Generations
November 5, 2021 | Monthly News & Updates
COUNCIL ON AGING NEWS
Our Annual Turkey Takeout:

Show your support and join us for our annual Turkey Takeout!

If you’re in need of a hot meal(s) on Thanksgiving Day, please fill out the form: Turkey Takeout. Meals can be picked up Thursday, November 25th from 10AM to 12PM here at the Osceola Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, FL 34744.

If you prefer a Thanksgiving Meal Kit to be prepared at home, the United Way Thanksgiving Project will be providing meal kits for pick up on November 20th here at the Osceola Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Please apply at this link: Thanksgiving Meal Kit (Kits are limited and subject to availability)

For sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: (407) 933-9534 or Oliverab@osceola-coa.com.


Osceola Council on Aging Christmas Shop
Serving over 500 disadvantaged children in Osceola County.
In this season of giving, we are in need of toy donations for our Christmas Shop. We are seeking donations of new and unwrapped toys for all ages, especially for those 12-17 years old. All toys will be distributed to children from our disadvantaged families in our Community Action Programs.

For donations, please contact Jacqueline Perez at Perezj@osceola-coa.com or Belinda Olivera at Oliverab@oseola-coa.com.
Osceola Council on Aging: Mercedes Car Raffle
Win A Car. Help Osceola Residents.

Wouldn’t this 2021 Mercedes GLA make an amazing family car? Buy a raffle ticket today and help the Osceola Council on Aging support our seniors, disabled adults, the disadvantaged and families in poverty. It all starts with a $25 donation.
Years ago getting donations was easy. Mail a bunch of people, and wait for the checks to arrive. Recently, with COVID19 we are finding it more difficult to attain donations to support our residents. Hosting this Mercedes car raffle will help replace the many fundraisers we were unable to host this year.

It’s a win-win!! The raffle will help subsidize needed donations, and one lucky donor gets a chance to WIN A CAR.

The odds of winning this Mercedes are better than winning the lottery. So why not give to a cause you believe in? If not interested in the Car Raffle you are welcome to just donate.

Here’s how it works:
  • There is no donation limit, so get as many raffle tickets as you want to enter to win – $25/ticket
  • Tickets are on sale now and will be sold until the drawing at Osceola County Council on Aging New Year's Eve on December 31st.
Florida Blue Foundation Launches #FloridaGives
 
From November 8 – 14, we ask our supporters, followers, employees, and volunteers to go to Twitter or Instagram to share the name (Osceola Council on Aging) and tell why they are grateful for our organization using #FloridaGives.

Help us win $10,000 from the @FLBlue Foundation. It’s easy! Download the #FloridaGives “Proud to Support” graphic and share why you support Osceola Council on Aging at spr.ly/FloridaGives2021

How it works:
  • When posting to social media, you can tag Florida Blue (@FLBlue on Twitter or @Florida.Blue on Instagram).
  • You can also include the “Proud to Support” graphic provided below.
  • If you do not have Twitter or Instagram, you can submit our nonprofit’s name and explain why you are grateful for our organization on the campaign page, spr.ly/FloridaGives2021
  • We encourage you to share and submit throughout the week to increase our organization’s chance of winning.

Thank you for supporting us!

"Hi, my name is Jessica Ramos and I have been employed with the Council on Aging for 21 years. The adult daycare has always been my second home. I have been working as a C.N.A. for 28 years. I love what I do. Taking care of clients has always been very fulfilling and rewarding. Happy to be part of this agency."
Osceola Council on Aging Testimonials:
"I am Casey Baker with Land title Professionals. We deliver Meals on Wheels as a way to give back to our community. We work here, live here and raise our families here. It's our way of connecting with our seniors and making our community a better place."

-Casey Baker, Meals on Wheels Volunteer


Our mission is to provide services to enable independence and self-sufficiency for seniors, disabled adults, the disadvantaged and families in poverty; and that's exactly what we do! If you have a testimonial and would like us to share it with the community, please feel free to submit them to perezj@osceola-coa.com. We will be sharing client testimonials monthly on our website and Facebook page.
Osceola Council on Aging Wishlist

We would like to introduce you to our new Osceola Council on Aging Wishlist. From time to time, we receive inquires with regards to both the agency and clients' needs. we have developed this wishlist to help you know what our needs are.

We greatly appreciated each and every one of you that have donated in the past and to those who would like to donate to help us better meet the needs in our community.
Platinum Seal of Transparency

Our organization earned a 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency!
Now, everyone can see our strategy, metrics, and achievements.

Check out our updated #NonprofitProfile on Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/59-1595398
NEED ASSISTANCE?

The Osceola Council on Aging Food Pantry provides hunger relief for those in need in the community by providing a box of food once a month. It brings help and hope to people in need.

Food Pantry hours: Every Thursday from 9:30 am to 10:30 am 
(Days and hours may change due to schedule conflicts and holidays)


Only one registration per household will be accepted. You may only receive food once a month. We reserve the right to limit the number of households per address.

Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation via email. You must present a copy of your printed confirmation email or show it to us on your phone or another mobile device to receive food. We ask that you arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your given appointment time. The confirmation may only be used by one individual per household.

The amount of product is limited so registration will close when we reach capacity and will reopen when we are restocked. The person who registers must be the person who attends, as this is information that will be used to verify your household.

Upcoming food pantry Dates:

November 4th
November 11th
November 18th


HEALTH & WELLNESS
American Diabetes Month
MOST COMMON TYPES OF DIABETES
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Body does not produce enough insulin. Occurs at every age, size, or shape and in every race. No cure but it can be managed.
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Body produces insulin but cannot use it well. The most common form of diabetes and is preventable.
  • Pre-Diabetes
  • A condition before Type 2 Diabetes is developed, where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to diagnosis as diabetes.

SYMPTOMS
  • Urinating often
  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
  • Weight loss - even though you are eating (type 1)
  • Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)

RISK FACTORS FOR PRE-DIABETES
  • Age 45 or older
  • Are Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander
  • Have a parent, brother, sister with diabetes
  • Are overweight
  • Are physically inactive
  • High blood pressure or taking medicine for it
  • Low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
  • Had gestational diabetes or diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

TAKE ACTION
  • Make a healthy change. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Reduce the amount of added sugar in your diet.
  • Know your numbers. Get regular health screenings with a medical practitioner to check blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, A1C and cholesterol.

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.
Understanding Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that consists of weakened bones and increased fracture risk. It's sometimes called a "silent disease" with few, if any, noticeable changes to your health to indicate you have it. In fact, the first indication of osteoporosis often is when a bone breaks.
Although it can strike at any age, osteoporosis mostly occurs in people over age 50. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, half of women and one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Taking steps to build bone health while you are young can literally make or break what will happen to your bones as you age. However, at every age, a healthful diet and regular weight-bearing exercise are important, helping to ensure bone tissue continues to build.

BONE HEALTH AND DIET
Bones may seem dry and dull, but they are far from it. They are constantly under construction; certain cells break down bone tissue and other cells use the calcium and nutrients from foods you eat to build new bone. If you are not physically active or getting the nutrition you need, bones will suffer — becoming less dense, weaker and more likely to fracture.

BONE-BUILDING NUTRIENTS
Calcium, the major nutrient needed to form new bone cells, is vital for bone health. Bones store more than 99% of the calcium in your body. Some calcium-rich foods include milk, yogurt and cheese, and calcium-fortified soy milk and fruit juice. Other good sources include soybeans, dark green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified tofu. Calcium needs change at different stages of life:

  • Children ages 1 to 3 need at least 700 milligrams of calcium a day.
  • Children ages 4 to 8 need at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.
  • Children ages 9 to 18 need at least 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day.
  • Adults ages 19 to 50 need at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.
  • Women over age 50 and men over age 71 need at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day.

Calcium cannot build bones alone. It works with other nutrients including vitamin D, vitamin K, potassium and magnesium to increase bone density and strength.

FOODS VS. SUPPLEMENTS
Supplements can't duplicate what foods offer naturally. If you are not able or prefer not to drink milk, make sure you're eating plenty of non-dairy calcium-rich and calcium-fortified foods and beverages. Consult with your doctor about taking a calcium supplement with vitamin D, especially if you are a woman in menopause or post-menopause.

A registered dietitian nutritionist can help you choose the best supplement for your bones and talk with your health care provider to determine if you may be at risk for osteoporosis.



CALENDAR OF EVENTS

*Due to COVID-19 all regularly scheduled meetings are being held virtually by Zoom. For more information on meetings contact Janice Casler at caslerj@osceola-coa.com

NOVEMBER:
Thursday, November 18th - Finance Committee* 12:00 P.M.
No meeting will be held in November for Executive Committee* & Board of Directors*

DECEMBER:
Wednesday, December 1st- Executive Committee* 3:00 PM & Board of Directors* 3:30 P.M.
WALL OF DONORS
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!
NOVEMBER'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