When Danice and Tom attended their first Sourcewise Advisory Council meeting in 2015, they were impressed with the in-depth discussion regarding senior issues.

“We have most enjoyed our interactions with the…Advisory Council members, those working at Sourcewise; and also many nonprofit leaders…We are impressed at how knowledgeable and dedicated they are to improving life for seniors,” Danice said.

Danice—now the Chair of the Advisory Council—and her husband, Tom, have been members of the Sourcewise Advisory Council for three years.

“As recent arrivals to California and Santa Clara County, we realized that we could learn a great deal about local programs to support older adults…at Sourcewise and wanted to be part of this effort,” Tom said.

As part of the Advisory Council, Danice and Tom are proud to be included in the Sourcewise culture.

The couples’ accomplishments while serving on the council include: revitalizing the membership process to maintain a knowledgeable and robust group; developing a work plan which focuses on advisory membership involvement with a clear path to completion; and inviting guest speakers to educate and inform the council.

In their free time, they also volunteer for the League of Women Voters and the Alzheimer’s Association Congressional Team. Danice and Tom enjoy spending time with family; daily walks with their two dogs; gardening; live musicals (including the SF Symphony, Theatre Works, American Conservatory Theater); and traveling. In fact, they are visiting their seventh continent in December–Antarctica!

The Advisory Council is a legally mandated body that advises Sourcewise which services of the Older Americans Act need attention in the community; advocates on behalf of seniors; and distributes information to the community. Meetings are open to the general public and are held at 12 p.m. the first Monday of every month, with two exceptions.

Learn more about the Sourcewise Advisory Council: (408) 350-3200, option 1.

Across the country, a growing population of older Americans is sharing their wisdom with future generations. Whether working and volunteering; mentoring and learning; leading and engaging; seniors are enriching their communities.

“Volunteering has rewards that you can’t get from paid work. . .I enjoy the challenge of learning about…and finding a way to help them [clients] resolve their issues. I enjoy hearing clients say ‘I never knew help like this was available. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the information and help you provided,’” says Jan Wischnia, 71, a volunteer counselor in her second year of the Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program, directed by Connie Corrales. Volunteer counselors are state-certified to provide unbiased, personalized counseling.

Since 1963, each May we celebrate our nation’s elders with Older Americans Month by recognizing their contributions to our communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, this year’s emphasis is on the importance of being involved—no matter what stage you are in life. Staying active can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Get involved in your community. Sourcewise provides a digital directory of volunteer opportunities on our website: www.mysourcewise.com. Connect with our Community Resource Specialists via phone or email to receive the list: (408) 350-3200, option 1.

No time for volunteering? Invest in your future—visit Sourcewise at any of our May events. Call Sourcewise for a list of upcoming community resource fairs.

Sourcewise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, providing services at no cost to Santa Clara County residents. Help us continue to provide vital programs for an ever-expanding need. Donate at www.mysourcewise.com or send a check to: Sourcewise, General Fund. 2115 The Alameda, CA 95126.

One in six seniors aged 60 and older has experienced some form of elder abuse within the past year, as of January 2018. The global increase in older people requires family, friends, and neighbors to become more alert of potentially abusive situations.

Whether you are an older adult; care for someone who is; or simply know an older person; you can play a part in preventing elder abuse. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15 is an annual call to action for individuals, organizations, and communities concerned with senior rights which urges individuals to volunteer for organizations benefitting seniors.

The National Center on Elder Abuse states, “The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.”

Signs of elder abuse can be difficult to recognize and are crucial in getting help for victims. Take note of the following warning signs of possible abuse. These factors may exist alone or in combination; may escalate in frequency or severity; and may change from one form to another:

• Unexplained signs of injury (bruises, welt, scars), especially if they appear symmetrically on two sides of the body
• Abnormal explanations of broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
• Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration
• Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes
• Significant withdrawals from the elder’s accounts
• Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies

Call 911 when any individual is facing an immediate or life-threatening danger.

Report adult abuse or neglect. Contact Adult Protective Services: (408) 975-4900.

Many people expect to stay in their homes as they get older but have not made plans to accomplish this goal. To ensure a secure retirement, consider long-term care insurance; home modifications; and financial strategies to age comfortably at home.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most Americans underestimate the risk of developing a disability and needing long-term services and supports (LTSS). An estimated 52% of Americans turning 65 today will develop a disability serious enough to require LTSS. Although most will need assistance for less than two years, about one in seven adults will have a disability for more than five years.

A recent study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 8% of Americans have long-term care insurance. Insurance of this type helps with expenses related to activities of daily living and personal care. Most Americans pay for these services out of pocket, since Medicare only pays for skilled or rehabilitative services.

Because mobility decreases with age, accessibility modifications may gradually be needed. Safety enhancements accommodate changing physical needs and can include anything from grab bars and nonslip rugs to more costly options such as installing a chair lift or a walk-in tub.

Financial strategies are necessary to prioritize expenses arising with increasing needs. Home modifications; increased healthcare expenses; and in-home caregivers can be expensive. Investigate options such as an annuity (a contract with an insurance company to allocate money that is later distributed back to the person over time) or a reverse mortgage to assist with future expenses.

Contact a Community Resource Specialist to find help with long-term care insurance questions; home modifications; and financial strategies: (408) 350-3200, option 1.

Regular physical activity can improve the quality of sleep, reduce symptoms of depression, and reduce cognitive decline among older adults.

“Besides the anti-aging benefits of exercise, doing regular activity [walking] helps with reducing arthritic pain, and improves lung and brain function. Staying fit and flexible also makes it easier to prevent falls and improve overall quality of life,” said Chuck Newcomb, Registered Dietician for Sourcewise.

A 1996 study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found a 58% reduction in falls of older women who began a home-based exercise program in a controlled trial.

Walking is an aerobic exercise with many benefits: it’s free; can be done almost anywhere (local malls, neighborhoods, parks); and allows you to move at your own pace. While physical activity may seem like a daunting task to some as we age, walking is a manageable option for many older adults.

Walking improves circulation which helps to prevent or manage chronic conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure. According to the Arthritis Foundation, walking will strengthen your heart.

Regular walks can become a social outlet when including family and friends. The American Heart Association stated, “Finding a companion(s) to exercise with will add to your enjoyment, create accountability, and encourage you to make the activity a part of a routine schedule.” Get outdoors in May with the Open Space Authority’s  series of outdoor hikes specifically designed for older adults. Visit http://openspaceauthority.org/visitors/events for more details to sign-up including dates and times of each event. 

If exercising regularly is difficult, start exercising for short periods of time at low intensity by walking every other day. Once your body has adapted to the physical activity, if you are comfortable, gradually increase the time and distance.  

Speak with your primary care physician before starting any exercise program.