senior hub advisor 2012

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The Senior Hub 2360 W. 90th Avenue Federal Heights, CO 80260 Caring for the quality of life Respecting the dignity of all people Connecting older adults with community resources Preserving the health and independence of older adults Advisor October 2012 OFFERING SUPPORT SERVICES TO ALL OLDER ADULTS SINCE 1986 Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Denver, CO Permit No. 1525 WATCH OUR NEW VIDEO AT http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=gTfXhlSAfEA and then submit a comment and let us know what you think. We'd love to hear from you! By Howard Yeoman Executive Director The Senior Hub began making plans to expand and renovate our main office building in Federal Heights nearly a year ago. Our facility has seen few alterations in its 26 years and the need for expansion and renovation has become critical to achieving our mission, especially as the population of our area continues to age. The planned facility expansion and renovation will add 1,300 square feet of office space and 1,200 square feet of basement storage to improve ser- vices for older adults and increase The Senior Hub’s capacity to serve more seniors than ever before. It will create functional work space for staff that are currently sharing offices and working in a hallway and storage closet. And, it will improve efficien- cies throughout the building while increasing client privacy and confi- dentiality. Fundraising for the project began in the fall of 2011 and we have achieved 65% of our $750,000 goal, including cash, pledges, and in-kind donations. In August, Adams County gave our fundraising efforts a big boost by transferring ownership of our build- ing to us. The county built the build- ing for us 26 years ago, but they retained ownership. This transaction will allow us to be eligible to submit certain grant applications that we did not qualify for as a government owned facility, especially energy effi- ciency grants. The improved energy efficiency will reduce our utility costs which will be particularly timely since the transfer of the ownership will also now require us to pay the cost of maintaining our building. An expense that we have not had to budget for in the past. Our goal of $750,000 will pay for construction as well as needed furniture, computers, telephones, etc. for the addition. We hope to conclude our fundraising by the end of this year. Although we have a long way to go, we hope to begin construction in Spring of 2013. It has been particularly diffi- cult to raise sufficient funds for our programs this year while also raising funds for our expansion. We have been using every opportunity to ask everyone who is interested in the welfare of older adults to make a generous donation to The Senior Hub. If you would like to support our efforts you can designate your gift to fund our programs or they can help fund our building expansion. Support for both is needed now. Donations are tax-deductible and can be mailed to The Senior Hub, or made on our website at, www.seniorhub.org. With your help we can continue to provide support that allows older adults to live independently in their own homes which is still the most compassionate and the least costly thing that we can do for them. Become a part of our future and help us continue to make a differ- ence… Building plans progressing

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Page 1: Senior Hub Advisor 2012

The Senior Hub2360 W. 90th AvenueFederal Heights, CO 80260

Caringfor the quality of life

Respectingthe dignity of all people

Connectingolder adults with

community resources

Preservingthe health and independence of older adults

AdvisorOctober 2012

OFFERING SUPPORT SERVICES TO ALL OLDER ADULTS SINCE 1986

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDDenver, CO

Permit No. 1525

WATCH OUR NEW VIDEO AT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTfXhlSAfEA

and then submit a comment and let us know what you

think.

We'd love to hear from you!

By Howard YeomanExecutive Director

The Senior Hub began making plans to expand and renovate our main office building in Federal Heights nearly a year ago. Our facility has seen few alterations in its 26 years and the need for expansion and renovation has become critical to achieving our mission, especially as

the population of our area continues to age.

The planned facility expansion and renovation will add 1,300 square feet of office space and 1,200 square feet of basement storage to improve ser-vices for older adults and increase The Senior Hub’s capacity to serve more seniors than ever before. It will create functional work space for staff that are currently sharing offices and working in a hallway and storage closet. And, it will improve efficien-cies throughout the building while increasing client privacy and confi-dentiality.

Fundraising for the project began in the fall of 2011 and we have achieved 65% of our $750,000 goal, including cash, pledges, and in-kind donations.

In August, Adams County gave our fundraising efforts a big boost by transferring ownership of our build-ing to us. The county built the build-ing for us 26 years ago, but they retained ownership. This transaction will allow us to be eligible to submit certain grant applications that we did not qualify for as a government owned facility, especially energy effi-ciency grants. The improved energy efficiency will reduce our utility costs which will be particularly timely since the transfer of the ownership will also now require us to pay the cost of maintaining our building. An

expense that we have not had to budget for in the past.

Our goal of $750,000 will pay for construction as well as needed furniture, computers, telephones, etc. for the addition. We hope to conclude our fundraising by the end of this year. Although we have a long way to go, we hope to begin construction in Spring of 2013.

It has been particularly diffi-cult to raise sufficient funds for our programs this year while also raising funds for our expansion. We have been using every opportunity to ask everyone who is interested in the welfare of older adults to make a generous donation to The Senior Hub.

If you would like to support our efforts you can designate your gift to fund our programs or they can help fund our building expansion. Support for both is needed now. Donations are tax-deductible and can be mailed to The Senior Hub, or made on our website at, www.seniorhub.org. With your help we can continue to provide support that allows older adults to live independently in their own homes which is still the most

compassionate and the least costly thing that we can do for them.

Become a part of our future and help us continue to make a differ-ence…

Building plans progressing

It has been particularly diffi-cult to raise sufficient funds for our programs this year while also raising funds for our expansion. We have been using every opportunity to ask everyone who is interested in the welfare of older adults to make a generous donation

If you would like to

your gift to fund our programs or they can help fund our building expansion. Support for both is needed now. Donations are tax-deductible and can be mailed

expense that we have not had to

as well as needed furniture, computers, telephones, etc. for the addition. We hope to conclude our fundraising by the end of this year. Although we have a long way to go, we hope to begin construction in

It has been particularly diffi-

Building plans progressing

It has been particularly diffi-cult to raise sufficient funds for our programs this year while

Page 2: Senior Hub Advisor 2012

The Senior Hub offers these programs designed to enhance the lives of older adults:ADULT DAY SERVICEThe Adult Day Service provides a place for older adults to go during the day for social stimulation, assistance, and supervi-sion, while their caregivers are at work or taking time to care for their own needs. Service is provided Mon.-Fri. at 10190 Bannock St., #104, Northglenn. Hours are flexible. Contact Program Director Tia Sauceda ([email protected]) at 303-287-2400.

MEALS ON WHEELSProvides a daily visit from a friendly volunteer coupled with a hot noon meal, sharing something positive with a home bound individual. Select from two meal options. Contact Program Director Marita Hafner ([email protected]) at 303-426-4408.

RURAL MEALS ON WHEELSProviding home-delivered meals along the I-70 corridor into Deer Trail and surrounding areas. Contact Program Director Chad Behling ([email protected]) at 303-426-4408.

THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP)This gives older adults the opportunity to participate in meaningful community service by sharing their expertise with public organizations. Contact Program Director Tom Rapp ([email protected]).

SENIOR SOLUTIONSProvides resources, counseling and service coordination for older adults. Also operates an emergency food bank and medical equipment lending service. Contact Program Director Lew Forester ([email protected]) or Jean Michel ([email protected]) at 303-426-4408.

MINOR HOME REPAIRHelps provide a secure living environment for older adults, who may qualify for free home repairs or be referred to professionals offering discounted rates. Contact Lew Forester ([email protected]) or Jean Michel ([email protected]) at 303-426-4408.

RESPITE & IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICESRecruits, trains and matches volunteers and professional caregivers to provide short-term, in-home respite care. Offers services for frail older adults living alone. Contact Program Director Chad Behling ([email protected]) at 303-426-4408 or Linda Rinelli in the Aurora office at 720-859-2248 ([email protected]) for the Aurora/Eastern Plains area.

CARE MANAGEMENT Identifies strengths and needs, creates a care plan and coordinates services for older and disabled adults in order for them to maintain optimum health and independence. For a reasonable fee, it reduces the burden of caregivers and family members, some of whom may live at a distance. Services are monitored and adjusted according to need; clients are actively involved in decision-making. Contact Care Manager, Judy Gibson ([email protected]) at 303-426-4408.

The mission of The Senior Hub is to advance the quality of life for older adults through advocacy, community partnerships, and a variety of direct services planned to sustain an independent, healthy aging experience.

The Senior Hub2360 W. 90th AvenueFederal Heights, CO 80260P: 303-426-4408 F: [email protected]

Aurora Office12101 E. 2nd Avenue, #106Aurora, CO 80011P: 720-859-2248 F: [email protected]

Adult Day Service10190 Bannock St., #104Northglenn, CO 80260P: 303-287-2400 F: [email protected]

The Senior Hub Advisor is a free pub-lication of the The Senior Hub, Inc. and is published quarterly for residents of Adams County, Colorado to keep the community informed with news about older adults in Adams County. Comments are welcome and should be directed to Renee Dees, The Senior Hub, 2360 W. 90th Ave. Federal Heights, CO 80260 or phone 303-426-4408.

For information on advertising in The Senior Hub Advisor, call 303-531-6170.

2013 Board of Directors

Points to Ponder

Howard YeomanCEO, The Senior Hub

The Senior Hub Advisor • October 20122

CHAIR:Joy Hinshaw, Clinical Recruiter

Central Colorado AreaHealth Education Center (AHEC)

VICE CHAIR:Michelle Andrews, Director of Leasing

Denver Merchandise Mart

SECRETARY/TREASURER:Brett Spillman, Assistant Vice President

Mountain View Bank of Commerce

DIRECTORS:Brian Levitt, Owner

Integral Real Estate Development

Suzann Reikofski, Retired LSWAdams County Social Services

Barbara SandersRetired Geriatric Care Manager

Kathryn R. Tolison, Esq., AttorneyFamily Matters – The Law Office of

Kathryn R. Tolison, L.L.C.

Adams County donates building to The Senior Hub

When we initiated our capital campaign nearly a year ago and began exploring grant opportunities, we discovered that some grants that we would like to apply for were not available to us because our building was owned by Adams County. This was especially true for energy efficiency grants. We thought these grants were significant enough to request the county to terminate our lease and transfer ownership of the building to us.

Adams County built our facility and leased it to us 26 years ago for a token payment. They also maintained the building during this time. On August 22, 2012 the Board of County Commis-sioners signed the required documents to transfer ownership to The Senior Hub. The benefit of hav-ing nearly free rent and maintenance for the past 26 years has been significant. We will still have no rent or mortgage, although we will now have to maintain the building.

We are grateful for this gift that will forever alter our future and I wanted to share the good news with you. Throughout our history Adams County has demonstrated their wish to improve the qual-ity of life for the senior citizens that live here by supporting our programs. This gift is one more expression of their concern.

Few alterations or upgrades have been made to the building in 26 years. We have completed plans to enlarge and remodel the space in our building. But now we need to consider our energy efficiency opportunities and try to raise the ad-ditional donations necessary to include them in our plans. Our windows, plumbing, HVAC units, office lighting, and parking lot lights are all 26 year old technology. Now is the time to help the environment and reduce our utility bills. We know that money paid for utilities cannot be used by our programs to provide service for older adults. Let me hear from you if you would like to help us.

Page 3: Senior Hub Advisor 2012

October 2012 • www.seniorhub.org 3

Set amidst Colorado’s majestic mountains and ten miles north of

Denver, Northglenn Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care Community offers a lifestyle that meets your unique needs. With proximity to an extensive Greenway trails and parks system, Webster Lake and the

acclaimed Butterfly Pavilion, this peaceful and picturesque community is an ideal place to call home.

Everything You Need to Feel at Home ...

• Full calendar of activities and programs• Three nutritious meals daily including special diets.• Assistance with activities of daily living• Medication assistance and monitoring of residents’ health status• Coordination of health resources• Housekeeping, personal laundry and linen service• 24-hour on-site staff and Emergency Response System• All utilities (except telephone)• Residence maintenance• Arts and crafts studio• Inviting library• Media lounge• Convenient market/gift shop• Community chapel/devotional room• Secure, private landscaped courtyard• Small pets allowed• Exclusive fitness center• Newly remodeled game lounge• Computer/Internet access

Come to the  6th AND FINAL MADRIGAL DINNER EVENT  where you will dine with the Lord & Lady of the manor while enjoying an evening filled with music, magic, hilarity and holiday spirit.  

Come celebrate a Renaissance Era holiday evening with your friends, family or business asso-ciates.  The evening starts with a CASH BAR from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.  

To kick things off you will be seated in the  Great Hall as the first of 4 courses commence with the performers joining the fes-tivities as they serve hot Wassail and perform the first song of the night.  Next we move to salads and choice of entree, while you enjoy complimentary wine at your table. 

The evening wraps up with a decadent dessert as the perform-

ers encourage guests to join in singing Silent Night. All the while the Madrigal Performers keep you in stitches with their wit, enchant you with their voices and keep you on the edge of  your seat waiting for the next course.  

Your  all inclusive  reservation

will  benefit the seniors in your community as this fundraiser pro-vides support to The Senior Hub and all the programs we offer to older adults.  Please  join us for a wonderful, fun filled evening. One you are sure to NOT soon forget.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED:Call The Senior Hub at 303-426-4408 or visit us online at  www.seniorhub.org

TICKETS$75.00 each $65.00 seniors (60+)

NOTE:    Remember that the cost of the ticket includes  every-thing except your cocktails. Funds raised will also  benefit  seniors served  by  The Senior Hub and its programs.

Come one...come all!!

Support THE SENIOR HUB on Colorado Gives Day!

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012, Coloradans will come together again to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits like ours.

Last year, our first year, The Senior Hub received over $1,600 in donations. This year we would like to make the $5,000 goal and we can do it with your help.

Presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day

asks you to give to your favor-ite charities through the web-site GivingFirst.org, an online giving resource featuring every nonprofit participating in Colorado Gives Day.

On this website we share our goals, accomplishments and much more.

One hundred percent of

your donation will come to us.

When you give online any time on December 4, the value of your donation will also be increased by a FirstBank Incentive Fund.

Donate online at GivingFirst.org and look up The Senior Hub or visit our web site at www.seniorhub.org and click on the Colorado Gives Day button any time during the 24 hour period of December 4 to “give where you live!”

your donation will come to us.

any time on December 4, the value of your donation will also be increased by a FirstBank

24 hours to give where you live

800 E. 64th Ave., Unit 6Denver, CO 80229

303.623.7433www.coloradohomeelevator.com

Did you know? Just by reloading their Senior Hub gift cards this year, friends, family and staff have raised nearly $1,000!!!Remember to use YOUR Senior Hub gift card at King Soopers!It's easy! Call The Senior Hub for information at 303-426-4408.

Page 4: Senior Hub Advisor 2012

The Senior Hub Advisor • October 20124

Big changes are coming. As a result of recent-ly announced requirements by our nation-al sponsor the Corporation for National and Community Service, all RSVP projects across the country will be restructuring their pro-grams to meet several nationwide focus areas. These changes will take effect during 2013. The focus areas are: Healthy Futures, Education, Economic Opportunity, Veterans and Military Families, Disaster Services, and Environmental Stewardship. We will be expected to place 70% of our volunteers in these areas. The remaining 30% of our volunteers may continue working in other areas within our project area that meet local needs. Volunteers may also serve in the area of capacity building to help area non-profit agencies recruit and train non-RSVP volunteers to serve with them.

These new requirements will affect how we recruit, train and place new volunteers. Our current volunteers and volunteer work stations may also be affected as we make decisions which may require us to “graduate” some volunteers and stations out of the cur-rent RSVP program in order to be sure our volunteer placements align with the national requirements. Work stations will have a chance to adjust their jobs to align, or to opt out of

their partnership with RSVP. Volunteers that currently have assignments that don’t align will be notified so that they may choose new assignments, or choose to remain with their current work stations but no longer as RSVP volunteers. These changes will begin taking place between now and the start of our next RSVP grant cycle in April, 2013.

Key continuing RSVP volunteer jobs will be: delivering Meals on Wheels; serving in food banks/food pantries; providing in-home respite care; providing tutoring services in schools and the community; providing transportation ser-vices; providing services such as tax assistance/preparation, etc. There will also be jobs that are continued that may not align with the national priority areas, but are deemed important to the meeting of local needs. We anticipate that these continuing jobs would be in areas such as serving congregate meals, serving in senior centers, serving on boards and agency com-mittees, etc. We will be making a determination during the next few months as to which local assignments can be kept, and which will need to be dropped from our RSVP portfolio for vol-unteer placements.

New volunteers jobs will be developed to meet the needs of Veterans and Military

Families; provide a speakers bureau to help agencies alert the public on pre-paring for natural/man-made disasters; develop additional environmental clean-up programs to increase recycling, and more. If these new spots interest you, please contact RSVP now so we can begin building for the addition of these new priority areas.

RSVP places volunteers aged 55 or over in locations in Adams County, and Arapahoe County east of I-25 includ-ing: Aurora, Bennett, Brighton, Byers, Centennial, Commerce City, Deer Trail, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Strasburg, Thornton, Westminster, and others and also unincorporated areas in each county. For general RSVP information call Tom at 303-426-4408 or e-mail [email protected]. Contact Ron at [email protected] about our SWAT Tutor/Mentor Program in Adams County.Recruiting for RSVP and its programs

We need volunteers to help with recruit-ing for RSVP and for some of our volun-teer stations as well. We especially need recruiters (Ambassadors) for our SWAT Tutor/Mentor Team Program. Senior Leadership Academy

We’re developing a Lead Volunteer Program to prepare groups of volunteers to tackle problems together. Call about the Leadership Academy and topics to be addressed.

RSVP Hurrahs and HappeningsBy Tom Rapp, RSVP Director

Adams/E. Arapahoe RSVPThe Senior Hub, Inc.

By Ron Ausmus

After a successful full-term in 2011-12 in Adams County School Districts 1, 12, and 50, The Senior Hub’s RSVP Schools Where All Thrive (SWAT) tutor-mentor program is expanding into District 27J in Brighton this Fall. South Elementary, Northeast Elementary, and Belle Creek Charter schools are all busy getting ready for the teams of 3-5 volunteers each who will spend 2 hours on site one day a week, help-ing 2nd & 3rd Grade students reading a year or more below grade-level.

This new expansion is in addition to organic growth of the program into 2-3 new schools within each of the other 3 districts this Fall.

“It’s great to have schools coming to us, after hearing of the good effect we’re having

in our current schools around the county,” says Tom Rapp, SWAT program founder, and RSVP Director for Adams/E. Arapahoe Counties. “End-of-year program results showed that we had impact with some 220 students, 76.9% of whom showed at least a full year’s growth in skill level, during the school year.”

It is NOT too late for your help! We can still use addi-tional volunteers, to under-take training for placement in the schools in late September/early October.

For the required phone interview and information about scheduled trainings for both The Senior Hub and Brighton locations, go to the RSVP-SWAT web page at www.seniorhub.org/rsvp_swat.php, or call/email Ron Ausmus at 303.426.4408 Ext. 218, [email protected].

Tutor Mentor Program expands into Brighton schools

Tutor Mentor Program

Our beautiful 10-acre campus offersfive choices of carefree living.

Retirement Community

303.429.8857• Patio Homes• Independent Apts.• Full Service Apts.

5000 W. 75th AvenueWestminster, CO 80030

www.SanMarinoRetirement.com

303.426.9090• Assisted Living Apts.• Memory Care Apts.

Celebrating Our 25th Year Anniversary!

Our beautiful 10-acre campus offersfive choices of carefree living.

Retirement Community

303.429.8857• Patio Homes• Independent Apts.• Full Service Apts.

5000 W. 75th AvenueWestminster, CO 80030

www.SanMarinoRetirement.com

303.426.9090• Assisted Living Apts.• Memory Care Apts.

Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Celebrating Our 25th Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!Year Anniversary!

Page 5: Senior Hub Advisor 2012

October 2012 • www.seniorhub.org 5

Meals On Wheels pro-vides meals to hundreds of seniors throughout Adams County. Through this pro-gram, seniors who are homebound and could not otherwise eat properly are provided with services that help them live a healthy and independent life.

Just as important as get-ting meals to seniors is the companionship that can come from the relationship established with a regular delivery driver. Many seniors are lonely and often the time spent with their driver is the only daily contact with other people they have. Many delivery volunteers take a little time with each senior to visit and provide much needed conversation.

Volunteers are the life-blood of any Meals On Wheels program and you

don't have to have a lot of time in order to volunteer. Many of our current volun-teers are retired, work part-time, or are able to take time during their lunch breaks to drive a route. There can be a seasonal shift with our vol-unteers, with people being available in the summer but not in the fall and winter months. We are currently seeking permanent volun-teers to cover a Thornton route on Tuesdays, and we are always looking for people who can cover shifts for our permanent volunteers when they are unable to do so.

Whether you have only a few hours per week, can volunteer every day, or can only be back-up driver, your assistance is needed. Please contact Amanda or Marita at 303-426-4408 for more information.

Volunteers keep Meal on Wheels rolling with warm meals and warm hearts.

Meals on Wheels

volunteers needed now!eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Every Wednesday, volunteer Carol Podrasky packs up her favorite apron and bag of per-sonal cooking supplies, gets in her car and drives over to the home of her favorite senior whose nickname is Oz., age 92. She spends her morning cooking his favorite health-ful and nutritious meals (plus a few naughty but delightful sweet treats!). Oz sits at the kitchen table and they visit while Carol cooks. In the sum-mer on some Wednesdays, Carol and Oz take a ride to a farmer’s market and stop to have breakfast or free pie at The Village Inn.

Months before, Carol, a delectable chef in her own right, had gone to The Senior Hub’s Volunteer Caregivers office and signed up specifi-cally to cook for someone. It was through The Senior Hub that she met Oz. And it is a match made in Heaven.

Oz’s daughter, Judy, had called The Senior Hub at least 4 months before, request-ing a volunteer to help cook for her father. Judy lives in Maryland and was worried that he was not eating prop-erly. Her mother had died 8 years before and Oz had chosen to remain living inde-pendently in their home after her passing.

When Judy spoke to Linda Rinelli, Volunteer Coordinator of the Volunteer Caregivers Program, Linda was not sure she could find someone who both liked to cook and willing to travel to Oz’s community at the east-ern edge of Aurora. But she told Judy that “you never know who will come along.” She kept Judy’s information in her files. And four months later, a new volunteer walked into the office stating most adamantly, “I want to cook for someone.” Then another surprise - Carol lives 4 miles away from Oz.

Linda visits the homes of all new seniors receiving vol-unteers, so she immediately went out to visit Oz. To her amazement, the home is comprised of a kitchen that looks like it belongs to Rachel Ray and takes up half the main floor of the ranch-style structure. It turns out that Oz’s wife was a similar delectable chef like Carol. Oz told Linda that since his wife died, he had lost quite a bit of weight. When Linda informed Oz that he would be getting a “new friend” to cook for him, the first thing he asked was, “Do you think she can make me some banana bread?”

“Meal preparation is not what volunteers most com-monly sign up to do with The Volunteer Caregivers Program,” says Linda Rinelli. “It is something of an unusu-al service. You really have to like to cook to do it on a steady basis for someone else outside your home.” She actually has another volun-teer who has been cooking for a senior couple, in Aurora again, for over 2 years. They “just wanted some home-cooked food for a change.” Says Linda: “Although these matches are not the most common, they are a pleasure to make and it speaks of the kindness neighbors have for each other in Aurora.”

2012 is the 15th anniversa-ry of the Volunteer Caregivers Program at The Senior Hub in North Metro Denver and the 10th anniversary of the program in Aurora. Volunteer caregivers help seniors in their home on a steady basis with light housekeep-ing, shopping and errands, respite care, reading mail, pet care, meal preparation and other non-medical in-home services.

For further information or to volunteer, call Linda Rinelli at 720-859-2248 or email [email protected]

delicious, delectable, and delightful storydelicious, delectable, and delightful storyA

After taking this photo, the photographer joined Carol and Oz for free pie at The Village Inn.

Page 6: Senior Hub Advisor 2012

The Senior Hub Advisor • October 20126

There are three convenient ways to send your questions: By mail to The Senior Hub, 2360 W. 90th Ave., Federal Heights, CO 80260; via fax to 303-426-0014; or by e-mail to [email protected]. Lew can be reached directly at 303-426-4408.

Ask LewDear Lew,My mother was

hospitalized recently after a fall and has been in a rehab facility for about three weeks. She desperately wants to go home, but the discharge planner at the facility is asking for some work to be done in her house fi rst. She needs some grab bars and safety railings installed. She also needs some work done on her swamp cooler and some furniture moved around. In addition, she will need several pieces of medical equipment to use for a while. They referred us to your organization for help with all of this.Ted, Thornton

Dear Ted,I’m glad your mother

will be coming home, and happy to report that The Senior Hub will be able to address her needs. We can have one of the handymen from our Minor Home Repair Program meet you at her house to install the grab bars and railings before she comes home. They can also help move furniture and get the swamp cooler going. Our handymen are background checked by the Senior Hub and work at a very reasonable rate, usually around $25 per hour. For seniors who need minor emergency or safety-related

repairs but can’t afford the cost, we do have subsidies available through our Xcel Energy Foundation funding.As far as the medical

equipment, we have a free loan of durable medical items, such as walkers, bath benches, wheelchairs, etc. Our Medical Equipment Lending is free for seniors living in Adams County, however a donation envelope is provided should they want to use it. Typical loans are for the average recovery period of 6-8 weeks.We also just received

funding to operate a Case Management Program, whereby we can send someone over free of charge to do an assessment with your mother, identify areas she needs assistance, and create a care plan addressing those needs. The case manager then helps to coordinate these services and resources. This is a new program, funded by Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). Another DRCOG funded program is our Respite Care and In-Home Services, which provides caregivers and housekeeping help while your mother is recovering. Our Meals on Wheels program may also be another good resource until your mother is

able to fi x meals on her own again.

Dear Lew,I have been very

unhappy with the care my husband has been receiving in the nursing home I placed him in fi ve months ago. I visit him almost every day and he is always complaining he doesn’t get much help unless I am there. Only then, it seems, are the staff interested in helping him. When someone fi nally answers his call light, they’ll leave him on the toilet much longer than he needs to be before he’s fi nally helped off. His clothes always seem dirty, that is, those that haven’t disappeared altogether. He’s mentioned one nurse in particular that has handled him roughly and talked mean to him. I’ve talked to the social worker and the administrator both about this and I’ve brought it up in his care conferences. Things seem better for a while, then get bad again. Is there anything else I can do, other than move him to another facility and hope for the best? He has at least made a few friends where he is now.Ruth, Westminster

Dear Ruth,I’d call the Long Term

Care Ombudsman program at 303-455-

1000. The individual ombudsman contact information for your husband’s facility should also be posted in the nursing home, or you can ask the social worker to provide you with this information. An ombudsman

is an advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and a resource for both families and staff. They help protect the rights, dignity and quality of life of residents in long term care facilities. Ombudsmen investigate complaints, assist facility staff in solving or mediating problems, and provide education about resident’s rights. They do regular monitoring of the quality of care and listen to and attempt to resolve complaints. There is no charge for this service.In the Denver metro

area, the Ombudsman program is under the Aging Services Division of Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). When you call the number above, just ask for the Ombudsman Program. Before you call, write down as much information as you can about your husband’s health status and the problems you’ve encountered with the facility. Include dates and times if you can. Let them know

if your husband has Alzheimer’s, dementia or memory loss. The ombudsman will soon begin to investigate the complaint.It’s good that you

are visiting your husband every day. You might also keep a notebook to document your husband’s daily care, names of staff involved, and any complaints. Generally speaking, family members who have the time to visit a facility daily and really get to know the staff see the best results with their loved ones. Some families also do the laundry for their loved ones, as this does seem to cut down on loss or theft. Please don’t hesitate to call if you need any more assistance in getting this resolved.

(Editor’s Note: Lew Forester has served as a DRCOG volunteer ombudsman.)

Lew Forester is the Senior Solutions Director at The Senior Hub. Questions for Lew may be sent to The Senior Hub, 2360 W. 90th Ave., Federal Heights, CO 80260. They may also be faxed to 303-426-0014 or e-mailed to [email protected]. You may also call Lew directly at 303-426-4408.

Lew Forester, Senior Solutions Director The Senior Hub

Lew Forester is the Senior Solutions Director at The Senior Hub. Questions for Lew may be sent to The Senior Hub, 2360 W. 90thto The Senior Hub,

thto The Senior Hub,

Ave., Federal Heights, CO 80260. They may also be faxed to 303-426-0014 or e-mailed to [email protected]. You may also call Lew directly at 303-426-4408.

Page 7: Senior Hub Advisor 2012

October 2012 • www.seniorhub.org 7

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