My heart broke a little bit earlier this week

At the same time I was heartened, knowing we play a critical role in connecting our clients with needed care.

A volunteer called saying one of their people was extremely short of breath and was having difficulty speaking. Their “person” is a young 95 year old, legally blind, lives alone, doctors infrequently and has no family. Along with a formal Power of Attorney for finances, we are their only connection to the “outside world”. Six days a week we bring not just a meal, but also a conversation with a smile in our voices to this individual.

I called the client to check in and see how they were doing; not so good. They could barely talk – needing to take a breath after every 1-3 words. They were confused – when they’re usually very alert.

Initially, they were not interested in having us call 911. I asked them if they wanted us to call their doctor (they have difficulty seeing the buttons to dial out). They said they didn’t really have one. I asked where they usually went for medical care, and if I could call there. They replied “they wouldn’t know me.”

Their breathing remained shallow and labored. I could hear the anxiety in their voice and change in timbre. I could see their confusion in making a relatively simple decision – part of their mind knowing they should get help, but also uncertain if they “really” needed medical care.

I gently asked what they wanted to do to get help with their breathing. They replied “Well, I guess I should go see a doctor.” I quietly told them I was concerned about their difficulty breathing and that I thought it would be a good idea for the EMTs to come and help them get medical attention. They agreed.

I ended the conversation saying I was going to call 911 and would then call them back. With a sigh and crackle in their voice, they said “Oh, I’ve been such a fool…”

“More than a meal” could almost be our tagline.

• Our volunteers let us know when things aren’t “normal” with their people and we follow-up with those concerns.
• Small, handmade cards, placemats and other crafts from area school-aged children bring a bit of joy to someone who might be feeling a bit “blue”.
• Volunteers encounter situations where their quick response ends up saving lives.
• A birthday card and individual piece of cake (or sugar free candy) is sometimes the only recognition a client receives – not because of cultural or religious preferences, but because they have no one left.
• It’s a brief visit, but we break down the walls of social isolation.

As I finish writing this, I’m saddened as I imagine what it must be like to grow old and to have out-lived family and friends; to be visually impaired to where I can’t even see the buttons on the phone; and to become so confused, when I’m normally very alert, I can’t make decisions for myself. But there is a silver lining: I know that because of Meals on Wheels, because of the care and concern our volunteers have for “their people”, this person received medical attention they might not otherwise have received. Medical attention that sometimes saves a life.

by Beth Adams
Director, Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels

When to Make a Referral

It seems that we always get more referrals this time of year – the weeks between Thanksgiving and the New Year. We attribute it to younger family members seeing their aging parents or grandparents, and realizing their loved one could benefit from home delivered meals.

Mayo Clinic has a good article “Aging Parents: 7 warning signs of health problems” that provides useful suggestions and action steps for those who are starting to care for aging family members or friends. Below is a quick overview:

1. Are your aging parents taking care of themselves. We, including our volunteers, pay attention to our clients’ appearance – has there been a change in how they’re caring for themselves and their home? Is there heat? Is the yard overgrown? Are they able to clear snow/ice from their driveway and stairs to the house?

2. Are your aging parents experiencing memory loss? We all occasionally forget things. But there’s a difference between normal memory loss and that associated with types of dementia. Misplaced keys, glasses, and other items are “normal’. Getting lost in familiar neighborhoods is more concerning.

3. Are your aging parents safe in their home?

4. Are your aging parents safe on the road?

5. Have your aging parents lost weight? Weight loss can be attributed to difficulty cooking, loss of taste/smell or underlying health conditions such as depression, malnutrition, or cancer.

6. Are your aging parents in good spirits? What is their mood like? Have there been any changes? Depression and anxiety are not part of normal aging; they can be treated at any age.

7. Are your aging parents able to get around? Are they unsteady on their feet? Is it difficult for them to use stairs? Have they decreased their physical activity?

Programs like Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels can help if your loved one is having difficulty preparing meals due to physical and emotional health problems. The visit by the volunteer who delivers the meal also serves as a wellness or safety check. We contact you if there concerns and can make referrals for support services.

For more information about eligibility visit http://www.med.umich.edu/aamealsonwheels/mealmakereferal.html.

October is Health Literacy Month

By Cyndi Lieske and Beth Adams

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

People with limited health literacy are more likely to have chronic conditions, are less likely to effectively manage their health and tend to have higher health care costs. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using basic health information. Challenges include:

• Navigating the health care system, including filling out complex forms and finding a health care provider;
• Understanding test results such as cholesterol and blood sugar levels;
• Choosing between health plans and comparing prescription drug coverage;
• Sorting through large amounts of health information, including separating myths from facts;
• Managing chronic diseases, such as knowing the symptoms of low blood sugar AND how to correct it; and
• Knowing what each medication is for and taking the right medicine at the right time.

Health literacy challenges are greater for older adults than younger populations. They have more chronic illnesses and use health care services at higher rates. Limitations of physical and/or cognitive functioning add another layer of difficulty. Even mild vision and hearing loss can make it difficult to process information that is otherwise understandable.

How health care providers present information, availability of culturally appropriate information, the environment in which it’s presented and are significant, contributing factors to health literacy.

Knowing how to talk with your doctor and other health care staff is one part of health literacy. Here are some ideas to help you communicate:

• Write down your questions before your appointment. Record their responses.
• Write down new information from your doctor and their staff. Ask them to repeat and further explain if it is not clear to you.
• Ask clarifying questions or statements such as “So since this new pill is twice the strength, I just need to take 1 pill rather than 2. Correct?”
• It’s okay to say you don’t understand something! Let your doctor and others know that you do not understand what they are telling you. Health care providers are often rushed and use a lot of medical terminology. Background noise can also make it difficult to process what is being said. Ask your doctor, nurse, pharmacist and others to use plain, non-medical words.
• Get a phone number for the nurse or clinic, so you can call with questions you think of after you have left or if you have forgotten something.
• Volunteer to go with a friend or loved one to their next medical appointment. Help them take notes and ask questions.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/pdf/olderadults.pdf
http://www.ahrq.gov/news/columns/navigating-the-health-care-system/090710.html
http://www.health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/Quickguide.pdf

Make a Difference…Volunteer!

Volunteers are the backbone of Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels. Not only do Volunteers deliver meals to the homebound in our community, they also provide companionship and a warm, friendly smile. Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels Volunteers may be the only person a client sees all day. The meals you deliver are the primary source of nutritious food for most of our clients.

Summer is hard for the program because school is out and volunteers take vacations. Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels has also lost volunteers because of their advancing age and this will continue as our population ages.

Why Volunteer?
• Connect to your community. The simple act of offering your 1-2 hours of your time and compassion positively impacts the daily lives of those in need, as well as your own.
• Engaging in service to others is an invaluable experience.
• Be a force for social change and an inspiration to others.
• At risk and elderly community members will eat because of you.

We need YOU!
Volunteers of all ages to deliver meals to the homebound in the Ann Arbor area. Drivers must be at least 18 years or older and able to use their personal vehicles to deliver meals. Persons under 18 can volunteer if accompanied by an adult.

We offer flexible scheduling.
You can choose:
1) the day – Monday to Saturday, and
2) the frequency – weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

We deliver meals 6 days a week.
Mon – Fri: Meal pick-up at 11:30am.
Sat (Jan – Aug): Meal pick-up at 10:30am.
Sat (Sept – Dec): Meal pick-up at 9:30am.
Average delivery of meals takes 1 – 2 hours.

“I would have a hard time continuing to live in my house. Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels helps very much to make it possible. Thank you.” — Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels client

Interested? Contact us! Please feel free to call (734) 998-6686 or send an email to aamealsonwheels@umich.edu.

Winning Never Gets Old!

Where can you find a 100 year-old tennis champion, an 86 year-old pole vaulter, and a team of rough-and-tumble basketball grandmothers? On May 29, 2014, you can find them on the big screen at the Michigan Theater when the award-winning feature-length documentary Age of Champions is presented as part of a fundraiser to benefit local seniors. Age of Champions chronicles the triumphs and travails of athletes chasing gold at the National Senior Olympics. Described as “infectiously inspiring” by the Washington Post, this powerful film has inspired viewers across the country to be healthier, happier, and more active, and to understand that older adults are capable of incredible feats. It’s never too late to live life to its fullest! Producer Tad Ochwat will be at the event to introduce the film, share behind-the-scenes stories, and answer questions after the film. View the film trailer here.

Join Us at Metzger’s German Restaurant (June 18)

See you at the 2014 Senior Living Week Expo!

We are very excited for the 2014 Senior Living Week Expo on Friday, May 2nd at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest (1275 S. Huron, Ypsilanti) and we hope you are too! Don’t forget to stop by our table and say hello – we’d love to meet you and tell you all about Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels!

Below is a flyer of the workshops that will take place at the Expo, as well as a workshop registration form. If you have any questions about the Expo workshops or any of the workshops that will take place during Senior Living Week (May 2 – 10), please don’t hesitate to contact De Bora McIntosh at the Housing Bureau for Seniors at (734) 998-9338.

Support Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels – Sponsor the Judy Fike Golf Outing

We need your help! In your own neighborhood a homebound older adult needs food. You can make a difference by sponsoring the 2014 Judy Fike Golf Outing to benefit Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels. We are asking for your support.

The outing will take place on Monday, July 14, 2014 at Reddeman Farms in Chelsea. Last year, we raised funds to pay for over 4,100 meals! This year, our goal is to have 128 golfers and raise $30,000.

How you can help:

• We have several opportunities for you to sponsor this event. Our sponsorship levels reflect that every $6 pays for a meal. Click here for the Sponsorship Forms outlining the options and benefits of your contribution.
• Our golfers would also be delighted with any donated items for our raffle, door prizes, and silent auction. We make sure that all our golfers leave with a door prize!

We’re turning 40 this year! Since 1974, Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels has reduced hunger and food insecurity and promoted the dignity and independence of the homebound in our community. Six days a week we deliver nutritiously balanced meals to those who, because of their health, are unable to shop or cook for themselves. We are a community-supported program of the University of Michigan Health System and about half of our revenue comes from external sources. Your sponsorship is crucial to our continuing to feed the homebound.

Please join us to help provide much needed nutrition for our homebound clients.

On behalf of our staff, volunteers and the clients we serve, thank you.

Celebrate National Nutrition Month – Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right!

Contributed by Area Agency on Aging 1B, Karen Jackson- Holzhauer, RD & Justine Yaldo- Wayne State University, Dietetic Intern

2014 National Nutrition Month is celebrating “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right”! The theme puts local foods and the diversity that Southeast Michigan has to offer at the center of the plate. Drawing from a variety of foods and cultural traditions, the rich heritage of Metro Detroit is reflected in our restaurants, farmers markets, local gardens, neighborhoods and senior centers. Family elders play a leading role in cultivating food traditions and creating food memories with familiar flavored dishes and family recipes passed down by each generation to the next. These recipes originate from the Metropolitan Detroit area family’s ancestral ties which have circulated the globe. This year we are celebrating healthy food traditions with dishes prepared using locally grown vegetables. NNM also coincides with spring’s first crops of asparagus, beets, broccoli, wild mushrooms, cabbage, and also carrots that are still available from winter storage.

The diversity in our meals also plays a role in getting a balanced and nutrient rich diet. Incorporating different spices and herbs along with recipes featuring local foods makes National Nutrition Month a memorable family affair. It is important to remember that getting plenty of fluids and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine is important part of healthy aging.

This recipe is adapted from the Michigan Bean commission “Well-Red Bean & Green Salad“ and uses a base of brown rice, red and green vegetables, dried fruit, and fresh herbs with healthy oils. This is designed to increase the flavor profile of familiar ingredients like beets and red beans in combination with rice and broccoli to target essential nutrients for healthy aging. This includes the excellent sources of fiber in the main ingredients and high quality protein and potassium found in the dried beans. This unique vegetable combination contains cancer fighting antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory components which are also good for heart health.

Healthy Snacks for Seniors

* Pre-cut Veggies * Natural Granola Fresh Fruit * Nuts * Cheese * Dried Fruit * High Fiber Cereal* Green Salads * Greek Yogurt * Peppers

Remember to always Eat in COLOR!

Grocery Shopping Tips for One or Two

1. Don’t shop when you are hungry.
2. Buy seasonings that can be used in multiple recipes.
3. Plan out a weekly menu and bring a list when grocery shopping.
4. Rethink your shopping list and buy in small sizes as needed to keep foods fresh and avoid a spoilage or waste.
5. Clip coupons and toss them in an envelope that is convenient when shopping.
6. Check out senior discount days.
7. Take the time to read the Nutrition Food Labels on products before you buy.
8. Find out when the store restocks its fresh produce.
9. Shop the parameter of the store for fresh foods and avoid the grab and go and impulse items at the ends of each aisle.
10. Eat before you go to the store.

Well-Red Bean & Green Salad

Salad

30-ounce cooked Dark Red Kidney Beans,

1 cup long-grain brown rice, uncooked

1 cup fresh broccoli, florets cut, stems sliced, and blanched

or 1/2 pound asparagus, chopped grilled

1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced thin (about 2-1/2 cups)

4 to 6 scallions, sliced

Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 teaspoon tarragon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish

Spring Greens for serving

Michigan dried cherries

Diced beets

PREPARATION

Cook rice. In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients, including the cooked rice. In a jar, combine all dressing ingredients. Cover the jar, shake well, and pour dressing over the salad mixture. Toss salad to mix thoroughly. Refrigerate salad until serving time. On a large platter, serve salad on a bed of mixed spring salad greens and garnish with Beets and Cherries.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (per serving)

Servings per recipe: 6

Serving size: 1-1/4 cups

Calories: 273

Carbohydrates: 37g

Fat: 10g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Protein: 10g

Fiber: 8g

Sodium: 120mg (320mg if using canned beans)

Adapted from The Michigan Bean Commission. 

Coming Soon – The Judy Fike Annual Golf Outing to benefit Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels!