ISSUE 5/WINTER 2024
LIFELines LIFE SENIOR SERVICES
YOUR GUIDE TO LIFE; YOUR LIFELINE TO OTHERS
celebrating life partnerships!
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be a gem - give every month
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ISSUE 5/WINTER 2024 1
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A Note from
EILEEN BRADSHAW
Dear Friend of LIFEWhen people ask me what I do, I reply that I work for LIFE Senior Services - but then I often hesitate. LIFE and its services are certainly targeted to seniors and caregivers, but beyond that tie, the variety of offerings can be too much to easily explain. This issue of LIFELines highlights a service we perform in partnership with DVIS. It is a little known but critically important service that focuses on victims of elder abuse. Elder abuse is a seldom discussed but real problem in our country. Seniors can be victimized physically, financially, or emotionally. All forms are traumatic. Like other victims of abuse, seniors are sometimes fearful to ask for help. The idea of separating from an abusive partner or family member can be overwhelming. Enter LIFE’s intrepid case manager Cassie Rebeor. With a remarkable combination of tenacity and gentleness, Cassie works with victims of elder abuse to not only stop the abuse, but put together a new beginning. Knowing it is never too late for a fresh start, Cassie is a remarkable ally and resource for the families she serves. I mentioned this program is a partnership with DVIS. LIFE partners with many other nonprofits in the community to provide services. We value these relationships and know our work is stronger because of them. We also value
our partnership with you and know our ability to serve is completely due to donors like you. Thank you for being a valued partner to LIFE and the 30,000 people we served this past year. Eileen. Best, Eileen Bradshaw, President and CEO
Eileen Bradshaw
LIFE Senior Services, Inc. and Affiliates
PEOPLE TALK “LIFE is an absolute necessity for the Tulsa community. Everyone should be connected to them so they will know what great resources they offer.” Marva, whose family received help from the Medicare Assistance Program while her mother faced a journey through Alzheimer’s
ELDER ABUSE
by the numbers
According to the National Center on Aging: • 1 in 10 individuals over the age of 60 is, or has been, the victim of abuse.
• Seniors who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death in the next 3 years compared to those who haven’t. • For every reported incident of elder abuse, 24 cases go unreported to authorities. LIFELines Publishing Team: Rochelle Dowdell, Kelly Kirchhoff, Greg Raskin, Lauren Zeligson 2 LIFELines
Spice of LIFE
BISON MOVING FOR A BETTER WORLD Bison Moving Company offers an example of a business moving into a community, making a profit, providing living wages and opportunities for workers, and taking an active civic role. Bison co-owners Kendall Keefe and her husband Kye have a heart for the community, for nonprofit organizations, and most of all for helping people in need. Last year, Cassie, LIFE’s DVIS Outreach Client Support Advocate, had a client who was a veteran on hospice care living with a family member. He needed to move quickly to ensure his safety, but did not have the money for movers or the ability to pack and move himself. Cassie remembered hearing about Bison Moving and made a call. She said, “Kendall, her husband, and their general manager, Christopher, are great people who lead with their hearts. I’m thrilled they are in our community.” Kendall loves that she has the ability to support people in need while providing an excellent opportunity for her staff. These situations allow their newer movers to gain real-world experience working alongside other experienced professionals. She was eager to help Cassie’s veteran. Kendall told LIFE, “As a former DHS worker, it is close to my heart to help others. Starting a company, we want to make connections with people in the community. It makes me feel good to help.” For instance, sometimes after a move their customer will have items they no longer need and Bison gladly will drop those pieces to area agencies that can put them to good use for their clients.
“... as a former dhs worker it is close to my heart to help others.” Kendall Keefe
In addition, Bison now can often offer reduced rates to seniors as the company integrates with 2B Organized. Kendall met 2B Organized through the Tulsa Interagency Council. She learned they help seniors with the downsizing and moving process. “We are just a family trying to help other families.” Thank you Kendall for taking an active role in helping others.
the keefe family ISSUE 5/WINTER 2024 3
Cassie Rebeor, LIFE’s outreach support advocate
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Partnerships
SECONDARY BENEFITS: LIFE’S PRO’S TRAIN OTHERS
Most people who support LIFE Senior Services take pride in supporting seniors and caregivers through the many facets of LIFE’s community programming. What remains less known is that many of LIFE’s professional staff also educate and assist professionals in the Tulsa area across the spectrum of social service and medical fields. For instance, LIFE has an Elder Abuse Prevention program in partnership with Domestic Violence Intervention Services. Cassie Rebeor serves as LIFE’s Outreach Client Support Advocate. She provides training and support services every month for professionals to earn their required continuing education credits (CEUs) and as general training. Recently, Cassie provided training for a group of workers in the Oklahoma State University health system. She taught their frontline staff how to recognize possible signs of elder abuse. Furthermore, she trained the group on how medical staff can appropriately address and report possible abuse to law enforcement in order to keep seniors safe. Rachel Shepherd, nurse case manager for the OSU Center for Health Sciences noted, “The topic is important as we see so many different types of patients. They are more open with us because we are their primary providers and they feel more comfortable with us. We get information they wouldn’t share with anyone else.” Renewed training for medical and social service professionals remains key for keeping fresh on best practices. It keeps staff vigilant about looking for warning signs from their patients and clients. “Cassie gives a lot of great information, but also works for an organization that we can reach out to for assistance,” Rachel continued. “Whenever we’re not sure about something, like should we be reporting this, we can always call for more information. She’s a great resource.” Thanks to proven professionals willing to share their skill and knowledge, and thanks to an overarching philosophy of cooperation, LIFE works in partnership across the community to weave a stronger safety net for area seniors.* Your support makes all of these programs possible. Thank you. 44 LIFELines LIFELines
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Partnerships
ON BROADWAY...ALMOST
Another exciting partnership, which will grow as LIFE’s new Senior Campus opens, includes Senior Broadway. This partnership involving Oribit Arts, part of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, and LIFE, offers exciting, fun, and life-enhancing opportunities for seniors with an interest in performing arts. The group started as an offshoot from an improv class taught by Julie Tattershall at LIFE’s Eastside Active Senior Center. She now serves as Senior Broadway’s energetic director. Jeremy Stevens, music director, heard of a group in New York utilizing junior productions for their retirement community. He quickly made connections for scripts, arrangements and costumes. In 2023, Senior Broadway participants produced their first staged reading, “Guys and Dolls.” Thanks to Orbit, the production had the ability to address the needs, individual abilities, and participation levels of everyone. “As a former public school teacher, I don’t have the opportunity to engage in this type of work on a regular basis. Working with this group is the absolute high point of my week.” Jeremy said. “The people are filled with radical joy.” Before the pandemic, Jan Eskridge was involved in a drumming class at LIFE’s Eastside Active Senior Center where members were asked if
they wanted to volunteer for the PAC’s cast of The Tempest. Jan reported, “Most of the group had so much fun with that play they volunteered for Guys and Dolls, a staged reading and a specifically senior production.” In “Guys and Dolls,” Jan was cast as Arvide Abernathy, the leader of the Mission Band. Given her drumming background, she was perfectly suited for the role. The directors also found opportunities for her to play the kalimba and other drums. “Everyone laughs a lot and the directors are patient and fantastic. I am so excited to take part in another show.” For Jan, the speaking roles presented a challenge. She had virtually no acting experience. “Julie was a tremendous help and coach, she guided my delivery. But, the best part of the LIFE’s program is we ‘have fun, make friends, and get out the house.’” At LIFE’s Active Senior Center at Southminster, rehearsals are currently underway for their next senior production, “Cinderella,” taking place in April, 2024. Performance locations include the PAC, the upcoming Roma Berry Center, Trinity Woods, St. Simeon, and Zarrow Pointe. We hope to see you there.
JAN ESKRIDGE
Scan the QR code to watch a video production that describes why the largest ever Celebrate LIFE crowd was so eager to support seniors in the community. ISSUE 5/WINTER 2024 5
I’M NOT LOST, I’M EXERCISING Phyllis has lived in her LIFE’s Vintage Housing apartment for 12 years and feels a bit of ownership for the community surrounding her home. So, when the weather hits a sweet spot of not too hot and not too cold, she ventures forth for exercise. Stopping to catch her breath she explains, “Whenever something is going on in the neighborhood, I’m going to investigate, because that’s my job.” Recently, when taking in the details of a recent sidewalk improvement project with earth movers, concrete trucks, and workers in hard hats, Phyllis attracted a good bit of undesired attention as she moseyed about the scene. After three cars of concerned neighbors and a police officer pulled over to help, Phyllis did a bit of sweatshirt problem solving.
“...“Whenever something is going on in the neighborhood, I’m going to investigate, because that’s my job.” ”
Phyllis loves her home and her neighborhood. She said, “It’s so sad. I wish everyone had the opportunity to live in a safe, affordable place like this.” On behalf of Phyllis, thank you for supporting LIFE Senior Services. One of LIFE’s affiliate programs is LIFE’s Vintage Housing which provides clean, safe, affordable apartments for low-income seniors. And thanks for checking on Phyllis.
KNITTIN’ KITTENS, KNITTING MITTENS AND SCARVES AND HATS The Knittin’ Kittens, a volunteer and social group supported by LIFE, began making hats, scarves, and blankets for the children at Educare in September. The two groups of “Kittens” produced and delivered over 300 handmade pieces, providing warmth and the cute factor for the pre-school age children just in time for the cold weather season. Remaining active through the senior years remains a key ingredient to a healthy mental and physical life. LIFE Senior Services provides a variety of affirming volunteer projects, both through LIFE’s programs and making connections between senior volunteers and 90 partner agencies. The agencies work and
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volunteer needs span a variety of interests, skills, and capabilities, making a match with virtually any volunteer possible. Your support of LIFE helps to keep these programs vibrant for volunteers while building a stronger community.
Join LIFE GEMs, our Monthly Giving Club
THE MOST EFFECTIVE, EASIEST WAY TO SUPPORT SENIORS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED Join a group of like-minded people in LIFE GEMs (Give Every Month) and support the cause you care so much about. You will provide seniors and caregivers with dignity, independence, hope, and a sense of peace, as LIFE can better plan for the future. When you participate in LIFE GEMs, your monthly gifts have greater impact, helping the people you want to help. In LIFE GEMs you pick the exact right and comfortable amount for you and, feel good each month knowing you help people solve problems as they face the challenges of aging. Recurring givers have a variety of giving options such as choosing safe and convenient electronic fund transfer. If done through a credit card, giving can even boost reward points. Think of the time you can save with no more check writing. However, if you prefer to send in regular checks, that works as well. As a LIFE GEM you can also choose to increase, decrease, or suspend your giving at any time.
Your support helps LIFE: • Continue to answer a range of questions for anyone seeking help through SeniorLine, the first place to call for help at (918) 664-9000. • Provide comprehensive care management to seniors in need. • Extend affordable housing to vulnerable seniors. • Offer flexible adult day services when families need it most. • Deliver tax preparation assistance to low- income seniors. • Present Medicare education, guidance, and Part-D assistance to community members. • Provide multi-faceted care for low-income seniors living at home through the PACE program. • Offer the community our award-winning senior-focused publications and resource materials. • Generate a wide range of activities for anyone to enjoy at area active senior centers. • Deliver a myriad of educational speakers and workshops open to area professionals and the entire community.
Giving feels good. If you would like to explore monthly giving options to see if it is right for you, contact Greg Raskin at (918) 938-7643 or graskin@lifeseniorservices.org. You can also find monthly giving options our website lifeseniorservices.org and navigate to the With YOUR investment, LIFEon Senior Services will… “Support LIFE” button, or use the QR code. Choose the Monthly Recurring Giving option. Thank you. ISSUE 5/WINTER 2024 7
LIFE’S SENIOR CAMPUS
Are we there yet?
ROMA BERRY CENTER FOR SENIORS
LIFE’s Senior Campus is opening soon! We can’t wait. See you there!
LIFEseniorservices.org 8 LIFELines
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