May 2014
Volume 41 No. 5
INSIDE Calendar of Events �������������������������� PG 5 Menu������������������������������������������������� PG 7 Featured May Activities������������������ PG 8 Savvy Senior ������������������������������� PG 12 Legalese ������������������������������������������ PG 14
OLDER AMERICANS MONTH EVENT AT THE LAWRENCE SENIOR CENTER In celebration of the Older Americans Month 2014 theme, “Safe today. Healthy Tomorrow,” DCSS is providing fall risk assessments for seniors from 10 -11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 12 . Kenna Young, RN and trauma coordinator at Lawrence Memorial Hospital will be doing the free assessments, which include 3 short tests: the 30-Second Chair Stand Test; the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test; and the 4 Stage Balance Test. Those taking part in the assessments will receive one chance to win a door prize for each test completed, for a total of three entries. Handouts will also be available with information and resources pertaining to fall prevention. Light refreshments will be served. To register for this event, call Rebecca Clancy at 842-0543 before May 8. As an added bonus, anyone who attends this event and wants to enroll in the popular Stepping On class in June will receive a $5 discount on their registration fee. Stepping On is an evidence-based, 7-week fall prevention class. Enrollment in this class is limited to 16 participants. For more information about Stepping On, please see our Leisure and Learning Catalog in this publication.
MISSION: To create opportunities that allow Douglas County residents 60 years and older to remain independent and active in their homes and communities. VISIT US AT WWW.DGCOSENIORSERVICES.ORG
OLDER AMERICANS MONTH 2014 “Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.” Older adults have made countless contributions and sacrifices to ensure a better life for future generations. Since 1963, communities across the country have shown their gratitude by celebrating Older Americans Month each May. This celebration recognizes older Americans for their contributions and demonstrates our nation’s commitment to helping them stay healthy and active. This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is “Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.” The theme focuses on injury prevention and safety to encourage older adults to protect themselves and remain active and independent for as long as possible. Unintentional injuries to this population result in at least 6 million medically treated injuries and more than 30,000 deaths every year. With an emphasis on safety during Older Americans Month, we encourage older adults to learn about the variety of ways they can avoid the leading causes of injury, like falls. While Douglas County Senior Services, Inc. provides services, support, and resources to older adults year-round, Older Americans Month offers an opportunity for us to provide specialized information and services around the important topic of injury prevention. This information will help older adults take control of their safety and live longer, healthier lives.
MERC FUNDRAISER NETS OVER $2,600 FOR MEALS PROGRAM The Senior Meals Program teamed up with The Merc in the month of March to raise funds during the national March for Meals Month campaign. Merc customers donated to the Senior Meals Program by rounding up their purchases to the next dollar, donating change in collection jars, and/or donating their bag return refund directly to Senior Meals. Combined, The Merc collected $2,624.84 to donate to the Senior Meals Program. Meals Manager Ray Buckingham and Assistant Manager Chip McConnell were on hand Friday, April 11 to receive the donation from Front End Manager, Zac Hamlin. “It was a pleasure helping raise these funds for the Senior Meals Program and The Merc is happy to be part of such a great community service,” noted Hamlin. The Senior Meals Program will use the funds to trade-in a large passenger van for a more economical vehicle to be used for home delivery routes. “The instant savings will be more than $100 per month with even greater long-term savings,” Buckingham said. “This will enable us to save significant funds that will increase our ability to continue to serve our program participants well both now and into the future.”
Ray Buckingham, Senior Meals Manager (left) accepts the donation check from Zac Hamlin, Front End Manager of The Merc.