Meals On Wheels Assoc. of America Unveils "We Are Meals On Wheels"

At MOWAA’s 2011 Annual Conference in Chicago, the national organization unveiled “We Are Meals On Wheels.” The goal of We are Meals On Wheels is to elevate senior hunger as a solvable issue in America and to invite individuals from across all walks of life to take part in our movement and end senior hunger by 2020.

Did you know?

More than 6 million seniors in America today are facing the threat of hunger, because they are not getting the nutritious meals they need. We know senior hunger is a serious problem. We know that it must be stopped. And we know that there is something that we can do about it.

We are working every day to put an end to senior hunger by delivering nutritious meals and providing compassion to seniors in communities across this land.

Volunteerism Remains Steady -- Except in Georgia

The number of Americans who volunteer dropped slightly in 2010, according to a federal report released on August 9.

Nearly 63 million Americans, slightly more than a quarter of the population, volunteered for charities last year, providing services valued at nearly $173-billion. That’s down from 2009, when 63.4 million adults, or nearly 27 percent of the population, donated their time.

The volunteer rate has not changed significantly since 2006, hovering around 26 percent. Volunteerism reached nearly 29 percent from 2003 to 2005 and has been as low as 20.4 percent in 1989, says a report by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which is based on annual and monthly surveys of roughly 100,000 Americans age 16 or older, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Georgia was well below the national average at 22.3% for 2010 – down from 24.4% in 2009. Come on Georgia! Get out there and volunteer!

11th Annual Meals On Wheels Atlanta Golf Tournament
Monday, September 12th, 2011
Capital City Club at Brookhaven
http://www.scsatl.org/

12:00 PM Lunch and Registration, Practice Range Opens, Mulligans Available
1:00 PM Shotgun Start, Four Person Shamble
After Play Cocktail Reception, Awards Presentation, (light hors d’oeuvres

$10,000 Corporate Sponsorship

$4000 per foursome
$1200 individual players

Last year’s tournament raised nearly $88,000 that directly translated into 13,500 meals for homebound and frail seniors in Atlanta. Your support via a foursome or through your company as a corporate sponsor was invaluable in our efforts to raise funds for vital nutrition and services.

Capital City Club at Brookhaven (new location). The Brookhaven Country Club site was leased in 1913 and purchased in 1915. At that time, the golf course was increased from nine to eighteen holes. The present Brookhaven clubhouse was erected in 1928. In 2009, the course was redesigned by architect Bob Cupp.

For more information, please contact Steve Hargrove at shargrove@scsatl.org or 404-605-8450.

Check on Seniors During the Heat Wave

With the heat approaching 100 degrees in Atlanta today, it’s time to review helpful hints for older adults during a heat wave.

More than 400 people die during heat waves each year in the U.S. Older people do not handle the heat as well as younger people because they do not sweat effectively and they may have poor circulation. Obesity, heart disease, dementia, diabetes and other chronic medical conditions can compound the risk. So can certain medications, especially diuretics or those prescribed for hypertension and Parkinson's disease.

• Caregivers should stay on the alert for signs of confusion or altered mental states in seniors who are out in hot weather, as it could be a sign of heat stroke


• Get seniors into an air-conditioned building; have them dress lightly; and keep themselves hydrated. This may be easier said than done, as many seniors complain of being cold in an air conditioned room.


• If elderly relative complain to being too cold, turn up the air conditioner. If they refuse to stay inside, have them sit in a shady area under near a fan.


• Close curtains or blinds on the sunny side of the house.


• If the elderly person refuses to use their air conditioner, make sure that they spend at least some time in a cool air conditioned environment each day. If seniors need a cool place to go, they may visit any Fulton County Neighborhood Senior Center during the week days.


• Offer drinks that the seniors prefer, but stay away from caffienated drinks or sodas loaded with sodium. Do not serve alcohol which is dehydrating.


• Keep frozen treats available that high water and low sugar content or serve fruit like watermelon.


• Make sure that seniors wear lightweight clothing, light in color, and not form-fitting. Hats are useful but make sure that they are loosely woven or ventilated so that they don’t trap hear. Wear broad-brimmed hats to shade the entire face.