Category «Elderly»

Memory Care “Sing Along”

Three members, representing our club visited two local memory care facilities. Due to Covid 19, our traditional group “sing along” turned into delivering a Karaoke style Christmas DVD. While missing the interaction with the residents, we were able to keep bringing the joy of singing and music by giving an opportunity to enjoy a special “sing along” for the holidays. Experts have confirmed that music–especially singing is really helpful to those suffering with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
Treat bags with chocolate candy were also delivered to each facility for residents and staff members to enjoy.
A special request for materials for a group Fall craft project was also honored at one of the facilities.
Additionally, a few members raked leaves for a grateful Mobile Meals recipient in celebration of our club’s 50 Years of Altrusa Mobile Meals and Make A Difference Day.

You are not alone, for Altrusa you are important.

Altrusa of San Sebastián established a special committee to coordinate the Make a Difference Day activity. The committee identified a great need to support seniors who live alone. In pandemic, seniors have suffered very much due to the lack of interaction with others, because of the physical distancing.

With the motto “You are not alone, for Altrusa you are important” we brought joy and love to the residents of Hacienda el Jibarito Elderly Home in San Sebastian, PR. After coordinating the activity with the administrators of the housing complex, the interaction with the residents was safely handled.

In the morning, a sound system with music and messages of encouragement entertained everyone from their balconies, while a group of altrusans left a package full of protective items on each resident’s door. Items included: face masks, alcohol, hand sanitizer, wet towels, and hygiene items, as well. A beautiful postcard with a special message of support and solidarity was also included. A total of 150 families were impacted on this day. During the afternoon, each resident received a nutritional box of food.

Seeing their smiles was a gratifying experience. We will certainly continue to make a difference by supporting older citizens.

OPAPA- Organization in Pro of Attention of Patients with Alzheimer

OPAPA is a non-profit organization who works with those people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their caretaker. Is the only entity that works with Non-pharmacological therapy to delay the degenerative progress of this condition who, not only affect the patients, but also their entire family. In Puerto Rico, there is no legislation in favor for the people who take care of these patients and every day there is more people who are diagnosed with it. Every year, we see how this disease is affecting even younger people, and there is no available cure. This organization needs funds to maintain their qualified personnel and some improvements in order to provide specialized therapy that are proven to improve their social and mental behavior.

Make A Difference Day – Health Fair for Seniors

Members worked in conjunction with our local hospital and health service providers for a health fair geared toward educating in women’s health, giving flu vaccines, taking vital signs and serving lunch to the citizens living near the South Side Senior Center. We had books to read to children while they waited; however, due to inclement weather, very few children came. A few books were given away. Four door prizes of Wal Mart Gift cards were given away. A woman came who had not been to the doctor in a long time because a friend brought her. She had her vitals and glucose levels read and spoke with a doctor about blood pressure issues. Hopefully, this exposure will have made a difference for her. Twenty nine flu shots were given. Hot dogs and chili were served to about 40 people. Eight Altrusans attended and we got one new member through the planning with another prospect from the event.

Altrusan’s for Alzheimer’s

Altrusa International of Poplar Bluff spent the morning operating the Promise Garden for the Alzheimer’s Walk in celebration of Make a Difference Day. The Alzheimer’s Walk in Poplar Bluff was held at McClane Park to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Organization. Altrusa members gathered to help build the Promise Garden tent where we sorted and organized the “flowers”. The “flowers” are made of plastic and twirl in the wind. The four difference colors represented how people were involved with others with Alzheimer’s. Members greeted the public and shared information about Alzheimer’s and Altrusa also. The “flowers” were used in a group activity and the day ended with the walk. Members were glad to make a difference by helping others for Make a Difference Day.

Make A Difference Day Project — Winter Emergency Kits

Our club purchased and assembled Winter Emergency Kits for a local apartment complex housing elderly and fixed income residents. Each of the kits contained a literacy component of reading materials, puzzle books, word searches, etc., a flashlight and batteries, hand warmers, water bottles, toothbrush and toothpaste, washcloth, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, hand lotion and a sliver waterproof/windproof blanket to prevent hypothermia. These items were placed in a clear, zippered plastic bag with handles. 90% of our club members were involved and participated in this project. We also delivered donated books to our local mission for resale in their store in our community. Thirdly, we made a monetary donation of $165 to The Lunchbox, our local nutrition center, to purchase powdered milk packets for their emergency rations for weather related issues when they are not able to deliver their meals. These services were delivered on October 26th, Make A Difference Day.

Vial of Life – rapid medical info for the elderly

Vial of Life enables EMT workers or family to grab a packet of medical information (conditions, medications, allergies, medical history, etc.) off the refrigerator when the patient may be rattled or unresponsive. A sticker on the front window alerts EMTs to the existence of the information. We partnered with Adult Children of Aging Parents to produce the packets and get them out to nursing homes, senior citizen centers, etc. EMTs love it. More info at www.vialoflife.com.

Valentines and cookies for the elderly

Altrusa of Carroll County supports three local nursing homes by making handmade valentines and cookies that are then distributed to the nursing homes in our area. At our monthly meeting in February, members bring two dozen homemade cookies which are then distributed into containers to be delivered to the nursing homes. At the February meeting the club designates a period of time for making valentines that include a personal message. Members deliver the cards and cookies to the nursing homes prior to Valentines Day.

Stroll N Roll for Center for Independent Living

Center for Independent Living holds annual fund raiser called Stroll N Roll and Altrusan pledge and participated at the event with members and friends raising $225.00 for this event. Club participation was at 25%.

Pretty Panties for Underprivileged women in

The purpose of this project was to bring encouragement to women in the depressed economy and violent society of Jamaica West Indies with a simple personal gift. The targeted women reside in a rural mountain community outside of Montego Bay. The need was identified by Jamaica Mission Partnership , a group of volunteers from USA churches in North Florida and South Carolina who provide leadership and support to Jamaican church workers, facilitating Vacation Bible School for hundreds of children, youth, and adults each July. Altrusa members chose to write notes of encouragement to the women of the church sharing “positive perspectives” including quotes, scriptures, and words of support. Note cards were available at Altrusa meetings to be written there or taken home and returned at the following meeting. Each Altrusa member purchased one pair of new panties, any size or style, for these women. We know how encouraging a new pair of panties can be to lift a woman’s spirit, especially one who has little or nothing in worldly possessions. Panties were purchased and delivered by individual members to a collection point at a local business. Members sorted panties by size and repackaged them in zip lock bags for delivery.