2015 4th Quarter - Area 10 Agency on Aging

631 W. Edgewood Dr. Ellettsville, IN 47429 | P: 812-876-3383 | F: 812-876-9922 | www.area10agency.org
4th Quarter Newsletter
Message from the
Executive Director
VASIA Program to Serve
Important Need
Dear Friends,
Senior Games, Senior Salute, the Owen County
Health Fair and Safe At Home are all amazing
community events that take place in the fall of each
year. We are so proud of all of our partners,
volunteers and staff members that make certain
with their hard work that these special occasions
touch the lives of so many in our community!
As we plunge into the holiday season, please know
that Area 10 staff, board members, volunteers and
clients truly appreciate all of the community support
and resources that support our mission.
If you are volunteering, attending a focus group on
caregiving, making a generous donation or
spreading the good word about Area 10 and the
resources we offer, we all thank you from the
bottom of our hearts. Your help and support is what
makes us an effective agency that changes lives for
the better!
On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors at Area
10 Agency on Aging, I wish you good health, good
friends, and good times.
Most sincerely,
Kerry Conway
Executive Director
Area 10 is proud to be a part of a new community
program that provides a new service to Monroe
County residents.
The VASIA program, short for Volunteer Advocates
for Seniors or Incapacitated Adults, will provide much
needed support to the most vulnerable individuals in
our community.
Volunteers in this program are community members
trained and overseen by Guardianship Program staff.
Once trained, VASIA volunteers are appointed by a
local judge to advocate for incapacitated adults who
are unable to manage their own financial assets or
personal affairs.
Guardianships are a useful legal tool to help people
who lack the capacity to make decisions for
themselves—such as those suffering from dementia
or developmental disability. A guardian can help
ensure that the protected person lives with security
and dignity to the greatest extent possible.
If you would like to learn more about adult
guardianships, or are interested in becoming a
VASIA, visit www.area10agency.org/vasia or contact
Bert Clemons, Guardianship Program Manager, at
(812) 876-3383 ext. 599 or
[email protected].
People’s Potluck
Holiday Concert
Wednesday, December 16
10:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Area 10 and the Endwright Center invite you to
attend a very special People’s Potluck, featuring
a holiday concert with the Nightingales. The
Holiday performance will be at 10:30 a.m.
followed by a potluck and birthday party at 11:30
a.m. and Brain Games at 1:00 p.m.
The Nightingales practice every Monday at the
Endwright Center and perform at community
events and healthcare centers throughout the year. This year the group has been fine tuning harmonies and
a will feature a few special solo performances. Please feel free to bring your favorite side dish or main dish
to share during the potluck!
Rural Transit Bus
Driver Feature
The driver of
the quarter is
Jerry Farmer.
Jerry drives
for Owen
County Rural
Transit and
has been a
driver for 9
years.
Jerry is always dependable and goes
WAY above and beyond his required
duties as a driver.
He says he enjoys helping people,
because often people are lonely and
drivers are a great source of company
to them as they get to where they need
to go. Welcome Staff!
Formerly an Area 10 case manager, Courtney Stewart is leading
a research project on identifying the needs of family caregivers.
Sherrie Shuler joins us to help recruit, train and support
volunteers to help provide housekeeping services and friendly
visiting for homebound older adults.
Erin Halsey, lace knitting guru, joins us to provide
administrative support for Sherrie and Courtney’s projects.
Caitlin Roof is our new administrative assistant; she comes
to us from the New Freedom voucher program and has a
passion for helping people connect to affordable transportation
option in the area.
Andy Minnick is a new driver in Owen County; he has
quickly found a beloved place among riders and other drivers.
Leota Smith is a new driver in Lawrence County who came
to us right in the nick of time; she jumped right in and is doing a
wonderful job representing Rural Transit and Area 10.
Mela Hatchett, formerly Caring Companions coordinator, is
our new RSVP program director.
Lisa Tinsley, volunteer extraordinaire, joins us as our new
Caring Companions coordinator.
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4th Quarter Newsletter
RSVP...A Personal Thank You
I love working with all of our volunteers, and it is especially
wonderful when a volunteer becomes a part of our staff.
That is how I came to be employed here. I had volunteered
over four years assisting the RSVP directors, first Christine
McKenna (Eartheart) then Rebecca Nunley, with the
Volunteer Appreciation and Senior Salute luncheons. I
started with washing the dishes at these events, and one
day in frustration over prying apart dishes stuck together
due to a messy menu of lasagna and fruit pies, I threw my
hands up and said "That's it! I'm catering the next meal and
we will have edible dishes!" With laughter, we kitchen
volunteers created the next menu which included waffle
bowl sundaes for dessert. We giggled thru the sloppy clean
up as we vented and dreamed up the next event not
realizing that Christine overheard our silly ranting. The next
year, Christine held me to my exclamation and I went from
dish washer to catering supervisor over the next 2 years.
Before long, I found myself working with Rebecca as her
assistant director and now I'm sitting in her seat as the
director. It is very humbling, exciting, and scary. But most of
all it is highly enjoyable because every day I get the
privilege to meet new and seasoned volunteers, hear their
stories, encourage them and be encouraged by them.
Now I have the honor of adding another volunteer to the
Photo by Jaime Sweany
RSVP staff, Lisa Tinsley. She is our new Caring
Companions Coordinator. I met Lisa a year ago when she volunteered along with her client in the Caring
Companions program. Lisa came back a couple of months ago to volunteer again as a CC and served as a
receptionist at the Endwright Center. She has an extensive background in community building and has lead
a life of service. I want to thank Lisa for choosing to volunteer with Area 10 because if she hadn't, she may
not have heard about the job opportunity and we would have missed a gem! There are others I want to thank
like Linda Nation who records volunteer hours and Georgianne Medaris who designs about 400 lunch bags
a month for the Area 10 Nutrition Program. Both women were later hired to be our front office receptionists.
Also, Sarah Davis, who served as my intern for the past 3 months now works part time in the Mobility
Management program and continues as a Caring Companions volunteer serving three homebound
neighbors. There are others, but I don't have space to add them!
I want to thank Georgia Schaich, Christine Eartheart, and Rebecca Nunley for creating and developing this
awesome RSVP program. All three of you have left an indelible mark in this community and continue to do
so. You have left me excellent templates to follow and from which to grow. As volunteers, we enjoy working
with people who have purpose, passion, and know how to laugh and dance as they point the way. We are all
in the serious business of making our community a better place through service to one another. Thank you
for making it so much fun, and my goal is to do the same.
Sincerely,
Mela Hatchett, RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program Director
Phone: (812) 935-2554 | Email: [email protected] 
Fall 2015
Page 3
Who do you Know?
Is there someone you know who is looking for an opportunity to serve as an advocate for
older adults and children? Here are a couple of volunteer opportunities they may be
interested in that requires a commitment of at least a year. For more info, please call Mela
Hatchett at 812-935-2554 or visit our website at http://www.area10agency.org/rsvp.
The Endwright Center
Individual will be the main greeter to members and participants at the Endwright Center. The position is set
for 4 hours- one day a week. Choose either 7:45 am- Noon or Noon-4 pm. Projects will be assigned each
volunteer for maintenance and record keeping of Endwright Center services based on individual skills and
abilities. Prefer individuals comfortable with computer usage including Microsoft Office Products.
Responsibilities would include monitoring for safety and for any signs of distress from patrons, answering the
phone, manage money and receipts, marketing and press releases.
Guardianship Advocate Volunteer (VASIA)
Volunteer is not the guardian but would assist incapacitated adults in a guardianship program under the
supervision of the program manager. Responsibilities range from accompanying client to appts., attending
client care conferences, assessing environment and care, prompt report of any changes in client’s needs,
and prepare monthly reports. Volunteer will undergo training paid by the program and must be prepared to
commit about 10 hours a month for at least one year. For more details, contact Bert Clemons, Program
Manager, 812-876-3383 x599 or by email: [email protected]
Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer
CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as officers of the court. As a CASA
you would establish and maintain contact with a child. CASAs are community volunteers who are
professionally trained to gather information about the child and his/her family, identify needs and possible
services, speak on behalf of the child in court and monitor court orders and case plans to make sure that the
case is moving forward. Responsibilities include meeting with the child monthly; talking with case managers,
parents and foster parents; and writing reports for and attending court hearings. Volunteers start out slow and
responsibilities are added as they become more comfortable in their roles.
Welcome to the RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program
Welcome to new members of RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program, listed below! We celebrate the service
work of all of our members. Three cheers to all who volunteer to make the world a better
place...whether that be helping your neighbor, teaching job skills to the homeless, or feeding those
who are hungry....keep up the great work!
Sue Bowers, Pat Cullins, John Gilette, Ben Holt, Debbie Horan, and Pam Kendall
1010 South Walnut Street, Suite D, Bloomington, IN
Page 4
4th Quarter Newsletter
Area 10 in Action
Senior Games
Thank you to our advisory members, sponsors and participants. We had a fun and successful 30th
Anniversary Senior Games
Senior Salute
Another year, another beautiful ceremony at the 2015 Senior Salute. Thanks so much to all who attended
and volunteered, and a well deserved congratulations to our award winners.
Owen County Health Fair
The 3rd Annual Mobilizing Owen County Health Fair was a huge success! Over 120 community members
were educated on nearby resources that can help them to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Safe at Home
On Saturday, October 24th, Area 10 and numerous volunteers traveled to eight homes in Monroe and Owen
counties to make identified safety improvements so residents can continue to live safely in their own homes.
Fall 2015
Page 5
Supporting older adults year round
It's hard to imagine that older adults in our community go without food, have
difficulty paying their rent and utility bills, lack transportation to medical
appointments, and are even at risk of falling in their own home.
But, these are just a few of the hardships faced by older adults. And, these are
just some of the challenges Area 10 Agency on Aging helps solve each day.
For more than 30 years, Area 10 Agency on Aging has provided high quality and
essential services to the residents of Monroe and Owen counties. As a local
nonprofit committed to older adults, people of any age with a disability and family
caregivers, we impact the lives of residents daily by providing them with a safe
place to sleep, a warm meal on the table, a ride to the doctor’s office, and a place to call in times of trouble.
As the aging population grows and the demand for services increases, we need your help to continue to
respond to the urgent needs of seniors in our community.
Your gift—however big or small—can make all the difference. It stocks our food pantry, provides
transportation to dialysis, provides classes at the Endwright Center, builds a ramp and adds grab bars so an
older adult can remain at home, provides a hot meal and a friendly visitor to a homebound senior. Show your
support this holiday season, and year round, by sending a gift in the enclosed envelope, or by visiting
www.area10agency.org/donate.Your support really does changes lives. 
Thanksgiving and
Christmas holiday meal
delivery
Each year Area 10 Agency on Aging partners with
Community Kitchen to deliver hot, delicious holiday
meals to homebound seniors and people with
disabilities. The Area 10 Nutrition Program
coordinates the volunteers and meal recipients and
Community Kitchen provides the food through many
generous donations. This year, consider donating a
few hours of your day to deliver meals, or prepare a
turkey or bake an extra pie and bring it by the
Community Kitchen Thanksgiving Day or Christmas
morning.
This Thanksgiving, and again on Christmas Day,
drivers will be arriving at the Community Kitchen
between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick up hot meals,
rolls and slices of pie and then taking them to
people’s homes. For more information, or to volunteer
as a driver please contact Laura Kray at Area 10
Agency on Aging at 812-876-3383 ext. 553. If you
would like to donate food please contact the
Community Kitchen at 812-332-0999.
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Monroe & Owen County
Caregivers Online
Support Group
We are so happy to announce the launch of a new
online caregiver support group for residents of
Monroe & Owen County. The group is active on
Facebook and has been designed to provide
support, offer resources, point people in the direction
of services and to allow caregivers to communicate
easily in order to find balance, hope and share their
stories and experiences.
This group is a collaboration between caregiving
professionals in the area as well as members of the
general public. We encourage you to check it out and
join the group if it interests you! The web address is
http://www.facebook.com/groups/544434902387355

4th Quarter Newsletter
Community Gifts
We are grateful for the generous support we received during the months of July-October 2015. Thank you for
investing in our mission of serving older adults and people with disabilities in Monroe and Owen counties.
Grant Announcements
Many thanks to those who support our mission!
SCI REMC – for support of Rural Transit
Putnam County Community Foundation – for
support of Rural Transit
Smithville Charitable Foundation – For support of
the Endwright Center
First United Church – for support of the food pantry
FSSA ADRC Network Development grants – for
support of the family caregiver research project and
the volunteer recruitment for the homebound project
Monroe County Sophia Travis Memorial grants –
for support of the nutrition program and for support of
the Monroe County guardianship program
Indiana Court Administration VASIA grant – for
support of the Monroe County guardianship program
Bean Blossom Patricksburg Water Corporation –
for support of the guardianship program 
A Special Thank You to our 2015
Community Donors!
Your exceptional level of support allows us to
provide programs, events and activities
throughout the year.
Premier Level Community Donors:
Comfort Keepers, Elder Care Connections,
Hearthstone Health Campus, Home Instead,
Stonecroft Health Campus
Major Level Community Donors:
Adaptive Nursing
Supporting Level Community Donors:
Guardian Medical Monitoring, Hylant
Visit www.area10agency.org/communitydonors
to learn how your business or organization can
support our mission while enjoying the benefits
of being an Area 10 Community Donor.
Proud United Way Member Agency
Fall 2015
Memorial | Honorarium Gifts
Remember a family member, loved one, friend or
caregiver. Recognize an event, anniversary,
special occasion or kind deed.
Jay Bucksot—In memory of Ruthann Bucksot
Carle and Linda Crawford—In honor of Bob and
Richie Epps
Beth Myers—In honor of Lee Horrar
Individuals
Rebecca Ball, Beverly Coddington, Kerry and Norvin
Conway, Marilyn Faultless, Arnold and Marcia
Graves, Richard and Connie Headdy, Caroline Hillen
Myers, Shirley Junkins, Katherine Lazerwitz, David
and Natalie LeBeau, Richard and Nancy Lorenz,
Roger Millholland, Nathan Peterman, Myra Riggs,
Joseph and Joan Rudyanski, Dan and Joyce Turpen,
Jack Vaughn
Businesses and Organizations
Amedisys Home Health, Babbs Supermarket, BBP
Water Corp., Beltone, Bloomingfoods, Bloomington
Meadows Hospital, Bosma Enterprises, Bynum Fanyo
Utilities, Calico Homemakers Club, Caregiver Homes,
Cassady Electrical Contractors, Inc., Chandler
Funeral Home, Comfort Keepers, Duke Energy, Elder
Care Connections, Ellettsville Dental Center,
Ellettsville House Of Prayer, First Presbyterian
Church, First United Church, Gentiva Hospice,
Hickam & Lorenz, P.C., Hoosier Bar and Grill, Hoosier
Family Eyecare, ISU The May Agency, J & B Medical,
Kroger, Monroe Place, Order Of The Eastern Star,
Owen County State Bank, SCI Membership
Community Fund, Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care,
Smithville Charitable Foundation, Southern Care
Hospice, Transitional Services, Inc., Unitarian
Universalist Church Of Bloomington, United Way Of
Central Indiana, United Way Of Monroe County, VFW
Ladies Auxiliary 7850, Walgreen's Pharmacy,
Williams Bros. Health Care Pharmacy, Young Living
Essential Oils
Page 7
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
BLOOMINGTON, IN
PERMIT NO. 15
Resources. Solutions. Connections.
631 W. Edgewood Dr.
Ellettsville, IN 47429
P: 812-876-3383
F: 812-876-9922
[email protected]
www.area10agency.org
Area 10 Board of Directors: Kerry Conway, Matthew Doering, Robert Epps, Susie Graham, Doug Johnson,
Marsha Keith, Nancy Lorenz, J.L. Siefers, Jr., Gary Sweatman, Robert Togasaki, Janice Wiggins