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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tuolumne County Commission on Aging Post "Eight Million Stories" / Senior Expo And Calendar 2011


Welcome to the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging blog: it’s our ongoing effort that we hope will be the first of many aimed to bring information to help and inform seniors in our county.

The commissioners, with their extensive and varied experience and expertise, are all volunteers and without exception are primarily concerned with doing whatever they can to improve the lives of our county’s seniors in and around the Motherlode.

Eight Million Stories

All of us come from varied backgrounds.  I'm reminded of the old TV show and its slogan: “There are eight million stories in The NAKED CITY!”...

I myself happen to be a “hearing child of deaf parents”.  Deaf as in Deaf-State School educated deaf adults.  Deaf as in Deaf Culture deaf.  Deaf as in sign language deaf.  My parents were, neither one, deaf from birth, but deafened as very young children.  Thus I am not deaf.  My dad had an accident on his family’s farm in southwestern Arkansas at nine months of age, and my mother’s deafness at two years old was caused by a common side effect, in those days, of scarlet fever.  Both were educated at the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock, which is where they came to know each other and where they married after graduation.  Growing up, my house was both one of loud TVs (Mother being hard-of-hearing) and silent sign language, and of parties of deaf people gesturing in signs and laughing, but with no audible words.  (How strange – and at the same time how wonderful - my friends and neighbors found my parents’ parties!) 

Their problems as deaf adults were typical of those of their deaf friends, more problematic of course than those of “hearing people”, but as seniors these problems were exacerbated by my mother’s early onset schizophrenia and my father’s Alzheimer's.  I've always considered that my mother’s schizophrenia was at least partly caused by having a foot in both worlds, but firmly rooted in neither.  How confusing she thought the world she lived in.  So much so that when having a difficult conversation with hearing folks, she might resort to much nodding and agreeing with everything rather than trying to make herself understood or understanding them.  

Growing up, my role was always as interpreter (I started answering the telephone at age four).  Through the years, I  took her to many doctor appointments, and other such errands, both before and after the schizophrenia, all mostly filled with difficult communication sessions of one kind or another.  My dad? He always had his own business (a dry cleaners, wherever we lived).  He said it was to avoid communication problems with any possibly disagreeable hearing boss.  But I knew it was also because he was stubborn as all get-out, not inclined to take orders.  And later on? Oh my, how hard is it to deal with the confusion and wanderings of a stubborn, opinionated, elderly man with whom the authorities or passers-by on the streets could not effectively communicate? And how terribly frightening and confusing was his world at that point?

I admired my parents for their intelligence, as both went on from the State Deaf School in Arkansas to attend Gallaudet, the only college for the Deaf in the US.  And I marveled at their various talents, all their triumphs over adversities;  I marveled that they were so successful in life in spite of their deafness.  My father was a successful businessman, and my mother, despite being afflicted with polio in her early thirties, albeit a mild case, learned the game of golf as therapy (walking was prescribed), and went on at that late age to become a near-scratch golfer. She never heard the sound the golf ball makes, dropping into the cup.

I just cannot imagine the difficulty level of my parents’ travails (can YOU?), even after seeing them all my life.  But as it was said before, there are all kinds of stories in this world.  What stories have YOU run into with your parents, grandparents, or seniors you know, and would like to share?  
Email me at aging2010@gmail.com.  Roberta

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More news affecting seniors:  Sierra HouseCalls announces they are accepting new patients!  If you are homebound, over 60 years of age, and unable to drive or if you have family members or friends who are homebound, over 60, and can't drive anymore, call Tina at Sierra HouseCalls 209-532-4287 for more information, or if you have questions. 

From their website - http://www.shmgi.com/about.html
Sierra HouseCalls Medical Group is dedicated to caring for the needs of our greatest resource-the senior members of our communities. We are committed to working as a team with other organizations to help patients remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Sierra HouseCalls strongly believes that all patients have the right to compassionate and sensitive health care that considers the needs and desires of each individual.

Sonora physician Matt Personius started Sierra HouseCalls Medical Group in February 2003 with the goal of helping elderly and disabled individuals remain independent. Dr. Personius moved to Tuolumne County in 1997. He relocated to the area to take a position at a local hospital, where he recognized the growing need for home health care in the area.

Most seniors remember the days when physicians commonly made “house calls” and were able to observe the patient in their home environment. This relationship allowed physicians to better understand the social dynamics that impacted the overall health of their patients. Sierra HouseCalls Medical Group innovative medical practice combines “old fashioned” house calls, one-on-one doctor consultations and the newest technology all in the comfort of your home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ANNOUNCING 2011 Senior Expo

The 2011 Senior Expo will be held May 25, 2011 from 9am to 2pm at the MOTHERLODE FAIRGROUNDS, John Muir Building.  The Expo features the opportunity for blood draws, a very popular Senior Idol contest, and many various for-profit and non-profit groups will present their senior-oriented services and wares.  In addition, many booths will be informational. This is a FREE event open to anyone, particularly seniors, family, caregivers, but also any and all interested parties. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to reserve your own booth (the deadline is April 30th!), please call the Senior Expo Coordinator: 209-532-1607 or go to the website: http://www.seniorfair.com/

Features and typical booths:
*      Senior Idol contest! DO YOU SING OR DANCE?
*      Finance/Insurance
*      Medical such as blood draw (nominal fee)
*      Caregivers information / options
*      FOOD - will be available 
Reminder: Stay updated on the latest info at: http://www.seniorfair.com/

Commission on Aging Events Calendar 2011
1)  Commission on Aging Executive Board meetings 1:00PM, 1st Monday each month, at the Senior Center
2)  Commission on Aging Public Relations committee meetings, 12:00PM, 1st Wednesday each month, at Interfaith
3)  Commission on Aging general meetings 1:30PM, 2nd Monday each month, at Area 12 Agency on Aging, Standard Rd., Conf. Room C
NOTE: the June 13th meeting will be in Groveland at The Little House.
All meetings start at 1:30PM.  All our meetings are open to the public. 
4)  May 25 – Senior Expo, Motherlode Fairgrounds, John Muir Building 9AM-2PM
5)  June 22 - Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards Ceremony 11AM at Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors' Chambers, 4th Floor, 2 Green St.  Sonora
6)  October 19 - Centenarian Awards Ceremony 11AM Senior Center Sonora

All COA meetings are open to the public. Please come and give us your ideas, concerns, and information regarding senior issues!


In future, we will be blogging with more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned!  And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see! We actively solicit your comments.  Contact Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email aging2010@gmail.com.

To go to Friends and Neighbors website go here: http://seniorfan.com/ 

Blog Editor: Roberta Goodwin

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Commission on Aging News & Calendar 2011

Sharing information for the well-being of seniors in and around the Motherlode.  The Commission on Aging is an informed voice in the community, to advise, support and advocate on any or all matters affecting the aging in Tuolumne County.


MEDICARE IS NOT LONG TERM CARE
THE REALITY-PERCEPTION PARADOX

By Commissioner Bill Dorffi, Tuolumne County Commission on Aging

The Reality-Perception Paradox: My perception is my reality and the truth is irrelevant. 

Unfortunately, the Reality-Perception Paradox is alive and well regarding Medicare and Long Term Care (LTC).  The following illustrate many common mis-perceptions regarding the two.


Medicare, and its supplements, covers medical care. This means the treatment is restorative or rehabilitative and the patient will recover.  LTC covers a variety of services, assistance, support and facilities for those who have lost their ability to function independently.  LTC does not provide any medical care and Medicare does not provide any LTC service.

Over the past 20 years a number of consumer surveys have consistently reported that a majority of people believe Medicare covers LTC.  This perception is so widely held that people don’t adequately plan for LTC.  It’s uncertain why this mis-perception is so common.  One reason could be that Medicare pays for skilled nursing and many LTC facilities are named a Skilled Nursing Facility.  But the reality is only a small percentage of beds are available for skilled nursing care and the great majority of beds are for nursing home care.  Another reality is that of the people entering skilled nursing care, less than 5% are Medicare beneficiaries and their average length of stay paid by Medicare is 8 days.  

Another common mis-perception is LTC is nursing home care.  The reality is that over 95% of LTC is provided outside of a nursing home.  There are many services that provide support and assistance in the community and in the home.  A few examples are:  Meals on Wheels, Adult day care, Alert services that are on call and will send a paramedic when alerted, Visitor services where volunteers visit people in their homes to provide social interactions, as well as a great variety of other home care providers. 

The need for LTC develops in different ways.  There are three models of disability requiring LTC.  Injury, especially falls, or sickness, is one way.  If the person does not fully recover from medical treatment they need LTC.  In this situation Medicare pays for the medical treatment. But if there is a need for custodial care after the medical treatment, then LTC provides that care.

The other two models are more common and are a result of the aging process.  One is cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer’s.  The   other is frailty, defined as loss of strength or immunity.  Both develop rather slowly so family members often are slow to recognize the loss of capability.  It’s common for the family to be alerted to the impairment by the family physician or other medical practitioner.

Thus the question, if Medicare doesn’t pay for LTC who does?  There are only 4 ways to pay for LTC.  First, each individual is responsible for their cost of care.  This is the same as being your own insurance company.  The odds are after age 60 there’s a 70% probability of needing some form of LTC later in life.  At age 85 there’s an 80% probability of needing nursing home care.  If these odds are unacceptable, one can transfer the risk with LTC insurance.  The third option is a reverse mortgage to pay for care at home.  But make sure the terms of the contract are fully understood before taking this option.  The last option is MediCal, a welfare program that one must prove impoverishment to be eligible for LTC.

There are probably more perception-reality paradoxes but this is all that comes to mind now.  Besides, these are enough to consider and evaluate for now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More news affecting seniors:  Sierra HouseCalls announces they are accepting new patients!  If you are homebound, over 60 years of age, and unable to drive or if you have family members or friends who are homebound, over 60, and can't drive anymore, call Tina at Sierra HouseCalls 209-532-4287 for more information, or if you have questions. 

From their website - http://www.shmgi.com/about.html
Sierra HouseCalls Medical Group is dedicated to caring for the needs of our greatest resource-the senior members of our communities. We are committed to working as a team with other organizations to help patients remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Sierra HouseCalls strongly believes that all patients have the right to compassionate and sensitive health care that considers the needs and desires of each individual.

Sonora physician Matt Personius started Sierra HouseCalls Medical Group in February 2003 with the goal of helping elderly and disabled individuals remain independent. Dr. Personius moved to Tuolumne County in 1997. He relocated to the area to take a position at a local hospital, where he recognized the growing need for home health care in the area.

Most seniors remember the days when physicians commonly made “house calls” and were able to observe the patient in their home environment. This relationship allowed physicians to better understand the social dynamics that impacted the overall health of their patients. Sierra HouseCalls Medical Group innovative medical practice combines “old fashioned” house calls, one-on-one doctor consultations and the newest technology all in the comfort of your home.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ANNOUNCING 2011 Senior Expo

The 2011 Senior Expo will be held May 25, 2011 from 9am to 2pm at the MOTHERLODE FAIRGROUNDS, John Muir Building.  The Expo features the opportunity for blood draws, a very popular Senior Idol contest, and many various for-profit and non-profit groups will present their senior-oriented services and wares.  In addition, many booths will be informational. This is a FREE event open to anyone, particularly seniors, family, caregivers, but also any and all interested parties. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to reserve your own booth (the deadline is April 30th!), please call the Senior Expo Coordinator: 209-532-1607 or go to the website: http://www.seniorfair.com/

Features and typical booths:
*      Senior Idol contest! DO YOU SING OR DANCE?
*      Finance/Insurance
*      Medical such as blood draw (nominal fee)
*      Caregivers information / options
*      FOOD - will be available 
Reminder: Stay updated on the latest info at: http://www.seniorfair.com/

Commission on Aging Events Calendar 2011
1)      Commission on Aging Executive Board meetings 1:00PM, 1st Monday each month, at Senior Center
2)      Commission on Aging Public Relations committee meetings, 12:00PM, 1st Wednesday each month, at Interfaith
3)      Commission on Aging general meetings 1:30PM, 2nd Monday each month, at Area 12 Agency on Aging, Standard Rd., Conf. Room C
4)      May 25 – Senior Fair & Expo, Motherlode Fairgrounds, John Muir Building 9AM-2PM
5)      June 22 - Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards Ceremony 11AM at Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors' Chambers, 4th Floor, 2 Green St.  Sonora
6)      October 19 - Centenarian Awards Ceremony 11AM Senior Center Sonora

All COA meetings are open to the public. Please come and give us your ideas, concerns, and information regarding senior issues!

To go to Friends and Neighbors website go here: http://seniorfan.com/ 

Blog Editor: Roberta Goodwin

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Commission on Aging News & Calendar 2011

Sharing information for the well-being of seniors in and around the Motherlode.  The Commission on Aging is an informed voice in the community, to advise, support and advocate on any or all matters affecting the aging in Tuolumne County.

 

At the March 14 regular general meeting of the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging, Carole Mutzner, the Regional Director of the American Red Cross, appeared before the Commission and spoke on Emergency Preparedness.  She emphasized that people need to be prepared ahead of time for potential disasters especially during periods of bad weather, such as floods, lightning strikes, earthquakes, wildfires.  The latter (fast-moving wildfires), she said, are the most common disaster event in our county.  Ms Mutzner also said that when people are prepared, studies have found they are better able to recover from disasters, in that they progress faster psychologically from being “victim” to “survivor”. 

She summarized the steps to disaster planning as:

1.     Make a plan:
a. put fresh batteries in smoke detectors
b. plan your escape routes with your family, complete with meeting locations

2.     Prepare a kit
a. copies of important papers
b. supplies of any medications, enough for 3-4 days (especially important for seniors)
c. make a list of your contact information – family, doctors, emergency agencies
d. pack enough food and water for 3 days
e. pack a change of clothes, flashlight, and a battery-powered radio
... adjust this part of your “plan” to YOUR individual comfort level, take what's IMPORTANT to YOU

3.     Be informed - how will you get information?
a. battery-powered radio
b. “plug-in” corded phone(s) – if you don't have one, they are available from Walmart for around $10
c. in bad weather, maintain the charging of your cell phone(s)

REMEMBER:  ADVANCE PREPARATION IS ESSENTIAL and can even save your life! 

For more information ... go to the website for our area: http://redcrosscrc.org/about-us/locations.html#sonora
American Red Cross
13669 Mono Way, Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 533-1513



ANNOUNCING 2011 Senior Expo !!!

The 2011 Senior Expo will be held May 25, 2011 from 9am to 2pm at the MOTHERLODE FAIRGROUNDS, John Muir Building.  The Expo features the opportunity for blood draws, a very popular Senior Idol contest, and many various for-profit and non-profit groups will present their senior-oriented services and wares.  In addition, many booths will be informational. This is a FREE event open to anyone, particularly seniors, family, caregivers, but also any and all interested parties. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to reserve your own booth (the deadline is April 30th!), please call the Senior Expo Coordinator: 209-532-1607 or go to the website: http://www.seniorfair.com/


Features and typical booths:
*      Senior Idol contest! DO YOU SING OR DANCE?
*      Finance/Insurance
*      Medical such as blood draw (nominal fee)
*      Caregivers information / options
*      FOOD - will be available

Reminder: Stay updated on the latest info at: http://www.seniorfair.com/


Commission on Aging Events Calendar 2011
1)      Commission on Aging Executive Board meetings 1:00PM, 1st Monday each month, at Senior Center
2)      Commission on Aging Public Relations committee meetings, 12:00PM, 1st Wednesday each month, at Interfaith
3)      Commission on Aging general meetings 1:30PM, 2nd Monday each month, at Area 12 Agency on Aging, Standard Rd., Conf. Room C
4)      May 25 – Senior Fair & Expo, Motherlode Fairgrounds, John Muir Building 9AM-2PM
5)      June 22 - Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards Ceremony 11AM at Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors' Chambers, 4th Floor, 2 Green St.  Sonora
6)      October 19 - Centenarian Awards Ceremony 11AM Senior Center Sonora

All COA meetings are open to the public. Please come and give us your ideas, concerns, and information regarding senior issues!

Blog Editor: Roberta Goodwin

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Commission on Aging News & Calendar 2011

Sharing information for the well-being of seniors in and around the Motherlode.  The Commission on Aging is an informed voice in the community, to advise, support and advocate on any or all matters affecting the aging in Tuolumne County.



ANNOUNCING 2011 Senior Expo !!!

The 2011 Senior Expo will be held May 25, 2011 from 9am to 2pm at the MOTHERLODE FAIRGROUNDS, John Muir Building.  The Expo features the opportunity for blood draws, a very popular Senior Idol contest, and many various for-profit and non-profit groups will present their senior-oriented services and wares.  In addition, many booths will be informational. This is a FREE event open to anyone, particularly seniors, family, caregivers, but also any and all interested parties. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to reserve your own booth (the deadline is April 30th!), please call the Senior Expo Coordinator: 209-532-1607 or go to the website: http://www.seniorfair.com/


Features and typical booths:
*      Senior Idol contest! DO YOU SING OR DANCE?
*      Finance/Insurance
*      Medical such as blood draw (nominal fee)
*      Caregivers information / options
*      FOOD - will be available

Reminder: Stay updated on the latest info at: http://www.seniorfair.com/


Commission on Aging Events Calendar 2011
1)      Commission on Aging Executive Board meetings 1:00PM, 1st Monday each month, at Senior Center
2)      Commission on Aging Public Relations committee meetings, 12:00PM, 1st Wednesday each month, at Interfaith
3)      Commission on Aging general meetings 1:30PM, 2nd Monday each month, at Area 12 Agency on Aging, Standard Rd., Conf. Room C
4)      May 25 – Senior Fair & Expo, Motherlode Fairgrounds, John Muir Building 9AM-2PM
5)      June - Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards date/location TBD
6)      October - Centenarian Awards date/location TBD

All COA meetings are open to the public. Please come and give us your ideas, concerns, and information regarding senior issues!

Blog Editor: Roberta Goodwin



Friday, March 4, 2011

Tuolumne County Commission on Aging Senior Expo And Calendar 2011

Sharing information for the well-being of seniors in and around the Motherlode.  The Commission on Aging is an informed voice in the community, to advise, support and advocate on any or all matters affecting the aging in Tuolumne County.



ANNOUNCING 2011 Senior Expo !!!

The 2011 Senior Expo will be held May 25, 2011 from 9am to 2pm at the MOTHERLODE FAIRGROUNDS, John Muir Building.  The Expo features the opportunity for blood draws, a very popular Senior Idol!! contest, and many various for-profit and non-profit groups will present their senior-oriented services and wares.  Many booths will be informational. This is a FREE event open to anyone, particularly seniors, family, caregivers, but also any and all interested parties. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to reserve your own booth (the deadline is April 30th!), please call the Senior Expo Coordinator: 209-532-1607 or go here: http://www.seniorfair.com/

In future, we will be blogging with more information on matters of interest to county seniors so stay tuned!  And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see!  We actively solicit your comments. Soon you can also find us monthly on MyMotherLode.com.  Watch for us in the community/blog section. 

To contact Tuolumne County Commission on Aging: email aging2010@gmail.com.

Events Calendar 2011
1)      Commission on Aging Executive Board meetings 1:00PM, 1st Monday each month, at Senior Center
2)      Commission on Aging Public Relations committee meetings, 12:00PM, 1st Wednesday each month, at Interfaith
3)      Commission on Aging general meetings 1:30PM, 2nd Monday each month, at Area 12 Agency on Aging, Standard Rd., Conf. Room C
4)      May 25 – Senior Fair & Expo, Motherlode Fairgrounds, John Muir Building 9AM-2PM
5)      June - Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards date/location TBD
6)      October - Centenarian Awards date/location TBD

All COA meetings are open to the public. Please come and give us your ideas, concerns, and information regarding senior issues!

Blog Editor: Roberta Goodwin