Fear and Loathing . . . but mostly Fear

have worked for Senior Citizen Services for more than four years, in a city that is nearly 500 miles from where my 82-year-old grandmother lives and 1,000 from where she grew up. The seniors we serve always seem so different than my grandmother. They’re widows like Gram, but they have often lived in their homes for decades. Gram moved to Florida, the eternal retirement state, five years ago because the property taxes were easier to handle than on the house she where she had raised her family in New Jersey. Many of our seniors have never driven or stopped driving years ago; Gram continues to drive, safely and legally, and is petrified of the day she is no longer able.

Yet, there are times when the similarities bowl me over. She is the only one of her siblings still alive, save a brother-in-law with severe dementia and a sister-in-law she hasn’t spoken to in years. Her best friend, a Holocaust survivor, died the day before my Gram arrived for a visit in September. Still it surprises me when I hear myself having a conversation with my mother that sounds so familiar. Last week, for example, I called Mom after work. She was in the grocery store with Gram, and as we talked (while Gram was in another aisle), she told me about the latest struggle.

Mom has a mother-in-law suite in her home that she rents out, and she has been looking for a new tenant for a few months. As she has several times before, she invited Gram to move in. She would have her own space, but they would be closer and Gram wouldn’t have to do so much on her own. My grandmother refuses this offer every time it is made, and after five years, the refusal is no longer polite. She wants her independence at whatever cost, even though the cost is already affecting her quality of life.

These days, making breakfast wipes her out until nearly dinnertime; she is likely to have toast for the former, cereal for the latter. When we ask about it, she says meat is too expensive these days. I suggested we sign Gram up for meals on wheels, and Mom instantly explained why that would never work. “She wouldn’t eat the kind of food; she never really has an appetite.” And yet these are the conversations we have with clients every day. “Add some garlic powder to the food – it’s a great replacement for salt; eat small high-nutrient meals throughout the day.”

With the job I have, I am already aware that it’s not easy to grow old, and it’s not easy to accept help. But I always feel that it’s a surmountable problem. We’re going on five years of Gram living near Mom, and four of my working with seniors. I haven’t found a solution yet, but I do know one thing. In 56 years, when I’m Gram’s age, or in 26 years, when I’m Mom’s, I’m pretty sure we’ll be having this conversation again.

-- by Jaclyn Barbarow, Grants and Database Manager

Santa for Seniors

On December 7th, nearly 75 friends of Senior Citizen Services gathered with Santa Clause for lunch in Buckhead. Each guest brought a new, unwrapped gift for a senior to be delivered during the holidays. At the end of the luncheon, a mound of blankets, robes, hats, scarves, books, etc., were waiting to be gift wrapped.

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.

The week before Christmas brought several volunteers in to the SCS offices to wrap and label a gift for each senior Meals On Wheels Atlanta client. Volunteers enjoyed their festive time together with holiday music and snacks provided by Henri’s Bakery.

The gifts were delivered with meals on Christmas Eve. Many seniors do not have family in town and this visit from a friendly volunteer driver helped make their Christmas a little brighter.

Santa for Seniors Collects Gifts for the Holidays

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but in a small way, all believe in the spirit of Santa. On Tuessday, December 7, 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.”

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 or visit www.scsatl.org.

Sweaters for Seniors

In one metro Atlanta county, there’s a socially minded school responsible for educating the next generation. Also, in that same county (Fulton) is Senior Citizen Services of Metro Atlanta that cares for the needs of seniors.

Representatives from both organizations met for the first time in a hallway at the Galloway School on behalf of “Sweaters For Seniors.”

It was a really happy day, but not just for the warm sunlight that beamed through the school’s big windows. Or because of the melange of yellow and red trees just outside those windows as you overlooked Chastain Park. What made this morning special was like-minded people in various careers assembling on behalf of a common cause – to help keep Atlanta’s seniors warm this coming winter.

In attendance were Missy Hirsh, Assistant to the College Counselor for Galloway, Lexi Fields, Galloway Economics Teacher and Service Fair Director, Steven Hargrove, Director of Special Events for SCS and myself, Sharna Fulton, Director of Marketing of Sweaters for Seniors and AHCS.

So why were three different organizations involved in the collection of 174 pounds of sweaters you may ask? (Missy Hirsh weighed the many green bags of beautiful sweaters made with heavy wool, cashmere, fleece and dry cleaned just for Sweaters for Seniors.)

The answer is that we at AHCS, sought for the first time this year, to make “Sweaters For Seniors” truly a community endeavor. Why?

#1: Schools were the best resource for collecting sweaters for seniors the past 2 years. We realized it was students were the most enthusiastic and truly what made the program special.

#2: We thought it would be a good way to connect Atlanta’s youth to Atlanta’s seniors. (After all, young or old, we are all one!)

#3: We wanted to put the spotlight on the senior service agencies and what they do for Atlanta’s elder population. We felt that by connecting schools with their same county senior agencies, we could make school communities aware of the seniors’ needs in their own neighborhood. What’s more, with blog and Facebook posts like these, we could further illuminate the existence of and what agencies like Senior Citizen Services of Metro Atlanta does to help seniors.

In conclusion, I’m really pleased with the outcome of this partnership for 2010. Galloway’s Missy Hirsh puts it best. “I want our students to learn about thinking outside of their own box. Sometimes, there’s a stigma attached to not having ‘things.’ By collecting sweaters for seniors, our students were able to know there are people with needs and that it’s okay to understand that and to help them.

Thanks to the outstanding organizational skills of Steven Hargrove and his staff the sweaters will have value too! When I approached Hargrove last summer as to whether SCS could find use for “sweater donations,” he responded “yes.” Within a few days, he had the perfect idea for the sweaters — to deliver them to SCS’s 300 clients along with their Thanksgiving Meals On Wheels.

As we button-up collections for Fulton County’s seniors this year, we look forward to more schools joining us in the “4th Annual Sweaters for Seniors” coming next fall!

-- by Sharna Fulton, Alternative Home Care for Seniors

A Meal to Remember: Sold Out!!

This year marks the 23rd anniversary of “A Meal to Remember” when it returns to Atlanta this fall to raise money for Meals On Wheels Atlanta, a program of Senior Citizen Services, that has been delivering daily meals to homebound seniors in the metro area since 1970. Tony Conway will be honored this year for his commitment to Senior Citizen Services and Meals On Wheels Atlanta.

This year’s elegant black-tie reception is being chaired by Su Longman, Debbie Dean, and Eileen Rosencrants. This year’s theme will be “Siente el sabor Latino” exploring the tastes and sensations of Latin America. The event will be held at the St. Regis Atlanta on Friday, November 5. Guest chefs are Chef Aarón Sanchez (Paladar and Centrico, New York), Chef Carmen Gonzalez (chef consultant, New York), and Chef Douglas Rodriguez (D. Rodriguez Cuba at the Astor Hotel in Miami Beach), and Chef David Ramirez (Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando). The dinner will be coordinated by Jonathan Jerusalmy, Executive Chef at the St. Regis Atlanta. Wines will be paired and chosen by Michael Venezia of United Distributors.

A live and silent auction featuring food and wine, trips, fine art, and more will be held in conjunction with the dinner. The event organizers hope to raise more than $400,000 which will provide more than 61,500 nutritious meals for homebound seniors.

Proceeds generated by “A Meal to Remember” benefit Meals On Wheels Atlanta, a program of Senior Citizen Services. To allocate every dollar possible to direct meal provision, organizers of the event require every expense associated with the dinner, reception and pre-event festivities be donated or underwritten by sponsorships or auction proceeds. Since the first “A Meal to Remember” in 1988, more than $4 million has been raised to support Meals On Wheels Atlanta.

You may be placed on the wait list for seats by phoning 404-605-8450.

Why Give to Seniors?

Every charity is a worthy cause. So why should you choose older adults as the beneficiaries of your holiday giving? Because your grandmother would tell you to donate to the babies, or donate for the puppies.

Our grandparents, whatever their age, grew up in a different world than we did. They worked hard and raised their children to have greater horizons than they did, and many raise their grandchildren as well. My grandparents were the first generation of our family to be born in the United States. My grandmother is the mother of three, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of five. She has always considered it her duty to take care of all of us, from combing a newborn’s hair to worrying about my mother’s health over her own.

Studies show that the next generation of seniors will be even more hesitant to ask for help. As Baby Boomers edge into their senior years, many are sandwiched between their parents and their children, taking care of one and still supporting the other. More than any other generation, they want to be independent.

I am lucky to be the daughter of a straight-shooter. My mother knows what she needs, when she needs it, and how to get it. I worry about when the day will come that she is no longer able to be so clear about these things, when I need to be the one taking care of her and giving her confidence that things will be all right. Watching her care for my grandmother has given me a good example, but I know it won’t be enough.

I support Senior Citizen Services because I know my mother will always worry more about me than herself.

-- by Jaclyn Barbarow
Grants & Gifts Manager

Going for Gold

You're only as old as you feel. As a testament to the notion that you can be physically fit--and even athletically competitive--at any age, the 2010 Georgia Golden Olympics will be held Sept. 22-25 in Warner Robins, GA. The competition serves as a qualifying event for the 2011 National Competition scheduled for June, 2011, in Houston.

The Georgia Golden Olympics is for adults 50 years of age or older, and provides an opportunity for seniors to participate in an amateur sports competition, learn new leisure skills, discover that physical activity is for all ages, meet new friends, and share good times. It is an opportunity to have fun!

A variety of activities are held to make it possible for participation regardless of an individual's age or physical ability. Different age divisions and several levels of ability spread the competition out, so there is something for everyone. Athletic competitions range from the traditional, such as swimming and track and field, to those commonly associated with the over-50 set including golf, horseshoe toss, and shuffleboard. There are several dozen events in all including competitions in checkers, Frisbee throwing, racquetball and badminton. And to accommodate those confined to a wheelchair, several of the events allow participants who cannot stand the option of sitting.

Medals will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each event and age category, and participants will receive lunch, dinner, a certificate and a Golden Olympics t-shirt.

For more information, visit http://www.georgiagoldenolympics.org/.