Letters to My Grandchildren

Letters to my grandchildren: Atlanta Senior Citizens Oral History Project


Tuesday, February 28, 201211:00 AM-1:00 PM
Central Library Auditorium1 Margaret Mitchell SquareAtlanta, GA 30303Google Maps - MapQuest

Seniors from Senior Citizen Services of Metro Atlanta will talk about their experiences growing up under segregation and during the Civil Rights Movement.

Cost: Free and open to the public

Isolation

I met Mr. Roy three months ago when he visited the Northside Shepherd’s Center, which occupies a section of the main Senior Citizen Services building. Roy loves to play Wii Sports, but coming to the Center more often is difficult because Roy is legally blind. When we met, he told me, “I can see you’re there, but I can’t see your face.” He can see the outline of the Wii bowling alley, though, and he will play peers, staff members, volunteers, kids, or anyone who picks up the Wiimote. Roy is a social butterfly who is at ease cracking jokes in groups of strangers. As his ability to see the world around him faded, it quickly became apparent that spending most of his day alone, staring at the blurry walls of his apartment, isn’t his idea of a good time.

Isolation can be a serious problem for seniors and it sometimes leads to depression or substance abuse. Addressing hearing loss early is an easy way to prevent isolation, as seniors who have trouble hearing may be less likely to engage others in conversation. If you or someone you love suffers from hearing loss, a trip to the doctor’s office might solve the problem and open the door to opportunities for interaction. Many seniors benefit from using technology to maintain contact with old friends or to make new ones. Online photo albums and instant messaging services can help keep seniors connected to the outside world. Plus it’s never too late to learn new skills – just ask Roy! You can learn skills like these from classes at neighborhood senior centers.

To make sure seniors like Roy have a place to go, Senior Citizen Services runs seven neighborhood senior centers, in collaboration with Fulton County. Seniors age 55 or older are provided transportation to local centers for activities that strengthen, stimulate, enliven, and empower. Centers provide lunch and create opportunities for developing critical relationships, socializing, health and wellness activities, arts and crafts, field trips, and education.
This is just one way that we make sure that no Atlanta area senior is hungry, cold or forgotten.

For more information, see http://www.myseniorcare.com/health/mental-health/overcoming-senior-isolation-article

How to Organize a Book Club for Seniors

Senior Citizen Services has book clubs in the Fulton County Neighborhood Senior Centers. Here are some tips for starting your own "senior book club."

Hold a pre-meeting before the start of the book club to decide if one person will act as a host, or if the group will take turns. Also discuss what type of book the group will focus on reading - classic literature, detective novels, popular fiction, etc. Seniors may enjoy discussing history, authors who research and write about pre-and post-World War II, and art, culture and politics relating to mid-century Americana, for instance.

Many books now come with reading guides to facilitate discussion. When the book selection is made, the host can provide the group with the name of local bookstores or online resources to buy the book or check your local library. The host is also responsible for initiating discussion on the book, ensuring that everyone who wants to is able to contribute, and keeping the tone of the club congenial.

Plan to meet once a month for 1-1/2 hours to allow everyone time to read the selection beforehand. Limit the number attending to no more than twelve so that everyone can share in the discussion.

It's a good idea to have snacks (cheese and crackers, dessert and soft drinks) on hand.
If a particular selection turns out to be a favorite, consider reading other books by the same author. If the book being discussed is also a movie, the group can plan an outing to see the movie or rent the DVD to watch for a movie night.

Read more: How to Host a Book Club for Seniors eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4422811_host-book-club-seniors.html#ixzz1l8podc2a

Handbag Trunk Show to Benefit Santa for Seniors

by Sally F. White, Columnist
nside@neighbornewspapers.com

Timmy Woods, the famous Beverly Hills designer and manufacturer of fashion forward wearable art handbags for women, is coming to Atlanta Tuesday to show and sell her famous wooden handbags at Kings Home Furnishings on Menlo Drive in west Buckhead. A percentage of sales will benefit the heart-warming Santa for Seniors program sponsored by the Senior Citizens Services of Metropolitan Atlanta.

In 1985 Woods, a design major at the Fashion Institute of Technology, began designing and manufacturing handbags. She immediately won attention, but took time off after an auto accident and branched out into her family’s international real estate business. Inspired in 1992 by primitive, hand-carved wooden boxes in the Phillippines, she perfected cutting-edge handcrafted sculptured handbags from fallen Arcadia trees — each handmade bag takes 30 days to complete. Design forms are taken from a broad range of interests and lifestyles such as nature, pop trends, sports, hobbies, holidays and special events.

Enticed by the three enthusiastic co-chairs Jill Sherman, Dottie Smith and Jade Slover leading year-around fundraisers for the Atlanta senior holiday gift program, Woods will display and sell her collectible trend-setting wares in an evening trunk how reception format and give an early 2012 boost to the Senior Citizens Services programs.

“Many supporters and Atlanta chic fashionistas collect Timmy’s handbags — including Santa faces — and know her as a special, warm-hearted friend,” Sherman said. “We thought this evening would be a fun event to help our year-long fundraising efforts bring cheer and senior-friendly gifts to isolated older folks in Atlanta.”

Details and information: (404) 355-8995 or visit http://www.kingshomefurnishings.net/store/ or www.timmywoods.com.

Senior Citizen Services Wish List

Can you donate any of the following items? Call 404-351-3889 or email shargrove@scsatl.org.

• Microwave ovens for seniors to warm their meals


• Reliable truck for Home Repair program


• Any painting items: paint, brushes, rollers, pans, etc.


• Power tools: drills, pressure washers, paint sprayers, etc.


• Lawn mowers


• Ceiling fans


• Digital cameras


• Energy efficient light bulbs - 60 watt


• Exercise bikes and/or treadmills for Neighborhood Senior Centers


• Large plastic storage containers


• Ten sets of 2 lb. dumbbells


• Defibrillator


• Exercise mats for Senior Centers


• Kiln supplies for Senior Centers


• Permanent markers (bold point)


• Pens


• Dry-erase board


• Small filing cabinet


• 1, 1.5, and 2 inch binders


• Printers


• Paper shredder

Thanks so much.

Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

As tough as the cold weather is on everyone, it’s particularly dangerous for senior citizens. Jim Miller, editor of Savvy Senior, a syndicated newspaper column, was invited on the "Today” show to share some steps seniors should take to stay safe as the mercury plunges.

Home heating safety

More home fires happen during the winter months than any other time of the year mainly due to home heating devices and people age 65 and older are three times more likely to die or be injured in a home fire as those younger. In addition, heating devices and household appliances that are fueled by gas, oil, kerosene or wood in a closed up house can also produce deadly carbon monoxide gas.

Some simple things seniors can do to protect themselves are:

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and check the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.


• If you’re using a space heater remember that space heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the heater, and if you’re looking to by a new space heater get one that automatically shuts off if the heater falls over.


• If you use a wood burning fire place make sure you have a glass front or screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs and have chimney flue pipe checked once a year.


• Get an ABC multipurpose fire extinguisher for the home; learn how to use it and check it yearly to be sure is working.

Winter auto safety

To ensure winter time driving safety — if you live in a cold climate — have your vehicle serviced and winterized so it’s ready for winter driving and winter road conditions.

Some specific items to be checked are the:
Tires: check the tire air pressure and make sure your tires have sufficient tread.
Radiator: have the anti-freeze levels checked.
Belts: inspect the belts and hoses for cracks or leaks.
Oil: ask you mechanic about switching to a thinner grade of engine oil for better performance in colder temperatures.
Wipers: inspect the windshield wipers and wiper fluid to ensure better visibility.
Battery: make sure the battery is fully charged.

Preventing wintertime falls

A common problem among the elderly is broken hips, which happen more frequently in winter due wet and slippery conditions. To help prevent wintertime falls seniors should wear shoes with non-skid soles, stay only on sidewalks or areas that have been cleared of snow and ice, use handrails when available and avoid getting out after dark or in hazardous weather conditions.

For more information, go to: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/10806061/ns/today-today_health/t/brrrr-winter-safety-tips-senior-citizens/

Santa for Seniors Collects Gifts at Holiday Luncheon

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but in a small way, all believe in the spirit of Santa. On Tuesday, December 13, Santa for Seniors will hold its annual Holiday Luncheon at 103 West. The luncheon is hosted by Jill Sherman, Dottie Smith, and Jade Sykes. Attendees will bring unwrapped, new gifts that will be used by Meals On Wheels Atlanta on Christmas Eve for its clients.

Santa for Seniors exemplifies the spirit of Santa by providing volunteers the opportunity to purchase inexpensive “senior friendly” items such as magnifying glasses, neck pillows, throws, and many other gifts that can be given to lonely and homebound seniors on special occasions and especially during the holidays.

“Senior citizens are probably our loneliest and least considered group,” Jill Sherman explained. “A little bitty gift makes them smile like the days when they were young and Santa Clause came to see them.”

Gailen Rosenberg, Gift Wrap Chair, has scheduled Dec. 21 for a day of wrapping. Each gift will be wrapped and individualized for each client recipient.

Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, through its Santa for Seniors program is collecting new, unwrapped “senior friendly” items such as big print books, bath or personal hygiene products, small blankets, slip-resistant slippers, personal fans, flashlights, or stationery. Items can be dropped off at SCS, 1705 Commerce Drive NW between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. If you would like more information, please contact Steve Hargrove at shargrove@scsatl.org or 404-605-8450.