News

Holiday Newsletter 12/07/2009 12:46 pm

The holidays are a time when many families get together. This is also a time when you may notice changes in your loved ones. Maybe grandma cannot see as well as she did last year or may have trouble remembering things or cooking dinner like she always has in the past. Or maybe the lights on the house are not quite as nice as grandpa as made them in the past and he has trouble getting around inside and outside the house. Please take notice of the changes and have a conversation about the changes with other family members to assess the situation. Many people will shrug off these things and say, “she is 70 years old, what do you expect?” Some changes are normal as we age and some are not. It is the mission of Northshore Area Partners to help seniors maintain their independence as changes occur. We are available for information or home visits as needed.

Volunteer Services

In this season of gratitude and giving, we are so very thankful for all of our volunteers who share their time, talents and treasures with us.

In the first three quarters of 2009, 67 Northshore Area Partners volunteers have provided over 2500 hours of direct service to more than 160 participants.

These volunteers provided:

· 250+ rides to medical appointments

· 400+ hours of respite to caregivers

· 1400+ hours of snow removal, frozen meal delivery and chore service.

Northshore Area Partners could not make such a difference in our community

without these amazing volunteers. Thank you!

National Family Caregivers Association shares these gift ideas:

What Are the Best Gifts for Family Caregivers?

Have your family members and friends been asking what gift you want this holiday season? Are you looking for that perfect gift for another family caregiver? Here are a few ideas that you may want to pass on to others or use yourself:

· Give a few hours of respite time.

· Help decorate a family caregiver’s home for the holidays.

· Help to address envelopes for holiday cards.

· Offer comic relief! Tickets to a local comedy club, a funny movie to view, or an amusing audio book are always welcome gifts.

· Create a monthly calendar with 12 different family photos. This is a wonderful keepsake that can also be used to keep track of appointments and events.

· A card of appreciation, a bouquet of flowers, or bowl of fruit would always brighten a family caregiver’s day.

Champion Volunteer Awarded Honor 09/17/2009 08:39 am

Champion Volunteer Awarded Honor

At the Lake County Fair, Lavonne Lagarde got a big surprise. She was named Lake County Senior Volunteer of the year. She was nominated by Chuckie Knudson of Northshore Area Partners for the honor. Yes, we were able to keep the secret! As Susan Michels was reading from one of the nomination letters, Lavonne was recognizing some of the story as familiar and when her diamond walking stick was mentioned there was no doubt they were talking about her. She was only able to speak a few words, “I really don’t do that much.”

However, she has been involved with Northshore Area Partners from the beginning. Lavonne began as a member of the steering committee that established the foundation for Northshore Area Partners and then continued to serve on the Board of Directors for five years. During and following her tenure on the board, Lavonne has served as a volunteer by providing rides, working in the office, installing First Call emergency telephone systems, fundraising, sending birthday cards to all of the volunteers and participants, providing friendly visits/safety checks and giving countless hours of respite to tired caregivers. All the while she injects positive energy into everything she does. Lavonne is an asset to the staff and participants of Northshore Area Partners and helps further the goal of keeping elders in their home.

Lavonne is a champion for a variety of causes beyond Northshore Area Partners. She continues to sew, crochet, and knit items to donate to fundraisers for various organizations. Lavonne’s mind and hands are never idle. She has also been involved with the blood bank, hospice care and Meals on Wheels.

It has been said, “Lavonne is there, coming to the rescue, when your house of cards is collapsing.” She truly does and is a gift to us and the people we are here to support. She has made significant and wonderful contributions to our community and continues to help and serve others every day.

Thank you Lavonne.

National Fall Prevention Awareness Day, Septemer 22, First Day of Fall 09/16/2009 02:46 pm

On the heels of a slew of falls experienced by such prominent figures as
Margaret Thatcher, Sonya Sotomayor, Hillary Clinton, and the Pope, the first week of autumn
brings the message that falls are preventable with the annual Fall Prevention Awareness
Day.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an older adult is treated in a hospital emergency room for a fall every 18 seconds, and every 35 minutes an older adult dies as a result of a fall-related injury. In fact, among older adults falls are the leading cause of injury deaths. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. Statistically speaking in Minnesota:

· Women age 50 and older are more likely than men to fall.
· Men age 50 and older are more likely to die from a fall until about age 70.
· Older Minnesotans account for more than 60% of fall-related hospitalizations and 85% of fall deaths.
· Costs for non-fatal falls for Older Minnesotans are high - $162 million for hospital charges and $20.4 million for emergency department charges in 2005.

The good news is that falls are preventable. A combination of interventions has been found to
significantly reduce falls in the older adult population. Experts recommend a physical activity
regimen with balance, strength training, and flexibility components.

Calling Northshore Area Partners at 226-3635 and requesting a free fall risk assessment to make sure your home environment is safe and supportive is a step you can take today to help keep YOU right side up!

ALSO, in conjunction with Falls Prevention Awareness Day:

Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in severe physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. Many older adults also experience increased isolation and depression when they limit their interactions with family and friends. A Matter of Balance Program can help people improve their quality of life and remain independent.

A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance.

Northshore Area Partners is offering A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls on Thursday’s from 10-12:30 at Silver Pointe Apartments. The Program is FREE. A workbook is provided and refreshments are served.
Please call Northshore Area Partners at 218-226-3635 to register or for more information.