Generations
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 | Monthly News & Updates
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Congratulations to Ana Zaragoza
Our housing program offers a unique feature of service coordination. Service Coordinators help our elderly residents age in place by linking them to a wide range of services in the community. We are happy to have employees that are committed to our mission and share with us their God-given passion to serve. Congratulations to Ana Zaragoza at Oak Landings for winning the LeadingAge Service Coordinator Award 2020. Her passion, love, and contagious laugh brighten everyone's life at Oak Leaf Landings.
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We Need You to Brighten A Day!
Volunteers of any age are needed to write simple notes of encouragement to seniors.
A note or card to say, "Have a bright, sun-shiney day!" or a simple "You Matter" can brighten the day of a quarantined senior. Or, sharing an anecdote about your family, job, or hobby can enliven their day.
Seniors in quarantine feel the walls closing in. A note like yours can push those walls back and give them hope and help them feel less alone.
Notes received will be given to seniors receiving Meals on Wheels and those living in senior housing facilities.
- Please DO NOT lick the envelopes, instead, leave them unsealed.
- Do not write about politics or COVID-19. Uplifting subject matter only.
Letters may be dropped off at:
The Osceola Council on Aging,
700 Generation Point,
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Questions may be directed to Marie Blackford
or 407-933-9532
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Baby boomers are used to embracing grandparenting head on. Some of us have moved across the country to be with our grandchildren; others regularly bridge distances via FaceTime and Skype; many take pride in kayaking, rock climbing, jumping on trampolines, and doing yoga with our grandkids. Before the new coronavirus and COVID-19 came along, many grandparents were confident we could do it all. The threats posed by this new virus are humbling and present new conundrums. As schools and daycares temporarily close, many grandparents are wrestling with questions surrounding whether they can safely spend time with their grandchildren, and possibly help their adult children with childcare.
Is it safe to spend time with my grandchildren right now?
COVID-19 affects older people more severely than younger people — and children are notorious for spreading germs, notes Claire McCarthy, MD, a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital and faculty editor for Harvard Health Publishing.
“To be safe, grandparents really shouldn’t be doing childcare,” says Dr. McCarthy. “Even if the child is a baby who doesn’t go out into the world much at all, it’s impossible to...READ MORE
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Below are 8 ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month:
- Honor Hispanic People
- Appreciate Hispanic Art
- Read Hispanic Literature
- Listen to the Music of Talented Hispanic Performers
- Discover Hispanic-American History
- Have Fun the Hispanic Way
- Explore the Hispanic World
- Dine the Hispanic Way
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Say Hello, New Logo
Big news! Today, after 12 years, we’re releasing a new look which includes an updated logo, colors and a fresh coat of paint for our building. You’ll start seeing the new look anywhere we’re out in public as well on our social media channels. We believe the new look better embodies what we’ve become since 1971. Today we are Serving All Generations as a provider of services to enable independence and self-sufficiency for seniors, disabled adults, the disadvantaged and families in poverty.
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Donate Now: Help Needed Now
The Council on Aging continues to provide service to our most vulnerable home-bound seniors. We need help in addressing the critical shortage of funds and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our Home Care workers. COVID has not stopped our dedicated employees from serving our clients with personal care, homemaking, companion, or respite services. They continue to help clients with their daily activities of bathing, dressing, and meal preparations.
The staff is required to change PPE per client to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients. Therefore, in this unprecedented time, we need our community's support to help us meet the immediate needs of our front-line healthcare staff as they care for clients.
On behalf of our Home Care and Case Management Division, we thank you in advance for your support of monetary and/or PPE donations.
The funds will go to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
N95 respirator face masks
Vinyl Powder Free Gloves
Face-shields
General-purpose hand cleaners
Head Coverings
Shoe Coverings
Latex-Free Isolation Paper Gowns
Every gift—whether it’s $5 or $500—will make a difference. We thank you again for what you can give.
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Barney E. Veal Event Center Booking 2021
Looking to book a Wedding, Sweet Sixteen, Baby Shower, Birthday, Special Events, Corporate Events, etc... Look no further the Barney E. Veal Event Center has opened its 2021 calendar for bookings! Contact us for availability. Book your next event at a great price!
Take a peek at some photos from last week's styled shot!
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Osceola Council on Aging
Community Action programs
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The programs serve low-income populations
to help meet basic needs and support self-sufficiency.
In general, eligible participants may receive
access to available services, including:
• Emergency Utility Assistance
• Employment Support Services
• Rent & Mortgage Assistance
• Health Services
• Nutrition/Food Assistance
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You Can Now Apply Directly On Our Website! |
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10 Tips: Focus on Fruits
Eating fruit provides health benefits. People who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy eating style are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Fruits provide nutrients vital for health, such as potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate. Focus on whole fruits—fresh, canned, frozen, or dried—instead of juice. The sugar naturally found in fruit does not count as added sugar.
1. Keep visible reminders
Keep a bowl of whole fruit on the table, counter, or in the refrigerator.
2. Experiment with flavor
Buy fresh fruits in season when they may be less expensive and at their peak flavor. Use fruits to sweeten a recipe instead of adding sugar.
3. Think about variety
Buy fruits that are dried, frozen, and canned (in water or 100% juice) as well as fresh, so that you always have a supply on hand.
4. Don’t forget the fiber
Make most of your choices whole or cut-up fruit, rather than juice, for the benefits that dietary fiber provides.
5. Include fruit at breakfast
At breakfast, top your cereal with bananas, peaches, or strawberries; add blueberries to pancakes; drink 100% orange or grapefruit juice. Or, try a fruit mixed with fat-free or low-fat yogurt.
6. Try fruit at lunch
At lunch, pack a tangerine, banana, or grapes to eat or choose fruits from a salad bar. Individual containers of fruits like peaches or applesauce are easy to carry and convenient for lunch.
7. Enjoy fruit at dinner, too
At dinner, add crushed pineapple to coleslaw or include orange sections, dried cranberries, or grapes in a tossed salad. Try fruit salsa on top of fish.
8. Snack on fruits
Fruits make great snacks. Try dried fruits mixed with nuts or whole fruits like apples. They are easy to carry and store well.
9. Be a good role model
Set a good example for children by eating fruit every day with meals or as snacks.
10. Keep fruits safe
Rinse fruits before preparing or eating them. Under clean, running water, rub fruits briskly to remove dirt and surface microorganisms. After rinsing, dry with a clean towel.
In accordance with Federal Law and US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis or race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all program.) to file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Wake up and smell the … antioxidants?
If you think your morning cup of joe provides nothing more to your body than a jolt of caffeine, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that your daily cup may provide some additional benefits as well. Drinking moderate amounts of coffee has been linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
And those antioxidants? Although researchers have yet to determine the exact mechanisms behind some of the disease-preventing effects, it is important to keep in mind that these compounds may be exerting other beneficial effects, such as acting as an anti-inflammatory. Coffee also contains small amounts of some nutrients, including potassium, niacin and magnesium.
Making your coffee a vehicle for fat-free or low-fat milk is one way to increase your daily calcium and vitamin D intake. If your... READ MORE
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Thank you to all of our donors. We are not able to get a photo of every donor but we thank you all the same.
We are so fortunate to have had so many of you reach out to us asking how you can help and what you can do to ensure our community is well cared for. As an essential business we provide meals and other services to members of the community in need.Your donations are more critical now than ever to ensure they continue to receive these services during this unprecedented time.
Our greatest needs are contributions, both monetary and grocery items, for our community food pantry. We are trying to keep up with the new demand and increasing needs to feed the community. Leveraging your monetary donations allows us to stretch your dollars to serve even more individuals.
Thank You!
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SEPTEMBER'S NEWSLETTER SPONSORED BY |
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Osceola Council on Aging | www.osceolageneration.org
Solicitation of Funds The Osceola County Council on Aging, Inc. #SC00067 has complied with the registration requirements of Chapter 496, F. S., Solicitation of Contributions Act. "A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE." 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com
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