Source For the Sight – Less

Rhonda Anderson — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:54:04 +0000

The Voices of Vision in Geneva, IL, is a “free” (includes mailing costs) library of offerings for the blind and physically handicapped. Books that talk, imagine that, and the audio machine required to hear are loaned at no cost.

Voices of vision can be reached at 800-227-0625. Happy listening.
Physician certification can be arranged for FIAMC Care Partners. Call the office at 815-455-3120 ask for Linda.

DVD hardhitter: “Why Don’t We Do It In Our Sleeves?”

Rhonda Anderson — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:24:43 +0000

Yesterday afternoon’s staff meeting found us viewing a DVD mailed to us by the county health department. You can view the jock we saw, and I hope you get as good a rating for yourself.

http://www.coughsafe.com/watch-videos.html

See the second option. Enjoy.

What Can You Do? Gas Prices Up, Food Prices Skyrocket too

Rhonda Anderson — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:16:25 +0000

SHARE…

Food co-ops can make a difference. When your buying power is combined with thousands, you can save. SHARE food co-op is one of the options in NE Illinois. Details about SHARE can be found on line at: http://www.sharewi.org

Another co-op is: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

There are order dead-lines and pick-up times. Careful reading should provide all the needed details.

Jerry Macey is the team leader for SHARE in McHenry County; he can be reached at 815.690.2606.

Pharmaceuticals are discounted through Rx Match, Contact 815-337-0732.

If you find a gasoline co-op, would you let me know?

May Days Plans

Rhonda Anderson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:24:55 +0000

Each year, the month of May is designated by the Administration on Aging as Older Americans Month. This tradition, dating back to 1963, honors the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans – particularly those who have defended our country – and supports them as they enter the next stage in life. Every President since John F. Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pays tribute in some way to older persons in their communities.

Faith in Action of McHenry County, Family Alliance, and Senior Services Associates are joining community government and service organizations nationwide in celebrating this month with special activities and events. We invite you to become involved in this year’s celebration and build awareness in our community.

May 2nd kicks off events here in McHenry County by offering community volunteers the opportunity to serve a senior… Deliver flowers, drive a senior to lunch. More details can be found by visiting fiamchenrycounty.org.

Don’t be left out, get involved, choose a serve date, and make a senior friend.
Happy May Day to you!

Aging is in our future, what will we find there?

Rhonda Anderson — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:55:47 +0000

This past month, I thought I finished reading the Fall 2010 Issue of the Journal of the American Society on Aging. Technically, I did, I suppose, but I have to keep it within arms reach… to support my latest conversation, or latest grant writing, or latest blog post…

The issue’s focus is on “The Future of Aging”, I have enjoyed it partly because it is supportive of some of my ideas, and partly because it has succeeded in stimulating me to further thinking about senior advocacy and community responsibility.

We can’t change it, “the only age group that will grow substantially over the next several decades will be those older than 60…” (Richard Adler) Since we can’t change it, what are we going to do about it? Most communities aren’t prepared.

I have to agree with several of the featured authors in the journal. The answer is not in planned retirement communities…everyone ages at once and they can’t help each other. A more successful model rests in what is called Lifestyle Management. Neighborhoods of young and old. I recently spoke to a widow living in a condo complex. There are 6 widows there, but there are also several young men, families, and middle aged couples. One of the young men cleared off several of the widows balconies after the blizzard of 2011. Who would have done this if the whole complex was made up of the elderly?

Faith in Action is a group of community minded volunteers who “clear the balcony” in neighborhoods all of the county. Civic responsibility, civic careers, community mindedness. Get on board, you aren’t getting any younger.

**for more fascinating information about the future of aging:
“Generations”, Journal of the American Society on Aging, Fall 2010, vol. 34, No. 3

It IS a Small World

Rhonda Anderson — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:28:31 +0000

It was reported to me, that one of our volunteers, who happens to be an attorney and a proud veteran, while in court, witnessed an interesting case. A man in a military uniform appeared before a judge representing himself. The judge was gruff and perhaps was misunderstood by the serviceman. Our volunteer sought out the uniformed gentleman to reassure him and to further explain the result. The attorney’s heart for veterans was further drawn into the situation, and he volunteered to assist with further court appearances pro-bono.

The attorney returned home and was telling his wife about his day. Together, they determined that the unformed man was also a Faith in Action volunteer! As a matter of fact, the soldier is currently driving some of the same senior gentleman that the attorney drives.

Coincidence? Some would say so. Small world? Yes. God thing? Yes.

What a wonderful ‘story’! Faith in Action volunteers daily experience glad hearts. I have told you before that my volunteer experience always has resulted in rewards of some type. It is nice to know that I am not the only benefactor!

Knights of the Round Table

Rhonda Anderson — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:07:27 +0000

I promised to speak more about why the “Board” of directors is called a board. It seems to be the same reason that “Knights” became associated with a round table.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary A “board” is a table at which council is held.
The directors are responsible for:

organizational Governance
Assurance of Executive Performance
Board Governance
Linkage with the Membership

Serving on a board is an excellent means for giving back to the community and great place to jump start your community career. Give us a call and we would be happy to speak to you about your talents and our needs.

Have You Considered a Community Career?

Rhonda Anderson — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:42:46 +0000

Our community careers can be just as important as our work careers, as responsible citizens, it is important to give back, and well, it just feels good!
My past volunteer “jobs” have led to paid positions. Paid or not, they have been invaluable… volunteer service with Civil Air Patrol rewards me with intangibles and vicarious enjoyment in working with growing leaders.
Most not-for-profit (perhaps all, I don’t know for sure) boards of directors are volunteers. Have you ever considered joining a board of directors? This brings up other questions to consider. What is a board? Why is it called a “board”? All important are the answers and they all lead to more questions. Some will be answered by reading a post at Blue Avocado, referenced below. I have a call into a reference librarian to provide the history behind calling the directors a board. I will share that with you, when received, if received.
Knowing you are interested in your senior neighbors, the last considerations for this post… Faith in Action has an eleven member board; we are seeking a few more great members. We are specifically looking for county members from the outlying areas, 35 years of age and younger.
Is Faith in Action your next community career step? If you think it might be, contact us, we would enjoy assisting you with answers to your questions.

**Today’s post inspired by: http://www.blueavocado.org/node/604

Extreme Cold Can Equal Extreme Danger

Rhonda Anderson — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:52:59 +0000

The government offers helpful information to keep us safe during extreme cold weather. Read, take heed!

With the onset of winter weather and the holidays, it is a good time to review your family emergency plans to make any changes needed. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) continues to update and expand its “Ready America” materials. Two items posted in the “Ready” materials of interest to older Americans and the people who care for them are noted below.

1. “Winter Storms and Extreme Cold” outlines items to include in a “Family’s Supply Kit,” traveling by car in the winter, and extra household supplies: http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/winter.html, and

2. “Seniors” describes planning ahead and important steps including organizing important papers, medical information, assistive devices and prescriptions, and updating and maintaining a contact information and a supportive network: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html.

For additional information on emergency preparedness, please visit the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/

Half Empty or Half Full?

Rhonda Anderson — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:47:15 +0000

The personality bestowed upon me has been one of optimism verses the pessimistic variety that sees the glass as half-empty. God made both, one is not better than the other, well admittedly, I have a hard time passing over to the dark-side (that is for my husbands benefit). I’m happy in my skin; I wish the same for you.

Wishes do not always come true, as a matter of fact, life can sometimes seem to sour. Especially for those who become depressed. And, by the way, depression is a chemical imbalance.

I recently came across the symptoms that should be reviewed:
Do you feel:
nervous or “empty”
guilty or worthless
very tired and slowed down
you don’t enjoy things the way you used to
restless or irritable
like no one loves you
like life is not worth living
Or if you are:
sleeping more or less than usual
eating more or less than usual having persistent headaches, stomach aches, or chronic pain
These may be symptoms of Depression, a treatable medical illness. Your doctor can only treat you if you say how you are really feeling.

Depression must mean that the glass is always empty!

Depression is not a normal part of aging. Talk to your doctor. Caregivers, you can help evaluate and encourage medical intervention.

“Tis the season to be Jolly, but for lonely seniors it can also be a time of extreme sadness. Visit or call your favorite senior today, and more routinely this month. Holidays, for the lonely, can be devastating.