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Seniors
Face Age Discrimination
Rising costs of living, lower
confidence in Social Security, welfare reform, death of a spouse;
all are factors which cause older adults to continue to work.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 1/3 of the labor
force is over the age of 55 and this percentage is increasing. A
Recent Riverside County Office On Aging study reported that 2/3 of
employed adults over 50 years of age work part-time, many were
trying to supplement their monthly Social Security checks.
As many of these older adults try
to find suitable employment, they run into numerous barriers. One of
the main obstacles is overcoming the negative perceptions of aging.
Employers feel that older workers will be more expensive, less
productive, less adaptable and want to retire early. In fact, many
studies have shown that older adults have better attendance records,
are more loyal, use less of their medical benefits than younger
adults with children, and need to work longer than before. It is
important to dispel these myths and reinforce the positive aspects
for employers to maintain and hire older workers.
Discrimination based on a persons
age continues to grow at a fast rate, over 15,000 claims of age
discrimination have been filed in California in the past five years.
The Fair Housing and Employment Act has prohibited age
discrimination in California since 1978. The Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission is the agency that processes worker's claims
of discrimination, handling over 22,000 cases in 1997. The average
award for an age discrimination case was $219,000, this should be
incentive for employers to value their older employees.
This is a challenge that many
agencies need to overcome by promoting the strengths, benefits and
resources of older workers to employers. At the Mizell Senior Center
in Palm Springs, we employ five adults over 55 years of age through
the Senior Employment Program, funded by the Older American's Act.
In addition, we employ eleven workers over 55 years of age.
A campaign of educating businesses
and organizations on employing older workers is a priority of the
Riverside County Office On Aging, legislators and employment
development agencies. These workers bring experience, knowledge,
communication skills, and people skills that youths have not yet
acquired. Older adults also display loyalty, initiative, and
thinking skills that are valuable resources to fit any job
description. Almost any business can benefit from employing older
workers, on either a part or full-time basis.
June 1998
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The
Importance of Board Members to a Non-profit Organization
A person decides
to serve on the Board of Directors of an organization for a
several reasons. These include:
They have a
personal commitment or involvement with the mission of the
organization The organization is well respected and they want
their name associated with this organization. They are looking for
a new cause to support, both financially and with their time. They
were invited by a friend or business associate to serve
Members of the
board are expected to provide guidance and set policies for the
staff to implement. The other important role is to assist in
raising money for the organization to provide services to the
community and fulfill its mission. Studies have shown that
organizations that are financially sound and successful in raising
money have a high level of participation from its board members.
Participation
means that each board member is expected to give to the level that
they can afford each year. It is vital when asking individual
donors, foundations or corporations for money to say that we have
100% participation in giving from the board.
In addition to personally giving money, another
effective way to help is to ask friends, relatives or businesses
for their support. There are many reasons why a person does not
choose to help an organization raise money through asking others.
These reasons are discussed in the accompanying article, as are
ways to overcome these obstacles.
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Ten
ways for you to financially support the Mizell Senior Center
1. Give a cash donation at a level that is
appropriate for your personal finances, but enough that you care
how the money is spent
2. Give shares of stock that have appreciated, you receive the
full value of the donation without paying capital gains taxes
3.Give shares of a mutual fund that has appreciated, the same tax
benefits apply to individual stocks
4. Name the Mizell Senior Center or Endowment Fund to receive part
of your estate in your will or living trust
5. Name the Center as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy
6. Name the Center as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, savings
account, savings bonds, certificate of deposit or other investment
accounts
7. Donate your home, live in it the rest of your life, and receive
immediate tax benefits 8. Invest in the Pooled Income Fund and
receive lifetime income
9. Establish a Charitable Remainder Trust or a Gift Annuity to
benefit the Center
10. Memorialize your annual gifts with one contribution to the
Endowment Fund
These are some of the ways for you to help the Mizell Senior
Center to continue serving the senior citizens in our community,
today and in the future. By giving to the Mizell Endowment Fund,
you can help assure our future. If you have questions about how
best to give for your own situation, have a prospective donor that
you want to bring in, or have another fund raising idea, please
contact Jack Newby at (760) 323-5689.
November 1999
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Computer
Usage Among Seniors
The fastest growing segment of current
computer users are adults over 65 years of age. Over 30% of these
adults own a personal computer, which is an increase from 21% in
two years, according to a report from the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration. Over 50% of
households between the ages of 35-54 own at least one personal
computer.
A survey commissioned by Intel Corporation found that for computer
users over 65 years of age:
75% purchased their computer and 25% received it as a gift.
For most users, their current computer is also the first one ever
owned.
The top five uses are: 1. Word Processing 2. Playing Games 3.
Internet/ E-mail 4. Personal finances 5. Desk top
publishing/graphics
One out of three users are self taught and one out of four learned
at work.
The majority classified themselves as beginners.
America On Line is the most popular Internet Service Provider
Seniors have decided to learn more about using computers for a
variety of reasons. These include: 1. Needed to learn for work or
to find a new job 2. Writing letters 3. Managing their checkbook,
budget or investments 4. Keeping in touch with friends and
relatives through e-mail 4. Creating greeting cards, signs, and
flyers. 5. Entertainment through playing games 6. Education
through the Internet
With the growing numbers of older users who are primarily
beginners, the need for classes to teach these users is
increasing. SeniorNet is a nationwide non-profit organization
whose mission is to provide older adults with education and access
to computer technology and the Internet. Funded largely by
Microsoft, they SeniorNet has 140 learning centers throughout the
country. The Microsoft Senior Initiative has a goal of providing
access and PC literacy to 250,000 older adults by the year 2000.
March 1999
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Effects
of the Summer Heat
Everybody feels the effects of our hot summers in the desert, from
increased utility bills to lower energy levels to the need to
drink more fluids. Senior citizens feel the effects the most of
all.
Fluid Intake Many elderly adults do not drink enough fluids.
Reasons are:
As a person ages, their body's thirst perception decreases. If
they don't feel thirsty, they don't drink.
The physical limitations of actually getting something to drink.
If a senior is bed-ridden, ill or unable to walk very far, it
becomes a chore to get something to drink.
A person's kidneys are able to conserve less water and work less
effectively.
Many medications are also diuretics which cause the body to
eliminate fluids more quickly than normal. Alcohol and caffeine
are also diuretics.
Some conditions may cause a doctor to recommend restricting fluid
intake.
The proper amount of fluids per day are between six to eight
8-ounce glasses of water or juice. If a person is active or in a
non air conditioned building than more fluids are necessary.
Source: Desert Regional Medical Center May 1998
Utility Bills
Hot summers mean running air conditioners overtime; sometimes 24
hours a day! Depending upon the size of someone's home, this can
cause electric bills of hundreds of dollars per month. A recent
Riverside County Office on Aging survey reported that not being
able to pay their utility bills was the number one concern of
seniors. The contributing factors are:
The average household income for adults over 60 is only $13,700
annually.
43% of seniors live alone.
40% are unable to drive.
70% depend upon Social Security for their primary income.
The increased trend towards seniors living in their homes as long
as possible and using services such as adult day care and in-home
supportive services.
The result is that many elderly adults cannot afford these high
utility bills by themselves, but are still home all day long. The
options that these people have are to not pay their utility bills,
not pay other bills instead, not run their air conditioning and
run the risk of heat stroke or death, or to visit the Mizell
Senior Center and enjoy our air conditioning. New activities are
being planned for the summer season so that seniors can escape the
heat while enjoying one of the many services that we offer.
Source: Riverside County Office On Aging May 1998
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Domestic
Elder Abuses Against Senior Citizens
On October 5, 1998,
the National Elder Abuse Incidence Study reported that over
one-half million older adults were abused or experienced self
neglect in domestic settings during 1996. This number has
increased 150% in the last ten years and does not reflect the
numbers of adults living in residential care facilities. Domestic
elder abuse refers to maltreatment of an older person residing in
his/her own home or the home of a caregiver. Self neglect is when
the conduct of an older person living alone threatens their own
health and safety.
The four common types of elder abuse are:
Physical abuse- the infliction of pain or injury by slapping,
restraining, sexually molesting or bruising. Psychological abuse-
the infliction of mental anguish by humiliation, intimidation or
threats. Financial abuse- the illegal or improper use of financial
resources without consent and for another's benefit. Neglect-
failure to fulfill caretaking obligations by abandonment or denial
of food and services.
Other findings that were reported are:
- Female elders are abused more than males, even after accounting
for their higher numbers in the population.
- Adults over 80 are abused three times higher than their
proportion of the senior population.
- In 90% of incidents with a known perpetrator, that person is a
family member and 2/3 are adult children or spouses.
- Victims of self neglect are usually depressed, confused or
extremely frail.
The Federal Administration on Aging (AoA) administers the Older
Americans Act, which supports the nation-wide network of senior
service providers. In most states, Adult Protective Services is
the agency responsible for monitoring and handling claims of elder
abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is supported by
the AoA and is a resource for all agencies for information on
elder abuse.
Preventative Activities include:
- Professional Training- workshops for Adult Protective Service
staff, law enforcement, and service providers on elder abuse.
- Service Providers- coordination between service providers for
information referrals and hotlines.
- Technical Assistance- policies and procedures manuals.
- Public Education- Communications through the media to the public
and curriculum in elementary and secondary education.
There are actions to take for anybody noticing any of these
indicators in senior citizens. Adult Protective Services is a
Riverside County Agency empowered to handle all forms of elder
abuse, they can be reached 24 hours a day at (800) 491-7123. The
Riverside County Office On Aging has a Senior Help-Link number at
(800) 510-2020 with referrals and information on senior services.
The C.A.R.E. (Curtailing Abuses Related to the Elderly) Program
combats elder abuse by working with law enforcement, public
safety, and human services organizations. C.A.R.E. can be
contacted through Senior Help-Link. The Mizell Senior Center has
an information referral system for business services, senior
services, and public agencies, the number is (760) 323-5689. Or a
person can call the local police or sheriff's department.
December 1998
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Fitness
Over 50
The National Institute on Aging recently released a Guidebook on
Exercise, with an overall plan on the importance of fitness and
exercise. The NIA's goal is to improve the health of older adults,
since they found that two-thirds of older adults don't engage in
regular physical activity. Adults lose ground in four areas of
fitness: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Exercise
can maintain or improve each of these components, whatever a
person's age.
Endurance exercises increase breathing and heart rate. This
improves stamina for daily activities and delays or prevents many
diseases.
Strength exercises build muscle tone, increase metabolism and
helps prevent osteoporosis and diabetes.
Balance exercises help prevent a leading cause of accidents,
falling.
Flexibility exercises stretch muscles, tendons and ligaments. This
prevents injuries, helps with balance and prevents falls.
Why Exercise?
There are many reasons adults don't start exercising, including:
afraid it will harm them, that a person must join a gym or buy
special equipment, embarrassment from younger people, or that they
are too old. Our society protects older people from doing physical
tasks, which leads to poor health and fitness. Studies show that
not exercising is more harmful than exercising and that lack of
exercise and poor diet is the second largest cause of death, after
smoking.
Traditionally, exercise has been discouraged for people with
chronic disease such as congestive heart failure or high blood
pressure. Recent studies show that strength and endurance
exercises help people with these conditions. Of course, a doctor
should always be consulted before beginning any exercise program.
Beginning a Program
Start at a level that is comfortable and try to incorporate
exercises in all four areas to create overall fitness. This will
allow gradual improvement and less chance of injury, causing a
person to continue to enjoy exercising. Physical activities such
as brisk walking, climbing stairs or household chores can improve
a person's health.
Motivation is an important factor to continue exercising. These
include:
- Showing progress with loss of weight or increase in strength.
When a person levels off, it usually means that an increase in
time or number of exercises is required.
- Preventing injuries.
- Exercising with a partner.
- Listening to music or tapes.
- Setting realistic goals.
- Scheduling exercise sessions in a calendar as appointments.
- Keeping records of progress made.
- Planning for interruptions in a routine such as bad weather,
house guests or vacations.
Being independent means being able to do things for yourself, not
doing things alone. Maintaining and improving one's physical
fitness, at any age, increases independence and the quality of
life for all older adults. The Senior Olympics are excellent
example of older adults that have maintained their fitness levels
and the enjoyment they receive from life.
February 1999
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Grandparents
Raising Grandchildren
An increasing family situation is for grandparents to be thrust
into the role of raising their grandchildren. Instead of finishing
up their careers, planning for or enjoying retirement, many
grandparents wind up as parents once more. There are many reasons
for children to be raised by their grandparents, the top three
are:
Child neglect due to substance abuse by the biological parent
Child abandonment due to a biological parent's mental or emotional
problems
Incarceration of the biological parent
The grandparents main concern is for the welfare of the children,
often their worst fear is that the unfit biological parent will
return to reclaim their children. These older caregivers
desperately need a directory of resources which will identify
agencies, organizations, departments, individuals, and programs
available to them.
An estimated 9,000 families exist in the County where children are
being raised by grandparents, and these are only the documented
cases. The County of Riverside determined that there is no
community-based infrastructure to support these family units and
especially for the unique needs of the elderly caregivers raising
children. Only two current support groups are in existence in the
County, both in the western part of the County.
To provide a support structure for these families, a series of
services would be offered to these individuals by the Mizell
Senior Center, such as:
Evening Out
One night per week we would provide a licensed childcare
provider(s) for a three hour period at the Center. This time will
allow the grandparents to shop, dine out, enjoy a movie, or simply
relax.
Support Group
The group would meet weekly to share information and provide
support to each other. A licensed childcare provider would be
available.
Monthly Activity
A monthly special event for grandparents and grandchildren would
be organized. Outings could include theme parks, sporting events
or musical events.
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Volunteers
Like most any non-profit organization, the Mizell Senior Center
relies heavily on the hours of work donated by our volunteers.
Volunteers help in areas such as staffing the reception desk,
doing bulk mailings, instructors for activities, leaders of
support groups, working special events and with special projects
such as the yard sales.
April is National Volunteer Month to recognize the value that the
millions of volunteers nationwide provide to charitable
organizations.
Volunteers at the Mizell Senior Center are recruited through RSVP.
RSVP stands for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and
serves the entire Coachella Valley. This program is funded by the
Riverside County Office on Aging. The main office for RSVP is in
Palm Desert.
RSVP's mission is to provide seniors over the age of 55 the
opportunity to provide their valuable services to over 100
non-profit, public and private agencies, while feeling useful,
active and needed. Of major importance for most organizations is
the fact that RSVP provides accident and liability coverage for
all volunteers.
Last year over 200,000 hours were donated to these organization in
the valley. At the Mizell Senior Center approximately 7,300 hours
have been donated since July 1, 1997 by volunteers. Some of their
expenses are reimbursed by RSVP such as mileage, bus fare and
meals.
The Mizell Senior Center could not provide the 147 services to the
seniors that we care for without the hundreds of hours donated
each month by our conscientious volunteers. The equivalent would
be five full-time staff with an annual payroll of over $100,000
April 1998
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What
Are Your Options As You Get Older?
Studies have shown that people are living longer and that this
trend will continue. By living longer lives, decisions will have
to be made on the best living arrangements for each person. The
majority of seniors want to remain independent and at home as long
as possible. Due to injuries or declining health, many seniors
will need assistance with daily activities or require more
extensive medical services. This is when decisions need to be
made.
Staying at Home
Home Modifications: Many modifications can be made to make homes
safer and more accessible including improved lighting, handrails
in bathrooms, changes in the kitchen, widening doors and modifying
stairs.
In Home Care: Many companies provide non-medical assistance for
seniors capable of managing their physical needs, but requiring
limited assistance, light housework, companionship, meal
preparation, shopping services, running errands and help with
bathing and dressing to remain at home. These services can be for
a short or long term basis.
Meal Delivery: Many nutritious home delivery meal programs are
available for those that cannot cook for themselves, for a short
or long term period. Most are low-cost or free services, Meals On
Wheels is the best known program available.
Adult Day Care: A wide variety of services such as meals, health
assessments, recreational activities, nursing, therapy and social
programs are offered at day care centers. Day care services
provide caregivers with a break from their responsibilities.
Residential Facilities
Independent Living: These facilities provide independent
apartments or rooms for seniors that choose to remain independent,
but want added services such as daily meals, transportation
services, housekeeping and social activities.
Board and Care Homes: These are community based residences that
provide rooms, meals, help with daily activities and supervision
for residents that do not require medical services. Many of these
homes are converted from private homes and offer 24 hour
supervision.
Assisted Living Facilities: These residential care models combine
private rooms with services delivered to seniors needing
assistance with daily activities, meals, nursing, social
activities, medications and supervision. A variety of settings are
offered to accommodate the individual needs and preferences of its
residents, from family style living to more traditional medical
environments.
Skilled Nursing Facilities: Due to illnesses, surgery or declining
health, short or long term nursing care is necessary. These
licensed facilities provide 24 hour nursing care, rehabilitative
services, social activities, meals and supervision.
December 1999
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