The Old Face of Hunger

Good Morning!

We realize it’s been awhile, but Meals on Wheels of Norman is back on the blogging track in 2012! 

“Unlike the faces of those starving children on television, the “Old Face of Hunger” in this country holds a slim promise. It is true that we have programs like Meals On Wheels to ease the pain of hunger. But those programs are not funded as adequately as those programs for children, so we still struggle to feed all those hungry Old Faces. We still have millions, many millions — and their numbers are growing — who face the threat of hunger on any given day”.  –Enid Boren, CEO Meals on Wheels Association of America

The above excerpt is from a blog placed on the Huffington Post. Please continue reading for the remainder of the touching article.

 

The Old Face of Hunger, By Enid Borden, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels Association of America

“Old friends. Sat on their park bench like bookends. Can you imagine us years from today sharing a park bench quietly. How terribly strange to be 70.”

With apologies to Simon and Garfunkel, those words never quite meant much to me when I sang them so many years ago. Today, however, those words send shivers down my spine. When once I thought that 70 was a lifetime away, I now see part of my lifetime slipping away as I am closer to 70 than I ever thought possible. In less than a decade, I will be “terribly strange” — 70. And yet I know that when that day arrives, it will meet me and I will meet it with a vast amount of certainty and resolve that the final chapters of my life will be writ with happiness, good health and a full refrigerator. Perhaps I reversed the order of that list and it would make all the more sense.

I sit here today and ponder the “Old Face of Hunger.” Why, you might ask, would I do that? Because it is my obligation to do so. I might suggest that it is yours too. The “Old Face of Hunger” about whom I speak is not a Third-World face: A face of a starving child living a life amidst insects, filth, decay and loneliness. The life of this child is short. The life of this child is a life of hardship with no way out. This face of hunger still exists in our world. This face of hunger cries out to us from every point on the Earth. This face of hunger we have seen before on our television screens and in our newspapers and magazines. We are the lucky ones. We haven’t experienced it. We’ve only seen it “second-hand.”

But I have witnessed the other “Old Face of Hunger.” The wrinkled faces of those in our own country living a life of hardship too. An old face who sits oftentimes amidst the filth and decay of a house once new and clean and full of hope and promise. I have seen the faces of the old as they open the door to a stranger who hands them a meal. A “home-cooked meal” that is delivered with a smile and brief “hello.” All too brief, I would say, but nonetheless, a godsend. Yes, this is the “Old Face of Hunger” about which I speak. This is the face of the countless — no 7.5 million — men and women who are the new “Old Face of Hunger”. They are an anomaly of American life. They are not headlines in the papers or stories on TV begging us for help. They are silent and silenced by the years. But they are hungry.

One should never for one second question which one to feed, which one to care for: the hungry child or the old person. No, we are better than that. We, who are lucky, should not make that choice. We who are lucky must not make that choice. We must care about all who are hungry. There is no choice here. None.

But the Old Face of Hunger, unlike the younger one, has no way out. There is no job waiting for the 87-year-old. There may not even be prescriptions filled at the corner pharmacy because of a lack of health insurance or no pharmacies, in the case of Sherman who lives in rural Kansas. The “Old Face of Hunger” is living out his life alone now. Pictures of his family, his old Army unit buddies, and even his old, beloved Chevy surround him. He sits by the window in a dusty, old two-room house and waits. He waits for the knock on the door that tells him it’s time to eat his one meal of the day. That knock comes only three times a week now, but it comes.

Yes, unlike the faces of those starving children on television, the “Old Face of Hunger” in this country holds a slim promise. It is true that we have programs like Meals On Wheels to ease the pain of hunger. But those programs are not funded as adequately as those programs for children, so we still struggle to feed all those hungry Old Faces. We still have millions, many millions — and their numbers are growing — who face the threat of hunger on any given day.

How terribly strange to be 70. And when it is our turn to sit on the park bench and reminisce about a life well lived, I hope and pray that we will be able to say that we have a full refrigerator, good health and happiness. I hope that the “Old Face of Hunger” won’t be ours when we look in the mirror… and won’t be our neighbors’ either. I hope, in fact, the “Old Face of American Hunger” will be nothing more than a faded memory.

Our vision at Meals On Wheels Association of America is a 20/20 vision. We hope to end senior hunger by the year 2020. Eight years from now. And for me? For me — how terribly strange it will be to be 70.

Enid Borden is the President and CEO of Meals On Wheels Association of America. 

(Article from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/enid-borden/meals-on-wheels_b_1344382.html?ref=tw)

Meals on Wheels of Norman Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes. For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

New Flu Vaccine for Seniors Provides Better Protection

A recent question to “Savvy Senior” that we thought would be important to share:

Dear Savvy Senior,

I’ve read that there is a new extra-strength flu vaccine being offered to seniors this year.  What can you tell me about it, where can I find it, and does Medicare cover it?

 – Flu-Conscious Connie

Dear Connie,

The new extra-strength flu vaccination you’re inquiring about is called the Fluzone High-Dose, and it’s designated specifically for seniors, age 65 years and older.  Here’s what you should know.

Fluzone High-Dose

Manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Inc., the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2009, and was first made available last flu season on a limited basis.

The main difference between the Fluzone High-Dose and a regular flu shot is its potency.  The High-Dose vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody) as a regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune response for better protection.  This extra protection is particularly helpful to seniors who have a weaker immune defense defenses and have a great risk of developing dangerous flu complications.  The CDC estimates that the flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and kills around 24,000 – 95 percent of whom are seniors.

As with all flu vaccines, Fluzone High-Dose is not recommended for seniors who are allergic to chicken eggs, or those who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.

To locate a vaccination site that offers the Fluzone High-Dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist, or check the online flu-shot locator at www.flu.gov for clinics or stores offering flu shots.  Then contact some in your area to see whether they have the High-Dose vaccine.  CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, Kmart, Rite Aid and Kroger are among some of the chains offering the High-Dose shot.

You’ll be happy to know that if you’re a a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will cover 100 percent of the cost of your High-Dose vaccination.  But if you’re not covered the cost is around $50-$60 – that’s about double of what you’d pay for a regular flu shot.

Pneumovax

Another important vaccination the CDC recommends to seniors – especially this time of year – is the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for pneumonia and meningitis (the vaccine is called Pneumovax 23).  Pneumonia causes more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, many of which could be prevented by this vaccine.  If you’re over the age 65 and haven’t already gotten this one-time-only shot, you should get it now before flu season hits.  Pneumovax 23 also is covered under Medicare Part B, and you can get it on the same day you get your flu shot.  If you’re not covered by insurance, this vaccine costs around $75-$85 at retail clinics.

This vaccine also is recommended to adults under age 65 if they smoke or have certain chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease, have had their spleen removed, or have a weakened immune system due to cancer, HIV or an organ transplant.

Savvy Tips:

In addition to getting vaccinated, the CDC reminds everyone that the three best way to stay healthy during flu season is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and stay home if you’re sick.  For more information on the recommended vaccines for older adults, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

(The Norman Transcript, Tuesday, September 27, 2011 – www.savvysenior.org.  Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author or “The Savvy Senior” book.)

Meals on Wheels of Norman Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes. For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

“Leaving a Legacy” By Guest Blogger: Halee Prickett Threatt – Granddaughter of Meals on Wheels of Norman Founder, Tedo Prickett

We’re so excited to have Halee Prickett Threat, granddaughter of Meals on Wheels founder, Tedo Prickett as our guest blogger this week!  Halee and her son, Jay deliver meals for Meals on Wheels each week and continuing her grandmother’s legacy in the community!

When people we love are gone we tend to remember how much they meant to us and how they influenced who we have become.

My grandmother Theodocia “Tedo” Prickett not only inspired me, she inspired others by her tireless efforts to improve the lives of people.  She is best remembered for her part in creating the Norman chapter of Meals on Wheels. Before Meals on Wheels existed in Norman, McFarlin and other churches led efforts to check on “shut-ins”, people who were home-bound for various reasons, who had no one else to help with things they could no longer do for themselves. When Grandma started visiting shut-ins she saw all of the issues facing people with limited capabilities and financial resources. She enlisted my Granddad and began to organize small home repairs, took people to their doctor appointments and assisted with all kinds of needs, often paying for things out of her own limited resources. She and others like herself saw the huge un-met needs of the elderly and others in Norman.  Her home phone number became what today we would refer to as 211. As the sole point of contact for so many, she was on call 24 hours a day. She became an expert on the issues of aging as she assisted people with medicare/medicaid questions as well as taxes. In 1972 along with June Morgan she founded “Mobile Meals”. The idea was to help retain people’s independence and to let them remain in their own homes as long as possible. It wasn’t until later when they became a United Way funded Organization did they become Meals on Wheels.

 As a kid I remember going along with my grandmother to deliver meals and visit with people. Two experiences stand out the most. First I remember a blind man. I had to be around the 8 years old. She explained to me what it meant to be blind and how to always help when able. Second, we delivered to a man who had AIDS. She explained how at that time they did not know much about the disease but she did know his medications were too expensive for him and she was trying to find a way to help with him the cost.

My sister and I learned so many things from Grandmother, perhaps most of all that helping others is a “labor of love” that does as much for the helper as it does for the person in need. That was the secret of Tedo’s seemingly unlimited energy. When you are helping others, the more you do, the more you are energized.

 Both my sister and I chose professions in the social work field. I currently am staying home with my two year old son whom I take with me on my route with Meals on Wheels. I can only hope to be half the inspiration to him that my grandmother was to my sister and I.

Meals on Wheels of Norman Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes. For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

First American Bank Month at Meals on Wheels of Norman – Featuring Cindy Zumwalt Interview!

September 2011 is First American Bank Month at Meals on Wheels of Norman!

Cindy Zumwalt of First American Bank explains the importance of giving back to the community in her recent interview:  (Click on the picture to see the video interview)

About First American Bank

Your Bank

First American Bank is proud to be Oklahoma owned and operated. Guided by a commitment to the financial strength of families, businesses and organizations, coupled with community involvement and support, First American works to enhance your quality of life.

History

Originally chartered in 1935, First American has thrived since 1990 under the care of the Mayes family, long-time residents of Norman, Oklahoma. Today the bank has assets of nearly $300 million and maintains nine locations throughout the state.

Community Service

We’ve built a lasting relationship with our communities, and we work to extend the benefits to you.

• Competitive Rates – Your deposits support First American’s mission to lend money back into communities. We pay the rates necessary to win your business and keep it.
• Ready access – Our customers enjoy 24-hour service through a network of banking centers, ATMs, telephone and online banking.
• Local involvement – First American’s employees make their homes in the communities where they work. All are professionally trained to serve with competency, concern, courtesy and character. The Bank and our employees contribute countless hours and dollars to worthy organizations in each community.

First American’s services, along with our ability and willingness to give back to the community, led the Federal Reserve Bank to recognize our bank as “Outstanding” under the Community Reinvestment Act. Along with our membership in the Federal Reserve System, First American belongs to the Federal Home Loan Bank system, providing access to additional funds allocated for community development.

Check out the latest iPhone App from First American Bank!

Meals on Wheels of Norman Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes. For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

“What Meals on Wheels Means To Me” – By Guest Blogger, Stephanie Clinton (www.hugskissesandsnot.wordpress.com)

A special thank you to Meals on Wheels volunteer driver and guest blogger, Stephanie Clinton for helping us out this week with our Bi-Monthly blog!

“When I was a little girl my mom would take me on her Meals On Wheels route.  The thing that I remember most was how happy those old people seemed to be to see me.  They didn’t even know me but how they would gush and want to hold my hand and ask how old I was.  In the few brief minutes we were guests in their home a shy little girl with auburn hair would bring them a breath of fresh air along with their lunch.

Fast forward a few decades and here I am with my very own route.  When I was at a place in my life where I had the time to commit to community volunteer work the first thing I did was call up my local Meals On Wheels office to find out about driving a route.  I’ve been doing it for four years and love every week.  When my 1st grader was in pre-school I would take him on my route with me.  Most of the time he would clam up and not say much but the clients loved seeing him.

Driving Meals On Wheels has been a life lesson for both me and my son.  It teaches us to serve those in need.  For the clients who are home bound and unable to make their own way to the grocery store this service is essential to their daily survival.  It teaches us kindness and compassion.  For some of these folks their driver may be the only other person they see all day long.  No person is an island unto themselves and no one deserves to be left alone all day.  We all need interaction with another human being even if it is as simple as a friendly smile, a pat on the hand or a quick chat.  It teaches a sense of community.  This service is a vital part of our community that would not survive without it’s volunteers.  It’s important to give of yourself, your time and resources without expecting anything in return.

One of the most important life lessons for me has been humility.  There were many times I had to explain to my tender little boy that not everybody lives in a big house with nice things and lots of toys to play with.  Not everybody has someone to take care of them, cook them dinner everyday, play with them and kiss them goodnight every night.  Not everybody can keep their house clean and smelling nice or have new, clean clothes.  Not everybody can just hop in the car whenever they feel like it and go out to eat at their favorite restaurant or buy lots of groceries without worrying if they will have enough money.  These are difficult life lessons for a little boy and sharp reminders for an adult.  But one lesson that would follow up the “not every body has…” lesson is that even though the people we delivered to had less than we did, what they did have is the assurance that they could depend on us to bring them their lunch that day.

After all these years, Meals On Wheels means to me:  Service, Kindness, Compassion, Community and Humility.  I’m so glad my mom knew to haul me all over town with her.”

Meals on Wheels of Norman Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes.

For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

From the Desk of Adopt A Route Sponsor: Rick Burgess of Fowler Toyota of Norman

Rick Burgess of Fowler Toyota Discusses the Importance of Giving Back to the Community

About Fowler Toyota

From its humble beginnings in 1973, Fowler Toyota has grown to become one of the largest Toyota dealerships in the U.S. Throughout our history, we have strived to provide the best possible customer service experience, by offering a comprehensive new and used car, truck, minivan and SUV inventory, along with top-notch service work completed by our fully-trained, factory certified service technicians. Throughout the years, Fowler Toyota has always made customer satisfaction its primary objective. With competitive pricing and fully stocked inventory we know that we can provide you with exactly what you are searching for. Our friendly staff is readily awaiting your visit and looking forward to a long term relationship with you and your family.

Gas Saving Tips

   A few tips to help have on fuel costs:

• Drive Sensibly – Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking wastes gas.  Observe the speed limits
• Excess Weight – Remove excess weight from your vehicle.  An extra 100 lbs. can reduce your MPG by two percent.
• Keep Your Car in Shape – Maintain regular engine tune ups and keep tires inflated to the proper pressure.  Also use the recommended grade of motor oil.
• Choose a Fuel Efficient Car – Check out the great deals offered by Fowler Toyota www.fowlertoyota.com!

Thank you to Rick Burgess and Fowler Toyota for all that you do for Norman!

Meals on Wheels of Norman Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes.

For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

PART II: Common Concerns for the Elderly: Guest Blogger Kim Zaman, M.H.R. – Caring Heart Services

Part II

Meals on Wheels asked me to write a bit about the most common concerns I find working as a Geriatric Supported Living Facilitator helping seniors stay in their own homes.  In the last blog, I talked about Nutrition, Falling, and Transportation.  This blog, I’d like to discuss one of the most important concerns I find which is most often overlooked:

 

1. Memory Impairments:  Memory problems are more common than one would think and are sometimes shrugged off as “senior moments” or just being forgetful.  True, seniors, as well as people of all ages, forget things.  I know I am something awful about forgetting where I put my car keys or cell phone!  But, normal forgetfulness is different than what is called Dementia.  Did you know that almost half the population over the age of 85 has a form of Dementia?   Most people are familiar with the term Alzheimer’s Disease, but many may not be aware that Alzheimer’s Disease is just one of the many forms of Dementia.  There are many types of Dementia and different causes of it, although symptoms of all the Dementias may be similar.  If there is a concern that a senior loved one’s memory is impaired more than just normal forgetfulness, I suggest consulting a neurologist for an evaluation.  A neurologist can determine if a specific form of Dementia is present and if a medication may be needed to help strengthen cognition.

 

Ways families can help a senior loved one with memory problems include simple things like getting a calendar in plain view and writing down all appointments and events on the calendar.  A daily subscription to a newspaper such as The Norman Transcript can keep a senior oriented to the days of the week, as well as keep a senior up to date on current events.

Medicine planners with slots for AM, Noon, and PM medication doses can be filled for the week by a home health nurse or a family member which can make it much easier to help ensure medication doses are not missed and are not mistakenly taken twice.  A lifeline emergency response unit can send reminders through the telephone box to take medication at specific times or a special watch with a medication reminder alarm can often help.

A notebook and pen should be kept by a senior’s telephone to write notes down about phone conversations and appointments before they are forgotten.

Automatic Utility payments can be set up to ensure utilities are always paid on time and not forgotten.  Families may be put on an alert system for notification of any missed payments in order to prevent utilities from being shut off because a senior may have forgotten to pay a bill.

Word find books, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, memory albums, and music are great activities to stimulate the mind.

If one does have Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Dementia, an adult day services program like Full Circle may be of benefit for families caring for a senior loved one needing supervision and assistance during the day.  They have an array of special activities that benefit memory impaired seniors.  Home Companion Services can come to a senior’s home and assist with activities and services to help a memory impaired senior stay living in their own home.

Lastly, don’t forget (no pun intended) that Meals on Wheels also helps with memory issues in addition to nutrition and daily social contact!  Seniors use their Meals on Wheels calendars to keep track of days of the week with the specific meals delivered that day.  Seniors often get accustomed to seeing one particular volunteer on each day of the week which helps with daily orientation.  Meals on Wheels is a great resource for seniors in so many ways other than just a meal!

 

Kim Zaman, M.H.R.

Caring Heart Services

Meals on Wheels of Norman Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes.

For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

Common Concerns for the Elderly: Guest Blogger Kim Zaman, M.H.R. – Caring Heart Services

As a Geriatric Supported Living Facilitator, my mission is to help seniors stay living in their own homes.  Families often ask me to assess their senior loved one’s needs in order to find ways to help a senior stay in his or her own home safely.  Although every senior is very unique, these are the top concerns I have repeatedly seen in my fifteen years of working with older adults:

 

1. Nutrition:   Preparing a nutritionally balanced meal can be quite a task for a senior who lives alone.  As we age, our taste buds just aren’t what they used to be and our sense of smell may be diminished. Cooking and eating healthy meals can be a challenge for a senior.  Many families express concern that their loved one is not eating properly or have noticed significant weight loss.

 

My first suggestion is to call Meals on Wheels of Norman.  Meals on Wheels provides a hot lunch five days a week to seniors.  It has the added benefit of a caring volunteer from the community making daily social contact at the senior’s home.

 

If a senior has diet restrictions, Meals on Wheels can prepare special Healthy Heart diets or Diabetic specific diets to ensure optimum health benefits.

 

If weight loss is a concern, I suggest talking to the senior’s physician about appetite inducing medication or safely adding over the counter supplements like multivitamins, Calcium, Ensure Nutritional shakes, and Carnation Instant Breakfast.  A less known supplement called Benecalorie can be added into yogurt to add a whopping 300 extra calories to such a snack of those with extreme weight loss.  If additional assistance is needed, Home Companion Services can grocery shop and prepare breakfast, dinner, and in between meal snacks to make sure a senior is eating well, in addition to their noontime Meal on Wheels lunch.

 

2. Falling: A major common concern for seniors living alone is falling.  As we age and become less active, muscle strength can decline and make falling in the home a risk.  I’m a huge advocate of seniors staying active in the community, or at least maintaining a home exercise regimen.  There are exercise CD’s called “Sittercise” that a senior can listen to and do daily while being safely seated.  Norman’s senior center and the YMCA are great resources for exercise programs for independent seniors.  Also, Full Circle Senior Adult Day Center offers daily exercise for at risk seniors who need more supervised assistance with activities.

 

I suggest installing a lifeline system in the home that alerts emergency personnel and family of falls or emergencies.  Response Link of Norman is a great local resource that will come out to the home and set this up.

 

I often suggest talking to the senior’s physician about physical therapy.  Sometimes, a round of physical therapy is just what’s needed to strengthen muscles and help develop an individualized exercise program that can be maintained by the individual alone, or with the help of a Home Companion.

 

Assisted Devices such as floor grabbers (to prevent bending down to pick something up), grab bars by commodes and showers, and nonslip mats are also important to consider for increased safety of seniors living in their home.

 

3. Transportation: Many seniors stop driving because of poor eyesight, physical disabilities, or simply the risk of getting lost due to memory impairments.  Norman is fortunate that we have a door to door transportation service through OU’s CART transit that brings seniors and disabled adults anywhere they want to go for as little as a $1.  Aging Services operates a Kiwanis Cruiser which offers a similar service for free or by donation.  SoonerRide will provide transportation to medical appointments for those on Medicaid free of charge.  Many churches have a van available to pick up members for Sunday services.   Pharmacies can deliver prescriptions to the home.  If a senior is in need of more personal assistance, a Home Companion service can escort seniors to the places they want to go, or accomplish errands for the senior while he or she stays safely home.  Luckily, Norman is a senior friendly community and there are ways to get around…if you just know what they are.

 

      Kim Zaman, M.H.R.

     Caring Heart Services

 

Meals on Wheels of Norman Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes.

For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

Senior Resource Guide

In the Meals on Wheels office it’s not unusual to receive phone calls from out of state to check on loved ones.  This week the phone call was from Arizona, a distraught woman checking on a dear friend.  She had been unable to contact her for nearly a week.  When she found out the family had not heard from her friend as well, she called Meals on Wheels of Norman even though the individual in question lives in Oklahoma City.  The correct phone number was given to her along with the correct name of the service, Mobile Meals of OKC as well as best wishes.

Unfortunately it can be very difficult to check on loved ones that live far away.  Odd program names make it even more troublesome.  Fortunately for the people of Norman there is an answer!  The United Way’s Senior and Persons with Disabilities Council has issued a resource guide specifically designed seniors.  Services included are Meals on Wheels home delivered meals, congregate meal sites, food closets, prescription assistance, health care, housing, recreation, volunteerism, transportation services, and emergency numbers.

The resource guides will be distributed to all Meals on Wheels clients soon.  If you would like senior resource guide please contact Renee O’Leary, Director of Community Impact – United Way of Norman, telephone (405)329-2025 or email roleary@unitedway-norman.org

Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes.

For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.

Senior Nutrition

Good nutrition is critical to senior health — yet many older adults are at risk of inadequate nutrition.  The Mayo Clinic describes some of the ramifications caused by malnutrition in seniors; fatigue, depression, weakened immune system, muscle weakness, poor skin integrity, as well as digestive, lung, and heart problems.   Proper nutrition is especially important for older adults who are seriously ill and those who have dementia. These older adults are more likely to be admitted to a hospital or long term care facility.

Thankfully seniors who receive Meals on Wheels are guaranteed a well-balanced meal.  The food delivered by the Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers is prepared at the Norman Regional Health System kitchen under the supervision of dieticians.   Great time and attention are paid to the special dietary needs of our seniors.

Identifying and treating nutrition problems early can promote good health, independence and increased longevity in our seniors. Please take steps now to ensure your loved one’s nutrition and consider the benefits of Meals on Wheels.

Mission Statement: “Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. will provide a nutritious meal to Norman’s senior, disabled, or ill residents who are in need.”  This is the same basic philosophy that has driven Meals on Wheels since January 21, 1972.  Our intent is to improve the quality of life for the frail of health and senior members of our community by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals with a daily visit from our wonderful volunteers.  Meals on Wheels of Norman, a United Way of Norman agency, delivers noontime nutritious meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of the Norman community.  The organization relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday to 20 different service routes.

For more information, please visit the Meals on Wheels website at www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com.  Please feel free to forward our post on to friends and family and subscribe to our blog!  Please contact Summer McGuire at (405) 321-7272 or by email at summer@mealsonwheelsnorman.com with any questions.