Hello,
It continues to be a busy time at Senior Concerns. We are grateful for the support of our volunteers, Cities, County, grantors, donors and staff. Please read our February update to discover what we have been up to.
We are delivering measurable outcomes in our community
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ADULT DAY SUPPORT
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On January 3, 2022, we were finally able to re-open our Adult Day Program! It just did not feel the same for 21 months without groups of chatting seniors, music playing, sing-a-longs and joyful activities in the halls of Senior Concerns. The program focuses on small groups of person-centered, purposeful programming. The program runs Monday through Fridays from 10am to 2pm. Space is limited due to licensing COVID protocol. If interested, contact Martha Shapiro, LCSW at 805-497-0189 or mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
The feedback from the participants attending and their families has been heartwarming. One caregiver commented “I am so thankful, as you know, that Senior Concerns is open again. And while you are caring for my husband there, you are also providing care for me by taking on the caregiver role for 12 hours a week. That time is an absolute gift for me!!!!”
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EXPERT COUNSEL
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Providing compassion and expert advice, our Social Work team has fielded more than 4,000 calls from seniors and family caregivers. They have provided one-on-one support, resources, and information to address concerns, link seniors to vital services, and help reduce overall stress. Our team is also able to alleviate the anxiety felt by many of the seniors and family caregivers who reach out by staying with them on the phone as we reach out to other agencies. We remain with the senior until the issue is resolved.
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HELP FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
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We know how difficult it is to have a loved one dealing with dementia or a chronic illness. Our Caregiver Support Center offers education, programming and resources to help. We continue to provide limited in-home respite (free in home care) in partnership with local care agencies, and offer one-on-one case management with our social workers. Due to increasing demand, we have added to the number of caregiver support groups we offer. Participation in the caregiver support groups has grown from 36 people per month to 120!
Senior Concerns will be hosting Caregiver Recognition Day to honor and support family caregivers in our community on Thursday, March 10 from 1-3:00 p.m. on Zoom. This annual FREE event is designed to give family caregivers the chance to renew their spirit, reduce their stress, and enjoy an uplifting and empowering program. This year’s program includes presentations from experts on the Value of Connections to Combat Social Isolation, Having Faith in Yourself: How to Trust Yourself to Do the Right Thing, and Having the Courage to Advocate for Your Loved One and Feel Good About It. The program will have several breakout opportunities for family caregivers to talk and share with one another in small groups with experienced moderators. There will be fun activities, music, and videos.
And of course, the day would not be complete without an amazing goody bag for the first 100 registrants which can be picked up at a drive by event at Neftin Westlake Mazda Volkswagen a few days before the event. If you are a caregiver of an aging loved one in our community, you are welcome to join this free event by registering online HERE or by contacting Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189.
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IN-HOME GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT SERVICES
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Receiving panicked calls from family who did not live in the area to have eyes on their senior loved one, and could not be there to provide hands on care, last year we launched a program providing In-Home Geriatric Assessments by our trained social workers. Our In-Home Geriatric Assessment provides a review of care needs and options, evidenced-based assessments focused on depression, cognition, and quality of life, and review of home safety, nutrition status, and social support, as well as discussion of legal protections (Advance Directives, Powers of Attorney, and POLST) and healthcare/long-term care planning.
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ACCOLADES
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In 2021, Senior Concerns was named Nonprofit of the Year by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging named Senior Concerns 2021 Business of the Year and awarded the organization it’s Legacy Award. California Lutheran University awarded Senior Concerns’ President Andrea Gallagher the 2021 William E. Hamm Award in recognition of her leadership of Senior Concerns during the pandemic. Just this year, Logix Credit Union selected Senior Concerns as one of its five Community Stars charities.
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SUCCESS STORY
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Since the beginning of COVID, sixty-nine year old Emilia has been dependent on Senior Concerns’ Meals On Wheels program to provide her with meals seven days a week. She lives in section 8 subsidized housing in Thousand Oaks.
Emilia was experiencing stomach aches and weight loss. She was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D); in addition to her high blood pressure and allergies. She was given a medication prescription for 3 doses a day for the IBS-D.
Senior Concerns meal coordinator worked with our Director of Nutrition to see that Emilia’s dietary issues were addressed by changing the foods she received. Several food items and types were eliminated, and others added. Senior Concerns was able to accommodate her dietary restrictions working in concert with our meal providers.
After just one week, Emilia reported feeling better. After two weeks she was overwhelmed with joy by how much better she felt. She was down to 1 or no doses a day of the IBS-D medicine, and her symptoms had ceased. Her skin was glowing. She had no idea how well she could feel just with a change of diet.
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