770-288-7002 770-288-6944 SPEAKERS All speakers begin at 1:00 unless otherwise noted •Henry County Sheriff’s Department Senior Safety Seminar – October 19th MEETINGS •AARP – meets the first Tuesday of each month from 10:30-12 •Red Hat Society – 1st Thursday of every month @ 1:00 •Open Door Stroke Survivors Support Group – 4th Thursday @ 1:00 •Health and Self Awareness Support Group – 3rd Thursday @ 1:00 •PrimeTime Adventurer’s Travel – Quarterly meeting Oct. 17th @ 1:00 DAY TRIPS Call Cindy Collins at Heritage in McDonough at 770-288-7003 for information or stop by to pay and register. •Forum and Trader Joe’s – October 9th •North Georgia Mountains (LG trip) – October 10th •Golden Crest Tour and Lunch – October 23rd ENTERTAINMENT •Robert and Friends – performing the 1st Friday of each month @ 10:45 •Lamar Worthy – will be performing the 2nd Friday @ 10:45 •BINGO – 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month @ 1:00 SPEAKERS All speakers begin at 1:00 unless otherwise noted •HC Sheriff’s Senior Safety Seminar – October 5th •Finding Joy In Life – October 10th MEETINGS •Senior Center Site Council – Quarterly DAY TRIPS Call Nelda at Hidden Valley in Fairview at 770-288-7016 for information or stop by to pay and register. •DeKalb Farmer’s Market – October 4th •Harrah’s Cherokee Casino – October 11th ENTERTAINMENT 10:30 unless otherwise noted •The Three Old Men & Friends – 1st Friday •Pat Daniel, Pianist – 2nd Friday •Lamar Worthy – 3rd Friday •David Trivett, Pianist – 3rd Wednesday •Geriatric Jammers – 5th Friday The Hidden Valley senior center is open until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evenings for billiards, games and classes. We always welcome activity ideas from our clients so give us a call! SPEAKERS All speakers begin at 1:00 unless otherwise noted SPECIAL EVENTS •Flu Clinic – October 12th from 8-3 •Fine Arts Festival – November 3rd from 9-5 •Rock n Roll 50’s Dance – 11/1 ($10 - includes a light dinner) •Senior Health Fair and Business Expo – November 15th from 9-1 •Movie Night – 2nd Thursday of each month @ 6:30 ($5) DAY TRIPS Call Traci Terrell at Locust Grove at 770-288-6992 for additional information or stop by to pay and register. •Oakland Cemetery and lunch at Six Feet Under – October 24th ENTERTAINMENT •BINGO – 1st and 3rd Tuesday @ 10:30 All centers have a monthly birthday celebration and bingo. Call the center nearest you for specific classes, activities and times. Ongoing Activities Some of the classes offered include: Line Dancing, Computer Classes, Beginner Bridge, Oil Painting, Quilting, Crafts, Knitting/Crocheting, Exercise, Defensive Driving, Yoga, Ceramics, Stained Glass & more. Join in a friendly game of Canasta, Bridge, Skip-Bo, Rummi-kub, Billiards, Wii, Xbox 360 Kinect (just to name a few) anytime! October 2012 Senior Spirit Page SS-5 Fall prevention: 6 tips to prevent falls September 22nd is Fall Prevention Day. Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. Still, fear of falling doesn't need to rule your life. Instead, consider six simple fall-prevention strategies. 1. Make an appointment with your doctor •Have your doctor review your medications for side effects and interactions that may increase your risk of falling. •Write down the details, including when, where and how you fell. Discuss instances when you almost fell but were caught by someone or managed to grab hold of something just in time. •Certain eye and ear disorders may increase your risk of falls. Your doctor may evaluate your muscle strength, balance and walking style (gait) as well. 2. Keep moving - Physical activity can go a long way toward fall prevention. Activities such as walking, water aerobics, and yoga may reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility. 3. Wear sensible shoes - Consider changing your footwear as part of your fall-prevention plan. High heels, floppy slippers stocking feet, and shoes with slick soles can make you slip, stumble and fall. Wear properly fitting, sturdy shoes with nonskid soles. Choose lace-up shoes instead of slip-ons, and keep the laces tied. If you have trouble tying laces, select footwear with fabric fasteners. 4. Remove home hazards - Take a look around your home. Your living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways may be filled with hazards. To make your home safer: •Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords and phone cords from walkways. Move coffee tables, magazine racks and plant stands from high-traffic areas. • Secure loose rugs with doublefaced tape, tacks or a slip-resistant backing — or remove loose rugs from your home. Repair loose, wooden floorboards. • Store clothing, dishes, food and other necessities within easy reach. • Immediately clean spilled liquids, grease or food. • Use nonslip mats in your bathtub or shower. 5. Light up your living space Keep your home brightly lit to avoid tripping on objects that are hard to see. Also: • Place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom and hallways. • Place a lamp within reach of your bed for middle-of-the-night needs. • Make clear paths to light switches that aren't near room entrances. Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs. • Store flashlights in easy-to-find places in case of power outages. 6. Use assistive devices - Use a cane or walker to keep you steady on your feet. Other assistive devices can help, too. For example: • Hand rails for both sides of stairways • Nonslip treads for bare-wood steps • A raised toilet seat or one with armrests • Grab bars for the shower or tub • A sturdy plastic seat for the shower or tub — plus a hand-held shower nozzle for bathing while sitting down If you are interesting in improving your balance, Heritage Senior Center offers a Balance Class on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. Please contact Cindy Simmons at 770-28-7021 for more information. Tapestry Hospice is a local company founded and owned by physicians and nurses who share a deep commitment to the mission of hospice. We live here. We work here. We have our own family as patients. We focus on the home, where familiar surroundings and loving support enhance quality of life... when time is precious. Allow us the honor of assisting you or your family in your time of need. 1335 McDonough Pkwy • McDonough 770-692-5115 Page SS-6 Senior Spirit October 2012 Second annual Pizza Hut Fundraiser Seniors visit Wren’s Nest Hidden Valley Seniors shown at a recent outing to The Wren’s Nest where they enjoyed some history and storytelling from the works of Joel Chandler Harris. Locust Grove Senior Center had its Second Annual Pizza Hut Fundraiser in September to help raise money for the center. Thank you to all that volunteered and those of you that joined us with some of the best pizza in Locust Grove! Good Food and Good Times! Jim Mitchell assists the storyteller in making the characters come to life at the Wren’s Nest. Live life to the fullest. All too often people facing advanced illness don't know where to turn for comfort and support. Sacred Journey Hospice can help you care for those you love. Call us today to find out what Hospice can mean to you and your loved ones, so they can continue to live life to the fullest! State License 075-176-H Living life’s journey with comfort, care and compassion 138 Peach Drive, McDonough, Ga 30253 678.583.0717 SacredJourneyHospice.com Judy Vance, Arthur Weems and Beverly Kaczkowski participating in Tai-Chi class taught by William Miller. Tai-Chi classes are held at Heritage Senior Center on Mondays from 3:00 untill 4:15. October 2012 Senior Spirit N Page SS-7 urse’s Notes By Pamela B. Cates, R.N. Tame Your Allergies This Fall When it comes to allergies that peak during the fall season, the biggest culprit is ragweed. This pollen rich plant blooms from late summer until the first frost, making the allergy-prone sniffle and sneeze. And indoor allergies, such as mold or dust mites, can also be triggered at this time of the year. But you don’t have to just sit back and suffer. Here are some tips that can help you get through the season. - Keep track of the pollen count. The higher the count, the more likely your allergies will be triggered, so you can plan your outdoor activities accordingly. - Have your heat ducts cleaned. Indoor allergens can be stirred up and pushed through your home when you start up your furnace on the first cool day. So before you turn on the heat, have the system cleaned out. - Use over-the-counter antihistamines when symptoms flare up. They relieve sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and an itchy nose or throat. - After the heating system is cleaned, install a fresh high-efficiency particulate air filter to help screen out indoor allergens and prevent them from permeating your home. - A pile of damp leaves can harbor mold, so it’s best to wear a mask that screens out pollen and other allergens (they’re available at most drug stores) when raking and doing yard work. - Keep your windows closed on days when the pollen count is high, especially if it’s also windy. You don’t want to invite allergens into your home. - Pollen counts normally peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so if the pollen count is high, plan your outdoor activity for earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon in order to limit your exposure. - If you have pets that live inside but also spend time outdoors, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove any pollen lurking in their fur before they come back into the house. 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK At THE PALMS AT LAKE SPIVEY A Luxury Rental Retirement Community It’s all part of the lifestyle that discerning residents have come to expect from The Palms at Lake Spivey. With a full complement of services and amenities to support our residents highly independent lifestyles, life could not be grander than at The Palms at Lake Spivey. And like our current residents, we feel so confident that you will be completely satisfied with The Palms at Lake Spivey we are making you this unprecedented offer: If you are not completely satisfied after residing at The Palms at Lake Spivey for 60 days, we will refund 100% of all rental fees you paid during your stay! For further details about this risk-free offer and to schedule a personalized luncheon tour, please give us a call today at 770-477-7207. Senior Service’s featured trainer this month is Connie Nowell. Connie has been working for the Heritage Senior Center for 5 years. She is an awesome trainer and has many certifications including Group Fitness, Senior Fitness, Zumba Basic, Zumba Gold, Yogafit, and SilverSneakers. Connie designs her aerobic workouts to improve senior’s strength, flexibility, cardiovascular health and endurance. Connie is a great asset to the Exercise program. She prides herself on keeping up with the latest knowledge and changes in senior fitness and adds to her levels of Certifications by attending workshops. 8080 Summit Business Parkway • Lake Spivey, Georgia 30236 770-477-7207 • www.ThePalmsAtLakeSpivey.com Offer available for Independent Retirement apartments only. This is a limited time offer and may be discontinued at any time at the discretion of management. Offer available to new residents only. ©2012 Five Star Quality Care, Inc. Page SS-8 Senior Spirit October 2012 Prime Time Adventures Travel Club News YOU ARE INVITED! Travel Club Meeting, October 16, 2012, 1:00 PM, Heritage Senior Center, McDonough, GA. Come and hear about the existing trips, plus some NEW ones! The smiling faces in the picture are the happy people that just got back from the Essential Britain and Ireland trip. We’re still reliving our experiences. We are in Shakespeare’s Stratford-on-Avon where we enjoyed a typical English Cream Tea. JEWELS OF ITALY – May 18 – June 2, 2013. This exciting vacation covers three countries – Italy’s main sites, Vatican City, and San Marino (one of the smallest countries in the world.) Don’t Just Dream It – Do It! ~~ guided sightseeing in Rome, Florence, Venice, Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Hill Towns, Naples, the archaeological site of Pompeii, Sorrento, Isle of Capri, and much more. CANADIAN TRAIN ODYSSEY – September 2 – 12, 2013 – a cross-country train adventure that begins in Toronto and ends in Vancouver, including beautiful scenery and fun-filled activities in some of Canada’s most popular cities.After a visit to Niagara Falls, where you take a Maid of the Mist cruise, you board VIA Rail’s The Canadian – a premier continental train – and head west. The next three days and nights are spent in first-class, refurbished art deco rail cars. Observe unparalleled views of Canada’s countryside, pass through the majestic Canadian Rockies, and end the train portion in Jasper. While in the Rockies take a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer on the Columbia Icefield, or choose to helicopter over the Canadian Rockies, take a gondola ride in Banff, or visit beautiful Lake Louise. The final destination is Vancouver. Still time to discover the amazing cities in AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND while minimizing the number of times you have to pack and unpack. The highlight of this vacation is your 13-night cruise on a luxurious Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines ship. On this tour, you’ll see some of the scenic sights that make Australia and New Zealand famous. Immerse yourself in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. The date is January 23 – February 10, 2013. If you are interested in more information on these and other planned trips, please contact Nancy Hall at 770-898-8860, primeteacher@bellsouth.net, or one of the Henry County Senior Centers. I answer email when I’m traveling and return calls as soon as possible on my return. You do not have to live in Henry County to travel with us. We welcome anyone with the love to wander and discover. Please help us get the information to others by telling your friends and family about our travels. 401 (K) Rollovers Made Easy. Call or stop by today for more information. www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC John H. Dorminy 190 Turner Street McDonough, GA 30253 (770) 957-0250