collage of clients 


SENIOR MOMENTS
brought to you by 
Meals on Wheels and
 Senior Outreach
Services 

        925-937-8311            
         
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome New Volunteers
Words We Live By
Upcoming Events
Media
AmazonSmile
Available Resources
Making A Difference
Meals on Wheels
C.C. Cafés
Health and Wellness
Friendly Visitors
About Town
WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS
 
Meals on Wheels

Greg Alves
Valerie Amboy-LaHaie
Maricris Azarias
Ann Bell
Ralph Bell
Yvette Biggerstaff
Lynn Canada
Paul Clark
Sarah Coleman
Kelly Davis
Kim Foster
Kristi Gomes
Patrick Haggerty
Valli James
Paulette Johnson
Kuana Liu
Kristen Mahler
Eric Milam
Erin McCoin
Charleen Pelizzari-Murray
Samantha Reinholdt
Dawn Salazar
Rich Sayers
Jennifer Snidebush
Kelley Timbrell
Mary Tousignant 
 
Friendly Callers
 
Sally Paris
Anna Schneider
Lee Fisher
 Friendly Visitors
 
Jamie Berarducci
Sharon Chirila
Brittany Hilton
Britt Jeppesen
Becky Overstreet
Anglique Parras
Dianne Scheck
Catherine Skrehot
Shannon Smalls
WORDS WE
LIVE BY 
 
An excerpt from a letter from another happy client:
       
"In an era of often times hearing negative things, I thought I'd try to bring a smile and a thank you.
 
What a wealth of information Ms. Dietsch provided
 regarding services that are available to our 92-year-old mother who continues to insist on living in her own home since 1946!
 
A big shout out to Anna who Mom is thoroughly enjoying speaking to twice a week through your Friendly Calling program. 
Our heartiest and heartfelt thanks for your resources."
Marsha
UPCOMING EVENTS

YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program  Pleasant Hill

Next session starting March 2016! 

 Session A: Mondays at 12:00 pm
Session B: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
Cost: $35.75 per month for twelve months
For more information or to sign up, please contact Tracy Rogers, YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program Coordinator at
925- 887-4511 or
~~~ 
Free Workshop for Family Caregivers

Tuesday, March 22nd
1:00pm - 3:00pm

San Pablo Library
 2300 El Portal Dr., Suite# D
 San Pablo
~~~

March for Meals 2016
 
Show your support for seniors by joining us the week of March 21st on a two-hour ride-along to deliver meals to home bound seniors.
It will change your life.
 
Contact Leigh Shughrou, Public Affairs Specialist, at [email protected], or
925-937-8311 x133.
~~~
 
Ombudsman Services
presents
From Theory to Practice 2016:
Residents First
 
Thursday, April 21st
8:00am - 4:00pm
Pleasant Hill Community Center
320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill
 
Register online here.
 
~~~
Laugh, Love & Learn
Senior Live Well Forum
& Resource Fair

Friday, May 6th
8:3am -1:00pm

Pleasant Hill Senior Center
233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
  
Click here for more details.
~~~


 

MOWSOS Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

~Save the Date~

 

Thursday, June 16th

1:00pm-4:00pm


 

Heather Farm,

Walnut Creek

~~~
Media

2016 Shrimp Dinner

2016 Shrimp Dinner Video

Produced by

College Park High School Videography Students

 

Partners in Care Press Release

 


Diablo GazettePages 8 and 19
AmazonSmile
 
 
 
When completing your shopping on Amazon, use Amazon Smile and pick Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services as your charity of choice.  Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to our organization.
  
Make your purchases count, visit smile.amazon.com! 
Available Resources

Free tax preparation February through April, 2016, for people with limited to moderate income in Contra Costa County.
For a location near you, click here.
~~~
Taxes Done Right!
EarnIt, KeepIt, $aveIt!

Free tax service you can trust.
  

29 Hunger Action Items
Here are some simple things individuals and consumers can do to help combat hunger and food insecurity.
Issue 4, Volume 3
March 2016
Greetings!  donate_now_green_btn.gif
 
This month, we are celebrating the fact that people will inevitably encounter transition throughout their lives. Whether it is through a family move, as is the case with our friend and MOWSOS associate, Rhonda Dietsch, or seniors who make the shift from self-care to requiring a little extra support, transitions are a part of life. The national campaign, March for Meals, is an opportunity to celebrate and bring awareness to the needs of transitioning seniors.
 
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services is the largest county-wide organization invited into the homes of our senior clients every day.  As invited guests, we form friendships and become trusted confidants, often uncovering serious health issues.  It is for this very reason that MOWSOS is embracing the "Care Transitions" model of health.  We continue to forge relationships with hospitals, insurance companies, and skilled nursing facilities as a trusted liaison. 
 
Join us for March for Meals, celebrate Rhonda as she begins  her new endeavors, and embrace the many transitions in life.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Elaine Clark signature
 
    
Making A Difference
Mahalo, Rhonda

After four years of unwavering dedication to her senior clients, Rhonda Dietsch, Program Coordinator, Health and Wellness Division, is headed to her new home on Hawaii for some adventures in the sun and surf. 

"Having the opportunity to work with such an amazing team has been a blessing to me," says Rhonda.  "My first order of business will be to contact the Meals on Wheels program in Honolulu in an effort to be of assistance to the seniors on the island.  My passion is working with seniors and providing direction and assistance."

"Rhonda will be sorely missed, but we do wish for her the very best," says Cynthia Black, Division Manager, Health and Wellness Division.
 
A hoi hou, Rhonda. 
Meals on Wheels
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March On!

On Friday, March 11th, MOWSOS  kickedoff the national March for Meals campaign with an "Ultimate Coffee Break," generously provided by our very own local, hometown radio station, KKDV/92.1. 
March for Meals Champions join us for coffee and treats thanks to KKDV's Ultimate Coffee Break.

Community leaders, volunteers, and MOWSOS supporters joined us in celebrating the start of the campaign with gourmet coffee and decadent "bundtinis" from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

In an effort to help us raise awareness about senior hunger and isolation, Contra Costa "Community Champions" will partake in
ride-alongs with volunteer drivers during the week of March 21-25.

Look for stories and photos in next month's "Senior Moments."

For more information on the Meals on Wheels Program, please contact Nancy Raniere at [email protected] or
 925-937-8607.  

C.C. Caf�s


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Be Our Guest 

The C.C. Caf�s are ready to welcome new diners during our "Be Our Guest" events sponsored by the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund.

"We had great success last year with fifteen new diners to the Bay Point C.C. Caf�, many of those returning regularly to enjoy great food and friendships," says Sharon Fitzgerald, Manager, Nutrition Division. 

Celebrations will take place at our Bay Point, Crockett and Pittsburg C.C. Caf�s.

Bay Point:  Thursday, March 17th
 
Pittsburg:  Wednesday, March 23rd
 
Crockett:  Friday, April 15th
 
Help us spread the word!
 
Caf�s are open to everyone 60 years or older.  Contact Sharon Fitzgerald at [email protected] or 925-937-8311 x138. 
 Care Managment

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 Integrated Care in Action

On a rainy day in 2006, Antioch resident James was in the wrong place at the wrong time when a stray bullet from a nearby robbery stuck him causing severe nerve damage and memory loss, requiring months of rehabilitation.
 
Fortunately, James was referred to MOWSOS' Meals on Wheels program and began receiving daily meals and wellness checks. 
 
On a recent visit, the volunteer driver noticed that James seemed particularly unstable and in need of some additional support. The driver connected James to the Care Management program at MOWSOS. 
 
"I discussed a number of options and referrals with James," say Nick Weber, MOWSOS' Case Management Associate.  "During our discussion, James mentioned he had recently taken a fall and was having trouble with his balance.  I immediately referred him to our Fall Prevention Program Manager, Alayne Balke."
 
"James' home was not safe for someone with poor balance," says Alayne.  "Our Occupational Therapist visited James and within the week our contractor installed a bed bar, a grab bar for his bathtub, and a shower chair."
   
The story doesn't end there.  "I visited with James after the bars had been installed and also noticed that his shower curtain rod was not secure," says Nick.  "I was able to purchase a rod and curtain for James and installed it the same day.  Now he has one less thing to worry about!"
 
"Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has treated me so well," says James.  "I  appreciate their support more than anyone knows."
 
For more information about the Care Management Program, contact Rosa Loya at [email protected] or 925-937-8311. 
 Healthy Bites

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Luck of the Irish Skewers
 ~a festive St. Patrick's Day appetizer~

If you're headed to a St. Patrick's Day celebration and need something easy, tasty and festive to share, try these Irish Skewers. 

According to Heartbeet Kitchen, the skewers are "a mish mash twist of corned beef, cabbage, and swiss cheese in finger food form. No baking, brining, or boiling required."

Click on the skewer
for the recipe.

"Luck o' the Irish to ya...."
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 About Town

Volunteer driver Steve Mac Donald and MOWSOS employees Alayne Balke, Fall Prevention Program Manager, and Nancy Raniere, Meals on Wheels Program Specialist, do their best to stay dry in front of the KKDV van during the March for Meals Ultimate Coffee Break Kickoff.
One of our youngest champions enjoying her bundtini at the March for Meals kickoff.

MOWSOS CEO, Elaine Clark (center), greets March for Meals Champion, Christa Fairfield of St. Bonaventure Church.

A fond farewell to Rhonda. From left: office volunteer Anna Schneider, Rhonda Dietsch, Cynthia Black, Division Manager, Health and Wellness, and Mary Hannenburg, Health and Wellness Division Assistant.

Walnut Creek C.C. Caf� diner, Ed Calderon, crafts his thank you card to the students at Charlotte Wood Middle School in Danville.

    

Students from Charlotte Wood Middle School made Valentine's Day cards for

 C.C. Caf� diners.

Elaine Clark visits the Senate Building while in Washington, D.C. for a National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging cohort meeting focusing on Senior Care Transitions earlier this month.

Awards and Recognitions
    


If you have suggestions for our newsletter or would like to contribute a quote, photo, or story, please contact:
Leigh Shughrou
Public Affairs Specialist
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services
925-937-8311 x133
[email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 
 
As a 501(c)3 we are eligible to receive bequests.  Please contact Elaine Clark at [email protected] or 925-937-8311.

1300 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
925-937-8311  mowsos.org 
 

Meals On Wheels and Senior Outreach Services | 1300 Civic Drive | Walnut Creek | CA | 94596