February 2020

Issue 8|Volume 3

Dear Friends, During this time of uncertainty, I am positive that the services Meals on Wheels Diablo Region provides are now more essential than ever.    As social events are suspended, our seniors face increased isolation and it is important we be there for them. Luckily, we are able to check in on the people we serve regularly through our Friendly Callers program. These checks are a lifeline to those who are alone during this period. It is vital that we protect our vulnerable seniors, staff, and volunteers while continuing to deliver meals every day.    Join me in celebrating seniors this month during March for Meals and read on to see all of the great ways we are there for older adults in our community Sincerely, Caitlin Sly Executive Director

INSIDE THIS ISSUE MOW Diablo Region Gives the Gift of Mobility The Census is Here! On Our Way to Signing Up 30 People! Matter of Balance Class Gives Senior Parkinson Patients the Right Tools Intergenerational Gatherings Expand Social Circles

MOW DIABLO REGION GIVES THE GIFT OF MOBILITY

MOW Diablo Region staff look on as Deborah backs out of her driveway on her new mobility scooter.

Three of MOW Diablo Region’s homebound seniors recently received a gift of mobility thanks to John Muir’s Physical Therapy department and an anonymous donor who donated five new mobility scooters to our agency.    MOW Diablo Region’s Nutrition Services team worked to match the scooters to interested clients, like Deborah who was waiting anxiously in her garage when the trailer loaded with scooters pulled up. She was beaming from ear to ear as Oakley Volunteer, Dan Castor drove the scooter down the ramp and up to her house.     MOW Delivery Associate, Brian Underwood went through all of the operating instructions with Deborah including testing turn signals and answering her questions about speed and battery life. Once Deborah understood everything about the scooter she shed tears of joy. “I can’t believe this is mine!” she said. “Now I don’t have to bother my family when I’m out of cat food. I can go to my church down the street whenever I want, not just on Sunday! I feel like I got my freedom back. I am very grateful to Meals on Wheels Diablo Region!” After taking a selfie with MOW Diablo Region staff, Deborah declared that she was going for a test drive to the supermarket. With a wave and two beeps of her horn she drove away filled with confidence and a renewed sense of independence.

Mary Alice was equally delighted to receive her scooter that day. She is unsteady on her feet, even with a walker and has lost all motivation to walk her dog Billy down to the corner market for fear of falling. The MOW Diablo Region Client Services Associate assigned to visit Mary Alice was concerned that she hadn’t left her small apartment in months.   When Mary Alice saw her shiny new mobility scooter she squealed with delight. “I’ve never had anything like this before!” After a quick lesson, she drove down the hall of her apartment building, deftly maneuvering corners and driving through the door of her apartment with precision. “I still have great depth perception!” she declared. The remaining scooters have been recently matched up to homebound seniors and like Deborah and Mary Alice they too will be able to maintain their independence and dignity.

THE CENSUS IS HERE!

The time has come! Census 2020 kicked off on March 12th! Can we count you in? Households have started receiving a notice in the mail with a unique code to fill out the census online for the first time ever. Make sure to count everyone living in your household as of April 1, 2020. Remember, your responses are confidential and will shape how much federal funding and civic representation our community gets for the next decade. You can fill out the census online, by phone, or by mail. After April, the Census Bureau will begin sending out Enumerators to follow up with households who haven’t responded. If you don’t have access to the internet and/or need assistance filling out your census survey, you can go to Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QACs) located throughout the county that will have laptops with secured internet, resources, and a person to help answer your questions and concerns. Click here for a list and location of all QACs in Contra Costa County. Nine questions, ten years of impact. Still have questions about how to respond to Census 2020 and how your data is protected? Click here to check out answers to frequently asked questions. For more information about Census 2020 and Contra Costa County’s efforts visit cococensus.org

ON OUR WAY TO SIGNING UP 30 PEOPLE!

One of the greatest challenges of being a nonprofit is raising funds to provide the services people so desperately need. At MOW Diablo Region, our clients face challenges every day too—namely, hunger and isolation. To address those two challenges, we’ve added another for us to meet. We set a goal to sign 30 people up in 30 days to become members of our Monthly Giving Circle. Monthly donors provide continuing financial support that ensures that MOW Diablo Region offers programs to meet the growing needs of our vulnerable elderly population. You’d be surprised how many of your elderly neighbors depend on the daily, hot nutritious meals MOW Diablo Region delivers as well as the human interaction that is so limited in their lives. And the whole-person, wrap around services MOW Diablo Region offers like low-impact exercises, and friendly visitor matches provide essential tools to keep bodies and minds healthy. Please help us meet the 30 in 30 challenge. We are halfway there. If we sign 30 people up by March 31st at any amount, we get closer to overcoming the challenges our elderly clients face every day!

MATTER OF BALANCE CLASS GIVES PARKINSON'S PATIENTS THE RIGHT TOOLS

Parkinson’s is not a basic disease. It doesn’t move in a straight line, and it’s hard to pin down exactly how it’ll progress. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease may cause sufferers to move more slowly, feel tightness, pain, and weakness, especially in the muscles and joints. Physical and occupational therapy may help with these symptoms. A Matter of Balance (MOB) is an 8-week structured group intervention that emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Senior participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and learn exercises that increase strength and balance. For Parkinson’s sufferers like Maureen and Carlos, our Matter of Balance classes offered through MOW Diablo Region’s Fall Prevention Program have provided some valuable techniques and strategies to navigate the future. Maureen remains active, participating in a rock steady boxing group, but she felt that her balance was continuing to get worse and her fear of falling was a constant worry. As she sat down for her seventh consecutive MOB class, she described how it has helped her. “My boxing classes keep my muscles strong, but the exercises from the Matter of Balance class keep my muscles loose. I do them in the morning and I don’t feel the tightness and rigidity I used to have,” she explained as she stretched her calf muscle. “My balance is now much better, and the Fall Prevention checklist that was provided has helped me identify tripping hazards in my house.”

Carlos has a goal of walking more and regaining a normal, wider gait. He feels that the MOB exercises will help him to increase his steadiness. “It’s convenient that these exercises can be done at home. My wife, Alvetta makes sure that I do them every day and we’ve both noticed that I’m walking better.” The classes are taught by registered nurse, Donna Cassidy and physical therapist, Jodi Kabat. “This group was already pretty active and most participated in some kind of physical therapy to help their mobility, but all of them have continually practiced the MOB exercises and have been very enthusiastic about learning how to make their physical environments safer,” explained Jodi.   Donna agrees with Jodi about the benefits of the class. “Lack of coordination and balance are problems that can increase suddenly. These exercises help Parkinson’s sufferers regain some control over the symptoms.” To learn more about Fall Prevention’s Matter of Balance classes—soon available in Spanish—contact Michele Alba at malba@mowdr.org.

INTERGENERATIONAL GATHERINGS EXPAND SOCIAL CIRCLES

If you’re of a certain age it’s easy to extol the virtues of a simpler time when dinner at Grandma’s house after Sunday services was the norm. In the current 100-mile an hour world we live in gathering multiple generations together to share a meal or socialize can often take a back seat. Norman Rockwell moments are often usurped by smart phone distractions and soccer games. MOW Diablo Region has stepped up to fill the gap with our intergenerational program. Our goal is to increase the quality of life for all participants—young and old—by creating memorable experiences through arts & crafts projects, shared meals, games, and one-on-one interaction. The activities provide opportunities for both groups to learn from one another and gain respect and understanding. A recent Valentine’s Day crafting party brought together seniors from Sycamore Place in Danville and youths from the Vista Oak Chapter of the National Charity League. The tables were buzzing with laughter and chatter as participants cut out red paper hearts and affixed paper doilies, created their own unique cards with their favorite decorations. Madeline, a resident at Sycamore admired the cards made by the young people at her table. “It feels like I am with my great grand kids. I think my great grandson would love this!”

Cheyenne, whose grandparents live across the country chimed in. “I never knew programs like this existed. I’m really having fun!” MOW Diablo Region’s Tuyet Iaconis summed up the special day. “Everyone was enthused to share their final artwork. We also provided snacks for everyone and the youths took it upon themselves to serve the snacks to the seniors. It was such a warm, loving experience for all.”

Spring is right around the corner and broccoli is in abundance. Check out this month's Health & Wellness blog to learn about the versatility of this heart healthy food and some some delicious recipes using the frozen variety.

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