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.

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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.

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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.