COSA Educational Presenation at Veterans Museum October 13, 2011

The PA Veteran’s Museum in Media is hosting a free educational session on COSA services on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 10am. The Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) is the Area Agency on Aging and is responsible for the planning and coordinating of programs and services for the older adults in Delaware County. COSA works with over seventy community agencies to provide services to seniors including senior centers, in-home services, adult day care, case management, transportation, legal assistance and much more.”, according to Marie Bonita, Civic Engagement & Community Education Coordinator. Marie A. Bonita is the coordinator of Community Education for the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA). COSA is the Area Agency on Aging in Delaware County and provides services for Delaware County residents. Marie has held various positions within COSA starting in the Information and Referral Unit in 1991. She spent many years working in conjunction with county and state agencies to expand the agencies computer technology system. As the Community Education Coordinator Marie is responsible for educating the community and professional groups on aging services and programs. This is accomplished by participating in community health fairs, aging expos and meeting with community groups. Marie’s own personal experience as a caregiver as well as the professional relationships she has developed while working at COSA qualifies her with the personal and professional expertise to provide information about programs and services available to the senior citizens of Delaware County. Her presentation will cover such topics as access to transportation, home-delivered meals, employment and volunteer opportunities and in-home services.
The presentation and admission to the PA Veterans Museum is FREE. Light Refreshments will be served compliments of Comfort Keepers, Springfield, PA. The PA Veterans Museum is located in the Media Armory (below Trader Joe’s) 12 E. State Street, Media, PA 19063. To register for the event please call Melody McHugh at 610-324-7077 or email her at melodymchugh@comfortkeepers.com.

Boscov Granite Run Fall Campus Courses – Dealing with Dementia

Boscov Granite Run Fall Campus Courses – Dealing with Dementia
Are you struggling with a loved one who is suffering from memory impairment? If so, attend the free campus course Dealing with Dementia’s Challenging Behaviors: Practical Solutions on Monday, September 19, 2011 from 6pm to 7pm or during the day on Tuesday September 20, 2011 from 10am to 11am and Wednesday October 12, 2011 also 10am to 11am.
Campus Courses are free and taught by members of the community. The Practical Solutions for Dealing with Dementia class will be taught by Melody McHugh, M.A. of Comfort Keepers. Other classes include Elderlaw: What is it and why do I need to know about it? And Medicare Changes and Veteran’s Benefit Open Enrollment.
To find out the dates and times of the above classes or register for any of these free classes, please contact Boscov’s Granite Run at 610-565-6009 ext 1278. Classes only run from Sunday September 18, 2011 through the end of October so don’t wait register today!!

Happy Birthday Lucille Ball gone but not forgotten

If you watch Hallmark you know that today is a marathon of I Love Lucy shows in honor of Lucille Ball's 100th birthday. All day long they are playing black and white episodes of Lucy getting into some kind of trouble, usually with Ethel or another co-conspirator.

And there were the episodes when she was pregnant. Who can ever forget the episode when Ricky, Ethel and Fred are practicing for when Lucy is ready to go to hospital. The timing of the comedy routine is perfection. Goodness knows they must have practice it a million times and it paid off. That episode when they have to call the doctor, get a cab and so on is probably one of the funniest 30 minutes of television.

But then again all of her shows were funny. Thank you Lucy for giving us something we can treasure even in year 2011. Your children and grandchildren and probably great grandchildren should be proud of the work you and Desi did.

Helpful Technology Solutions to Help Make Independent Living Safer for Aging Adults When Caregivers Can't be Present http://ping.fm/A486w

Always Ask For Identification

This article was printed in Friday's Daily Times: couple in their 80’s was robbed in their home on Thomas Avenue earlier this week by a woman posing as a home health aide, police said.The incident took place on Monday around 11 p.m. when a woman, wearing red hospital scrub pants and a floral shirt knocked on the elderly couple’s door saying she was an employee of the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging, according to authorities.The woman told the elderly man that she was there to check on his wife, who is confined to a bed because of medical issues, police said. The man let the woman inside and she spoke to his wife about her medical issues. After a few minutes, she left the home.A short time later, the woman returned telling the man that her car had broken down and asked to use the phone. The man allowed her inside again, but this time the woman ran into the wife’s bedroom, went immediately to a bedside table and took a number of items, including cash and a check book. She ran back out the front door before the man could stop her. The suspect’s car was heard driving away toward Washington Street, police said.

That article was in Friday's Daily Times. I encourage everyone to tell seniors and even younger people to always ask for identification. Any individual that works for the county especially COSA has identification and I know this because anytime I see a COSA employee the tag is pinned on the label, tie or shirt in visable spot. I have been in the WAWA and seen the county badge for someone who works at the courthouse or other county agencies. Please make sure you ask for identification. A home health aide should not just show up at your door. The visit should be scheduled and the agency should have contacted you to let you know the name of the aide coming for the shift, the time of arrival and answer any questions you have.

Most if not all home health agencies issue identification for their aides. Comfort Keeper aides have a photo identification.

Sometimes people feel shy or awkward about asking for identification but you should not. Most agencies have a policy in place that aides are to present identification when asked. If someone arrives at your home at 11pm and you were not notified by an agency or even if you were ask for identification. Any reputable agency would have informed you that a visit would be made especially that late at night. Use common sense and if things don't feel right do not let the person in your home. Any home health aide that has been issued out by an agency will report to the agency that you refused entry and the agency will call you. If you do not hear from anyone it was probably a fake and in that case I would call the police and report it.
To read the full story in the Daily Times, click HERE.

Senior Games: Register now for June events

Sign Up for the Annual Senior Games

Let the games begin! It’s time to sign up for the 2011 Delaware County Senior Games. The games are being held June 14th through the 24th at various locations throughout the county. The Games highlight county residents, 50 + during a two week period and promote a healthy, social and active lifestyle.

Last year, over 500 athletes participated in the 2010 Senior Games! There is something for everybody. Activities include: Basketball, Nintendo Wii Bowling, Billiards, Swimming, Shuffleboard, Bowling, Golf, Table Tennis, Horseshoes, Miniature Golf, Tennis and Track and Field.

It’s easy to sign up for the games. The deadline for residents 50 and older to register is June 3 rd and the fee is only $10. Events, locations and the registration form are all available on the www.DelcoSeniorGames.org website.

Delaware County Council, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) sponsor the Delaware County Senior Games. For more information, call 610-891-4663 or check online www.DelcoSeniorGames.org.

Sign up and get ready to compete! This information taken from the COSA website, to read more, go to www.delcosa.org.

All About Seniors: Caregiving, Health and Wellness Tips, News and Events: What do you think of when you hear Easter?

All About Seniors: Caregiving, Health and Wellness Tips, News and Events: What do you think of when you hear Easter?