Free Event for Volunteers and Caregivers

We still have some openings at our upcoming RSVP Visiting Volunteer Gathering: 

Friday, March 14, from 10:15 to noon 

Little Brothers--Friends of the Elderly

1845 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406​

Topic: 

Becoming Well Within 

Self-care strategies for health and healing 

with Cami Smalley, Professional Health and Wellness Coach 

• Learn about holistic health 
• Try some relaxation techniques
• Meet other volunteers and caregivers

RSVP designed these events to support volunteers who do friendly visiting, hospice, respite, driving, meal delivery, and other roles that support older adults. We also welcome people who are caregivers themselves, and anyone who is interested in the topic.

 

Space is limited, so please let us know you are coming:  952-945-4162, or Email 

 

Volunteers Needed: 

Help keep seniors independent 
    

Help seniors age in place by being a friendly visitor, errand driver, grocery shopper, and more --flexible schedule! 

RSVP can connect you to these opportunities and more ways to help seniors age in place. 
                                                         

For more info: Call 952-945-4162 or Email 

Volunteers 55 and over receive special RSVP benefits

6 Steps to Prevent a Fall

(Scroll below to learn about RSVP's balance and exercise program)

Bone Builders is RSVP's signature osteoporosis prevention and reversal exercise program. This free program was created by RSVP--especially to serve people who may be:

-        financially unable to afford exercise programs.

-        intimidated by traditional gyms and exercise      

         programs.

-        too frail for traditional exercise programs.

Bone Builders uses balance exercises and weight training to protect against fractures caused by osteoporosis.  This program aims to increase both your muscle strength and your bone density.  The classes are free, two one-hour classes  a week, and along with the weight and balance training there is education on health topics such as nutrition. Another benefit of the class is that people tend to develop friendships and even see each other outside of class.

Bone Builders classes are already happening in St. Paul. We hope to bring the program to Washington and Dakota counties as well.

Help bring Bone Builders to your neighborhood:

Become a volunteer class leader!

Free training provided.

Volunteers needed--Volunteers are needed to train as class leaders in Woodbury, Stillwater, and Forest Lake. Volunteers 55 and over receive special benefits. 

For more info: Call 952-945-4162 or Email 

Join tpt for a Conversation on Caregiving

TPT's Next Avenue Experience invites you to join  the 10 Ways to Care campaign.  Let’s elevate the conversation on caregiving.  Our lives are built on human relationships. Son, daughter, father, mother, partner, spouse, friend, neighbor – these are all hats we wear, and sometimes we wear many of these hats at once.  Whether or not we acknowledge it, caregiver is one more hat in our collection. We talk openly about being a good neighbor, friend, family member, parent, and partner. And though a good conversation would likely help us all be better caregivers, we don’t openly talk about it.  At least not yet. We need your voice – sign up to take part in the 10 Ways to Care campaign and conversation. If caregiver is a hat you wear, this is an invitation to participate – to share experiences, get real resources, and find and provide support for people who are wearing many of the same hats as you. From April 8 through May 8, we will discuss ten different aspects of caregiving. During these five weeks, we’ll talk about family dynamics, long-distance caregiving, self-care, and much more. When you sign up, you will receive a message delivered to your inbox twice each week. Each message tells a story that may be similar to yours, suggests a simple and impactful step you can take, and provides a real resource or two that might just be immensely useful. Each message encourages you and others to share  experiences.  Sign up to receive 10 Ways to Care in your inbox. We look forward to hearing from you. Caregiver support volunteers needed:      RSVP can connect you to volunteer opportunities such as respite care, friendly visiting, errands and more.                                                                  Volunteers 55 and over receive special benefits. For more info: Call 952-945-4162 or Email

Grocery Shopping for the Homebound

Store To Door is Just a Call Away!

This has been a long winter for many homebound aging adults. Store To Door takes orders over the phone and delivers groceries right into their client's kitchens.  Call  651-642-1892 for more information.

Store To Door serves Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties.

Volunteers needed: Shoppers and Order Takers are In Demand!

Do you like to Shop?
Volunteer Shoppers are needed from 6-10 am on various days at Cub Food Stores throughout the Metro  area. 

Do you like to work with aging adults?
Volunteer Order Takers are needed to call seniors and enter their grocery orders into Store To Door's online ordering system.  Training is provided.    Training is provided. Training is provided.                                                                                                                                                   --RSVP can connect you to volunteer opportunities at Store To Door.  Volunteers 55 and over receive special benefits. For more info: Call 952-945-4162 or Email 

Managing Medicine Wisely

Why Managing your Medicine Matters--tips from

February 15, 2013

Older adults often face a double whammy when it comes to medicine. They’re more likely to use medications than younger people, but they’re also more likely to experience harmful side effects.

In fact, every year, one in three adults aged 65+ has one or more harmful reactions to a medication, according to the American Geriatrics Society.

Why? Older adults are more likely to take multiple medications for multiple conditions—all at the same time. This can be confusing and lead to harmful interactions. Also, many seniors who live on a fixed income have trouble paying for all of their medicines, making it difficult to stay on track.

If you take one or more medications, it’s important to manage them wisely to stay healthy and safe. Here are 6 tips to keep in mind:

1. Be informed about all the medications you’re taking.

All drugs are potentially harmful—whether they’re prescription medicines or over-the-counter products such as herbals, supplements, vitamins, minerals, antacids, sleep aids, and laxatives. Keep an up-to-date list of all of your medications. Share it with your doctor and pharmacist and have them review it for potential drug interactions. Try using this Drug and Supplement Diary from the American Geriatrics Society, and take time to review the society’s Ten Medications Older Adults Should Avoid or Use with Caution.

2. Use one pharmacy and talk to your pharmacist often.

Your pharmacist is a great resource. He or she can help you keep track of your medications and check for drug interactions among them. Ask your pharmacist questions about your medications. If your pharmacist is busy, schedule a time to come back when it’s less busy. Here are some Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Medicines from the Center for Medicines & Healthy Aging.

3. Understand and pay attention to possible side effects.

Some medications can cause troublesome side effects, especially in older adults. Examples include dizziness and drowsiness that could lead to a fall; stomach upset, diarrhea, or constipation; blurred vision; dry mouth; and fatigue/lack of energy. Know what to expect, how long the side effects may last, what to do when they occur, and when to contact your doctor. In some cases, your doctor may tell you to stop taking the medication, but never stop taking a medication without first speaking with you doctor.

4. Store your medicines safely.

Medications should be stored in a cool, dry, dark location. Humidity in the bathroom can alter a medication’s effectiveness. Keep medicines where you’re likely to see them every day, and link taking them with other daily activities like eating or brushing your teeth. Go through your medicine cabinet regularly and discard any expired medications. Get more Tips on Safe Storage and Disposal of Your Prescription Medicines from the National Council on Patient Information and Education.

5. Take your medication as prescribed.

Medication adherence, as prescribed by your doctor, is important for good health. Make sure you understand how to take each of your medications safely.

6. Find help paying for medicine.

Managing medications can be difficult when the cost of your drugs is high. If you’re having trouble paying for your prescriptions, check out 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Medications.

Medication Management Quiz

Test yourself! See if you know the facts about how to manage your medications safely.

1. True or False: If one medication does not work, take two or three.
2. True or False: Even if one dose makes me feel good, a larger dose might not make me feel even better.
3. True or False: If my doctor has not stopped the medication, I must still need it now.
4. True or False: It is important that you take only prescription medications that are specifically prescribed for you.
5. True or False: Generic drugs normally cost more than brand name drugs.
6. True or False: Generic drugs are tested and approved through the FDA.

See the answers >>

Volunteers needed--RSVP can connect you to volunteer opportunities that help older adults live independently, help them choose Medicare Part D plans--and more. Volunteers 55 and over receive special benefits. For more info: Call 952-945-4162 or Email 

Free Repairs for Homeowners in Need

Rebuilding Together is currently looking for homeowners in need of repair services 
in Falcon Heights and in St. Paul's Como, Hamline-Midway or Frogtown neighborhoods.

The mission of Rebuilding Together Twin Cities is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. They provide no-cost home repairs for homeowners in need, particularly older adults, individuals living with disabilities and families with children.  This service ensures that these homeowners live independently in homes that are safe, warm and dry.

                                                

-Qualified applicants must own or be current with mortgage payments; be up-to-date with tax payments; reside in the home for which they are applying; and have homeowners insurance. 

-The household income must be at or below 50% of area median income.  For a family of four, 50% of the area median income is currently $41,350. And, at least one resident in the home must be a senior, an individual living with a disability, a child under the age of 18, or an active or retired member of the armed services.

-Interested homeowners can:
-download an application online at  www.rebuildingtogether-twincities.org
-request an application by email  homeowners@rebuildingtogether-twincities.org
-call 651-776-4273.

Volunteers needed--RSVP can connect you to volunteer opportunities at Rebuilding Together. Volunteers 55 and over receive special benefits. 
For more info: Call 952-945-4162 or Email 

Cold, Snow, Darkness Got You Down? You may have SAD

Amid the splendor of Fall--though I try to enjoy the beauty--I  get a growing feeling of dread. I dread the coming cold, snow, and darkness that Fall heralds, and it turns out I'm not alone.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 

If you notice periods of depression that seem to accompany seasonal changes during the year, you may suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This condition is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression – usually in late fall and winter – alternating with periods of normal or high mood the rest of the year. Most people with SAD are women whose illness typically begins in their twenties, although men also report SAD of similar severity and have increasingly sought treatment. SAD can also occur in children and adolescents.

What are the patterns of SAD? 

Symptoms of winter SAD usually begin in October or November and subside in March or April. Some patients begin to slump as early as August, while others remain well until January. Regardless of the time of onset, most patients don’t feel fully back to normal until early May. Depressions are usually mild to moderate, but they can be severe. Very few patients with SAD have required hospitalization.

The usual characteristics of recurrent winter depression include oversleeping, daytime fatigue, carbohydrate craving and weight gain, although a patient does not necessarily show these symptoms. Additionally, there are the usual features of depression, especially decreased sexual interest, lethargy, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, lack of interest in normal activities, and social withdrawal. 

Light therapy, described below, is now considered the first-line treatment intervention, and if properly dosed can produce relief within days. Antidepressants may also help, and if necessary can be used in conjunction with light. 

The most common characteristic of people with winter SAD is their reaction to changes in environmental light. Patients living at different latitudes note that their winter depressions are longer and more profound the farther north they live. Patients with SAD also report that their depression worsens or reappears whenever the weather is overcast at any time of the year, or if their indoor lighting is decreased. SAD is often misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, infectious mononucleosis, and other viral infections. 

How is winter SAD treated with light? 

Bright white fluorescent light has been shown to reverse the winter depressive symptoms of SAD. Early studies used expensive "full-spectrum" bulbs, but these are not especially advantageous. Bulbs with color temperatures between 3000 and 6500 degrees Kelvin all have been shown to be effective. The lower color temperatures produce "softer" white light with less visual glare, while the higher color temperatures produce a "colder" skylight hue. The lamps are encased in a box with a diffusing lens, which also filters out ultraviolet radiation. The box sits on a tabletop, preferably on a stand that raises it to eye level and above. Studies show between 50% and 80% of users showing essentially complete remission of symptoms, although the treatment needs to continue throughout the difficult season in order to maintain this benefit.  Side effects of light therapy are uncommon. Some patients complain of irritability, eyestrain, headaches, or nausea. 

What should I do if I think I have SAD? 

If your symptoms are mild – that is, if they don't interfere too much with your daily living, you may want to try light therapy as described above or experiment with adjusting the light in your surroundings with bright lamps and scheduling more time outdoors in winter.

 

If your depressive symptoms are severe enough to significantly affect your daily living, consult a mental health professional qualified to treat SAD. He or she can help you find the most appropriate treatment for you. To help you decide whether a clinical consultation is necessary, you can use the feedback on the Personalized Inventory for Depression and SAD at www.cet.org. 

This article was excerpted from a fact sheet distributed by NAMI Minnesota. Read the entire article at:

http://www.namihelps.org/assets/PDFs/fact-sheets/Illnesses/Seasonal-Affective-Disorder.pdf

To find local resources on mental health and more, visit NORC St. Paul's Local Resource Directory

at http://www.norcstpaul.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&Itemid=164

Focus on Hunger: Cory Booker Goes on Food Stamps

• For those who don't have enough food--there is a new ally bringing attention to the cause.  
• For those who don't understand the issue--Cory Booker wants to help you learn more (below).
• For those who want to help-- RSVP can connect you to volunteer opportunities working to end hunger. For more info: Call Jyni, 952-945-4162 or Email Jyni.

A Movement Toward Food Justice

Posted on LinkedIn by Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark, NJ:

Cory Booker

December 04, 2012

inShare940

This morning, I will begin living on a food budget of $30 a week / $4.32 per day.  This is the financial equivalent of the budget provided to people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, in the State of New Jersey.  I will live only on a SNAP equivalent food budget for the next seven days.

Undertaking what is referred to as the #SNAPChallenge began with a social media-based conversation on Twitter.  A Twitter user tweeted me her opinion that "nutrition is not the responsibility of the government".  This comment caused me to reflect on the families and children in my community who benefit from SNAP assistance and deserve deeper consideration.  In my own quest to better understand the outcomes of SNAP assistance, I suggested to this specific Twitter user that we both live on a SNAP equivalent food budget for a week and document our experience.

A simple conversation on Twitter drew me into the #SNAPChallenge I am beginning today.  My goals for the #SNAPChallenge are to raise awareness and understanding of food insecurity; reduce the stigma of SNAP participation; elevate innovative local and national food justice initiatives and food policy; and, amplify compassion for individuals and communities in need of assistance.  Over the next seven days, I plan to highlight the voices of people involved in local food policy, the SNAP program, and other related initiatives. 

As I begin this journey, I am doubling down on my commitment to the Food Justice Movement that is gaining awareness and participation in this country.  We have much work to do at the local level to address a legacy of structural inequities in the American food system.  As more and more working people and families - many holding down more than one job - face greater and greater challenges to juggle housing, medical, and transportation costs, meeting nutritional needs becomes a serious problem and a social justice issue.  The struggle of children, seniors, and families to have access to essential nutrition is a struggle we are all invested in and we all benefit when families succeed. Now more than ever we are all in this together.

Throughout this week, I will document my #SNAPChallenge experiences and reflections on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and through video on #waywire.  If you are interested in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, I encourage you to click the reference links below. 

REFERENCE LINKS

• 2012 overview of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/MENU/Published/snap/FILES/Other/BuildingHealthyAmerica.pdf 
• National Characteristics of SNAP households 2011 http://www.fns.usda.gov/ORA/menu/Published/SNAP/FILES/Participation/2011CharacteristicsSummary.pdf
• Who is eligible for SNAP? http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/widget.htm

Calling All Volunteers:

Love Volunteering? Love Meeting People?
Join the RSVP Ambassador Program

You Know the Value of What You Do
As an RSVP volunteer, you are actively engaged in your community. You do fulfilling work that you enjoy—and you know from experience the difference that volunteering makes--both to you personally and to your community.

Who Better to Tell Our Story?
The RSVP Ambassadors are volunteers who enjoy sharing their story with potential volunteers and the greater community. They help publicize the RSVP program and recruit new volunteers.

Share the Joy!
If you love volunteering, and like to tell your story, become an RSVP Ambassador:
• Set your own hours
• Use your conversational skills to encourage others in your area to volunteer.
• We will provide support materials and teach you all you need to know about RSVP

Interested? Call 952-945-4162 or email jkoschak@voamn.org

Partner Spotlight:

Accountability MN--Tax Assistance and More

RSVP's partner site, Accountability MN, has been providing tax assistance to seniors and people with low incomes for nearly 40 years. Recently, they have expanded their services to include free financial advice on topics such as budgeting and saving, and free credit reports and credit counseling. Additionally, they have partnered with local credit unions to enable clients to open savings accounts regardless of their previous financial history. Accountability volunteers see that clients get all the refunds for which they're eligible, then help them use their refund to move from "getting by" to "getting ahead". "These services contribute to our mission of poverty reduction and asset-building," said volunteer coordinator, Adam Faitek. They also provide more opportunities for volunteers who like working with numbers. "Our volunteers find it very satisfying," Faitek says, "because they can see the impact of their work."

Volunteer training for tax assistance programs will begin in December. For more information, call: 612-617-7820.

Volunteer Spotlight

Kathryn Vilendrer, Meals on Wheels Driver

Kathryn Vilendrer has been a volunteer with Roseville Senior Center ’s Meals on Wheels Program for about four years, and finds it very rewarding. A former social worker, she felt drawn to help out when she saw a request for drivers in her church bulletin.

“I felt it was a good fit,” she said, “ I feel like I’m accomplishing something for them, and I really enjoy the interaction, they’re very pleasant,” she says, adding that the brief personal contact during delivery is as important to the clients as the meal. “For some of them, it may be the only social interaction of the day,” she pointed out.

She delivers meals every third Friday, visiting the same people every month. The clients are always happy to see her, and she has slowly gotten to know them. Her delivery route “takes about one-and-a-half hours, max,” she says, adding, “A lot more people could use their free time to do something good for another person.”