nwc 2nd annual welcome back party - neighbors who...

Caring for Our Community, One Neighbor at a TimeVolume 18 • Issue 3 • Sept. 2014

10450 E. Riggs Rd., #113Sun Lakes, AZ 85248Phone: 480-895-7133Fax: 480-895-5508

www.neighborswhocare.com

It is that time again!Neighbors Who CareWelcome Back Party “Community Fair”

Gro

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2014

The Year of the Volunteer

2014 Community Fair

Saturday - October 25, 2014at Neighbors Who Care

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

NWC 2nd AnnualWelcome Back Party

Once again it is that time to circle Oct. 25 on your calendar. Last year we had a great time getting to know the people who provide services in our community; businesses; and benevolent organizations. This year promises to be bigger and better. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your new neighbors and welcome back old friends. Bring your family, kids and grandkids, your neighbors, and your friends.

Back again this year will be the Dunk Tank, pumpkin decorating, blood pressure checks, flu shots, chair massages, music, and so much more. There will be food, snacks, sodas, water, games for the adults and games for the kids, raffles and a fantastic door prize.

2 | www.neighborswhocare.com

Eric EhstExecutive Director

All Services per Fiscal Year. 2013-2014

Volunteers – 458

Clients – 584

Hours – 18,737.25

Miles – 132,325

Occasions – 18,682

Our Mission

The comfort of home and the dignity of independence; at

Neighbors Who Care, community volunteers

help the elderly liveat home.

Our Vision

The elderly are able to live at home for as long as feasible with pride, dignity, and

independence.

The Care Connection is the official newsletter of Neighbors Who Care, Inc.This newsletter is delivered to all volunteers, clients, donors, and associates of Neighbors Who Care, inc. on a quarterly basis. You have received this publication because we believe that you take pride in your community and service to improve the quality of life for others, one neighbor at s time. This newsletter provides you with wellness information and advertising that enhances your awareness of other services in our community. We are always interested in your comments or suggestions.While efforts to ensure accuracy are exercised, the publisher assumes no liability for the information contained in either editorial or advertising content. Neighbors Who Care does not endorse any commercial products or information that may be advertised in the newsletter.

Welcome BackEric Ehst, Executive Director

To all who’ve been away this summer – We missed you! Summer is always tough at NWC. About 40% of our volunteers leave for cooler climes; staff members want to take a much-needed vacation; donations drop off; and it’s just plain hot. This year we’ve also dealt with mini-tornados and power outages. Unfortunately, most of the homebound people we help are unable to leave town and must still rely on our services. Our summer volunteers are overworked and, rarely, we have to tell a client that we don’t have anyone to get their groceries or take them to a doctor’s appointment. It’s times like this that make us really appreciate all that you do to help your neighbors and the community. So we are really glad you’re back.

Be sure to attend our gala Welcome Back Community Fair on Saturday, October 25th (see details in this newsletter). Bring your friends and family. Last year over 400 attendees had a great time.

The need for Neighbors Who Care and its services is still growing. The population is aging; over one third of our clients are now over 85 and the oldest is a spry 102. In the last year we added 309 new clients (up from 280 the year before) who would not be

able to continue living in their homes without your help. Dinner deliveries set a record with 8267 in the last year. Our new program to aid people being discharged from hospitals and other medical facilities, when they are at their most vulnerable, is receiving rave reviews. Not one of the 24 clients put in the program during the first 6 months had to be readmitted to the hospital.

Our success is not going unnoticed. Over the past several years NWC has won a string of awards and prizes. This summer we received a Desert Peaks Award for successful public-private partnerships from the Maricopa Association of Governments and one of only 10 national STAR Awards for outstanding volunteer transportation systems. We are also embarking on a partnership with Phoenix Fibers to sponsor a textile recycling program, where clothes and shoes can be recycled with the proceeds going to NWC. Look for the Neighbors Who Care recycling bins coming to various locations in Sun Lakes and Chandler.

We can’t do any of this without you: our volunteers, donors, friends, and supporters. You are the Neighbors Who Care.

THANK YOU!

If you would like to experience the deep personal satisfaction that comes from volunteering to assist your neighbors or if you know of someone who needs our help, contact us at 480-895-7133.

www.neighborswhocare.com | 3

From the Board…

Staff

Be a Neighbor Who CaresBoard Members for Neighbors Who Care take on a variety of

responsibilities that help to strengthen and make viable the Organization we love. Like all volunteers we willingly lend our time and talents to further the goals of the Organization, because we appreciate its importance in the safety network of our community. One of the responsibilities of a board member is to raise awareness of the services our organization offers seniors in our community so they know where to turn for help. Another is to raise funds so that the organization can provide those needed services. So as I go about my daily life I try to make others aware of the opportunities that Neighbors Who Care provides for volunteers to be of service, by providing help as drivers, friendly visitors, etc, bringing solace and assistance to those in need. We each give of our time and support, no matter how small, and these small efforts contribute to the overall mission of the Organization and help make someone’s day better. We, the volunteers, are the helping hand, the neighbor who cares.

The other day a friend mentioned that she needed the sleeves of some of her husband’s shirts shortened. To get this done professionally would cost her $18 per shirt and she had quite a few shirts that were useless to her if not shortened. I felt I could help her. Maybe I couldn’t do a professional job but I had sufficient knowledge and talent to do a decent job. So we settled that I would do the task, and she would donate to my favorite charity [Neighbors Who Care, naturally]. So I thought if I can offer assistance with simple tasks such as sewing, mending, turning up a hem, that there are others of you out there who can do simple tasks that some seniors cannot do for themselves, which would in turn bring in some needed donations for the organization. What other simple needs do you or your neighbors have that are not being fulfilled? Please let us know about them and tell us if you are willing to help so that together we can fulfill a need, and make someone’s life better. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Gary Hutchinson

Richard EslickChair

Ron ChaseTreasurer

Mahnaz Pourian Wes Davis

Christine RaneyVice Chair

Colette McNallySecretary

Carol BowersVol. Serv.

Joan ByrnesDinner Del.

Eric EhstExec. Dir.

Bonnie KosarCase Worker

Jonathan AskewJim Brown


Wish ListThank you for all who donated cookies,

popcorn, and coffee.

Cookies always disappear quickly, but they also freeze.

We always appreciate COOKIES, bottled WATER, individually packaged CHIPS, PRETZELS, SNACKS,

and HARD CANDY to share with the Volunteers.


Transportation Raffle Winners

Winners of the April - June 2014Drivers Raffle are:

April 2014$50 Gift Card – 100-315 miles

Dee Rietveld 315 milesJoe Klimoski 174 milesJim Wood 150 milesCarol Virkler 148 milesCarolyn Barrans 120 miles

$25 Gift Card – 50-99 milesMaureen Sadeik 91 milesColette McNally 88 milesLiz Morque 86 milesJan Mullet 75.5 milesRoger Arrand 63 milesDiana Kuchera 62 milesCurt Larson 62 milesJim Agar 62 milesDavid Walker 60 milesJoyce Davey 58 miles

May 2014$50 Gift Card – 100-343 miles

Cheryl Stacy 343 milesJean Kulander 218 milesDale Harner 212 milesGordon McCleary 118 milesJerry Rex 113 miles

$25 Gift Card – 50-99 milesArnold Arellano 88 milesWoody Neiman 83 milesSylvia Buehler 82 milesRachel Enloe 82 milesJudy Lamers 79 milesGerry Rooney 76 milesJanet Rhea 68 milesTheresa Russ 63 milesArt Baessler 60 milesDarlene Howard 58 miles

JUNE 2014$50 Gift Card – 100-322 miles

Irene Johnson 287 milesSue Edwards 126 milesBetty Sanders 125 milesRita Brown 119 milesLou Maldonado 100 miles

$25 Gift Card – 50-99 milesRosemary Hopkins 98 milesMarie McCadden 90 milesGary Norton 87 milesCharlie Sivertson 80 milesStu Frost 76 milesJohn Rader 73 milesJanet Rose 69 milesRonald Mancuso 66 milesMarcie Noble 53 milesBob Wood 50 miles

Neighbors Who Care offers the AARP Driver Safety Program each 2nd Thursday of the month at 12:30 in our Volunteer Room. The course is recommended for each of our Volunteers who drive our clients and required for our volunteer Van Drivers.

AARP Driver Safety Program

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Sponsored by Neighbors Who Care, Inc.For information call 480-895-7133

Every Monday1—3 PM

Risen Savior Lutheran Church23914 S. Alma School Road

All familyCaregivers are welcome


SO WHAT’S FOR DINNERBy Joan Byrnes, Dinner Delivery Coordinator

I am so happy to share with friends and neighbors that the Neighbors Who Care Dinner Delivery Program is growing and has provided over 8100 meals this past year. The success of our Dinner Delivery

Program is because everyone on the staff and our fantastic volunteers at NWC have worked so hard to make it so!

If you know someone who might benefit from our Dinner Delivery Program, please ask them to call our office, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, 480-895-7133, and ask for our Social Worker, Bonnie Kosar. Bonnie will make an appointment with them to determine if there might be other services that NWC provides that would be of help to them.

I am always looking for volunteers to help deliver the meals to our clients. Please call me if you can spare some time and would like to help. If you are already, a volunteer I can assign you to a route of four or more stops. If not, sign up for the next volunteer orientation class.

Thank you to for all you do. Talk to you soon!


Fry’s Community Reward ProgramIf you shop at Fry’s Food stores and have a Fry’s VIP card you can register to have your purchases count towards a donation from Fry’s to Neighbors Who Care.If you have a Fry’s online account:• Go to www.frysfood.com• Click on “Sign In”• Click on “My Account”• Scroll down to “Community Rewards”• Click on “Choose” or “Edit”• Under “Select Your Organization” either find

“Neighbors Who Care, Inc.” or enter our organization number 25135

• Click on “Save Changes”• You should now see Neighbors Who Care listed

under “Community Rewards” whenever you visit your Account Summary page

If you do not have a Fry’s online account:• Go to www.frysfood.com

• Click on “Register”• Enter your email

address and create a password

• Select your preferred store

• Click on “Create Account”

• Enter your Fry’s VIP card number (or phone number if tied to your VIP card) and your name

• When taken to the Account Summary page follow the instructions above to choose Neighbors Who Care to receive donations from Fry’s.

DESERT PEAKSAWARD

Neighbors Who Care received the 2014 Desert Peaks Award for Public-Private Partnership from the Maricopa Association of Governments for our work in the Greater Phoenix Age-Friendly Network.

Send a message to your family or friends wishing them a happy birthday or anniversary, even congratulations.

Each personal message is a 1/8 page size for $100.


NWC receives check from Sun Lakes Lions Club

NWC receiving a donation from the IronOaks Tennis Club

Eric Ehst , executive director of NWC receives a check $7,000 from the Sun Lakes Lions Club on June 5, 2014. The check was presented by Ruth Palmer, the president-elect of the Sun Lakes Lions Club. Thank you for all you do and your continued support of Neighbors Who Care.

Pictured is Rick Kenny, Co-Chair of the Calcutta Tournament Committee, Bonnie Kosar, NWC Case Manager, Richard Esleck, Chairman of the NWC Board of Directors.

Neighbors Who Care is the proud recipient of a donation of $1120.00 from the participants and sponsors of The Calcutta-A Charity Tennis Tournament at IronOaks.


Home Safety CHECKLIST❏ Do Steps Have proper handrails?

If they are missing, install at least one and preferably two.

❏ Are steps too steep, cracked or uneven?

Proper handrails are a must where stairs are steep. Having damaged or broken steps and a sidewalk repaired.

❏ Is there adequate lighting at night?

Ad an outdoor light if one is not available. Motion activated lights may provide much comfort and security.

❏ Is your senior loved on at risk of wandering?

Install barriers and fences in yard to help ensure a senior doesn’t wander. Place larger flowerpots near small openings to help re-direct. Create inviting areas including benches where an older adult can sit and enjoy nature.

❏ Can you or your senior hear the doorbell? or telephone?

A device that enables a ringing doorbell or phone to trigger a flashing light – including existing house lamps a special strobes for rooms where lamps aren’t generally used – lets you or your loved one know if someone is at the door.

These home safety tips come from the June Home Instead Newsletter. You may find the complete list at CaregiverStress.com.


Volunteers and Clients

As an organization Neighbors Who Care has had to set guidelines that are fair for all, so we can serve as many people as possible with the available volunteers. These guidelines include the criteria necessary to become a client, lead time to schedule a service, how often a client can use our services, etc. We also have to set priorities to insure we have the resources necessary to perform the most important services necessary to our clients' health and well being before scheduling the less important but nice to have tasks. This means we place a high priority on getting clients to vital medical appointments and insuring they have necessary medicines and food. This also affects how far we will transport a client. Often patients cannot control where they must go for a medical appointment, so we will transport them anywhere in the valley for medical reasons. Because all necessary shopping, banking, and personal care resources are available in our local area, we restrict shopping and errand trips to within the boundaries of our service area (Price Rd to Val Vista and Hunt Hwy to Queen Creek Rd).

Sometimes volunteers are called on to assist a client who doesn't exhibit an obvious need for their help: the client lives in a very nice house; there's a car in the garage; they can walk without assistance; a family member answers the door. Please remember, looks can be deceiving. A nice house does not mean a person is wealthy. A car in the driveway doesn't mean they can still drive it, or remember where they are going. Apparent physical health does not mean all is well. Family members are often overworked, overstressed, and unavailable when needed. Every client accepted by NWC undergoes a rigorous assessment by our staff case manager, Bonnie Kosar. She determines what NWC services they will benefit from and if they have a genuine need for our help. There are many factors, sometimes not obvious to the naked eye, that go into this determination.

Also, sometimes a volunteer is asked to assist a client who is out of sorts or who does not seem properly thankful for the help. Please remember that the people you're aiding are often suffering from a myriad of ills and woes. They can be depressed, afraid, or just hurting which can occasionally make them not good company. Although tempting, it would be bad policy to reject potential clients for being grouchy.

Finally NWC is, true to its name, an organization made up of people who care for the well-being of others.

Eric Ehst, Executive Director

— Volunteers and Clients cont. on page 14

Avoid Problems by Updating Beneficiary Designations

You work hard your whole life to build your financial assets — so when it’s time to consider your estate, you’ll want to make sure your assets are distributed as you intend.

This may not be as straightforward as it sounds. Why? Because some of your wishes expressed in your estate-planning documents may change over time. Beneficiary designations you filled out years ago on your IRA, 401(k) and life insurance policy may be outdated due to a life event such as marriage, divorce or remarriage, and your assets could be passed to those you didn’t intend.

So remember to consult your legal professional and periodically review your beneficiary designations. It’s pretty easy to change them — in fact, for some accounts, you can make changes online — but forgetting to make these adjustments could lead to issues after your passing. And you certainly don’t want to cause your loved ones any additional strains during an already stressful period.

Christine Lobdell Raney, your Edward Jones financial advisor, 480-802-0741. Member SIPC


Sept. 9, 2014 Introduction Meeting of Council11:30 am Meet new members and officers; and assess or revise

calendar for coming year SL UMC Education Room

Oct. 7, 2014 Committee Planning for New Year11:30 am Representatives of each congregation meet to plan up-

coming events for IFC SL UMC Education Room

Nov. 22, 2014 Gratitude Dinner (4:00 – 6:00 pm) - Details to come

Dec. 7, 2014 Chandler Symphony Winter Concert SL UMC 3:00 and 6:30 pm

January 2015 Faith Appeal for NWC Month Speakers at each congregation: Talk about NWC and make appeal for support

Mar. 1, 2015 Unity Concert - SL UMC 3:00 pm

Mar. 22, 2015 Spring Dialogue and Seder (5 – 7 pm) - Details to come

Apr. 7, 2015 Council and Committee Meeting11:30 am Debrief year and nominate officers SL UMC Education Room

May 4, 2915 Election of Officers - Annual Birthday Celebration11:30 am SL UMC Education Room

Interfaith Council of Greater Sun Lakes Calendar

Sept. 9th ARIZONA BALLOT MEASURES presented by Eric Ehst of Neighbors Who Care

Oct. 14th MEDICARE UPDATE presented by Glen Spencer of Area Agency on Aging

Nov. 11th OUR LEGACY, Having the Family Conversation, Personal Wishes presented by Christine Lobdell Raney of Edward Jones and Lou Silverman, Estate Attorney

Jan. 13th TECHNOLOGY, How to use the new Gadget you received as a gift

Feb. 10th DRIVER INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY presented by TB

Mar. 10th TOPIC TBA presented by Elaine Poker-Yount of Visiting Angels

Apr. 14th NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY How to leave you home safely for the summer presented by the Sun Lakes Fire Department

Joint Community Education Workshopsfor Neighbors Who Care/ Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

sponsored by Christine Lobdell Raney/Edward Jones2nd Tuesday of the Month ~ Call Diane to RSVP 480-802-0741


RECYCLINGSERVICE!

Sun Lakes Disposal is generously donating revenue generated from its curbside recycling collection to Neighbors Who Care. If you are a client of Sun Lakes Disposal, your recycling efforts are hard at work! Neighbors Who Care is proud to have Sun Lakes Disposal as a partner in our effort to make Sun Lakes a better place to live.If you are looking for a residential garbage service provider, please consider Sun Lakes Disposal.

Sun Lakes DisposalResidential Garbage ServiceCALL TODAY

480.895.2965arizonasanitation.com

FREEAnd Receive

*

*One time $25 container set-up fee

(Includes container delivery)

Sign-Up for Monthly Disposal Service

$16.65

AZ San NHC Ad 8.12.13.indd 1 8/13/2013 9:17:54 AM

Thank you for your ongoing help!

Starting this fall customized Neighbors Who Care Clothing Donation Bins will be available at select locations throughout the community. All

proceeds will aid the ongoing care for the elderly and disabled who want to live at home with pride,

dignity and independence.

Neighbors Who Care and Phoenix Fibers are teaming up for clothing

donations!

To learn more about this program please contact Neighbors Who Care or Julie Grahm at Phoenix

Fibers – 480.726.0001.

PHX Fibers Ad NWC.indd 1 8/1/2014 10:29:49 AM

OUTDATED CLOTHING?Donate to benefit NWC!

What can go in the Phoenix Fibers bin?

YES

NO

Clothing, Paired Shoes, Boots, and SandalsItems must be clean and free of

contaminants such as oil, solvents and paint.

No solid Waste, Cans, Cardboard, Sheets, Pillows, Blankets, Linens, Towels, Lawn Cushions, Paper, Books, Toys, Electronics and

Household Items.

Please bag your materials.

Bins will be located around the community. Please DO NOT brings items to NWC.


It’s the perfect blend of comfort, convenience and

a personalized approach to care. From endless social

opportunities, fine dining and a full service,

maintenance–free lifestyle to supportive assisted living

and memory care services, you’ll find the lifestyle options

at The Village at Ocotillo and Hawthorn Court to be

the perfect fit for you or your loved one’s individual

needs. Come see how rewarding and reassuring our

specially designed approach to senior living can be.

13822 So. 46th Place at Ray Road, Phoenix

(480) 359-3301

AN AWARD-WINNING MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY

What does well-being look like?

SRGseniorliving.com

INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES 990 West Ocotillo Rd, Chandler

(480) 269-1919

Certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

June was the start of a new program for Neighbors Who Care and our volunteers.

Every month when we get new volunteers, instead of messy fingerprints we will be going high tech to do our background check for each new volunteer, through Verified Volunteers, A Sterling Infosystems Company located in Fort Collins, CO, in partnership with Points of Light. Neighbors Who Care received a grant from the Mahnah Club this spring. The amount of this grant will cover part of the cost for each new volunteer’s background check this year. Each volunteer can go on line, register, answer 4 easy questions and within 72 hours the results will be recorded. If the person has a felony the results will take longer. These back ground checks will be available for individuals who volunteer with several organizations and may be kept with the volunteer. The check is updated every month for the first years. If the volunteer wishes to upgrade their class one check they may do so when they sign up and may also make a donation to NWC.

We occasionally (rarely) make exceptions to the rules when necessary to keep a client healthy and living in their own home, because that is our mission. When we err we try and do it on the side of compassion. If you ever have any questions or concerns about who we are helping, why we do what we do, or how we go about it, please bring them to the attention of Bonnie Kosar, or our executive director, Eric Ehst.

Every week we get notes from clients thanking us for helping them. We try to pass the accolades on to the volunteers but sometimes the message is missed. So THANK YOU to everyone who has been helping to fill so many empty slots during this very hot uncomfortable summer. Every volunteer in the office has been working extra hours and working very hard. Those who are driving are driving extra for us all. NWC is so proud of the work everyone does, and the patience of those we serve. You have all contributed to the excellent reputation we enjoy. Thank you so much for all you do

Volunteers and Clients ______________- continued from page 11


WATCH GREAT GOLF! $20 Any Day Ticket All Money Goes to Neighbors Who Care


Independent Living

Assisted Living

Memory CareO p e n i n g S p r i n g / S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Leasing Center Now Open: 480-822-1400 1425 S. Higley Rd., Suite 105, Gilbert, AZ 85296 | www.GenerationsSeniorLiving.com

ReseRve yOuR seat by the fiRe


On June 11, the National Volunteer Transportation Center, a program of the Community Transportation Association of America, announced the STAR Award winners and honorable mentions. The awards are intended to recognize outstanding volunteer transportation programs and will enable winners to continue involving volunteer drivers to promote and promote transportation services. This year 190 volunteer transportation programs from 30 states applied for a STAR Award. The Award winners were selected by a committee of nationally recognized experts in transportation, aging, and volunteerism; Neighbors who care, Inc, along with Hearts and hands, Akron, NY, Medical Mobility, Bounder, CO and Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition, Sedona, AZ were awarded $2500 for Merit.

STARAward


2014 Community FairNWC 2nd Annual Welcome Back PartySaturday - October 25, 2014 at Neighbors Who Care

10:00 am – 2:00 pmVOLUNTEER HELP WANTED• People to help set up and clean up• People to help: Sell Tickets, Help Visitors, Dunk Tank, Pumpkin Decorating, Food Service, Other Activities, Photographers, Tellers, Go-fers, Put Up Signs

Volunteers are asked to be at the NWC office at 8:30 am to get their Assignment. Continental Breakfast will be available. The event is from 10 am – 2 pm. We plan to have every thing cleaned up by 3:30 pm we did last year. All Volunteers will be identified by their NWC shirt. We will have T-Shirts available, please get your order in as soon as possible. Call 480-895-7133 to sign up.

HOW TO BE A SPONSOR AT THE COMMUNITY FAIR…Sponsorships are still available: Rent your table for $100 today.Be recognized in your community by being at this once a year affair!You may bring your own sun shade, table cloth, kotch-keys, and brochures. Many of our sponsors are providing a basket for the raffle that will be held at 2:30 pm. You may register on the phone. This year we will take credit cards.

WELCOME BACK PARTY ATTRACTIONS INCLUDESOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

continued on next page


TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TICKET TABLES LOCATED AT THE ENTRANCES.

Each ticket is $1.00 or 25 tickets for $20. EACH ATTRACTION WILL REQUIRE 1 ticket. All food will require 1 ticket.

MANY THINGS WILL BE FREE: Chair MassagesSpinal EvaluationsFoot EvaluationsBlood Pressure ChecksGlucose ChecksSkin ScreeningHearing ScreeningEye ScreeningFace Painting and more

Bring your insurance card to receive a flu shot.

Dunk Tank $1 win a prizeHose Pulling $1 win a prizeHorse Races $1 win a prizeNutrition Bingo $1 win a prizeRaffle ticket $1 each chance

Hot Dog/Hamberger $1Chips/snacks $1Soda $1

THERE WILL BE LOTS AND LOTS OF FUNAND SURPRISES IN STORE.

Our Primary Sponsor will be Keystone Law FirmMany other sponsors will be available to introduce their company and services. Including other not-for-profit organizations. Watch for EVENT signs up around the community before and the day of the event.

by providing you guaranteed protection.

has already changed the way you view Estate Planning

We have re-opened as

Now, thanks to you, we are growing. !Francisco P. SirventAttorney and Problem Solver at Law

Same phone number: (480) 209-6942

New –temporary– location: 3115 S. Price Road

Neighbors Who Care, Inc.10450 E. Riggs Rd., #113Sun Lakes, AZ 85248

nwc 2nd annual welcome back party - neighbors who...

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