INSIDE THIS ISSUE Unfortunately, isolation in older adults is alarmingly common, and will continue to be an issue as that population grows in record numbers. Social Field Trips, Shopping, 4 isolation in older adults can cause emotional issues like depression and Errands loneliness, as well as physical fallout such as heart disease and Volunteer Spotlight 8 immunodeficiencies. Awareness of the problem is the first step, followed Events & Presentations 10 by learning ways to stay healthy and avoid isolation. Class Schedule Here are some ways to help promote connectedness and social good-health. 1. Have a Sense of Purpose People with a sense of purpose or hobbies that interest them are less likely to succumb to the negative effects of social isolation. Many hobbies and interests are inherently social in nature. If a person is bereft of ideas for what to do, there are always planned events at the local senior center. Volunteering is also great way of maintaining and expressing a sense of purpose. 2. Available Transportation Having access to adequate public transportation or other transportation services is key to access- ing programs and resources, as well as their feelings of connectedness and independ- ence. Because many older adults do not drive, this can be a big issue, so anything that helps people get around and make independent choices about travel promotes their social health. 3. Get a Pet Are you a cat or dog person? You can go to your local shelter to walk a lonely dog, just visit, or bring home a precious pet. If you have a gentle, well-behaved dog, you could consider bringing it to a nursing home to visit the residents. Pet therapy is medicinal: it can actually lower anxiety and blood pressure, boost memory, and contribute to mood and a sense of well being. Caring for pets is also fun and rewarding for those who need companionship. 4. Get Involved in the Community Staying involved in the community helps give people a sense purpose. Many older adults thrive by close involvement with their community and meeting new people, and interacting with people of all ages. Even if you don’t want to volunteer, attending events at your local senior center or enrolling in a class you might enjoy is an excellent way to get involved. Many assisted living communities and senior centers bring people to events within the community for this very purpose.

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MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018 5. Exercise Staff Development Day Let’s face it; exercise and moving our bodies releases endorphins, reduces stress and just makes  North Berkeley Senior Center us feel good. Exercise is especially beneficial to older adults to get the blood moving in addition to increasing flexibility and strength — and also helps promote a positive body image to want to interact with others and be social.

6. Keep Up Doctor Visits Part of staying healthy and social is preventative health and being aware of any health problems that may arise. Routine doctor visits go a long way to addressing health problems that can cause people to withdraw and become isolated.

Are you interested in serving on an 7. Stay Actively Engaged in Your Interests Advisory Council? ALL Senior Center Hobbies are a great way to stay engaged while members are encouraged to participate! stimulating your mind, but are also great for social interaction. For example, art can also be done as Elections for both Berkeley Senior Center a social activity with friends or family, so that Advisory Councils are coming up in mingling happens while stimulating your mind and September 2018! Advisory Councils work soul. with Senior Center staff to shape the experiences at the Berkeley Senior 9. Dine With Others Centers. The act of eating with others is inherently social

Open Advisory Council Seats for 2019 as mealtimes are events when the whole family or community comes together. Dining offers an North Berkeley: 18 seats occasion for catching up and rejoicing with others South Berkeley: 11 seats and it is such a central part of human contented- ness and interaction. Potential candidates should complete a candidate interest form and return it 10. Make Family and Friend Interaction a directly to listed senior center staff by the Priority established deadline for your center. Visiting family and friends is one of the most im- portant past-times for older adults as these catch- ups help combat isolation; one of the leading causes of mental and physical decline. Visiting with family and friends not only helps to strength- en family bonds and heritage, it’s also important for happiness.

Adapted from: https://www.aplaceformom.com/ blog/6-20-16-things-you-can-do-to-combat-senior- isolation/

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Eating is much more enjoyable if you know the food has been handled safely. Temperature abuse, cross-contamination and inadequately cleaned produce are common culprits of food-borne illness during the summer months, when weather is warmer and outdoor eating is more common. Follow these guidelines to ensure you enjoy a safe meal.

Safe Temperature Tips  Keep and transport food safely – Keep hot food HOT (135°F plus). Wrap it well and place in an insulated container or keep on a barbe- que.

 Keep cold food COLD (41°F or less). Place in a cooler with a cold source such as ice or frozen ice packs. Frozen individual water bottles are easy and work great.

 Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat and poultry.

 Check temperature in several places to be sure food is safely cooked.

 Fish and beef, veal, pork or lamb steaks, roasts and chops can be cooked to 145°F. Ground beef should reach 165°F; ground chicken or turkey should reach 165°F. All poultry should reach a minimum of 165°F.

 Store any leftovers promptly in shallow containers in a cooler with ice. Discard any food left out more than 4 hours (1 hour if temperatures are above 90 °F).

 When using a cooler, keep it out of the direct sun by placing it in the shade or shelter under a table. Avoid opening the lid too often, which lets cold air out and warm air in. Pack beverag- es in one cooler and perishables in a separate cooler.

 Keep food out of the “Danger Zone” (41–135°F).

 When In Doubt, Throw it Out!

Clean, Sanitize and Prepare in Advance  To minimize steps and maximize food safety with outdoor cooking, plan to clean and prepare fruits and vegetables at home.

 Serving cantaloupe? Because melons are grown on the ground and can be exposed to manure, research shows that their rinds may carry Salmonella. To avoid transferring these microor- ganisms inside to the melon while cutting, scrub the fruit with a vegetable/fruit-specific cleaning brush and dishwashing soap for 15 to 30 seconds under running water.

 Find out if there is a source of clean water. If not, bring water for preparation and cleaning, along with soap, clean cloths or paper towels and wet towelettes or antibacterial wipes for cleaning surfaces and hands.

Sources: foodsafety.gov; fsis.usda.gov; fightbac.org

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Excursions Leaving from Excursions Leaving from NORTH Berkeley Senior Center SOUTH Berkeley Senior Center

Fill out a Field Trip Request and turn it in, or call Fill out a Field Trip Request and turn it in or call North Berkeley Senior Center by 4:30 pm on the South Berkeley Senior Center starting at 9:00 am first business day of the month to sign up for the on the first business day of the month. lottery. Spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served A lottery will be held at the end of the day to basis until filled. Trips scheduled for the first determine your spot on the trip or wait list. Trips week of the month will appear on the previous scheduled for the first week of the month will month’s sign up. Once spaces on the bus are appear on the previous months sign up. Late filled, participants will be placed on the wait list. sign-ups will be listed on a first-come, first- served basis depending on space available. Participants may only make trip reservations for themselves. Participants must call to determine their spot on the trip list.

Members may sign up for three (3) total trips per month: up to two (2) “long” trips are allowed.

For complete information about signing up for trips, please see senior center staff.

RETURN TRIP: Drivers will wait no more than 15 minutes after the agreed meeting time for field trip participants to board the bus. Once the bus departs, participants will be responsible for their own return transportation. Please plan accordingly!

WALK SCORE: Some trips may Members participating in field trips

include walking on unpaved or uneven surfaces or may have Please DO NOT park in the other challenges. The key below will help to identify Senior Center parking lots. walking conditions. Be mindful of any parking restrictions in the areas sur- rounding the senior centers, such as: street cleaning; area time limits, etc.

Page 4 August 2018 http://www.cityofberkeley.info/aging City Center Summer Sounds Concert (Oakland) () Date: Wednesday, 8/1/18 Date: Tuesday, 08/07/18 Time: 11:00 am — 2:00 pm Time: 10:30 am - 3:30 pm Admission: Free Admission: Free Transportation: Free Transportation: $2 Lunch: On your own Lunch: On your own Trip Length & Walk Score: Short; Moderate walking Trip Length & Walk Score: Long; Light—Moderate City Center Summer Sounds Concert (Oakland) Pier 24 Photography Museum (San Francisco) Date: Wednesday, 8/8/18 Date: Wednesday, 8/8/18 Time: 11:00 am—2:00 pm Time: 10:30 am - 3:30 pm Admission: Free Admission: Free Transportation: Free Transportation: $2 Lunch: On your own Lunch: On your own Trip Length & Walk Score: Short; Moderate walking Trip Length & Walk Score: Long; Light A’s vs. Seattle Mariners Game (Oakland) John Muir Museum (Martinez) Date: Wednesday, 8/15/18 Date: Tuesday, 8/14/18 Time: 11:00 am—3:00 pm Time: 10:30 am -3:30 pm Admission: Free Admission: Free Transportation: $3.00/parking Transportation: $2 Lunch: On your own Lunch: Bring your own bag lunch; picnic tables Trip Length & Walk Score: Short; Heavy walking/ around site stairs Trip Length & Walk Score: Long; Light to Moderate

Pier 39 (San Francisco) Eugene O’Neill Museum (Martinez) Date: Wednesday, 8/22/18 Date: Thursday, 08/23/18 Time: 10:00 am — 3:00 pm Time: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm Admission: Free Admission: Free Transportation: $2.00 Transportation: $2 Lunch: On your own Lunch: Lunch on your own Trip Length & Walk Score: Long, Heavy walking Trip Length & Walk Score: Long; Heavy walking and/or uneven surfaces around property and some rough terrain City Center Summer Sounds Concert (Oakland) Date: Wednesday, 8/29/18 Time: 11:00 am — 2:00 pm Admission: Free Transportation: Free Lunch: On your own Trip Length & Walk Score: Short; Moderate walking

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In 1950 there were 200 million people over 60 years old - by 2000 that number had tripled to nearly 600 million and by 2025 it is estimated that there will be over 1 billion older persons.

1999 was celebrated as the International Year for Older Persons to promote the Museo Italo Americano (Fort Mason) theme of working to create "a society for Date: Wednesday, 8 /29/18 all ages." In 2002 the United Nations Time: 10:30 am — 3:30 pm adopted an International Plan of Action on Admission: Free Aging in which all governments pledged to Transportation: $2 work for the security of older persons, as Lunch: On your own well as to empower them so that they can Trip Length & Walk Score: Long; Light—Moderate "participate fully in the economic, political

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco) and social lives of their societies." Date: Tuesday, 9/04/18 Time: 10:30 am — 3:30 pm August 21, Senior Citizens Day, is an Admission: Free opportunity to celebrate the wisdom and Transportation: $2 achievements senior citizens have made, Lunch: On your own and serves as a reminder to advocate for Trip Length & Walk Score: Long; Light—Moderate the rights of older people throughout the world.

“A longer life provides humans with an opportunity to examine their lives in retrospect, to correct some of their mistakes, to get closer to the truth and to achieve a different understanding of the sense and value of their actions. This may well be the more important contribution of older people to the human community. Especially at this time, after the unprece- dented changes that have affected human- kind in their lifetime, the reinterpreta- FREE grocery distribution twice a month! tion of life-stories by the aged should help Open to members of the North and South us all to achieve the urgently needed Berkeley Senior Centers, and to families of stu- reorientation of history.” dents at John Muir and Malcolm X Elementary Schools. -United Nations International Plan of Action on Aging The distribution will consist of produce, bread, and shelf stable Source: http://www.doonething.org/ items. calendar/seniorcitizensday.htm PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN GROCERY BAGS.

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*Folding carts OK. Must be folded while on the bus.

ATTENTION: Members may sign up via the Field Trip sign-up to participate in shopping trips departing from South Berkeley Senior Center.

SHOPPING ERRANDS

Day Where Time Day Date Time

Tues, 8/7 Walmart 10:30 am-2 pm Monday 8/6; 8/13; 8/20; 10 am - 12 pm 8/27 Tues, 8/14 Foods Co. 12:30 - 3 pm Thursday 8/2; 8/9; 8/16; 1 - 3 pm Tues, 8/21 Costco 10:30 am-12:30 pm 8/23; 8/30 Tues, 8/28 Larry’s Produce 12 - 2:30 pm Wed, 9/5 99¢ Store/ 12:30 - 2:30 pm John’s Ice Cream

ATTENTION: Members must sign up via the Field Trip lottery to participate in trips to Costco, departing from North Berkeley Senior Center.**

SHOPPING MOBILE FOOD PANTRY Day Where Time Day Date Time

Mon, 8/6 Costco** 11 am - 2 pm Fri, 8/10 8/10/18 1:30 - 3:00 pm Mon, 8/13 Berkeley Bowl 11 am - 2 pm Fri, 8/24 8/24/18 1:30 - 3:00 pm Mon, 8/20 Safeway 11 am - 2 pm Mon, 8/27 Costco** 11 am - 2 pm Mon, 9/3 Berkeley Bowl 11 am - 2 pm

Mon, 9/10 Safeway 11 am - 2 pm

Page 7 August 2018 http://www.cityofberkeley.info/aging This edition of Transit Hub provides an overview of the taxi scrip program and describes some of the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead. In traditional paper taxi scrip pro- grams, participants use a limited supply of paper scrip in lieu of cash for taxi rides in pre-authorized taxi vehicles. The advent of Transportation Rachel Kent has always known she wanted to Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft combine her interest in healthcare with her presents a challenging model for service. On the passion for working with older adults. So, it’s one hand, with a Smart phone, anyone may sum- no surprise that for the last few years, she has mon a ride anywhere and anytime. The conven- found time in her busy schedule to volunteer for ience may be attractive to users. However, on the two Meals on Wheels agencies – Santa Clara and other hand, the requirements for becoming a driv- Berkeley. er are relatively low and beyond the ability of the City to control. Further, not all Berkeley residents Inspired by her mom’s have access to Smart phones. career in social work, It is possible that there is a way, without Smart Rachel interned for phones, to obtain some of the conveniences of Santa Clara Meals on TNCs (such as Uber and Lyft), while ensuring that Wheels, conducting only authorized (licensed, inspected, trained) City home visits and connect- of Berkeley taxicabs are picking up Berkeley ing seniors to key social passengers. First, in coordination with Code services. Currently, at Enforcement and Finance, the Aging Services Berkeley Meals on Division has initiated preliminary, inter- Wheels, Rachel delivers departmental discussions to understand how other meals once a week. Her jurisdictions have implemented new models for favorite part of her paying for rides electronically, that is – just like volunteer experience is the connections she paper scrip, only with a card. On this effort, much makes with her clients. One 96-year-old client work remains. exclaimed, “Seeing you is the best part of my day!” Indeed, Rachel brings a bright smile and In the meantime, second, a new company called spirit to her clients, and the whole Berkeley GoGoGrandparent has been providing rides for Meals on Wheels organization. seniors in Lafayette, CA, and throughout the country, often working collaboratively with hospi- Rachel has been accepted into the prestigious tals. The GoGoGrandparent hybrid model allows Occupational Therapy master’s program at any person (not only seniors) to use a landline or University of Southern . She plans to regular cell phone to call 1-855-464-6872 and use her electives and internships to continue order a ride. The drivers are pre-screened by her important work with seniors, specializing in GoGoGrandparent for their ability to provide an geriatric occupational therapy. extra level of care to riders. In the coming months, look for details on both these efforts.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact me at (510) 981-5403 or [email protected].

Page 8 August 2018 http://www.cityofberkeley.info/aging I have the right . . .  To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capacity to take better care of my relative.

 To seek help from others even though my rela- tive may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.

 To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things for myself.

 To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.

 To reject any attempt by my relative (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, anger, or depression.

 To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do for my loved one for as long as I offer these qualities in return.

 To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has some- times taken to meet the needs of my relative.

 To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my relative no longer needs my full-time help.

 To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physi- cally and mentally impaired older persons in our country, similar strides will be made toward aiding and supporting caregivers.

 To ______(Add your own statement of rights to this list. Read the list to yourself every day.)

— Jo Horne, author of Caregiving: Helping an Aging Loved One

Source: https://www.caregiver.org/caregiver%E2%80%99s-bill-rights

Page 9 August 2018 http://www.cityofberkeley.info/aging SBSC Advisory Council Meeting Free Blood Pressure Check Day: Wednesday, 8/1/18 provided by Lifelong Medical Care Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am Day: Mondays, 8/6; 8/13; 8/20; 8/27/18 Location: Conference Room A Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Location: Dining Room SBSC Trip Planning Committee Day: Thursday, 8/2/18 Leaves of Grass and Smooth Jazz Time: 10:00 – 10:30 am Day: Monday, 8/6/18 Location: Office A Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm Location: Multipurpose Room Our Story Group Day: Thursdays, 8/2; 8/9; 8/16; 8/23 & 8/30/18 Mobile Food Pantry Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am Donated by The Seed to Flower Collaborative Location: Classroom A Day: Friday, 8/10/18 & 8/24/18 Description: Everyone has a story about how Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm they got here and got over. Please come and Location: Parking lot share your story, make new friends, give, hope, inspire, laugh and heal. Eviction Defense Center Day: Monday, 8/20/18 Assistive Technology Program Time: 1 – 2 pm Presentation Location: Dining Room Day: Tuesday, 8/13/18 Self-Care Workshop Series Time: 1 - 2 pm with Grace Wright, Center for Independent Living Location: Multipurpose Room Day: Monday, 8/27/18 Description: See page 14 for full description Time: 1 – 2 pm Brown Bag Program Distribution Location: Conference Room B by Mercy Retirement Care Center Day: Friday, 8/3/18 & 8/17/18 Time: 11 am – 2 pm Location: Front Desk HICAP Counseling Day: Friday, 8/3/18 & 8/17/18 Time: 1pm – 3pm Location: Health Room Description: To make an appointment, please call (510) 832-3040. Free counseling and advo- Please bring a yoga mat! cacy to Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare, supplemental insurance, prescription drug plans and more.

Page 10 August 2018 http://www.cityofberkeley.info/aging Join us and enjoy poetry and the soothing sounds of Showtime: 12:45 PM smooth jazz! Location: Conference Room B Date Title

Friday, 8/3 Mad Money (Crime/Comedy) Friday, 8/17 Tower Heist (Comedy/Action) The EDC is a non-profit organization that helps tenants stay in their homes. They provide counseling and assistance on tenancy, clutter, difficulties paying rent, problems with guests, in-home workers and inside home repairs.

Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) through Legal Assistance for Seniors provides free and unbiased community education, individual counsel- ing, and advocacy to Medicare beneficiar- ies about Medicare, Supplemental Insurance, Prescription Drugs and Medicare Advantage plans, Long Term Tips and ideas for how to Care Insurance, Medicare Appeals, and spend quality you-time, Low Income Assistance programs. especially when life gets extra tough.

Page 11 August 2018 http://www.cityofberkeley.info/aging NBSC Advisory Council Meeting Piano Concert with Lisa Siragusa Day: Wednesday, 8/1/18 Day: Wednesdays, 8/8/18 & 8/29/18 Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Time: 1 - 2 pm Location: Health Room Location: Multipurpose Room

Elder Voices (Everyone welcome!) Parkinson’s Caregiver Support Group Day: Wednesday, 8/1/18 Day: Thursday, 8/9/18 Time: 1 - 4 pm Time: 3 - 4 pm Location: Multipurpose Room Location: Classroom C FREE Blood Pressure Checks Clothing Giveaway Provided by LifeLong Medical Care Day: Friday, 8/10/18 Day: Wednesdays, 8/1; 8/8; 8/15; 8/22; 8/29 Time: 1 - 2 pm Time: 10 am - 12 pm Location: Workshop B Location: Hallway adjacent to the Coffer Bar New Volunteer Orientation NBSC Trip Planning Committee Day: Monday, 8/13/18 Day: Thursday, 8/2/18 Time: 10 - 11 am Time: 1 - 2 pm Location: Health Room Location: Gameroom B Additional: New volunteers will learn senior Additional: Trip suggestions can be placed in center policies and procedures, and about how the white box located in the lobby. to volunteer successfully. Brown Bag Program August Birthdays Celebration Donated by Mercy Retirement Care Center Day: Wednesday, 8/15/18 Day: Fridays, 8/3/18 & 8/17/18 Time: 1 - 3 pm Time: 12 - 2 pm Location: Multipurpose Room. Everyone is wel- Location: Health Room come! Additional: If you would like to register please bring proof of Income and ID. Commission on Aging Meeting NO MEETING FOR AUGUST. New Senior Orientation NEXT MEETING 9/19. Day: Monday, 8/6/18 Time: 10 - 11 am Peripheral Neuropathy Support Location: Health Room Group Additional: New members will receive infor- Day: Wednesday, 8/15/18 mation about our programs & services. Time: 3 – 4 pm Location: Library Assistive Technology Program Presentation Gray Panthers Meeting Day: Tuesday, 8/7/18 Day: Wednesday, 8/22/18 Time: 1 - 2 pm Time: 1:30 - 4:00 pm Location: Multipurpose Room Location: Multipurpose Room

Page 12 August 2018 http://www.cityofberkeley.info/aging Level of Dementia Presented by Susan Grant of Senior Helpers Day: Tuesday, 8/28/18 Time: 1:00 -3:00 pm Location: Multipurpose Room

Assistive technology (AT) is any device created, adapted, or modified to help an individual with day-to-day tasks. AT can Do you have a loved one who might have address various needs and may include dementia. This presentation will provide canes, wheelchairs, listening devices/ essential information for care providers and hearing aids, computer software, tablets/ family members on how to have a positive smartphone, foot stools, just to name a few. and meaningful relationship with loved ones through their journey in dementia. Join this presentation about the services provided by the Assistive Technology Program and receive information about the latest AT devices!

Join us to celebrate August birthdays! Music, dancing, and cake! Everyone is Sing your favorite songs from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s in a supportive welcome! atmosphere. It’s your turn to sing your heart out and SHINE!

Page 13 August 2018 http://www.cityofberkeley.info/aging Aging Services Division 1901 Hearst Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 (510) 981-5200

Email: [email protected] Web: www.cityofberkeley.info/aging

Senior Center membership is FREE and EASY for community members aged 55 and over! Call or visit your senior center today for more information about how to join.

Tri City Café Lunch Program Lunch is served daily at both Senior Center locations at 12:00 PM (unless otherwise noted) $3 for members 60+ (suggested contribution) $5 for members 55 - 59 Cash, and weekly or monthly checks accepted. No one 60+ is turned away for inability to contribute.

The City of Berkeley Aging Services Division welcomes participants regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, political affiliation, veterans’ status, disabilities (physical & mental), and medical condition (including cancer & HIV status).

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