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    September/October 2009

    Free health screenings help detect silent killers

    WISE AND WELL OFFERS SERVICES WORTH THOUSANDS AT LOCAL CENTERS

    Many of the conditions that lead to cardiovascular disease — the nation’s number one killer — are silent. For older, lower-income adults, that can mean diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol may go unchecked until they become a serious health threat.

    “We’re strengthening our community by helping underserved seniors identify risk factors and get connected to health resources that can help curb those risks and beat the odds,” says Janel Moore, R.N., coordinator of the Senior Focus Wise and Well program, which provides free health screening services and education to low-income, multi-ethnic adults age 60 and older.

    Every month Moore heads out to a local senior center to offer free blood pressure and blood glucose tests, personal consultations and health education.

    This September she’ll visit five different centers in San Mateo County with other Mills-Peninsula employees and volunteers offering more comprehensive screenings including blood pressure, blood glucose, a complete cholesterol profile, height/weight and body mass index measurements and a consultation with a nurse or dietitian.

    “It includes more than $300 worth of free services for anyone age 60 or older,” Moore said.

    “About one-third of those people had prediabetes and approximately 35 to 40 percent had elevated cholesterol, meaning total cholesterol of 200 or above,” she said.

    People who test positively for risk factors are referred to their physician or if uninsured to other community medical resources, Moore said.

    The 45-minute screenings are confidential, and citizenship is not required. Participants must be age 60 or older.

    Funding is provided by Mills-Peninsula, Peninsula Health Care District and San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services.

    Each participant receives one-on-one counseling and education by a nurse or dietitian based on their results and medical history. 

    Wise and screenings are coming to a place near you

    Sept. 3 – Lincoln Park Senior Center, Daly City
    Sept. 8 – San Bruno Senior Center, San Bruno
    Sept. 10 – Martin Luther King Center, San Mateo
    Sept. 15 – Senior Coastsiders, Half Moon Bay
    Sept. 24 – Menlo Park Senior Center, Menlo Pk.

    All screenings are held from 9 – 11:30 a.m.

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    Alzheimer’s health program gives caregivers a needed break

    Laura Cattarin, 84, says she doesn’t know what she’d do without the support she receives from the Senior Focus Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center in Burlingame.

    “I’m very grateful for this program,” the Belmont resident said. Her husband Gino, 86, attends three days a week.

    “The staff is great, it’s good for my husband, and I can run errands while I know he’s enjoying himself.”

    She’s also been attending a caregiver support group at Senior Focus that she says provides her with stress relief, encouragement and good, practical tips.

    “Our biggest benefit is providing respite for the families,” said program coordinator Ann Sanchez. “Most of our patients live at home so this gives their caregivers a chance to sleep or shop and attend to other responsibilities. The families appreciate that their loved ones are getting good care. They feel comfortable having them here.”

    People affected by various kinds of dementia and Parkinson’s disease receive help at the Center for five hours a day, two to five times a week.
    They also have access to physical, occupational and speech therapists. Nurses specially trained in dementia care monitor health and medications.
    “Most of our patients are able to live with their families because of this program,” Sanchez said.

    Consulting services and a caregiver library of community resources also are available for families who need help with managing difficult behaviors, home safety and other issues. The Alzheimer’s Association cosponsors a monthly support group.

    For more information on Alzheimer’s Day Care and caregiver services, call 696–3660.

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    Companionship goes both ways

    Lois Guarino, 81, loves going to the movies with Ruth Worley, but admits having her friend drive her to appointments is even more of a godsend.

    “Ruth takes me whenever I need to go to the dentist or to get groceries,” she said. “If she didn’t, I’d have to take two buses to get to where I’m going.”

    Worley, 77, has visited with a number of frail seniors over the past 10 years as part of the Senior Companion Program, a Corporation for National and Community Service program funded locally for 10 years by Mills-Peninsula Health Services. Senior Companions offers qualified seniors age 60 and older small stipends to visit frail seniors for 15 to 40 hours a week at arranged sites, said program coordinator Donna Campi.

    “The visits provide companionship, but also help get people out and about,” Campi added. “It keeps the volunteers active and it helps those who are visited remain in their own homes.”

    Worley, a former manager at a popular beauty salon, said the program at Casa de Redwood City provides a venue for her outgoing personality.
    “When I was working, I was too busy to make lasting friendships,” she said. “Now, I get to know people.”

    Campi seeks to expand the program as the qualifying age for volunteers changes to 55 in October and poverty guidelines lower to qualify more people to serve.

    “There’s really a great need, and volunteers often benefit as much as those they serve,” she said.

    For more information on the Senior Companion Program, call 696-7662.

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    California state budget will have significant impacts on adult day health programs

    California’s new budget will cut the number of days patients in the Senior Focus Adult Day Health and Alzheimer’s Day Care programs are covered by Medi-Cal, California’s medical assistance program for low-income and disabled people.

    “This could have a very significant impact on people’s lives,” said Forrest Malakoff, Mills-Peninsula vice president.

    He said that the approximately 15 percent of patients who attend the programs four or five days a week will be cut to three days a week.
    That might not seem serious, said Senior Focus Director Maureen Dunn, but for family caregivers trying to hold jobs and maintain their families, those two days can make a huge difference.

    She also pointed out that the state is cutting a number of other programs that benefit the poor and disabled.

    “It’s the same people being hit over and over again,” she said.

    In addition to the coverage cut, the state will eliminate a special grant that currently helps support the Senior Focus Alzheimer’s program.

    “Mills-Peninsula is very committed to providing services to seniors in our community,” said Malakoff, adding that he expects the day care programs to continue. “We’re looking at how to do that in the face of these challenges.”

    Dunn also emphasized that the Senior Focus staff will assist families in finding additional support services if needed to help maintain their loved ones at home.

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