Meals-on-Wheels Utah

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2011-04-11T07:39:00.001-07:00

This blog is currently under construction. Check back later for a new and improved look!

Mayors for Meals

2011-03-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Mayors from Orem, Provo, Lehi and American Fork all delivered meals with our volunteers for Mayors For Meals Day, a national event part of Meals-on-Wheels Association of America's March For Meals.

The Mayors each met at their local city senior centers. The seniors were beyond thrilled about the special VIP visitors.

A big thank you to our Mayors who took time out of their busy schedules to brighten up the day of our seniors!

Mayor Curtis with a MOW client in Provo.

Mayor Hadfield delivers meals to a Earl in American Fork.

Mayor Washburn delivered meals to Nell in Orem.

Mayor Wilson delivered meals to Wesley in Lehi.

Thank you, Mayors!
We had a wonderful day!

Have you seen your newspaper this morning? Visit The Daily Herald and The Daily Universe for coverage on the event.

For more pictures, visit our Facebook page.

More than just meals

2011-03-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

The Mountainland Area Agency on Aging provides services to help seniors and their families. Our most popular program is Meals-on-Wheels, but many seniors need more than just food assistance.

We offer non-medical in-home services to help keep seniors living safely and independently. These services are available in Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties. Services are designed to help seniors who may be at risk of nursing placement to remain at home and prolong independent living.

The following types of assistance may be available:

Adult Day Care
Adult Residential Services
Assistive Technology Devices
Attendant Program
Caregiver Training
Chore Services
Consumer Preparation Services
Emergency Response Systems
Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
Financial Management Services
Habilitation services
Home Delivered Meals
Homemaker Services
Institutional Transition Services
Medication Assistance Services
Non-Medical Transportation
Personal Budget Assistance
Specialized Behavioral Health services
Specialized Medical Equipment
Supportive Maintenance
Personal Emergency Response Systems
Durable Medical Equipment Program services are based on the availability of funding

Call 801-229-3804 for more information on eligibility.

March Fall Prevention Classes

2011-03-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

NEW FALL PREVENTION CLASSES

Many older people have had a fall experience that has shaken their confidence and may have resulted in injury. Older people understand that the threat of a fall can be a barrier to safely doing all the things they want to do at home and to "Stepping On" confidently in the community. The prevention of falls is vital to maintaining personal independence.

A new (and FREE) falls prevention class called "Stepping On" will be held in two locations starting in March. The program includes 7 classes, a home visit, and a follow-up 3-month booster session. Locations are listed below after a few more things you may want to know about the classes.

Stepping On is a well-researched falls prevention program:

The results were published in the September 2004 issue of the American Geriatrics Society.
More than one third of adults 65 or over fall each year.
Among older adults falls are the leading cause of injury, hospital admissions for trauma and death.
35% of people who fall become less active.

Topics:

Become more aware of fall hazards and learn how your fall risk can be reduced.
Simple and fun balance and strength training exercises.
The role vision plays in keeping your balance.
How medication can contribute to falls.
Ways to stay safe when out and about in your community.
What to look for in safe footwear.
How to check your home for safety.

Who can benefit:

anyone 65 years or over (caregiver welcome to accompany their loved one)
Is fearful of falling
Has had a fall in the past year
Living at home
Not suffering from dementia

Meet a volunteer: Elvin

2011-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Elvin shares a few laughs with Wes every week.

With a smile on his face and meals in his arms, Elvin has delivered meals to homebound seniors in Lehi for more than four years. He was one of the first volunteers for the Meals-on-Wheels program in Utah County. He started the volunteer route in Lehi and continues to deliver meals to some of the same seniors with who he started.

But for Elvin it is more than just running through the motions of delivering meals.

“I don’t even remember how telling jokes each week began,” says Elvin. “I started looking up two or three jokes before I go. These folks don’t have a lot to laugh about, but they are kind enough to laugh at my jokes. These jokes are expected now.”

It isn’t just Elvin’s desire to make people smile that makes him special. Elvin goes above and beyond his Meals-on-Wheels volunteer duties. He changes hard to reach light bulbs, runs light errands and other tasks all beyond the call of duty. But he claims the benefits go both ways.

“It is as good for me as it is for them,” says Elvin. “I look forward to it every week. I just love them; they are like family.”

Many seniors on Elvin’s route have called into the Meals-on-Wheels office over the years to thank him for his service. One of the clients he has delivered to since he started volunteering says that she lives for him to come and visit her. In the weeks before she passed away in late January 2011, Elvin kept close contact with her family and continued to visit her at home, even after she stopped receiving meals and went on hospice.

His love for people extends beyond just helping Meals-on-Wheels seniors. He is known as the handy man in his neighborhood and is constantly fixing things for people who cannot fix it themselves. Elvin is also a member of RSVP or Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

“He is very giving,” said Jane, his wife of 36 years. “He is very happy and optimistic and hardly ever gets down. He just does things for people, always thinking of things he can do.”

An Idaho native, Elvin moved south to study family relations and child development at Utah State University where he was voted Most Preferred Man by the local sororities. He spent his career in sales and marketing and has owned many of his own businesses. He is now semi-retired, still working part time and delivering meals on his time off.

Elvin and Jane live in Lehi. They have two children and six grandchildren.

Thanks for being such an amazing volunteer. We couldn't do it without you!

Senior Day at the Legislature

2011-02-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

Photo found here.

Earlier this month more than 300 seniors gathered at the Capitol to let legislators that senior funding won't get cut without a fight. As part of the annual Seniors Day at the Legislature, seniors are invited and encouraged to participate in a question-and-answer with several lawmakers, and to remind lawmakers that seniors are actively involved in the fight for funding. Without the

Check out The Salt Lake Tribune article about the event.

New volunteer route in Santaquin

2011-02-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

Ready to make a difference? Volunteer drivers are needed to start a new route in Santaquin. All delivery days are available.

Meals-on-Wheels volunteer drivers deliver hot, nutritious lunchtime meals to homebound seniors in our community. Along with each meal, volunteers provide a special touch of comfort and a daily safety check enabling seniors to be independent in their own homes.

Volunteers deliver meals once a week during their lunch hour. Meals are picked up at drop off locations throughout Utah and Wasatch counties and are delivered by volunteers between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each week day, excluding holidays. There are eight to twelve seniors on a route and each route takes approximately 30 minutes to one hour to complete. Volunteer opportunities are available for regular drivers as well as substitute drivers.

For more information, call Stephanie at 801-229-3821 or visit www.mountainland.org/volunteer.

Brighten up a senior's day this Valentine's

2011-02-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day has become a spectacle of expensive dinners, over priced gifts and a lot of stress planning those two. But it doesn't take a sparkly necklace or a steak dinner to become a Valentine to a senior.

Give them a heart attack. No, not literally! "Heart-attacking" someone's door is an easy and fun way to show someone how much you care. Remembering a senior is measured by how big and grand the gesture is. Just the thought behind it is what matters.

How can you show a senior you care this Valentine's Day?

Senior Companions

2011-01-31T11:02:00.000-08:00

Meals-on-Wheels serves hot lunches to homebound seniors every weekday. But what about seniors who need help running errands or grocery shopping?

In steps the Senior Companion program. Senior Companions are seniors helping other seniors who are homebound. Homebound seniors can receive help running errands like getting to the bank or doctor's office, or even grocery shopping. Senior companions can also provide companionship to give a break to a caregiver.

This free service is available to seniors in Utah County. For more information, call Marianne or Joanie at 801-851-7768. Read more about it here.

What's in a Meal: Spaghetti

2011-01-19T07:41:00.000-08:00

- Spaghetti and ground beef in red sauce
- Garlic bread
- Brussel Sprouts
- Green Salad with Thousand Island dressing
- Banana
- Low-fat milk
and
- Brownie for dessert

To meet national daily nutritional guidelines, every meal contains the necessary fibers, proteins and nutrients to fulfill 1/3 of a regular daily diet. All meals are low-salt, low-fat and diabetic friendly.

We are Meals-on-Wheels... so no senior goes hungry

2011-01-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Volunteers Needed

2011-01-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

{Gloria and Dean: Meals-on-Wheels clients served by our volunteers.}

Interested in helping seniors in your area? Meals-on-Wheels needs volunteers to start new routes in north Orem and Spanish Fork and volunteers to substitute in Lehi.

Meals-on-Wheels volunteer drivers deliver hot, nutritious lunchtime meals to homebound seniors in our community. Our volunteers do more than just deliver a meal, they provide a special touch of comfort and a daily safety check. For some seniors, volunteers are the only people they see all day.

Volunteers deliver meals once a week during their lunch hour. Meals are picked up at drop off locations throughout Utah and Wasatch counties and are delivered by volunteers between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each week day, excluding holidays. There are eight to twelve seniors on a route and each route takes approximately 30 minutes to one hour to complete.

To become a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer, please fill out an online application.

For additional questions, contact Stephanie at 801-229-3821 or sbenson@mountainland.org.

Rain or shine...

2010-12-21T16:15:00.001-08:00

our Meals-on-Wheels volunteers and drivers still deliver!

2010-12-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

Meals-on-Wheels Basics: Who is eligible?

Meals-on-Wheels provides hot, nutritious lunchtime meals to homebound seniors. Meals-on-Wheels clients must be 60 years or older and be homebound. We define homebound as not being able to leave your home without assistance.

A spouse who is younger than 60 may receive meals if their spouse is eligible. Also, eligible seniors may get an additional meal for any children with disabilities who live with them.

Meals-on-Wheels is a need-based program that serves homebound seniors. We do not consider income as a requirement. However, we do ask for a suggested contribution of $2.25 per meal in Utah County and $2.50 in Summit and Wasatch County.

To apply for Meals-on-Wheels, call Bonnie at 801-229-3802.

What options are available for seniors who are not eligible for
Meals-on-Wheels?

Seniors who are not homebound but would still like some meal assistance can visit their local seniors center. Many senior centers through Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties offer daily lunchtime meals and socializing. The suggested donation for meals at a local senior center is $2 per meal in Utah County and $2.25 in Summit and Wasatch County.

For more information about a senior center in your area, visit our Resource Guide.

Utah County Health Department offers fall prevention class

2010-12-21T13:47:00.000-08:00

Meals-on-Wheels volunteers not only deliver meals, but they offer a daily safety check on seniors in their homes. This safety check is simple: volunteers make sure the client is okay. This daily check can be life saving. Volunteers have been able to find clients who have recently fallen or those in need of serious medical assistance.

Last week, The Salt Lake Tribune reported about a 99-year-old woman who was stuck in her bathtub for more than 22 hours after slipping and falling. After missing several calls from her family, she survived from the painful ordeal by reciting poetry and prayer.

As dismal as it sounds, this is a reality for many seniors. Falls are the number one way seniors sustain injuries.

In January, Utah County Health Department will offer a solution: Stepping On, a FREE fall prevention class to help seniors avoid falls. The workshop meets for two hours a week for seven weeks in Lehi and American Fork. For more information, call Carrie Bennett at (801) 851-7035 or read The Daily Herald's recent article about the program.

Meet a Volunteer: Sheryl

2010-12-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

Sheryl with one of our clients.

For almost a year, Sheryl H. of Genola has faithfully served as a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer. Starting off as a sub, the San Jose native became the volunteer coordinator for the Payson volunteer route.

For Sheryl, it has become more than just delivering a meal. At one client’s home, Sheryl turns to leave after delivering the meal when the senior looks at her and says, “Now where is my hug?” Her relationship with each client goes beyond small talk, as their conversations are like old friends catching up.

“It is amazing how much you get to know them in only 5 minutes each week,” said Sheryl. “I needed something, and they needed me. It was a right fit.”

The busy mother of six daughters delivers meals every Wednesday, as well as coordinating the other volunteer schedules for her route. She even delivers meals when the regular driver doesn’t show up. She often takes some of her daughters to deliver with her as a way to teach them about volunteerism. Her love for her clients and passion really sets her apart as a volunteer.

Thanks for being such a great volunteer, Sheryl! We couldn’t do it without you.

National Family Caregivers Month

2010-11-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

Providing hot lunches through Meals-on-Wheels is only one way the Dept. of Aging and Family Services helps seniors and their families.

With November not quite over, it's not too late to remember that November is National Family Caregivers Month. Caregivers work tirelessly day in and day out to care for loved ones. Fortunately, caregivers are not alone.

Looking for free classes and other care giving tips? Check out the new blog called Tips 4 Caregivers written by AmeriCorps VISTA, Nancy Madsen.

Meals-on-Wheels in the News

2010-11-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays, we get an extra push from The Daily Herald.

Check out the great articled featured in today's paper.

Shopping on Black Friday? Give to a senior in need through Angel Tree

2010-11-18T13:21:00.001-08:00

Image found here.

If you are a Black Friday shopper or if you wait for Cyber Monday, you can have your Christmas shopping make a difference this year.

Many of our seniors need more than just a hot meal. Some cannot afford the basic essentials like clothing, toiletries and more. You can help them through Angel Tree.

While you are strengthening your credit card swiping muscles, stop by one of the Angel Tree locations throughout Utah County for a name of a senior in need. Under the Sub for Santa umbrella, Angel Tree allows volunteers select the name, age and gift ideas from a tree. Once the gift is purchased, return the gift to the Angel Tree location and other volunteers will drop off the gifts.

Can't help purchase the gift? Volunteers are needed to deliver gifts that have been donated. Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.unitedwayuc.org for more information.

What's in a meal: Beef Stroganoff

2010-11-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what kind of food is actually served through Meals-on-Wheels?

Meals-on-Wheels volunteers deliver nutritious (and tasty) meals to more than 550 homebound seniors and senior centers every day.

Here is a sample of what our seniors ate on Monday, November 8, 2010:

~ Beef Stroganoff with noodles
~ Cooked Carrots
~ Coleslaw
~ Whole wheat roll with butter
~ Fresh orange
~ Low-fat milk (not pictured)

To meet national daily nutritional guidelines, every meal contains the necessary fibers, proteins and nutrients to fulfill 1/3 of a regular daily diet. All meals are low-salt and low-fat.

Meet a Volunteer: Wendy

2010-10-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! One of our volunteers has been featured AGAIN by United Way of Utah County. Read below for the great story in United Way's Volunteer Newsletter.

For the last year, Wendy Edwards has given up her lunch hours to pass out Meals on Wheels. Some weeks Wendy only donates one lunch hour to this service, other weeks she forgoes four lunch hours to Meals on Wheels.

A United Way of Utah County employee knew of Edward’s passion for service and recommended her as a Meals of Wheels volunteer. Edwards was very familiar with the Meals on Wheels program and jumped at the opportunity to get her company involved with the service.

“My mother was a recipient of Meals on Wheels out in the Cedar City area, so I am fond of and appreciate the program and the way it took care of my mother,” she said.

Edwards said her mother loved the Meals on Wheels program for more reasons than just the food.

“For one thing, it brought a smiling face into her home Monday through Friday,” Edwards said. “My mom was a shut in, she was terminally ill, she had an upper respiratory illness and wasn’t able to go out so it brought in a meal and a smiling face daily.”

Because of her mother’s experience, when the call came from Mountainlands last June asking if she would get involved in Meals on Wheels, Edwards immediately accepted on behalf of Questar and recruited her coworkers to participate.

Questar had already been in involved with Meals on Wheels in Salt Lake City for quite a few years. Between the two operations in Salt Lake City and the location in Springville where Edwards works, more than 54,000 meals have been delivered, Edwards said.

Volunteering her lunch hour has become an essential part of Edwards’ work week, she said. The people she brings meals to have become more than just faces, they’ve become friends.

“I look forward to it daily, mainly to check on my friends,” she said. “They have become my friends and family. We have a rapport. We talk visit joke and you become very attached to these people.”

Edwards said there are many benefits to become a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

“It brings an awareness of the needs of the elderly and shut-ins, their needs to have a warm hot meal,” she said. “It also brings awareness to their needs to see that smiling face and friend to check on them. It has become inspiring to us. You appreciate the friendship you have gained of getting to know these people.”

Thanks for being such a great volunteer Wendy. We couldn't do it without great volunteers like you.

If a loved one leans on you... lean on the new caregiver guide classes

2010-10-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

Are you or someone you know a caregiver to a senior? The people who work tirelessly and passionately to care for a family member or friend who is aging, chronically ill or has a mental or physical disability?

Most caregivers say they are so busy caring for their loved one that they don't know what community resources are available.

To help ease the stress, join caregivers should come to one of our UCARE Caregiver Guide Classes. The weekly classes provide hands-on training to help caregivers relieve stress and learn new tips and training to be a more effective caregiver.

For more information, click here.

26th Annual Health & Wellness Extravaganza

2010-10-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Join us for the 26th Annual Health & Wellness Extravaganza!

Wellness fair for seniors and caregivers:
Free health screenings, booths, food, entertainment, Bingo and more!
Thursday, October 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Eldred Senior Center, 270 W. 500 North in Provo

For more information, call 801-229-3804 or visit www.mountainland.org/aging.

Hope to see you there!

5 Golden Rules for Successful Aging

2010-10-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Last week we attended the Utah Aging Alliance Fall Conference. Frank Yanowitz, MD spoke about the 5 Golden Rules for Successful Aging. And who wouldn't like to age better?

#1: Practice a health lifestyle.

Sounds easy right?But living a health lifestyle can be challenging for some. Dr. Yanowitz's top ways to increase your lifestyle:

Eat regular meals. Avoid binging by keeping your body sugar levels regular.
Always eat a healthy breakfast. A good start to your day can help you avoid burn-out and accidents. Dr. Yanowitz even said that people who eat breakfast live longer than those who don't. (Who knew?)
Get enough sleep. For most, that is 7-8 hours a night. Lack of sleep can make your more stressed and less alert.
Do not smoke. If you are thinking about starting, don't. Smoking carries the risk for a whole slew of cancers and other body ailments, as well as shaving years of your expected lifespan.
Exercise moderately. Either a structured workout with a mixture of aerobic, resistance and flexibility training would work, or just an increase in leisure time activity.
Maintain a normal weight. Normal for you. Calculate your BMI (body mass index) to determine the health weight for your body type.
Drink alcohol ONLY in moderation, if at all. What is moderation? 1-2 drinks a day.

Phew. Living a healthy lifestyle is a lifelong habit. Struggling with a few? Pick one and work on it. Once you have it mastered, move onto the next.

What is your favorite way to life a healthy lifestyle?

Salt Lake Tribune recognizes Meals-on-Wheels Volunteer

2010-10-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

Meals-on-Wheels' amazing volunteers are continuing to be publicly recognized for their service! Check out the Salt Lake Tribune's article on Charles and Mary Middleton, a couple of our great volunteers.

Check out their story here.

Photo by Scott Sommerdorf/The Salt Lake Tribune

Family Volunteering Strengthens Communities; Community Volunteering Strengthens Families

2010-09-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

Family volunteer connections often run deep. The Yorgason, Felt, and Wilkerson families are Meals-on-Wheels champions.

Susie Felt Yorgason delivers Meals on Wheels in Orem to her 88 year old grandmother, Mary Wilkerson. When Susie needs a substitute, she calls her parents Steve Felt and Sally Wilkerson Felt to deliver meals. And sister Sarah Felt often joins in to deliver meals.

“It’s a family affair,” said Sally who calls the senior clients “bright lights” in her life. Meals are picked up at Orchard Park Care Center in Orem. Orchard Park is one of 20 volunteer meal drop sites in Utah County. And coincidentally, Steve and Sally Felt were recently called to be Branch President and Relief Society President for the Orchard Park Care Center (Sharon Park 11^th Branch) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His church service is just another aspect of his volunteer service.

Not only does volunteering allow the family some time together, but it also teaches the children the importance of giving back to the community, Steve said. “Parents have a moral obligation to educate their children about compassion,” said Steve who recently retired from Brigham Young University as an information technology expert, IT Assets Manager.

Yorgason, a stay-at-home mother of 4 children Aubrey age 12, Christian age 10, Jack age 7 and her youngest helper Brooke age 2. “Are you being paid for this?” wondered Jack. “No,” said Susie, “sometimes you do things because it is the right thing to do, not because you get money.”

Yorgason’s actions speak louder than words. Teaching children compassion is the number one reason mothers volunteer, according to psychotherapist Dyhan Summers.

“Children need to see real life incidents as teaching moments. It helps them understand age, illness and disability can happen to anyone in the human family. Compassion is the desire to lessen the suffering of others.” Summers said.

“We love delivering meals to homebound seniors,” Yorgason said. “It is just an added bonus that we get to deliver to Grandma.”

“Volunteering to deliver meals is fun and easy,” said Erin Dyreng, Nutrition Program Manager for Meals-on-Wheels at Mountainland Association of Governments, 586 East 800 North, Orem. If you have one spare lunch hour, once a week you can deliver Meals-on-Wheels. Contact Erin Dyreng (801) 229-3803 or edyreng@mountainland.org.

Mountainland Aging & Family Services Department sponsors Meals-on-Wheels and is the designated Area Agency on Aging charged with the responsibility of planning, advocating, and providing services on behalf of the 55,424 older adults residing in Summit, Utah, and Wasatch Counties.

Aging is not for the Weak

2010-07-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

For most of us aging is inevitable. We work, we retire, we age. Few of us consider what it really means to grow older. The reality of age is harsh.

Old age is a thief taking away the things we love most. We lose our abilities, our friends, our spouses, and our body functions. Gradually we lose our taste, our smell and our energy. Finally we drift away. The process of aging is gradual. Sometimes aging is painful, humiliating and degrading. We need help to bathe, dress and toilet ourselves. Sometimes we drool and we must wear adult diapers.

The injustice involves needing help to perform simple functions, and help is expensive. We have to ask or pay. Asking costs our dignity, paying takes our savings. Both are too precious to be freely spent.

But you can be a hero in the life of a homebound senior. You can make a difference right here in Provo, Utah by delivering Meals-on-Wheels. It only takes one hour, once a week to deliver meals to homebound seniors.

Volunteers use their own vehicles to pick-up the food at one of three drop locations in Provo:
· BYU Harman Building 770 East University Parkway, Provo
· Provo Senior Eldred Center 270 West 500 North, Provo
· Provo Walgreens 1315 North State, Provo

The individual meals are packed in hot and cold food containers on a rolling cart.
The volunteer routes consist of 8 to 11 meals in a four mile radius from the drop location. It takes about ½ hour to 1 hour to deliver the meals.
Please consider volunteering for one hour, once a week or as a back-up substitute.
Did you know?
· Research shows volunteers are happier healthier people.
· Beginning in 2015, one person in Utah will turn 65 years old every 23 minutes.
· The fastest growing segment of our population is age 85 and older.
· Meals-On-Wheels enables seniors to age gracefully at home.

Call Liz Merrell at 801-229-3821 or register online at www.mountainland.org/volunteer.

Transportation is a Big Issue for Seniors

2010-06-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Stranded at Home? Transportation is a Big Issue for Seniors.

Orem, Utah- Need a ride? Utah County seniors can now benefit from a new ride share program, “Seniors Out & About” sponsored in part by Mountainland Association of Governments Aging and Family Services.

Introductory rides within American Fork, Alpine, Cedar Hills, Highland, Lindon, Provo, Orem, Lehi, and Springville are now available for 200 low-income seniors age 70+ at a reduced rate of $5.00 per round trip. Low income is defined as $15,000 per year for individuals or $20,000 per year for couples. After the first 200 rides are reserved, trip charges will return to the regular low-cost rate of $8.00 per ride each way in Provo and Orem.

Most seniors outlive their driving ability by 7 to 10 years, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) report, Safe Mobility for a Maturing Society: Challenges and Opportunities. When seniors stop driving, they lose their independence. Alternative transportation helps homebound seniors remain healthy and active. A readily available ride service is fundamental to seniors obtaining groceries, medical care, and social interaction.
“We should all plan for driving retirement as well as job retirement,” said Scott McBeth, Director of Aging and Family Services at Mountainland Association of Governments. “There are few public transportation options for seniors who may not have the physical abilities to board a bus. Transportation is an integral part of a senior’s whole wellness.”
Seniors Out & About provides wheel-chair accessible vehicles which are ADA compliant to transport seniors with door-through-door service.

Orem senior Laura Cox, 81, recently used Seniors Out & About. “I’ve only used it once to go to the doctor, but I was very pleased. My neighbors, my daughter, or a senior companion usually drive me places because I am homebound,” Cox said.

When Irene Baustia, 78, moved to Utah County from Sacramento, California, she had no idea transportation would be such a big problem in Utah. Baustia used Seniors Out & About to attend a seminar at BYU. “The driver was so polite and concerned about my comfort. It is an easy and reliable service,” Baustia said.

Carolyn Price, 63, who has not driven for years, loves the ride share service. As the full-time caregiver to her mother, age 92, she is concerned about the cost of transportation. The American Automobile Association now estimates the average cost of owning and running a car is $6,400 per year. By giving up a car, most seniors have over $100 dollars a week to use for buses, ride share programs or to purchase gas for friends and relatives who drive them.

Rides can be reserved by contacting Melanie Haws at Mountainland Association of Governments at 801-229-3804.

By Liz Merrell

Make a Difference in the Life of a Senior

2010-06-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

What if the disability of age robbed you of your independence? What if you could no longer drive, shop, or cook? What if most of your friends moved into assisted living centers or passed away?

Seniors in Utah County deal with these issues every day. But there are angels among us who ease the everyday burden of growing older. Volunteers, like Wendy Edwards of Questar Gas, provide vital social interaction to recipients of the Meals-on-Wheels program.

It only takes a moment of kindness to make a difference in someone's life.

For volunteer opportunities please contact Liz Merrell 801-229-3821 or emerrell@mountainland.org.

By Liz Merrell

Beat Summer Stress

2010-06-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Easy Ways to Beat Summer Stress While School is Out

Summer can be stressful. The advent of summer is linked to three months of no school. Children often have unfulfilled expectations. They want their parents to provide constant entertainment.

Other seasonal stresses such as vacation expectations, co-workers absences, and over-scheduling fun activities can cause irritability in the most rational parents.

Children need mental and physical stimulation when school is out, but they also need to learn the joys of living in an unplugged (i.e. a no TV, no computer) world.

Safeguard your sanity this summer by utilizing these simple inexpensive tips from family therapist and stress management coach Elizabeth Scott.

Drawing- Children love expressing themselves, but they especially love it when parents or caregivers join in and create abstracts together.
Walking-The benefits of sunshine and exercise help children enjoy nature.
Blowing Bubbles- It keeps your little ones happy and takes your mind off anything negative. There is something joyful about watching a bubble drift up.
Music-Enjoying background music can help you bond with your children.
Social Support- Scheduling activities with friends or volunteering as a family to do something simple, like delivering Meals-on-Wheels to seniors, gives you a supportive social outlet and teaches children social skills.
Journaling-Helps children develop their writing skills as they learn to express their feelings.
Gardening- Digging in the dirt and watching plants grow can be fun and educational.
Yoga-Increases flexibility improves your health and achieves a meditative state to help you bond with your children.
Playing with pets-Playing catch with a loving dog or gently stroking a cat or even feeding fish teaches young children to care for living creatures.
Lazing about- Laying in the grass watching clouds, or basking in the sun on a park bench, or reading a good book on a blanket can be very relaxing.

These stress relievers help children and parents enjoy their time together. To learn more about delivering Meals-on-Wheels contact Liz Merrell 801-229-3821, emerrell@mountainland.org or visit www.mountainland.org.

By Liz Merrell

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

2010-06-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

The Joy of Service

2010-06-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

At a time in their lives when most seniors are receiving Meals-on-Wheels, Ken and Delma Baldridge are out delivering them. For more than a year, Ken and Delma have delivered Meals-on-Wheels every Friday to homebound seniors in Pleasant Grove.

After moving from Hawaii to Utah for retirement, Ken, 83, and Delma, 79, began looking for a place they could volunteer together. After seeing an ad in the newspaper, Ken and Delma knew that Meals-on-Wheels was the right opportunity for them.

“We wanted to get out of our comfort zone,” Ken said. “We like it because we do it together. We are a team.”

In addition to delivering meals, Delma also takes blood pressures on the seniors, so they can be alerted to contact their doctors, preventing an emergency situation.

“They go above and beyond,” said Liz Merrell, volunteer coordinator for Meals-on-Wheels. “They take the extra effort even though they don’t need to. They do it because they care.”

As lifelong volunteers, Ken and Delma have served their community in many ways. Ken served with the American Red Cross and with AARP Driver Safety program while Delma, an expert quilter, has taught quilting classes and donated many quilts to charity.

“It is a two-way street,” Ken said. “Our service benefits those we serve, and it benefits us by giving us the opportunity to serve.”

Ken and Delma also inspire their growing family to continue in their footsteps. They have six children, 28 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

“It is a great example for our family.” Delma said. “They know that we are doing this, and they know what we do. Hopefully they will volunteer when they get older.”

Meals-on-Wheels is looking for volunteers for new routes in Orem, Provo and Springville. Interested volunteers should contact Liz Merrell at 801-229-3821 or emerrell@mountainland.org.

Thanks United Way of Utah County for spotlighting our great volunteers!

Originally print in United Way Volunteer Spotlight.

Meals-on-Wheels brings a Nutritious Meal, a Smile, and a Safety Check to Homebound Seniors

2010-05-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

The volunteer program at Mountainland Association of Governments Meals-on-Wheels delivers much more than a meal. Our volunteers provide warm conversation, a safety check and a hot nutritious lunchtime meal to homebound seniors over the age of 60.

In 2007, the Utah County Meals-on-Wheels program had a waiting list of over 140 clients. By 2008, we eliminated the waiting list due to our newly created volunteer meal delivery program. In 2009, 33 percent (or 30,557 meals) of the meals were delivered by 300 caring volunteers.

All volunteers undergo a background check and receive an hour training before they begin delivering meals.

Meals-on-Wheels enables seniors to live independently in their own homes and avoid early nursing home placement. Providing Meals-on-Wheels to one client for a year is $1,350. Individuals placed in nursing homes typically exhaust their financial resources within six months and are forced to go on Medicaid. In Utah, the state participation in funding a senior in a nursing home then increases to over $26,000 each year. The average cost of an individual assisted on the Alternatives Program (which cares for seniors in their own homes) is $4,000.

The services we provide keep seniors healthier and independent. Our typical senior is female, widowed, and over the age of 80.

By Liz Merrell

Move It or Lose It.... Exercise Equals Independence As You Age

2010-05-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Older adults need exercise if they want to remain independent and avoid disabilities related to the frailty of age.

Falls account for over 300,000 hospital admissions per year, according to the National Institutes of Health. Simple exercises like walking, gardening, raking leaves, and even housework can increase a senior's health, flexibility, endurance, balance, and freedom of movement.

Emily Conrad, a BYU senior majoring in Health and German, knows the importance of exercise for older adults. As the daughter of a physician, Emily has always led a healthy active lifestyle. She loves roller blades, scooters, tennis, and marathons. Emily also loves seniors and serves as a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer.

"It is joyful to spend a few minutes each week with people who have accumulated so much wisdom with age," Emily said.

Each Tuesday in Provo, Emily delivers Meals-on-Wheels to homebound seniors. She takes a break from her studies to deliver 10 meals to those who can no longer prepare food for themselves due to the disablity of age. Then, later in the day after class and work at BYU, Emily often returns to help several seniors walk around the block.

"It doesn't take long to get them moving," Emily said. "They will feel better and be healthier with just a few minutes of exercise."

By Liz Merrell

Help Make Sure No Senior Goes Hungry in Utah

2010-05-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

Imagine wondering if you have enough money to pay for medicine, heat, or food. Imagine spending day after day alone, wondering if your children will call or visit. Imagine being unable to drive, going nowhere, being alone. That's often what happens when you age in Utah.

The average senior on Meals on Wheels is a female, widow, age 80. She is probably battling poverty and she is definitely fighting the ravages of age. She is losing her community connections because she is the oldest survivor in her neighborhood. She cannot leave home without imposing on a neighbor or a child, and in their busy lives they often forget to ask if she needs groceries. She is alone.

Old age will happen to all of us. It is the great equalizer. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, people are in need because of the physical disability of age. Seniors on fixed incomes wonder if they can afford their medications. They struggle to understand the complexities of Medicare, and they wonder who will help them navigate this increasingly complex world. Often, Mountainland Association of Governments Department of Aging is the only resource seniors have as they navigate the maze of growing older.

Can you join this effort to help seniors in Utah? Call Meals-on-Wheels at 801-229-3821 to help make sure no senior goes hungry in Utah.

Hunger is a disease, and you are the cure.

By Liz Merrell

A Season for Giving

2010-05-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Life is filled with seasons. Sometimes you give, and sometimes you take. Karen McCandless believes now is her season to give.

"I get a helper’s high from delivering Meals-on-Wheels to homebound seniors. It makes me feel good," Karen said.
Her first solo meal delivery was on Christmas Eve last year. "It was a heart-warming addition to the season. I delivered meals and then came home to my family baking cookies," Karen said.
"We serve our mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles,
grandmothers and grandfathers. These clients are people who have given their lives to improve society," said Karen.

Since 2001, Karen, an Orem City Council Member, has served as a liaison to every board and commission in Orem. "I am trying to teach my children the value of community involvement," Karen said.

"I can’t wait for others to make a difference in our community. I have to do what I can now. Small acts add up. I can’t do everything, but I can invest my time by doing some-thing," said Karen, a homemaker married to attorney Don McCandless and mother to Jamie (19) and Kelley (12).

As an advocate for Orem residents, Karen utilizes her experience in land use planning to promote fiscal responsibility, transportation plan-ning and quality of life. "I have never considered it an option not to be involved in my community," Karen said.

"Building strong communities is an ongoing effort," Karen said. "I feel blessed to live in a city where people care for each other."

By Liz Merrell

Utah Mom and Two Toddlers Deliver Meals-on-Wheels

2010-05-19T06:55:00.000-07:00

If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.

Working mothers volunteer more than any other group, according to the July 2009, report on civic engagement from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

In Spanish Fork, Katie Chase, a mother of two toddlers (Scout age , 2 and Lincoln, age 4), deliver Meals-on-Wheels to homebound seniors each Wednesday.
“My children don’t have grandparents nearby, so I wanted them to learn the joy of interacting with seniors in our community,” Chase said.

Scout helps carry the cooler. Lincoln carries a basket and Katie slings the thermal bag over her shoulder.

At the first stop, the 94 year old “grandma” was still in bed. “Checking to make sure our seniors are safe is just as important as delivering a meal,” Chase said.
The second stop takes a few minutes longer as Chase collects a new recipe for “bubble” pizza. “She likes to share recipes with me,” Chase explained.

Lincoln and Scout have learned to climb in the car and buckle their own car-seats. They take turns carrying the food basket into each house.

The family unit can be a very strong cohesive team, according to Erik A. Fisher, Ph.D. a licensed clinical psychologist and author of Evolution of the Soul.
“Volunteering, as a family, can teach many positive lessons. When we contribute our time and effort, it helps us to feel better about ourselves, teaches a stronger work ethic, contributes to learning about the world around us, results in us meeting different people and forming different relationships, and provides a confidence building experience in a variety of different job tasks,” Fisher said.

By Liz Merrell

Volunteers With Disabilities

2010-05-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

Helping others is a basic human need.
We all need to be needed.

Alpine Transition and Employment Center, ATEC, in Lindon, helps adults with disabilities give back to the community and build self-esteem. Each Tuesday, in Pleasant Grove, a group of five developmentally disabled adults deliver lunchtime meals to homebound seniors living near the Jacobs Senior Center along with a trained ATEC staff member.

Traditionally, a disabled person is viewed as the recipient of assistance rather than as an individual assisting others. “It is important for individuals with developmental disabilities to have the opportunity to be on the giving end of the equation, to feel the good that comes from helping others, and to overcome social isolation by supporting others,” said Ron Story, ATEC Director.

Meaningful volunteer experiences help our clients feel a greater sense of belonging by contributing to the community in which they live. It is a win, win situation. Our seniors need happy faces and the ATEC clients need appreciation.

“I love it and I did it,” said Debbie Stewart, an ATEC client, after delivering Meals-on-Wheels.

Volunteering enhances the quality of life for everyone, both the recipient and the volunteer. ATEC volunteers learn the responsibility of carefully giving a senior his meal, along with building social skills. Meals-on-Wheels receives nothing but compliments and smiles when ATEC volunteers deliver meals,” said Erin Dyreng Nutrition Program Manager.

By Liz Merrell

Hunger has a Face

2010-05-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Joe and Barb live in an RV. Barb is bedridden.

Joe worked as a farmer until pesticide poisoning forced him into disability retirement. They both are homebound and they no longer drive. They do not have the strength to complete normal household chores.

Joe manages to take care of Barb, but recently they ran out of food and could not get to a grocery store. The effects of age and disability forced Joe and Barb to spend their lifesavings on medical expenses. Moving into the RV took away the family home and also cost them their support system. They lost their longtime friends and neighbors.

When Joe finally asked for help from Meals-on-Wheels, his eyes filled with tears. “You don’t know how hard it is for me to ask for help,” Joe said.

Joe and Barb try hard to stay positive. They both radiate goodness. They have the glow that comes from living a good life, and being decent hard-working people.

In bed, Barb crochets leper bandages for a humanitarian project .

“When you are homebound and you no longer go out, it’s easy for community members to forget seniors,” Joe said.

To refer homebound seniors to Meals-on-Wheels call:

Utah County: 801-229-3802

Summit County: 435-783-5708

Wasatch County: 435-657-3267

By Liz Merrell