November is National

Family Caregivers Month

"There are only four types of people: those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who receive care, and those who will be caregivers in the future.” -Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

National Family Caregivers Month is observed every November as a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers. It not only celebrates the contributions of caregivers, it draws attention to the challenges caregivers face and raises awareness about community programs and public policies that offer support.

Caregivers can be a son or daughter, spouse, another relative, a friend or a concerned neighbor. Sometimes, individuals don’t even realize they have slipped into a caregiving role because the changes in need and dependency creep up slowly. Are you a caregiver? If you do one or more of the following, the answer is “yes”:

• Do you buy groceries, cook, clean, do laundry for someone who needs help?
• Do you help a loved one get dressed, take a shower, take medicine?
• Do you make medical appointments and drive to the doctor or pharmacy?
• Do you talk with doctors, care managers and others to understand what needs to be done?
• Do you spend time at work handling a crisis or making plans to help someone who is sick?
• Are you the designated “on-call” person for problems?

The Health Trust is working on several projects to provide information and support to family caregivers in Silicon Valley in conjunction with the Aging Services Collaborative of Santa Clara County, including the Caregivers Count Conference and a resource brochure that can now be downloaded in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese.

“When caregivers have the support they need, they do a better job—not only caring for their aging loved one, but also for their own health and well-being,” said Lori Andersen, Director of Healthy Aging at The Health Trust.

Advice for caregivers

The role of a caregiver may be challenging, but it is one of the most valuable roles you may play during your life. Being a caregiver often allows your loved one to remain at home. The AARP estimates informal caregivers contribute more than $375 billion in unpaid contributions each year.

If you are caring for a loved one, the Aging Services Collaborative Caregiver Support Team offers these suggestions:

• You won’t be able to continue caring for your older loved one if you don’t take care of yourself. Make sure you have good nutrition, physical activity, stress reduction and support in your life, too.
• Take a break every now and then. Make arrangements for another family member or friend to be the primary caregiver for a bit so that you can rest and refresh. In some communities adult day care may be another option.
• Educate yourself about the wealth of information and resources to help you through this experience. Help is out there–seek it.
• Talk to other caregivers whenever you can. They often have the best advice and perspective. In addition, many caregiver support groups meet monthly in Santa Clara County. You can find out more from the Council on Aging. Sometimes finding someone to just listen is all the help you need.
• Determine family responsibilities ahead of time and take advantage of individual strengths and interests. Who’s good with numbers? Legal issues? Organizing spaces? Calendaring? Let everyone have the opportunity to step up.
• Get help and support before you think you really need it. If you wait until you feel overwhelmed or burned out, it will be harder to manage care. The AARP has found that caregivers who seek support for themselves can actually prevent or delay nursing home placement of those they care for.

If you need more information about resources or suggestions please call the Council on Aging Information and Assistance Line at (800) 510-2020

Over the next few months, the Aging Services Collaborative will working with the Council on Aging to develop a comprehensive web site with local resources for caregivers. Check www.sccagingcollaborative.org for more information in the coming months.

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Healthy Steps guidebook coming

in early 2010

25,000 copies of the Healthy Steps physical activity guide for ages 50+ will be distributed throughout Santa Clara County.

Silicon Valley residents ages 50+ will get help with their New Year’s resolution to improve their health with The Health Trust’s publication of “Healthy Steps in Silicon Valley,” a guidebook to help people get more physically active in their daily lives.

The easy-to-read and easy-to-use guide will be available in both English and Spanish, and include information for all types of physical activity – from at-home exercises to hiking clubs and water aerobics classes.

An Advisory Group representing 26 Silicon Valley organizations that work with older adults contributed to the guide, along with suggestions from individuals in the community. It was developed by Health Research for Action, a center in the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health.

“The goal is to inspire and connect older adults in our region with opportunities for health, fitness and community involvement,” said Frederick J. Ferrer, CEO of The Health Trust. “Any increase in physical activity is beneficial, and we want to encourage people to take full advantage of the programs and services that are in place to help them enjoy healthy, fun and connected lives.”

The guidebook also includes information on other aspects of health such as safety and falls prevention, stress and depression. It lists a broad range of community services, recreation opportunites and health and social resources for older adults.

Copies of the publication will be available throughout Santa Clara County in early 2010 at libraries, community centers, senior centers, offices of health care providers, and through other community organizations such as faith congregations and neighborhood groups. For information on how to obtain your copy, email Amy Aken at AmyA@healthtrust.org.

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New pilot program with

Second Harvest Food Bank

Nearly half a million seniors living alone in California don’t have enough income to pay for the minimum level of basic living expenses, according to the Elder Economic Security Standard Index prepared by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the Insight Center for Community Economic Development.

Housing or prescriptions? Prescriptions or food? In the hierarchy of spending decisions seniors are being forced to make, food often comes in last place.

To address the food needs of the most vulnerable older adults in Santa Clara County, The Health Trust and Second Harvest Food Bank have launched an innovative partnership to provide groceries to homebound, frail and low income seniors who are clients of Meals On Wheels. This food will supplement the hot meal they have delivered every day.

In a pilot project, two dozen Meals On Wheels clients with the highest needs now receive a weekly delivery of a bag of food that can be used to prepare breakfast, lunch and snacks during the week to supplement the prepared meals from Meals On Wheels.

“Seniors need fewer calories as they get older, but they still need a healthy diet that provides vitamins, minerals, fiber and nutrients from the six major food groups – fruits, vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and cheeses, and protein from meat, poultry, fish and beans,” said Renee Kellythorne, a registered dietitian and Director of The Health Trust Meals On Wheels. “Skipping meals or just eating inexpensive snack foods like crackers can contribute to chronic illness, lethargy, and depression.”

The Health Trust’s long term vision is to create a food pantry where food can be donated, stored and distributed to ensure that vulnerable populations, including Meals On Wheels clients, have access to an adequate supply of healthy and nutritious food, similar to The Health Trust’s Food Basket program for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Health Trust is currently seeking funding for this important project.

To donate to Meals On Wheels to help provide more seniors in Silicon Valley with hot meals and groceries, call 1-800-505-3367 or click here.

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Grants for physical activity programs

Nonprofit organizations that would like to start or expand a physical activity programs for older adults, based on best practices in Santa Clara County, are invited to submit a grant request to The Health Trust.

Requests for Proposals (DOC) are due by November 30, 2009. The Health Trust plans to award four to six grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000. The Council on Aging Silicon Valley (COA) has contributed a portion of funding to extend the reach of this strategy and some grant awards will be co-funded with COA.

Preference will be given to applicants that use grant funding for adopting best practice models and principles and integrating such programs into their offerings for older adults. Many of these evidence-based programs are described in the Health Trust’s “Wellness by Design Compendium - Physical Activity Best Practices for Older Adults” released in March, 2009. The purpose of this funding is to increase the level and quality of physical activity programs for individuals aged 55+ in a variety of community settings.

Click here to download the Request for Proposal (DOC).

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Holiday gift drive for

Meals On Wheels clients

The Health Trust is launching its annual holiday gift drive for clients, many of whom are homebound older and disabled adults who live on a very limited income. Their basic needs include items such as slippers, a robe or bedding. Clients are asked what they would like on their gift “wish list” and community members can select an item to donate. Almost 300 Meals On Wheels clients participate in the gift drive each holiday season.

“Clients are so grateful to receive a holiday gift. It is so touching to see their faces light up when you bring it to them,” said Renee Kellythorne, Director of Meals On Wheels. To participate in the gift drive, contact Renee before December 11 at reneek@healthtrust.org or call (408) 961-9807.

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Healthy Aging Initiative