Recipe for a Mentally Healthy Community

Recipe for a Healthy Community: Serving size - entire community, especially the 1 in 5 who live with addictions and mental illness: 1# - Prevention; 2 bottles – Mental Health First Aid; 8 ounces – 24 hour Crisis Services; 1 quart – Same Day Access; 1 bushel – Treatment for Mental Illness and Addictions; ½ cup – Trauma Informed Care; 4 cans – Primary Care; 1 box – Criminal Justice Diversion and Re-entry; 1 gallon – Housing; 3 bunches – Supported Education and Employment. Directions: Line pan with Prevention, so fewer children and adults suffer; Begin with Mental Health First Aid, so everyone can recognize and help people in need; Add in 24 hour Crisis Response and Same Day Access to services to save lives; Mix with Treatment to promote recovery; Pour in Primary Care to improve health; Fold in Criminal Justice collaborations, keeping people and communities safe; Add in Housing so everyone has a place to live; Blend in Education and Employment to build a strong economy; Sprinkle with Trauma Informed Care to ensure respect for all; Blend well and properly plate with adequate funding. ENJOY A HEALTHY COMMUNITY! This recipe is printed with permission from National Council for Behavioral Health. I hope everybody has a happy, healthy holiday season and 2015.

A Year End Thank You

As the year ends and we celebrate the holidays – I wish each of you a joyous and healthy holiday and a happy new year. And, on behalf of The Dale Association and all charitable organizations in our community thank you for your kindness and seemingly endless generosity this past year. The end of the year is a good time to look back and reflect on those things we are thankful for. I’d like to say thank you to all of the people who have donated time, money, and/or items that support our fundraising efforts – those fundraising efforts help pay for the things we do, and therefore help us fulfill our mission in this community. Our mission statement… “To provide comprehensive services and coordinate connections for Adults in Niagara and neighboring counties with enhance their health and Wellness and empower them to strengthen bridges to their communities.” … it serves as a reminder of the reason The Dale Association exists in this community. And therefore, the reason we do the things we do – it may be supporting older individuals with our senior services… it may be assisting seriously and persistently mentally ill adults achieve mental wellness and to stabilize their emotions… it may be enriching the lives of people through our educational classes and volunteering programs… or it may be supporting caregivers by providing resources that help them be better caregivers …or it may be assisting older adults with vision and/or hearing impairments maintain their independence. Whatever the service, all focus on believing each person has value and we hope to enhance their potential to live their life to the fullest. Regardless what your charity of choice is, it is probably their mission and what they do that you believe in. Almost certainly, I can speak for all charitable organizations when I say that we are so grateful for the generosity of this community, our community, when it comes to delivering each of our missions. All fundraising activities support programs of charities and as I said above, it is what is accomplished with the money and donation of time that really defines each of our purposes. The purpose of fundraising is more than about the money – it’s about the results accomplished by our use of the money. It is through our donors and volunteer supporters and what they give that enables us to make a difference. Fundraising is at its best when we can match our need for donations with your desire to support organizations that have made a difference in your life or the lives of family and friends. Many non-profit charitable organizations all across the nation rely more and more on fundraising as a means to support their mission and the Dale Association is no different. You may be astonished to know that we need to raise over $300,000 to continue to serve the adults of this community. This past year, many of you have supported Dale Association fundraising efforts by making a gift to the Annual Giving Campaign, by pledging at our Dale Hearts and Caring People fund, through general donations, by attending events, by becoming a sponsor, or by making a charitable gift through you estate planning. The money raised helps us sustain our mission in this community. To all of you – THANK YOU! And thank you on behalf of all the charities you support all year long.

Medication Management

“Medication Management” is a simple phrase that refers to an often complicated family caregiver task. It may mean ordering and picking up prescriptions, setting up a pill box, reminding a family member to take their pills or even giving injections. The task variables usually are defined in terms of the complexity of the task itself – not taking into consideration if the care recipient is able and willing to cooperate. Caregivers for those with dementia know how big a difference in cooperation can make. A recent article written by a caregiver noted, “Medicine time with my dad has become one of the greatest difficulties, often taking an hour or more as we cajole, distract and sweet-talk him into swallowing pills or liquid medications. He doesn’t understand why he should do so.” When an otherwise straightforward task turns into an emotional battle of wills, it means more stress for already stressed caregivers. This is an important finding in a recent study. The study found that 61% of family caregivers caring for somebody with both cognitive or behavioral condition as well as chronic physical condition felt stressed “sometimes to always”. Nearly half reported feeling depressed within two weeks of completing the survey. This rate is significantly higher than the rate reported by family caregivers caring for someone with a chronic physical illness but no cognitive or behavioral condition. A majority of the dually challenged caregivers were women between the ages of 50 and 79 and about half lived with the person needing care. Most had provided care for several years. While it is well recognized that people with cognitive or behavioral conditions may act in ways that make them hard to care for, the report found they also are less healthy than care recipients without these conditions. Nearly 90% of such people also had higher rates of chronic medical diagnoses, such as stroke or hypertension, arthritis or osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes. These conditions are commonly treated with many medications that require frequent monitoring and different forms of administration. Most (84%) family caregivers for people with both kinds of conditions assisted with the medication management, along with providing personal care and managing household tasks. They were two and a half times as likely as other caregivers to say it was hard because their family member did not cooperate. As a result, they found medication management time consuming. When asked what would make the task easier, almost one-third said, “more cooperation from their family member.” Strikingly, two-thirds of these caregivers reported they had little or no training, learning how to administer at least some of the medications on their own. Family caregivers need a lot of help. Family caregivers need training and support that help them understand the sources of someone’s resistance to care and provides effective ways to respond. Making sure your loved one takes their medications and cooperates should be a routine part of loving care, not a constant source of conflict.

Holiday Stress

For many, the holidays are a time for families and friends to gather and for joyous celebrations. Even though the holidays are enjoyable, they can be demanding. For some, the added stress can lead to emotions that sneak up on you and pull you down when you least expect it. The holidays are not as joyful for some as they are for others. Maintaining good health throughout stressful times is directly linked to a positive mind set. Improving your mood need not be time consuming or expensive – try these simple strategies to distract your attention from the hectic pace of life around you and restore the energy you need. Make sure you are well rested. According to the National Institute on Aging, an estimated 30 percent of middle aged Americans don’t get enough sleep. Factors that can help you get a good night’s sleep are sticking to a regular bedtime, sleeping in a cool and dark room and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine after mid-afternoon. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day. Moderate exercise is an activity that leaves you feeling warm, but still able to talk. And don’t forget routine activities like mopping the floor and raking leaves are considered moderate exercise. Music has the ability to alter your mood. If you want to relax, listen to slow, soothing classical music. To energize yourself, pick something that is faster such as jazz or pop. Or consider making your own music by playing a musical instrument. Bringing a little creativity into your life can improve your sense of well being; it could be something as simple as trying a new recipe. By making a difference in the lives of others and becoming active, you generate positive feelings in your own life. Volunteering will fill your heart and let goodness shine in your life. Studies show that people who volunteer as little as two hours per week improve their own health. Worries drift away when you focus on others. Caregiving responsibilities layered on top of keeping up with holiday traditions can take its toll on dementia families, especially the caregiver. The person with dementia may also feel a sense of loss during the holidays. With some planning and adjusted expectations, your celebrations can be filled with joy and magical moments to cherish forever. Adjust your expectations No one, including yourself, should expect you to maintain every holiday tradition or event. • Give yourself permission to do only what you can reasonably manage • Choose holiday activities and traditions that are most important to you • Host a small family dinner instead of a throwing a big holiday party • Consider serving a catered or takeout holiday meal. Many grocery stores and restaurants offer meals to go. • Start a new tradition. Have a potluck dinner where family or friends each bring a dish Involve the person in the festivities There are many manageable activities the person and you can do together, such as: • Wrap gifts • Bake favorite holiday recipes together. The person can stir batter or decorate cookies. • Set the table. Avoid centerpieces with candles and artificial fruits and berries that could be mistaken for edible snacks. • Talk about events to include in a holiday letter • Prepare simple foods such as appetizers • Read cards you receive together • Look through photo albums or scrapbooks. Reminisce about people in the pictures and past events. • Watch a favorite holiday movie • Sing favorite carols or read biblical passages When the person lives in a care facility A holiday is still a holiday whether it is celebrated at home or at a care facility. Here are some ways to celebrate together: • Consider joining your loved one in any facility-planned holiday activities • Bring a favorite holiday food to share • Sing holiday songs. Ask if other residents can join in. • Read a favorite holiday story or poem out loud I hope this makes your holidays a little less stressful.

Medicare for 2015

Medicare's annual open enrollment period ends December 7th. This is the time of year when everyone with Medicare can join or change their health and prescription drug plans for 2015. This includes anyone using traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage. Depending on our needs, you can switch coverage from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan or vice versa. You can also switch your Part D plan, which pays for medications. Any changes you make will take effect January 1st, as long as the plan gets your enrollment request by December 7th. Medicare beneficiaries should have received their Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage from their existing Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plan providers. People should review plan changes as soon as they receive information from their providers. Changes could include costs such as premiums, deductibles and co-pays, as well as changes to covered procedures, tests and other provisions. Take time to review the information you received and look at all of your Medicare options; you may find more affordable coverage through a different combination of plans. Keep in mind that you may see a lot of ads for Medicare plans, but there could be a plan that's perfect for you that isn't getting a lot of attention with ads and mailers. This is an important opportunity to make sure you are getting the most from your Medicare benefits. Every year, Medicare plans change and so do your needs. It’s worth the time to shop around to see if the coverage is still the best for your situation. If you have not yet made your decision for 2015, representatives will be on hand at The Dale Association to provide information to help you make this important decision. Medicare Insurance Company Representatives will be at 33 Ontario Street, Lockport on the following schedule: Fidelis Care: Monday, November 24th from 10:00am – 1:00pm Independent Health: Wednesdays and Fridays in November and until December 5th from 9:00am – 3:00pm BlueCross and BlueShield: Tuesdays in November and December 2nd from 9:00am – 4:00pm United Health Care: Monday, December 1st from 10:00am – 12:00pm

Housing Resources for Baby Boomers

Imagine if you were someone who has lived in his or her current home for decades, or even half a century, or more. Any lifestyle change is difficult; making a housing change for someone who has lived in the same neighborhood for many years can be especially hard. Add to that the broad range of different housing options and varying costs and any decision to move can become overwhelming. The Dale Association is pleased to present a comprehensive housing resource fair and presentation on Friday, October 24, 2014 from 12:30 – 3:30pm at our program building, 33 Ontario Street, Lockport. Guest panelists and resource vendors will share information to help attendees make informed decisions about the following topics: If I choose to remain at home: Are there any simple home modifications that may make it safer to stay in the home? How to increase home safety, accessibility, and affordability. Options to finance renovations. What supports are available to remain independent at home? If I need to downsize: What to do with excess furniture, etc. Gifting to family, donating, and/or holding an estate/garage sale. Finding other housing options: If you come to the time when you or your loved one can no longer live safely on their own, there are many options to choose from. A simplistic overview of the housing option terminology and what to consider – current and future needs; definitions of the various levels of care from independent living through nursing home care; subsidized options; non-subsidized options throughout Niagara County. Other important topics include: facilitating a smooth move and helping to alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed by the idea of the move. The keynote speaker, Tom McNulty will be discussing, “Planning for the next phase of life”. Tom McNulty is owner and president of Success Stories, Inc, a management and marketing consulting firm, award winning photographer, film producer, and host of “Spotlight on Health” on 96.1 Joy FM since 2003. The guest panelists include: Susan Christian, Niagara County Office for the Aging – speaking on support for independent living, meal delivery, transportation, home care, etc. Beth Donner, M&T Bank – discussing understanding your financial options, exploring a Reverse Mortgage as a way to finance home renovations and other things. Larry Raines, Caring Transitions – information on downsizing, cleaning out home, relation, and de-cluttering. Debbie Mathur, Brookdale Living – understanding the various levels of care. Barbara Jacobs, People Inc – subsidized housing criteria and options. Informational displays will also be set up showcasing the following vendors: Belmont Housing, Heritage Manor of Lockport, Lockport Presbyterian Home, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Conjerti Movers, Lockport Home Medical, Estate and Household Liquidation, Niagara County Office for the Aging, People Inc Senior Apartments, Caring Transitions of Buffalo, The Dale Association, Brookdale Living, M&T Mortgage Division, DeGraff Medical, HANCI/Complete Senior Care, Elderwood Senior Care Housing, Lighthouse Guild, Weinberg Campus. The presentations and resources are geared toward older adults and their family members. Adults of all ages are welcome to attend. Whether you have decided it’s time to move or are looking for ways to stay safely in your home a little longer, or are looking for information to help somebody you know make those decisions, I’m sure the Housing Resource Fair will have something for you. Doors open at 12:30pm, with information available from the various displayers. Tom McNulty and the guest panelists will speak from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, with time for questions and answers. And, from 3:00 – 3:30pm the vendors will again be available for attendees to visit and gather information. For more information or to RSVP please call 433-1886.

A rich musical history: Theatre Organ Society

Music grabs our emotions instantly in a way few other art-forms can. This week I’m writing about a topic that is one of the best kept secrets in Lockport – the Lockport Theatre Organ Society and their concerts. The group has an interesting history and offers an affordable evening of entertainment – right inside The Dale Association building at 33 Ontario Street in Lockport. Here is the most interesting history of the group and how their organ came to be located at The Dale Association – its fifth location. Originally, it was built and shipped from the Wurlitzer factory in North Tonawanda to Picadilly Theatre in Rochester, NY in the year 1919. Shortly after being installed in the Picadilly, at the request of the theatre owners, a change was made to the pipes. Wurlitzer removed the instrument from the Picadilly and in early 1933 it was reinstalled in the Northeast Temple Masonic Lodge in Buffalo, NY. The organ was used extensively at the lodge until the late 1960’s. Time and use took its toll and by that time it needed an extensive rebuild. The cost of the rebuild was too costly for the lodge and the decision was made to scrap the Wurlitzer. In 1969, Mr. Harold Hontz, a retired theatre organ hobbyist residing in Williamsville, NY got word that the organ was available from the temple and purchased it. With the help of some fellow hobbyists, he had the Wurlitzer moved, set up and playing in his home basement within 10 days. After a number of years at this location, the Wurlitzer was once again put up for sale. About that same time, having recently formed the Lockport Theatre Organ Society, a group of local individuals were in search of a theatre pipe organ to install in Lockport’s Palace Theatre. Hearing about the instrument, the membership of the Society secured a demand note from a local bank and purchased the organ. On Easter Sunday weekend in 1979, early members of the society began to disassemble and move the organ from its home in Williamsville to its new home at The Palace. Pickup truck load after pickup truck load of organ parts were loaded, transported and unloaded until nothing was left in Mr. Hontz’s basement and the stage was full at the Palace. While installation of the organ progressed, negotiations regarding the ownership of the instrument and its use continued between the Theatre Organ Society and the building owner. It was decided that a search for a new home should begin again. In the meantime, the bank holding the note on the loan for the organ demanded their money. Several club members, who truly believed in the project, loaned the club money out of their own pockets to payoff the loan and keep the project afloat. Club member Harold LeValley was also an active participant in activities at the Dale Association’s Senior Centre and suggested that the society look at the large room at The Dale Association as a possible new home for the organ. Records from the Theatre Organ Society show that Bette Dale and members of the board bent over backwards for the group and were enthusiastic to have the Centre be home to the organ. Installation at The Dale Association’s Senior Centre began in January 1981. The formal dedication concert was held on October 26, 1983 with Mr. Harold LeValley serving as Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Otto Struckmann gave the invocation and Bette Dale delivered the dedication liturgy. During the organ’s installation, over 15,000 man hours were spent rebuilding, refinishing and installing the organ in its new home, with all work being performed by volunteers. Many changes were made to both the console and the “works” to allow the organ’s sound and ease of operation to be improved over that of the time that is was built in 1919. Next time you are at The Dale Association’s Centre, I hope you notice the organ and have an appreciation for its beauty and recognize it as the jewel it is. Better yet, come out and enjoy a concert. Music engages us on all sorts of different levels. The next concert is scheduled for Monday, October 20th at 7:00 pm. Admission is $6.00. The Lockport Theatre Organ Society presents A Gospel Favorites Performance featuring Tim Schramm and Dennis Overholt on the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ and Wurlitzer grand piano with special guests on the guitar and saxophone. A native of Rochester, Tim Schramm started playing the piano at age 5. At 10 years old, he was introduced to the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. At a young age, he was the accompanist for the Harmonairs Gospel Quartet playing southern gospel music. He is currently the accompanist for the Rochester City School district. He is also director of music ministries at St. Michaels Roman Catholic Church in Newark, NY. Also playing will be Dennis Overholt on the Wurlitzer grand piano, Tim Burdick on saxophone, and Chuck Cupp on bass guitar. Tickets are available in advance or at the door at The Dale Association, 33 Ontario Street, Lockport. Proceeds from the concert on October 20th benefit The Dale Association’s Centre.