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Meals on Wheels Adult Day Club Community Coach Geriatric Care Management Plus 23 additional services for seniors and their families.
1071 East 10th Street • Stuart, FL 34996 • 772-223-7800 www.coamc.org • Fax: 772-288-2057
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| “Our Turn” to Help the Hard Working
Think about the benefits of retiring to Martin County, Florida. Your first thoughts probably include enjoying the coastal areas and beaches, boating, fishing, golf… But, there are other reasons to retire here. Luvenia is a Florida native who worked as a housekeeper and a cook at a senior center. She and her family worked hard to buy a small house in East Stuart. This family home is where Luvenia continues to live in her retirement. Michael had two jobs in New Jersey – as a garage mechanic and in mosquito control – working 70 hours a week to support his family. He and his wife wanted a safe, affordable place to retire near their grown daughter. His son-in-law helped Michael find exactly what he was looking for in a middle-income community in Stuart. “These seniors have led independent and hard working lives,” explains Joan Fitzgerald, the Registered Nurse who is the Assistant Manager of the Gene C. Rifkin Adult Day Care Center in Stuart. “Others have benefited from their decades of hard work. Now, it’s our turn to help them, so they can continue to live independent lives.” Both of the seniors described above have health and mobility challenges. The Council on Aging’s day care center ensures they have the health care, medical monitoring and therapies needed to remain living at home. “But, day care is more than just physical care,” says Sheila Ruiz, one of the Council’s Care Managers who arranges services for elders. “This is a very special place where seniors and their caregivers receive our heartfelt concern. They can count on us like you count on family for ongoing support as well as assistance in an emergency.” Seniors and their caregivers count on the Council on Aging’s adult day care center and staff for: · Health care provided by LPNs and CNAs including chronic disease management, medication management and help with bathing; · Exercise programs to improve balance and strength as well as on-site access to physical therapy as prescribed; · Needed nutritional assistance through nine different therapeutic diets as well as guidance from a Licensed Registered Dietitian; · Registration for the Special Needs Hurricane Shelter or transportation to and from the nearest hurricane shelter; · A package of shelf-stable meals to take home for emergencies during hurricane season; · Mental stimulation regimens through reminiscence, art and pet therapies; and · Access to community or government support through a Certified Care Manager. This professional, service-intensive care does more than improve the quality of life for seniors. The daytime care can also decrease job absenteeism of family members who are struggling to care for an elderly relative at home. It is the Council on Aging’s privilege to serve these seniors who have spent their entire working lives in various service industries. For more information on this care center, call 772-223-7800. |
Taking Care of
Family 
by Barbara A. Kauffman, President & CEO
The Council on Aging’s family includes the seniors we serve, volunteers, donors, vendors and staff plus their relatives and pets!
Such a large family provides great support and shoulders great responsibility.
Seniors are welcomed into the Council on Aging’s community day care and dining centers just as they are welcomed home.
And, the Council on Aging is invited into seniors’ homes to help provide care, food and comfort.
However, just as every compassionate and caring moment is shared, so is every challenge. One of the challenges our family recurrently faces is hurricane season. We know we cannot leave any family member behind should there be a need to leave home.
This is why the Council on Aging’s new Charles and Rae Kane Senior Center will be a special needs shelter for medically-needy seniors, their family caregivers and their family pets. This is why those who volunteer to staff the shelter will be allowed to bring immediate family including pets.
No matter how challenging our lives become, taking care of family is always our first priority.
For more information on the Charles and Rae Kane Senior Center, call 772-223-7831.
From the Family Album
(Clockwise) “Sheriff” Shorty Edwards with day care visitor Prashantt, son of Volunteer Coordinator Krista Kugaraj. Volunteer Carl Greiner gets help from Brian Fisher of Meal Services in loading hurricane preparedness meals for delivery to homebound seniors. Valerie Burgatti and Day Care Aide Jeff Clift wrestle smiles out of Jeff’s pets, Wednesday and Pugslee. Jo Licitra enjoys physical therapy with Matt Corn from Better Balance.
Leading
Men and Women
by Bonnie Ares Royster, CFRE; Director of Development
Homer Gere is not a household name or an American idol. But, because of his famous son, Richard Gere, both are involved in a national ad campaign for the Meals on Wheels Association of America.
In the print ad, Homer Gere looks very trustworthy. He’s wearing a plaid, short-sleeved, sport shirt; sturdy pants and shoes; a new wrist watch that his tan has yet to catch up to; and has a band aide covering the tip of one finger. He looks like a man you could go to if you needed help. And, he is. Homer has delivered Meals on Wheels for almost 20 years.
Part of the ad copy reads, “My dad teaches me how to act every day of his life.”
I think this can be said about all those who lead by example. These leading men and women have a greater impact on our lives than those of movie fame.
The national ad campaign – using the print media as well as public service announcements – is to recruit Meals on Wheels volunteers and solicit much-needed donations so no one goes hungry.
“Who could say no to Richard Gere!” swooned a co-worker of mine.
Yet, it’s Richard Gere’s dad who I want to meet. And, I do…every day when Council on Aging volunteers pick up their Meals on Wheels for delivery.
Council volunteers Jerry and Elaine Shapiro are also receiving national attention. They are the 2007 Silver Award winners of the MetLife Foundation’s Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards. The Shapiros have been delivering Meals on Wheels for the Council since 1993. In addition, they volunteer for the Martin County Literacy Council, Martin Memorial Health Services, the Community Kitchen at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
The Shapiro family motto: “Those who can, can do for those who can’t.” Every day this couple teaches us how to act by leading through example.
If you would like to take a leading role in life…call Volunteer Coordinator Krista Kugaraj at 772-223-7829 to volunteer. If you would like to make a donation so no one goes hungry, please call me, Bonnie Ares Royster, at 772-223-7831.
Give and Receive through a
Charitable Gift Annuity
to the Council on Aging
In exchange for a gift of cash or appreciated stock, the Council on Aging of Martin County can provide the following benefits to you...
n Guaranteed, partially tax-free, lifetime income
n Immediate income tax savings through a charitable contribution deduction
n Capital gains tax savings for appreciated stock
n The ability to support Meals on Wheels, adult day care and other senior services
Sample Single Life Annuity Rates:
Age Rate
60 5.7
65 6.0
70 6.5
75 7.1
80 8.0
85 9.5
90+ 11.3
Call 772-223-7831 for more information.
Free, no obligation proposals also available.
]Please Note\
If you do not reside in Martin County and need any similar services mentioned in this nesletter, call the
Council on Aging of St. Lucie County
at (772) 336-8608,
Council on Aging of Indian River County
at (772) 569-0760 or the
Mae Volen Senior Center in Palm Beach County at (561) 395-8920.
Council on Aging
Board of Directors
David G. Pittinos, Chair
Robert Raynes, Jr., Vice Chair
Glenn Johnson, Treasurer
Christopher Coffey, Secretary
Directors
Marcela Camblor
Charles R. Cleaver
Jane Cornett, Esq.
Joan Gray
Terisa Heine
Gregory G. Keane, Esq.
Michael Pescitelli
Nicki Schoonover
Staff
Barbara A. Kauffman
President & CEO
Robert Truckenmiller
Chief Financial Officer
Bonnie Ares Royster, CFRE
Director of Development
Newsletter Editor
Brenda Baker
Newsletter Layout
Adult Day Care
Michelle Capogrosso
...........................................772-223-7843
COA Information................772-223-7800
Donations
Bonnie Ares Royster, CFRE
...........................................772-223-7831
Geriatric Care Management
Marie Bezdany, CMC ............772-223-7836
Lynda Abrahamson, MS, CMC
...........................................772-223-7813
Log Cabin Senior Center
Lisa Newman........................772-334-2926
Nutrition Services
Sandy Eckhardt, CNPA
...........................................772-223-7825
Transportation Hotline
............................................772-283-1814
Volunteer Services
Krista Kugaraj........................772-223-7829
Web Site.....................www.coamc.org