Our Featured Site: North Baltimore

The North Baltimore Area Senior Center opened in March, 1989, and is located at 514 W. Water St. The site, managed by Sarah Wensink, is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The site is unique in that it is connected to Westhaven Apartments. This allows senior residents of Westhaven to simply walk into the connected building to utilize and enjoy the senior center meals, programs, and services.

On a cold November afternoon, Judy Kline and Barb Schwickrath put cards together for veterans. The cards, which will be mailed out to veterans in hospitals, are put together with care.

“We just wanted to do something to help out,” said Judy Kline. “We’ll put together about 100 cards.”

In addition to card making, Kline and Schwickrath are regular participants in the mystery supper program.

Continued from e-newsletter.

The second Tuesday of each month, a mystery restaurant is drawn from a jar of suggestions, and transportation is provided to the restaurant via the senior center.

The Mystery Supper Group at Red Lobster.

This particular Tuesday, Red Lobster was chosen as the mystery restaurant.

A total of nine older adults joined site manager Sarah Wensink at the Findlay Red Lobster.

A question was asked to all participants: What do you like most about the mystery supper program?

Sophie Edwards responded, “I like being able to get out and be with other people.”

Jack and Donna Sterling said, “It is nice to visit with our friends.”

Velma Green elaborated, “It’s nice to get to go out to eat with others. We always have fun! I like going out to eat, but don’t like eating by myself, so it gives us widows and widowers a chance to enjoy a meal with good company.”

Nina Sterling had a simple answer, “I like the food!”

Although all of the participants had different answers, they all had one general theme: getting out and enjoying the comradery of others, trying something new, not having to worry about transportation, and just having fun with friends.

For more information on mystery supper and other programs and services offered by WCCOA and the North Baltimore Area Senior Center, call (419) 257-3306.

WCCOA Annual Campaign

Thank you for supporting older adults in Wood County. Your donation to our annual campaign ensures that we can continue providing our meals, programs, and services for many years to come.

Please send your tax-deductible donation to:

Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc.
Annual Campaign
305 N. Main St.
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402

Please write checks out to: Wood County Committee on Aging

For questions, please contact Colin Andrews, Public Relations and Development Specialist for WCCOA, at candrews@wccoa.net,  (419) 353-5661, or (800) 367-4935.

Bedbugs a Growing Problem

Each year, Orkin Extermination Company publishes a Bed Bug Cities List comprised of the top 50 cities in America with bedbug infestation.  In 2014, Columbus, Ohio was #3, Cincinnati, Ohio #7, and Toledo, Ohio #50.  The bedbug situation is concerning and the problem is spreading.

Bedbugs are small reddish to brownish oval insects about the size of an apple seed. They are nocturnal, meaning the only come out at night to feed on a human host. They will hide during the day in beds, furniture, cracks and crevices. They can live anywhere and survive for several months without a meal.  Female bedbug lays hundreds of eggs in her life time. This along with their ability to hide makes the insects hard to eradicate.

How do you know if you or someone else has bedbugs? Be especially concerned when traveling or visiting. Look closely at mattresses, in cracks and in corners. While they are hard to find, there are tale-tell signs that they leave behind.

Continued from e-newsletter.

These include dark specks or spots about the size of a pin head anywhere they have been, dark areas on corners of mattresses, small white eggs or casings and rusty to red stains on bedding. Bedbugs are “hitchhikers”.  They can enter your home via suitcases, bedding, and even on the clothing of visitors. If you are bitten by a bedbug, you may experience bite marks or itching that is similar to a mosquito bite.  Although they are not serious, anti-itch cream can help to relieve symptoms. You may need to see doctor if you have a severe reaction to them.

 If you do get an infestation of bedbugs, don’t panic. Treatment is possible and will involve many steps. Start by eliminating clutter and sealing up cracks and crevices. Then wash all bedding, clothing and any washable items in very hot water (120° minimum) and dry on medium to hot heat for at least 30 minutes. Do not use over the counter bug bombs as they are ineffective and can be dangerous. Consider calling an exterminator. Make sure the exterminator is licensed and get at least 3 estimates before choosing one. Treatment takes time and a lot of effort. If you live in an apartment or condominium, let the management know as soon as possible as the whole building may have to be treated.

For more information, please visit www.epa.gov/bedbugs.  Locally, you may also call the Wood County Health Department at 1-866-861-9338 for more information.

Source:    www.orkincommercial.com, www.orkin.com/other/bedbugs

The November/December Recipe

WCCOA Hamloaf

Ingredients

• 2 pounds hamloaf mix (1/2 ground ham & 1/2 ground pork - from Belleville's Market)
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 whole egg

Sauce Mixture

• (1) 10 & 3/4 oz. can of tomato soup (no water added)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

Directions

• Mix together hamloaf mix, graham cracker crumbs, milk, and egg. Form into a loaf. Cover with foil, bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Drain and top with sauce mixture. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Internal temperature should reach 165 degrees (F).

Preserving Personhood

Preserving Personhood:

 Education and Information for Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia

 

Monday, December 14^th from 1:00-2:00PM

Wood County Senior Center

 

Taught by a Bowling Green State University, 4^th year Honors Student.

 

We all have aspects about ourselves that make us who we are; our personalities, clothing choices, what we like to eat and do, among many other things. Unfortunately, the dementia disease can hinder individuals impacted by the disease with the capabilities to live out these personal identity manifestations and choices. Come learn about the idea of “personhood”, how it is impacted by the dementia disease, and how you as a caregiver can best encourage and preserve personhood in someone you may be caring for now or in the future.

 

This is event is FREE with no registration required. Please contact Maren Legg at mlegg@bgsu.edu or 419.308.9862 for more information.

Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Group

The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers a monthly local caregiver support group meeting at the Wood County Senior Center, 305 N. Main Street, Bowling Green, Ohio. The group is held the second Monday of the month at 2:30 p.m. Respite care is provided at the center during the group meeting.

The next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. Support groups are a conduit for people with similar concerns to share their experiences and challenges. Group members provide support and encouragement to one another. All members agree to keep the group discussion confidential ensuring a safe environment to support a free exchange of ideas.

 

If you are providing care to someone with dementia and are seeking information and support, please attend the group for an hour of discussion. Call Mary Clayton, LISW-S, group facilitator, at (419) 353-5661 with any questions.

Wood County Throwdown 2015 Post-Event

The Wood County Throwdown, a competition among chefs and cooks from area assisted living facilities, retirement communities and long term care facilities took place on Saturday, October 3 at Penta Career Center.

Participating teams included Brookdale of Bowling Green, Lakes of Monclova, The Manor at Perrysburg and Wood Haven Health Care. Each team created an appetizer, entrée and dessert for attendees and judges to sample.

 

Over 125 attendees voted for their favorite in each category.

Wood Haven Health Care, led by Delia Warren, won for best appetizer for their Tortilla Soup.

 

Brookdale of Bowling Green, led by James Price, took home the awards for best entrée and best dessert for their braised pork loin and cherry almond tart, respectively.

 

The Throwdown champion team was decided upon by celebrity judges Terry Kretz (District Manager of Main Street Ventures), George Kamilaris (Georgio’s Café International) and Marissa Rife (Executive Chef for BGSU Dining Services).

2015 Throwdown Champions,
Lakes of Monclova

 

Lakes of Monclova, led by Christopher Rajner, won the top prize of “Wood County Throwdown Champion.” Rajner’s three-courses consisted of a spicy crab salad as the appetizer, beer braised short ribs as the entrée and a chocolate cake for dessert.

Rajner has worked in various hotels and restaurants prior to working at Lakes of Monclova and enjoys making desserts, especially pastries.

He wanted to try something different for the Throwdown, compared to what he usually makes.

“We typically do not serve the variety of food we made at the event,” Rajner said. “I found it was a great way to showcase our talents and create some dishes that we everyone can enjoy.”

All of the recipes from the event are featured on the WCCOA blog, which can be found at woodcountycommitteeonaging.blogspot.com or by visiting our website at www.wccoa.net.

WCCOA would like to thank the chefs, Penta Career Center, students, sponsors and others who helped make this event possible.

Woodhaven Healthcare Throwdown Recipes

Perrysburg Manor Throwdown Recipes

Lakes of Monclova Throwdown Recipes

Brookdale of Bowling Green Throwdown Recipes

Our Featured Site: the Northeast Area Senior Center

The Northeast Area Senior Center is located in the former Main Street Church, at 705 N. Main St. in Walbridge, Ohio. The site, managed by Sandy Hart since May 2001, is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.




Dorothy Heuring has been coming to the Northeast site since the beginning. A mother of four and Tai Chi instructor, Heuring was asked to begin teaching classes at the Northeast site. Still today, she teaches Tai Chi and joins in on the fun when not teaching.

“I’ve made a lot of friends from teaching Tai Chi over the years,” Heuring said. “The people here have always been so gracious and welcoming.”




Lunch participants at the Northeast site.

In addition to teaching Tai Chi classes, she enjoys eating lunch at the site and participating in educational programs.

Continued from e-newsletter.

Heuring encourages anyone to check out the Northeast site.

“I’m always telling people about this place,” she said. “I tell people the meals are great and the people are so nice.”

Ben Waggoner started coming to the site for health recovery after suffering from a stroke. Since then, he has participated in Tai Chi, an exercise program he says makes all the difference in his physical capabilities.



Ben Waggoner participates in Tai Chi.



“Tai Chi really helps me,” Waggoner said. “If I don’t do it regularly, I tighten up, and I know it has helped many others here as well.”



Waggoner’s favorite meal at the senior center is the roast beef and he enjoys staying active in his community, including as a member of the WCCOA board.

When asked what he would say to someone thinking about coming to a senior center, he simply said “Come and enjoy, you’ll like it!”

For more information on the Northeast Area Senior Center, contact Sandy Hart at (419) 260-3228.

Seven Tips to Avoid Social Isolation

Studies have proven that social isolation can be detrimental to your physical health.  With that in mind, we must all make efforts to remain engaged in outside activities, not only for our mental health, but also for our physical well-being!

What is Social Isolation?  When a person experiences too much solitude or feels socially isolated from others, he or she may develop feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.

We can find ourselves in social isolation after an illness or injury, loss of a spouse, extended severe winter weather, or when experiencing bouts of depression.  Suddenly, we find ourselves at home, with little or no contact from the outside world.  This decreased interaction with others and lack of mental stimulation from the environment leads to lackluster feelings and the potential spiral into negative health consequences.

Continued from e-newsletter.

Making a conscious effort to remain engaged with others is crucial to combat social isolation and benefit our physical health.   Consider these tips to avoid isolation:

1. Take stock of hobbies you enjoy and share them with others.  Not only is it important to do what we like, but pairing that with social interaction doubles the benefits obtained.

2. Volunteer.  Moving outside of ourselves to help others can create a strong sense of satisfaction and reward.

3. Try doing something new every month.  Try a new recipe and share it with someone who is homebound.  Check the newspaper for community  events  in your city.  Attend a free lecture.  Walk the mall.  Visit the library.  Seek out places where people gather and join in with the group.

4. Help out a caregiver.  Giving a caregiver  two or three hours of your time so they can leave the house and run necessary errands, or take care of their own medical needs decreases the social isolation for the caregiver, the care receiver,  and for you too!

5. Invite people to your home if getting out is a challenge.  Keep it simple.  Brew a pot of tea. Arrange a tray of cookies.   There are proven psychological benefits from sharing a snack or meal with others.

6. Volunteer to call others who may be at home and need someone to check on them.  Not only are you providing socialization for others, you are getting some for yourself!

7. Visit your Senior Center and partake in the myriad of activities offered.  You may run into old friends or make new ones!

This Month's Recipe

WCCOA chicken macaroni casserole

serves 10

INGREDIENTS

·         1 cup Mayonnaise

·         1 can (10.75 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup

·         1 can (3 oz.) mushrooms, drained and chopped

·         1 1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken

·         2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

·         1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

·         1/4 cup chopped pimientos

·         1/4 cup chopped onion

·         4 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

·         1/2 cup cracker crumbs

DIRECTIONS

1.       Preheat oven to 375°.

2.       Combine Mayonnaise, soup, mushrooms and chicken in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except macaroni and cracker crumbs. Stir in macaroni. Turn into 13 x 9-inch baking dish, then evenly top with cracker crumbs. Bake 30 minutes or until bubbling.

Golden Care Awards 2015

Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. (WCCOA) will host the Golden Care Awards in partnership with Brookdale of Bowling Green, Ohioans Home Healthcare, The Waterford at Levis Commons and Kingston of Perrysburg. The event, in honor of National Caregivers Month, will be held on Thursday, November 5 from 5-8 p.m. at Greystone Hall, located at 29101 Hufford Road in Perrysburg, Ohio.

This event, celebrating caregivers, will include dinner provided by Brookdale of Bowling Green and refreshments by Gentiva Hospice, entertainment by the Jake Pilewski jazz trio, and an awards ceremony. Recognition will be given to caregiving heroes who are professionals working in a facility or home care setting and those community members who assist older adults in the neighborhoods. All nominees will be honored at the event.

The Golden Care Awards recognize the caregiving heroes in our neighborhoods and we are seeking your assistance to help identify these caring individuals. The two award categories have been developed to identify the compassionate caregivers working in a facility or home care setting (including physicians, nurses, and the support team), and to identify those in the who are community caregivers tending to the needs of their neighbors, friends or loved ones.

The criteria to nominate a professional caregiver consists of their employment in a long term care/ assisted living facility or home care setting that cares for older adults and that they have been an active caregiver during the 2015 calendar year. These professionals must have a minimum of 5 years of experience working in with older adults. These caregivers will be recognized for their commitment to the quality of life of their clients.

To nominate a unpaid caregiving hero in your community the individual must have been an active caregiver for a family member, friend or neighbor within the 2015 calendar year and they must not be paid for their time. The care recipient must reside in Wood County and the caregiver must provide direct care and tend to the need of an older adult so that they can remain in their homes.

You can help us honor these individuals by submitting your special caregivers name to the 2015 Golden Care Awards. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

 Nomination forms are available at all Wood County Senior Centers or on the WCCOA website (www.wccoa.net) or by calling 419.353.5661 or 1.800.367.4935

Deadline for nomination is Friday, October 16, 2015. Completed nomination forms with photo must be submitted to: WCCOA, 305 N. Main St., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.

Our Featured Site: The Perrysburg Area Senior Center

The Perrysburg Area Senior Center was established in 1985 and is located at 140 W. Indiana Avenue. The site, managed by Cheryl Fix, is open Monday Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

For 30 years, the Perrysburg Area Senior Center has been a place for older adults to learn something new, meet new friends, have fun, and enjoy a meal together.

Perrysburg Jam Session

A popular weekly event at the Perrysburg site is the Wednesday Jam Session.

For the Jam Session, older adults bring in their own instruments and ‘jam’ out to different music. It is a fun way for older adults to express their creativity and play their instruments with others.

A variety of programs and services are offered through the Perrysburg Area Senior Center. Lunch is served Monday-Friday at noon.

Continued from e-newsletter.

One of the Perrysburg location’s regular lunch attendees is retiree Carol LaBounty.

LaBounty joins in on the meals and programs at the Perrysburg Area Senior Center almost every day.

Carol LaBounty

Her favorite things to take part in at the senior center include puzzles, cards and day trips.

LaBounty enjoys the interaction she has with others her age on a daily basis.

Older adults who attend senior centers often make new friends, and in LaBounty’s case, that includes several new friends.



“There are about eight of us and we treat each other to a special birthday meal once a year, it is really fun,” she said.

LaBounty would recommend that any older adult try out their local senior center.

“I tell people all the time they should come and that they’d enjoy it!” LaBounty enthusiastically said. “There’s so much to do here.”

For more information on the Perrysburg Area Senior Center, contact Cheryl Fix at (419) 874-0847.

Care for the Caregiver

“Caregiving is universal.  There are only four kinds of people in the world:  those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”   Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter

More and more seniors are providing care for a loved one. Caregiving has positive rewards of accomplishment, spiritual growth, and satisfaction in providing excellent care to someone we care about. Caregiving also has physical and psychological challenges and stress. More attention is being paid by researchers, medical workers, and clinicians to the psychological and physical toll that caregiving takes on seniors.

There are differences in caregiver responsibility and time commitment. Temporary disability of the care receiver from a surgery, injury, or illness may only require weeks or months of caregiving duties. The caregiver understands that health and function of the loved one will eventually return and the duties of caregiving will lessen. This provides a psychological “light at the end of the tunnel” effect and gives hope to the caregiver that normalcy in their lives will return and responsibilities will soon end.

Continued from e-newsletter.

Conversely, for those caring for someone with a progressive disability such as dementia, or a chronic health condition, the realization that the responsibility will increase over time and potentially become more than they can manage can be overwhelming and daunting. When caregivers are in the midst of caregiving, their own needs often become secondary to the care receiver’s needs or even totally pushed aside. Many caregivers of frail, chronically ill loved ones find themselves overwhelmed, tired, and stressed despite their devotion to the care receiver.

With either scenario in mind, it is increasingly evident that caregivers must learn to take care of their own physical and psychological health in order to continue to fulfill their commitment to caretaking, and to ensure their own health for the future.  We are learning that scheduled time away from caregiving duties is essential for the wellbeing of the caregiver. Taking time out daily for as little as 30 minutes of relaxation can make a difference in levels of stress and depression.  Longer blocks of time that allow for time away from the demands of caregiving are even more beneficial.

Clinicians are discovering that no one can manage caregiving alone, especially for extended periods of time. Caregiving is always more successful as a family team effort. Enlisting the help of all family members and creating a schedule that all parties commit to will not only help the person receiving care, but also the primary caregiver devoting their efforts to the wellbeing of the care receiver. Home care agencies are available for hire to provide companion and aide services for care receivers so caregivers can take a break. Proper nutrition, exercise, yoga, tai chi, support groups, and individual counseling are all healthy suggestions to alleviate caregiver stress and are supported by research as helpful interventions.

If you have questions about caregiver support services in your community, contact the Social Services Department at the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. at (419) 353-5661.

Wayne Fishing Trip

Gentlemen from across the area enjoyed a day out on Friday, June 19 and learned the skill of fly fishing. Greg Senyo, professional fly fisherman, and staff from his business, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, spent the entire day in Wayne with over a dozen participants.

 

 

July's Recipe

Paul Dauch's Chicken Supreme

Recipe ingredients

8 chipped beef slices

8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

8 slices of bacon

1 cup sour cream

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

2 Tbsp cooking sherry

paprika, to taste

Cooking directions

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees

2. Combine the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup and cooking sherry

3. Line the bottom of a lightly greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish with 1/2 cup of the soup, sour cream, cooking sherry mixture.

4. Line the beef over the soup mixture in the bottom of the dish.

5. Wrap each chicken breast with one bacon strip and place onto the beef.

6. Pour the remaining sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, cooking sherry mixture evenly over the chicken.

7. Sprinkle, to taste, with paprika.

8. Bake uncovered in pre-heated oven for three hours.

Makes 8 servings

Golden Care Awards

Do you know a caregiver who deserves recognition for their work? Nominate them for a Golden Care Award! PDF files of the forms are available by visiting our website at www.wccoa.net.

Toledo Pickleball Glass City Invitational

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 17-19, 2015

Women’s Doubles* & Men’s Singles* (Friday) | Mixed Doubles* (Saturday)

Men’s Doubles* & Women’s Singles* (Sunday)

Double Elimination; USAPA Rules; Doubles Skill Levels: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0; Singles (Open)

LOCATION: Toledo Pickleball Courts, Just north of the US Post Office at 313 Glenwood Rd, Rossford, OH

REGISTRATION FEE: $30.00 ($10 for each doubles events, $5 for singles)—nonrefundable,

includes dri-fit shirt, water, snacks

Registration deadline: Must be postmarked by July 6, 2015.

Tournament Schedule: Registration Begins at 8:00 am, Play Begins at 9:00 am

* Event draws will be limited. In the event of inclement weather, matches may be held indoors.

Tournament Director: Connie Mierzejewski, 419-509-3023, bucksrgr8r@aol.com

Make checks payable to: Toledo Pickleball Club, ($30 registration fee, $10 for each doubles events, $5 for singles.)

Clip this entry form above at the line above and mail it no later than July 6th to:

Toledo Pickleball Glass City Invitational, c/o Connie Mierzejewski, 228 Hillsdale Ave., Rossford, OH 43460

ENTRY FORM - PLEASE PRINT

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ Shirt Size: S M L XL XXL

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: _______________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Gender: M __ F __

Singles: ___ Skill Level: ____ | Doubles: ____ Skill Level: ____ | Mixed Doubles: ____ Skill Level: ____

* (Please indicate your gender, the event(s) you are playing in and your skill level in the spaces above.)

Doubles Partner’s Name: ___________________________________________ Doubles Skill Level: _____

Mixed Doubles Partner’s Name: ___________________________________________ Mixed Doubles Skill Level: _____

PLEASE SIGN, DATE & RETURN THE WAIVER RELEASE FORM ON THE BACK OF THIS FORM

LIABILITY WAIVER

I, __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name (Please Print)

Home address:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip

acknowledge that I am aware that certain risks are or may be associated with activities sponsored by the Toledo Pickleball Club, and I personally

assume all such risks for the participation of myself in any activities in which I take part. I assume full responsibility to become educated regarding

the proper and safe use of any equipment associated with the activities in which I am involved, and the responsibility to abide by all safety rules

promulgated by the Toledo Pickleball Club in relation to said activities. I likewise assume full responsibility to obtain medical clearance from my

physician to participate in the activities offered by the Toledo Pickleball Club. In consideration of the permission granted to me by the Toledo

Pickleball Club to participate in the activities it sponsors, I hereby release the Toledo Pickleball Club and their agents, consultants or employees

from all actions, causes of action, damages, claims or demands which I or my heirs, executors or assigns may have against these entities/persons

for all injuries or property loss or damage which I may incur by participating in said activities.

I have read this informed consent/release of claims and understand its terms. I execute it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance.

In witness whereof, I have executed this release this ___________ day of _________________________________ in the year 2015.

__________________________________________________________________

Adult Guest Signature