Senior Resources of Freeborn County

Senior Resources of Freeborn County
April May June
Quarterly Newsletter
Senior Scene
2014
Thanks to Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home for
sponsoring Senior Resources’ fundraising Pancake
Breakfast on Sunday, February 23rd. Their facility is
beautiful, and it was a perfect place to serve the
famous Denny Brue pancakes! Todd and his staff were
exceptionally generous. Thank you to Denny Brue,
Nick’s Meat Market, HyVee, Kwik Trip and
Vogt Distributing for the support that helped us keep
our expenses low. Volunteers from the community were
wonderful help, and that includes the staff and board members of Senior Resources. Youth volunteers were great fun
and it was a good reminder that intergenerational projects
benefit everyone. Thank you to all who attended.
Your support keeps our doors open as we continue to
help others in our communities.
Annette Petersen, Executive Director
Senior Resources of Freeborn County
Skyline Plaza
1659 W. Main Street
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-377-7433
SeniorResourcesFC.org
From the Executive Director
Annette Petersen
I feel a bit discouraged these days
because of all this snow and cold. Yes, I
have lived in Minnesota a long time and so
should be used to it, but really… enough!
So, I will turn to brighter thoughts:
I’ve been encouraged about the future of Senior
Resources in 2014 because of the support we have
received in the past two months. Senior Resources
takes the responsibility of providing quality, critical
services to Freeborn County residents very seriously,
and it is apparent others in the community feel the
same way.
Our Area Agency on Aging grants are steady, the
generosity of the Freeborn County United Way is
tremendously helpful, there have been donations
from individuals that tell me the residents of Freeborn
County understand our mission and respect our
efforts, and our first fundraiser of the year, at Bayview
Freeborn Funeral Home, was well attended and
generously supported.
Our City and County governments recognize us as
a partner in making Freeborn County a great place to
live. Churches are including us in their mission outreach as are numerous clubs. A key ingredient to our
success is our great staff and volunteers. Thank you
to Nancy, Diane, Carrie, Carol S., Carol M., Marilynn,
Amanda, Stephanie and, of course Bette and Bruce,
for all your efforts that make this a quality organization. And thank you to our Board of Directors for your
positive input and encouragement.
Senior Resources looks forward to 2014. We are
here to help you and your family.
Thank you everyone!
Too much month at the end of
your money?
Do you find yourself choosing between food,
medications or health insurance?
Experience Works (formerly Green Thumb)
offers full- and part-time jobs for those 55
and better, skills training and job-seeking assistance.
Our service is provided through a grant from
the Older Americans Act. Participants must
meet age and income-based guidelines.
Call Elizabeth (Bette) Fulton for
an appointment at 507-377-7433.
Thank You to all who have trusted us to do
their tax work for 2013. The donations for
Senior Resources also are greatly appreciated.
The Tax Group
Bruce Owens, Coordinator
Have you met Stephanie? She’s working in our offices as an intern from
Riverland College, studying in the Medical Administrative Assistant Program.
Our goal is to expose Stephanie to the many duties and tasks that our six
programs engage in every day. She works at the front desk, provides
support for our many projects and attends meetings and some home visits.
She’s doing a great job for us and surely has a promising future!
Stephanie Calderon
“The
Mission
of Senior
Resources
is to services
providetoservices
to seniors
and other
“The
Mission
of Senior
Resources
is to provide
seniors and
other persons
of need,
to assist
in their
an independent,
and participating
persons
of need,
to ability
assist to
in be
their
ability to beactive
independent,
active and
member
of
their
community.”
participating members of their communities.”
2
Chore services can help!
Check out our affordable lawn care
this spring and summer. We serve
seniors in Freeborn County aged 60
years and better with services provided
by experienced professional contractors.
Chore Services can also help you
with:







Call an ADVOCATE!
Feeling overwhelmed by bills—or just
getting through your mail?
Advocacy is here to help Freeborn County
seniors with issues like these:
 Housing
 Transportation
 Energy Assistance
 Drug plans
 Home healthcare
 Food programs and home-delivered
meals
 Finances
 Telephone assistance
 Social Security
Minor repair and fix-up
Eves trough cleaning
Hedge trimming
Small painting projects
Storm window & screen removal
Roof raking (single story homes)
Housekeeping referrals
To arrange services call Amanda at
507-377-7433
Call Amanda at 507-377-7433
for an appointment
SENIOR TOWER/SENIOR COURT
Safe, affordable housing for seniors 62 and older.
Promoting independence, dignity & well-being.
905 & 915 Maplehill Drive
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-373-6622
507-373-5391
Albertleaseniorhousing.com
3
Rights of Volunteers
THE RIGHT TO BE TREATED AS
A CO-WORKER. . .not just free help
THE RIGHT TO A SUITABLE
ASSIGNMENT. . .with consideration for
personal preference, temperament, life
experience, education and employment
background.
Do I really benefit from Volunteering?
Yes, yes, and a definite YES!
Those who volunteer have:
Lower mortality rates
Greater functional ability
Lower rates of depression later in life than those who
do not volunteer
Lower rates of cancer and heart disease
You can make an impact on those around you in ways you
may never know. Volunteering expands your positive
influence not only with individuals but throughout
the community.
When you share your time and talents you:
Solve problems
Strengthen communities
Improve lives
Connect to others
Transform your life and the lives of others
THE RIGHT TO TRAINING FOR
THE JOB. . .thoughtfully planned and
effectively presented training.
THE RIGHT TO CONTINUING
EDUCATION ON THE JOB. . .as a followup to initial training: information about new
developments, training for greater
responsibility.
THE RIGHT TO SOUND GUIDANCE AND
DIRECTION. . .by someone who is willing,
experienced, patient, well-informed and
thoughtful, and who has the time to invest in
giving guidance.
Want to become a volunteer or be a more
active volunteer? Contact Carrie at 377-7433
Save the Date! Coming
this summer, July 24th!
Join us in Celebrating Nordic Heritage
Sons of Norway
N o r m a n n a Lodge 52 Box 875 Albert Lea, MN
Serving the Community S in ce 1905
www.sonsofnorwayalbertlea.com
4
Living Well
With Chronic Conditions
Stanford Chronic Disease Self-management Program
Take Action to Control Your Health!
Six weekly two-hour sessions:





The Mind-Body Connection
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
Dealing with Difficult Emotions
Pain & Fatigue Management
Preventing Falls & Improving Balance
Caregivers
Support Group
3rd Thursday
each month
1:30 & 3:00 PM
ThorneCrest Apts. Rec Rm
For more information
call Nancy at
507-377-7433
Being a caregiver can be both
gratifying—and exhausting.
You don’t need to do it alone.
Family Caregivers Network is
here specifically to support,
educate, and encourage those
who provide care for others.
Starting in June. For more information
contact Nancy at Senior Resources 507-377-7433
or Sharol at 507-320-8050.
New Books available to
caregivers and their families
through the Family Caregivers
Network:
Senior Living Designed
by You!
Independent Living, Assisted Living,
Rehabilitation, Health Care
Healing Your Grieving Heart:
100 Practical Ideas
by Alan D. Wolfelt
507-373-2311
A Dignified Life:
The Best Friends Approach to
Alzheimer’s Care
by Virginia Bell & David Troxel
Also have more copies of:
Finding Hope When Dreams
Have Shattered
by Ted Bowman
Contact Nancy for more
information on these & other books
related to caregiving.
5
Ride Services
NO Ride Services on:
507-377-7433
Friday, April 18
Good Friday
Call by Wednesday Apr 16 for ride on Monday
Monday, May 26
Memorial Day
Call by Thursday May 22, for ride on Tuesday
The changes to our Ride Services
program have been in effect for a
month, and are working well.
Call Carol at 507-377-7433 if you
have any questions.
Friday, July 4
4th of July
Call by Wednesday July 2, for ride on Monday
If you would like to join our excellent team of
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
call Carol at 507-377-7433
Mileage Reimbursement is available
Ride Services
Important Information
for Riders
Call by noon 2 days prior to
your ride. It’s OK to call even a week ahead of
your ride date!
Call by noon Thursday for Monday rides
Call by noon Friday for Tuesday rides
Call by noon Monday for Wednesday rides
Call by noon Tuesday for Thursday rides
Call by noon Wednesday for Friday rides
TAXI
for Albert Lea Taxi rides
Contribution rate: $8 for in-city
round-trip rides
You can use Taxi Vouchers on the days that
Ride Services is not available—or anytime.
 $8.00 each (one-way)
 Purchase in our office or by mail
 For use anytime & when Ride Services
is not available
 For those age 60 or better
 Nice gift idea for taxi users you may know
To schedule a ride call 377-7433
www,prairieseniorcottages,com
6
STAFF
Executive Director
Annette Petersen
[email protected]
Advocacy/Chore
Manager
Amanda Evans
[email protected]
RSVP Director
Carrie Paulson
[email protected]
Family Caregivers Network
Manager
Nancy Halvorsen
[email protected]
Ride Services
Manager
Carol Marth
[email protected]
Office Manager/Reception
Marilynn Lancaster
Thank You
Donations
To Senior Scene & Senior Resources’ programs
Selma K. Lent, Lorraine Anderson,
Talora Grosland, Dick Lindell, Tammy Williams
In Honor of Dan Jahns
by Dorothy Jahns
Volunteers helping collate and address the
previous issue of the Senior Scene:
Arlene Egerdal,
Bev Folie, Karen Gray,
Joyce Hansen, Bonnie Lavik,
Dorothy E. Petersen, Rena Soper,
Virginia Stenseth, Audrey Sorenson,
Donna Ward
Thank You
[email protected]
Bookkeeper
Diane Schewe
Volunteers!
Marilynn, Office Manager
Additional Services
Tax Aide
Bruce Owens, Coordinator
Experience Works
Bette Fulton
Board of Directors
Jenny Edwin
Kay Goodmanson, Pres.
Polly Hillman
Wayne Indrelie
Stephan Lund
Sharol Vincent, Vice Pres.
George Wichmann, Treas.
CONTACT US
Senior Resources
Skyline Plaza
1659 W. Main St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-377-7433
SeniorResourcesFC.org
To view the Senior Scene online, visit our website
at SeniorResourcesFC.org
Donate to Senior Resources:
___General Donation—or specify a Senior Resources’ program
____In Memory Of_________________________________
____In Honor Of___________________________________
Your Name _________________________________
Address ___________________________________
____________________________________________
Amount
$________________
Mail to: Senior Resources
1659 West Main
Albert Lea MN 56007
The services & benefits of Senior Resources’
programs are for all people, regardless of ethnic
background, national origin, gender,
religion or disability.
A UNITED WAY AGENCY
Senior Resources is a 501c3 nonprofit organization
7
SENIOR SCENE
Senior Resources of Freeborn County
1659 West Main, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Quarterly Newsletter
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
CURT’S PHARMACY
Locally Owned
Phone: 507-373-MEDS (6337)
www.curtspharmacy.com
Open 7 days/week
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No.424
Albert Lea, MN 56007