Helpful information to enhance senior living provided by Pender Adult Services
POST Voice The Pender-Topsail
&
POST Voice The Pender-Topsail
&
April 2015
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month By Kay Warner Topsail Center Volunteering is a great way to help those in need, reach out to agencies that depend on volunteers to achieve their missions, improve the quality of life in your community, and enhance your own self esteem. Finding a good match for your personality in a program that interests you is important, so that you and the individual or agency you are volunteering with both benefit. Barbara Mullins with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), 259-9119 ext. 329, has a variety of opportunities for adults age 55 and older. “Currently Pender County RSVP has 135 active volunteers in our program and many have been in our program for multiple years. We thank them for this commitment and dedication,” said Mullins. “So many lives have been touched by their willingness to volunteer in our community.” Volunteers in the respite care/home assistance program go into the home and visit with individuals for two hours a week and give the caregivers a chance to get out and run errands. Many of the volunteers read to the clients, play board games, cards, look at photo albums, and share stories from days gone by. Some volunteers help tutor middle school children to help improve reading skills and raise the end of grade test scores. Another area that RSVP uses volunteers is with developmentally delayed individuals. They help build confidence and encourage activity outside of their comfort zone and do
special monthly art projects at Pender Adult Services. The Meals on Wheels program also is looking for back up drivers. Training is provided for all of these opportunities and special programs each month help volunteers get to know each other and build their skills. Volunteering is good for your mind and body. Helping others kindles happiness, builds friendships, and helps you grow personally. The Topsail Senior Center needs volunteers to assist in the reception area, with arts, crafts and special event projects, and classes. People interested in volunteering at the Topsail Senior Center should call me at 270-0708. Pender County has many non-profits that need volunteers and they have a variety of opportunities available. Some of the questions you may want to ask yourself to help you find an opportunity that would be the most fulfilling are: •Who do you want to work with: children, adults, animals, one-on-one, or group setting? •Are you better behind the scenes or front and center? •How much time do you have to commit and how often? •What skills do you have that would benefit the individual or agency? •What causes are important to you? The Pender Volunteer Center can assist you with a volunteer placement in one of our centers or another non-profit agency in the community. Contact Kay Warner at 910 259-9119 ext. 324. Feed your spirit – volunteer.
RSVP volunteers make cards to send to homebound seniors.
April is National Card and Letter Writing Month By Jennifer Mathews Pender Adult Services If you look through some of your keepsakes, will you find a special letter? An emphasis like National Card and Letter Writing Month is a reminder to me that handwritten notes, cards and letters make lasting impressions. Words from the stroke of a
pen in a hand addressed envelope bring a smile to the face and warms the heart of the recipient. With email and texting many of us have forgotten what it was like to write a letter. I would encourage you to find some stationary and challenge yourself to send a letter or special note to your grandchild, son, daughter or best friend.
Type II diabetes is a life altering and life threatening disease that increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, amputations, and blindness. In fact, unmanaged Diabetes affects every body system. And don’t forget the added financial and emotional hardship. The good news: Type II diabetes is preventable. Knowing the risk factors and warning signs is an important first step to preventing type II diabetes. If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes, adopting healthy eating habits and regular physical activity is critical to managing the disease and preventing complications. Ar m yourself this month with the following challenges and Defeat Diabetes:
Know the risk factors: •Being overweight •High blood pressure •High blood sugar •Family history •History of gestational diabetes •High cholesterol •Lack of exercise •Smoking •Poor eating habits •Age Healthy eating is the best defense against diabetes. Obesity or being overweight is the largest contributing factor to developing diabetes. When it comes to food choices, there is a lot of conflicting information out there. Keep it simple by avoiding processed foods, limiting sweets, and eating more vegetables and fruits, lean meats such as skinless chicken or fish, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Try tasting the rainbow in April: •Red: strawberries, cran-
My g randmother has a special drawer that she keeps the cards my grandfather sent her. In the past she has shown them to me and you can tell that it is a reminder of the love that they shared. I also challenge you to find that drawer full of letters or cards and share some sweet memories with a friend or family member. Encourage
the younger generation to practice the art of letter writing and send a note to someone that is special to them. We try to send cards to let people know that we have missed them or to let them know that we have been thinking about them. Recently the Retired Senior
Continued on back
Get tickets now for the Topsail silent auction The Pender Adult Services annual auction is April 23. The event helps raise funds for the Meals on Wheels program and the Topsail Senior Center. Pender Adult Services is a private non-profit and serves the needs of the senior population for Pender County. PAS maintains two senior
centers and the Silent Auction is a way to raise community support for the Topsail Area Seniors. Area business contribute through sponsorships and also contribute items for the auction. Everything is displayed with bid sheets so individuals may bid by writing a name and an amount. This year a
Defeat Diabetes in April By Rebecca Boggs, RN Special to Pass It On
Photo contributed
berries, red grapes, tomatoes, beets, red peppers, radishes •Orange: oranges, peaches, cantaloupes, pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes •Yellow: Grapefruit, yellow apples, yellow peppers, yellow squash, wax beans •Green: green grapes, honeydews, kale, watercress, avocado, greens, celery, beans •Blue/Purple: blueberries, plums, blackberries, eggplant, purple cabbage Regular physical activity helps you manage weight loss and helps lower blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol. If also helps you lower stress. Aim for 30 minutes of activity most days of the week and include lifting weights at least twice a week for best results. Quit smoking. If you are a smoker make plans to quit this month. Need motivation? The average long-term smoker dies 10 years earlier than
the average non-smoker. See your doctor regularly. Your doctor is your best resource for managing and/or preventing type II Diabetes. Your doctor will work with you to help you meet target blood glucose levels and control blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The bottom line is taking care of your health is up to you. Every day you decide what to eat, how much to eat and whether or not to exercise. In fact, you make choices all day long that will either promote healthy living or not. This month, increase your chances of making healthy choices by making a plan Keep it simple and realistic. Be specific and focus on several changes at first. Changing life style habits is not easy. Being patient with yourself and sticking to a plan will pay off in the long run. You can do it.
wonderful caterer from the Wilmington area will prepare appetizers, along with chicken florentine, rice pilaf, California steamed vegetables, house salad and dessert. Wine will be served and there will be a jazz trio for entertainment. It is a relaxing evening and gives the community the opportunity to visit and support
the center. Tickets to the silent auction should be purchased in advance and are $20 per person. Tickets are available at the Topsail Senior Center 20959 Hwy. 17, Hampstead, beside Pender Pines Nursery. For more information, call the Topsail Senior Center at 270-0708.
RSVP Special Day The Retired Senior Volunteer Program plans a team building event in recognition of National Volunteer Appreciation Month. April 7-8. It is a special day for volunteers to network together to expand horizons. The event will make each volunteer feel special and know how much
they are appreciated by Pender Adult Services. As RSVP grows, more volunteers are needed. The more volunteers, the more people can be served Barbara Mullins is waiting to talk at 910-259-9119 (ext 329) Please leave a detailed message for a prompt return call.
Please call the center 259-9119 ext. 309 if you need information, referral or assistance with any of the following services: Health Screenings Fitness & Health Promotion Insurance Counseling Tax Preparation/Counseling Legal Services Transportation Medical/General Caregivers Classes Family Support Groups Housing Reverse Mortgage Counseling Home Repair/Modification Home Health Services In-home Aide Services Medicaid Benefits/Medicare Benefits Social Security Benefits Job Training/Placement Adult Day Care/Day Health Community Mental Health Disaster Services Durable Medical Equipment/Assistive Devices Hospice Care Long-term Care Facilities Rehabilitation Services Report Suspected Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation Respite SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance) Telephone Reassurance Congregate Meals/Home Delivered Meals
111 S. Wright Street, Burgaw, NC 28425 • 910.259.2116
Visit ou Old-Fash r ioned Soda Founta in
Jimmy Wilson, Pharm. D Randy Spainhour, Rph. Krista Strickland, Pharm. D
Open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
This store gladly accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, State Teachers Plan and most other third party prescription plans.
FREE DELIVERY
Seniors enjoy traveling together. Contact Jennifer Mathews if you are interested in upcoming trips to Vermont and the Western Caribbean.
Letters
Continued from front Volunteer Program (RSVP) held a class for their volunteers to make cards to be sent
out to our homebound seniors. When our homebound seniors received a card it puts a smile on their face and gives them comfort in knowing that someone is thinking about them. The class also gave our
volunteers the opportunity to meet and mingle with other volunteers as well as giving them that warm feeling you get when you are making a difference in someone else’s life. National Card and Letter
Photo contributed
Writing Month is an annual effort to promote literacy and celebrate the art of letter writing. Consider sending a personal letter or card to someone and let them know what you they mean to you. It will make a difference.
Memorial and Honorary Giving Program Your Gifts to Pender Adult Services, Inc are acknowledged with grateful appreciation
In Memory of Veralene Anderson By Joanna & Kenneth Fornes Mariam B Herring Emily Jones Nubian Kruzers Orea Jones-Wells Barbara Lee Melanie & William Miller Wanda G Moore Thomas & Shirley Payne Brenda Sylvan Cleo Washington St James Paseo UMC Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Community Contributors Emma B Anderson Hampstead Women’s Club Westview UMC Willarlea Ruritan Club Thank you for your continued support!
Pender Adult Services April 2015 Calendar April 2 – Egg Hunt 10:45 (HP) April 7 & 8 – RSVP Perks April 8 - Blind Support Group (HP) 1 pm April 16 – Card Making Day (RSVP) April 16 – Cancer Support Group (HP) – 12 noon April 18 – Relay for Life – Pender Cancer Cuties Burgaw Courthouse April 23 – Caregivers Support Group (HP) 11:30 am April 23 – Topsail Silent Auction 6 pm Wellness Checks -Provided by PAS Fitness Fusion - 1st Wednesday 9:30 am (April 1st) Fitness Fusion – 1st Monday 4:30 pm (April 6th) Blood Pressure Screenings -Provided by PC Health Dept Topsail Senior Center – 3 rd Thurs 11 – 1 (April 16th) Heritage Place – 4th Thursday 11 – 1 (April 23rd)
You are cordially invited to attend Topsail Senior Centers Annual Silent Auction To benefit Meals On Wheels Join us for Evening Entertainment Wine & Dinner Thursday, April 23, 2015 At six o'clock in the evening Topsail Senior Center Hampstead, NC $20 per person Tickets available
Donations to PAS are tax deductible. For more information on the Pender Adult Services Memorial and Honorary Giving Program please contact Wesley Davis at 259-9119
Caregivers Support Topsail –Contact Kay Stanley @ 270-0708 Heritage Place – contact Kay Warner @259-9119 X 324
Over 50 gift certificates for area businesses and over 50 items will be auctioned
Heritage Place Opportunities Monday 8:00—7:00
Tuesday
Wednesday
8:00—5:00
8:00—5:00
9:00 Crocheting 9:00 RSVP Perks (1st) 11:00 Geri-Fit & TAI CHI 12:00 Meals 12:30 Pinochle 1:00 Quilting Group 1:00 Jewelry 1:00 Knitting Group
9:00 Oil Painting 12:00 Meals 1:00 Bid Whist 1:00 Canasta 3:00 Senior Chorus 6:00 Line Dance
Monday 8:30 am—5:00 pm 9:00 Group Art Class 10:00 Modified PILATES 12:00 Meals 12:30 Tree Top Quilters(2nd) 3:30 Hospice Trg (3rd) Taxes offered at Topsail Presbyterian, Hampstead
9:00 Basket Class 11:00 Bingo 12:00 Meals 1:00 Bid Whist 1:00 Bridge 1:00 Blind Support (2nd )
Phone: 910-259-9119
Thursday
Friday
8:00—5:00
8:00—3:00
7:00 Burgaw Rotary 11:00 Geri-Fit 11:00 BP Checks, PCHD (4th) 11:30 Caregivers Support (4th)
11:00 Bingo 12:00 Meals
12:00 Cancer Support (3rd)
12:00 Meals
3:00 Quilting/Sewing Club
Topsail Senior Center Opportunities
Phone: 910-270-0708
Wednesday 8:30 am—5:00 pm 9:00 Quilting Bee 9:00 RSVP Perks (1st) 10:00 Knitting Group 12:00 Meals 1:00 Canasta 5:30 Guitar Group
Friday 8:30 am—2:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am—5:00 pm 9:00 Baskets Health Checks—3rd Tues 9:00 Geri-Fit 10:30 Feel Good Fun 12:00 Meals 2:00 Gentle YOGA 3:00 Tai Chi
Thursday 8:30 am—5:00 pm 9:00 Geri-fit/Cribbage 10:00 Vinyasi YOGA 10:00 Bingo 11:00 BP checks, PCHD(3rd)
12:00 Meals 1:00 Quilting Class 1:00 Mahjong 1:30 Bridge
Fitness Fusion Group Fitness Classes Pender Adult Services is committed to providing our community a safe, stable, environment in which individuals can maintain their independence, good health practices, and a healthy sense of self-esteem.
Saturday—closed Facility Available For Rentals
Monday Open 5:30—9:00 8:30 BODYPUMP 9:40 YOGA 10:45 FIT OVER 50
Tuesday Open 5:30—9:00 8:30 CARDIO BLAST 9:40 YOGA 10:45 FIT OVER 50
Wednesday Open 5:30—9:00 8:30 BODYPUMP 9:30 Health Checks (1st) 9:50 PILATES
Thursday Open 5:30—9:00 8:30 ZUMBA 9:40 YOGA 10:45 FIT OVER 50
4:00 Health Checks (1st)
5:30 BODYPUMP 6:40 ZUMBA
6:30 ZUMBA
5:30 BODY PUMP
6:30 ZUMBA
12:00 Meals Saturday –closed Facility Available
Phone: 910-259-0422 Friday Open 5:30—9:00 8:30 BODYPUMP 9:50 PILATES 5:30 BODY PUMP Saturday Open 8:00—2:30 9:30 ZUMBA