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Can You Spot the Differences?
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Here are two photos of the same space. One was taken on February 28, 2020, and the other was taken on May 5, 2020. Can you spot the many differences? Go ahead and find as many differences as you can. Oh, by the way, there's no answer key. That's because we only want to point out three very important differences that are the most meaningful to us at Generations right now:
1. We're thrilled to have our Executive Director Doug Eschbach back with us after several month's leave of absence (he's pictured right in the middle of our latest "social distance" staff meeting circle).
2. There are a lot less people in the May 5th picture. We have to sit far apart from one another and wear masks. It's weird. It's taking a toll on the emotional well-being of all of us, and we know it's hard for you too.
3. Aside from the people sitting in the circle, the Community Room is empty in the May 5th picture. That's because we're preparing for work to get underway on our long-awaited renovations.
Read on for more information . . .
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We can't wait to
see you in person!
But in the meantime, here's what we're up to.
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Thanks to a task force of friendly (and bored) volunteers, we've recently started making check-in calls to many of our Participants. If you're not receiving a check-in call and you think you could use one, please let us know with a simple reply to this email. Be sure to include your current phone number.
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You've probably already heard that in Montgomery County, the
stay-at-home orders to protect Pennsylvanians and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 will be extended until at least Thursday, June 4.
Our fantastic staff, members of our Board of Directors, and employees from Montgomery County, along with a few dedicated volunteers continue to report to our Center several days per week. We are working with the essential task of providing food to our home-bound seniors. Meals on Wheels clients in the North Penn and Indian Valley areas currently receive one large delivery per week on Monday.
If you were signed up for a meal, seminar, or special program that was to take place onsite at Generations between now and June 4, please consider it cancelled. When we have reopening information, we will let you know as soon as possible. If you were signed up for a trip, and if we have information about cancellation/reimbursement, you may be receiving a call from us.
Also, see below for a compiled list of links to helpful articles and resources including emergency food information, voter information, meditation and exercise videos, and how to make video conference calls.
We are responding to emails and voice mails. If you have a question or concern, and especially
if you need assistance with basic needs
, please give us a call at 215-723-5841 or reply to this email and we will try to connect you with available area resources.
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When we last reached out, we stressed the importance of having a daily routine, and we shared some of the components we think are most important in a senior's routine. Specifically, we discussed (or lectured you) about physical activity. You should continue to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. We've added some additional helpful exercise links below. In this newsletter, we want to discuss your emotional well-being.
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Staying at home is causing most of us to feel a lack of control. No matter how many times we hear, "we're all in this together," it doesn't seem to help with the feelings of isolation or the inability to get motivated to carry on with business "as usual." Below are some tips and links that may be helpful to you in taking care of yourself emotionally during this time. Keep in mind, though, that self-care is unique to you. These are just suggestions. If these ideas don't feel right to you, try adding something else to your routine that fits into the general category.
Meditation
can be beneficial for mental health during this time. Take time to create space to check in with how you're feeling, and recognize any stress or worry you have.
Click here for a 20 minute meditation for a clear mind.
YouTube links contain ads that are not affiliated with Generations. You can usually "skip the ad" by clicking the button on the bottom right after a few seconds.
Do something you'll be glad you did later
,
whether it's making a meal for a friend, paying your bills, having a good laugh, or cleaning out your closet.
Focus on the positive.
Turning away from negative thoughts will boost your mood and enhance your emotional awareness and well being. Being emotionally aware doesn't mean that you lack frustrations, "mental issues," or stress in your life; it just means that you can cope with these things more easily.
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Emotional Wellness During Difficult Times: A Message From Doug Eschbach, Executive Director
I can’t tell you how good it feels to be back and working on a newsletter article! Three ER visits, several days in the hospital, eight days of inpatient therapy at Rockhill, a bunch of appointments at Penn and with local doctors gathering second and third opinions… and still no one has any diagnosis for the neurological “event” that happened to me in January.
Since I’ve been back, I’ve heard a bunch of rumors that I’m glad to dispel. The most shocking that I’ve heard is that I’m dying of a brain tumor. Nope. Not true. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. And the rumor that I’ve gotten the biggest kick out of is that I have syphilis. Again, nope. Not true. Yes, it’s good to be back, even if the cause for all of this is never really known. I still walk like my balance is bad (it is) but so much has gotten better and I’m really grateful.
Over the course of my time away, I had a lot of time to think. Much of what I thought about was pleasant and productive. I had time to think about the Center, about our team of employees, and about all of you. But a lot of what I thought about was emotionally hard. What happened? Would I get better? Would I ever be able to return to work? Could I live alone? Would I ever be, again, the person I was before?
With so many things to be grateful for, I almost felt guilty for entertaining those darker thoughts. But they came at quiet times, and they came unbidden. And they were frightening. They were frightening because I didn’t know, and didn’t have much control of what lay ahead. Those worried thoughts were just as real for me as any of my physical symptoms.
It’s not lost on me that many of us have those kinds of thoughts right now. During this time of quarantine; during this time when so many of us are alone; during this time of crazy uncertainty when the things that we depend on (like each other) are denied us; we (all) can struggle with our worries and with dark thoughts.
And so, that is why we have chosen to focus this issue of our email newsletter on the importance of emotional health. Our first issue was about the importance of continuing exercise (which can also help with emotional wellness), but this issue takes hold of the demons that crowd our minds and turn patience into despair.
We at Generations are eager to reach out to you and say that in these days, all of us face some level of despair. No one is immune to that. But we want to encourage you, too, that this time of isolation from others will come to an end! There really are better days that follow this hardship. We really will open again and be a place where you love to come and see your friends! Maybe not yet, but it really will happen!
And I, for one, hardly can wait. I hardly can wait to see you walk through those doors again. I look forward to the time when we can talk and laugh together again; when our lives can return to so many things we valued. We’re committed to doing that in a safe way as we wait for the time when getting together again is healthy for all of us and not a danger. It WILL come!
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Bucks Mont
Senior Golf League
Generations Participants again are invited to play golf this year at Twin Woods Golf Course in Hatfield. The season began on Monday, May 5 following Gov. Wolf’s lifting of the ban on golf courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Details about the league and the registration form are available online at
bucksmontgolf.com OR Call Twin Woods Golf Course to register:
215-822-9263.
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The Importance of Exercise During Quarantine
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Stay Connected Using Video Conference Calls
We have some updates to our video conferencing tutorials using the popular apps FaceTime, Google, Skype and Zoom. We challenge you to watch the videos, and then get connected with each other. Thanks to our volunteer "techy," Tom for your assistance in teaching us "old dogs" some new tricks!
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The Montgomery County Project HEARTH program (Helping Elderly Adults Remain in Their Homes) is up and running during this very stressful time. They hope to continue sending out volunteers to help with shopping, running errands, and yard work. Potential volunteers, as well as clients, should contact Aaron Shostak at 610-326-1610 ext 335 or email him at
[email protected]
.
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Work On Our Renovation Project Is Underway
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We're excited to announce that the remodeling of our Charles H. Allebach, Jr. Community Room is slated to begin in the days and weeks ahead. After hours of worrying about how and where to relocate the programs and events on our normally very full calendar, we currently have the unique circumstance of an empty room. Thanks to some creativity on the part of our renovation committee, we are moving forward with the remodeling activities that are currently permissible under Gov. Wolf's guidance.
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At this time, monetary donations to help us maximize our efforts for our Meals on Wheels clients are the best way to help. To donate by mail, send your check payable to Generations, with "Meals on Wheels" in the memo, to us at 259 N. Second St., Souderton, PA 18964. To donate online via Paypal, click on the button below.
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If you
are
braving the grocery store during the pandemic, please consider a visit to Giant Food Store in Souderton to support Generations of Indian Valley/Senior Adult Activity Center. We will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 reusable bag sold in JUNE at the Souderton Giant. If you're extra motivated, this store serves only customers who are age 60 and over first from 6:00 a.m - 7:00 a.m daily.
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Anyway, What Are
You
Up To?
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Send Us Your Stay at Home Photos or Stories!
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We would love to start documenting what our Participants are doing while they have to stay at home. Have you learned something new? Are you enjoying a renewed relationship with your beloved spouse? Have you eaten more than your share of sweets and treats? Whether you are pursuing a hobby, getting stronger, or going crazy, we want to know. Send us a picture or reply to this email (even if you'd prefer not to include a picture) to let us know what you've been up to. Be sure to include your name and contact information.
You can also send a hard copy of a photo or letter to us at
259 N. Second St.,
Souderton, PA 18964
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Click on the helpful links below for further resource information. . .
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If you haven't already "friended us" on Facebook, now would be a great time to do it, since we're posting updates and helpful information there each week. Click on the link to our Facebook page below!
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