Burnham Brook E-News
Volunteer Corner
MALCOLM YOUNG AND THE WOODSHOP
The Burnham Brook Program Office would like to give a bouquet of thanks to Malcolm Young and the Woodshop for all the good deeds they have done for our office in the last couple of months.
First, they made a podium for fitness center sign-in. This was placed near the door and provides us a better count of people using the fitness center.
Second, they made dividers with lower cabinets are that placed between the lathe machines. This enhances the safety when people are working on various pieces of equipment.
The third act of kindness we are thankful for is that Malcolm donated the proceeds he made from the woodworking projects that were sold at our Craft Sale to the Program Department.
KELLOGG DONATES $500 TO BURNHAM BROOK ON BEHALF OF SHIRLEY GILLS
Kellogg’s Care$ Employee and Retiree Volunteer Program was created to provide a way to recognize and encourage valuable contributions of volunteers. The Fund will make a $250 donation for each Kellogg employee or retiree who volunteers 25 hours with the same organization in a consecutive 12 month period. Shirley Gills, a Kellogg Retiree, went above and beyond and doubled the hours necessary! She was a bright star in the Program office every Thursday morning and we enjoyed having her here. Shirley still spends much of her time at Burnham Brook talking with people and playing cards several days a week. On behalf of the Program Department of Burnham Brook, Thank you for your contribution, Shirley!
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
My wife and I often share our music with seniors at retirement or nursing homes. I play the cello and she plays the harp. Often times my wife will introduce a song or tell something about the music she is about to play. One time she told the audience that she is going to play a piece entitled, Claire de Lune by Claude Debusy. One hard of hearing resident asked another sitting next to her, "What did she say?" The resident replied, "She is going to play Fruit of the Loom."
OVERHEARD AT THE WORLD VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE
In response to the observation that volunteers are too often seen as amateurs: "Just remember: Noah's Ark was built by amateurs. The Titanic was built by professionals."
Submitted by Susan J. Ellis, President, Energize, Inc.
MEALS ON WHEELS
A daughter had just helped her 90-year-old mother through the strain of moving from the family home into a new unit in a senior apartment building. The daughter was trying to tidy up all the arrangements and tactfully said: "Mum, what about Meals on Wheels?" To which her mother replied: "No, dear, I don't think I could volunteer for them anymore."
--Participant at Australian Volunteer Conference
Submitted by Susan Ellis, President, Energize, Inc.
Want to have some fun on a cold and snowy Saturday morning?
We would like to offer everyone an opportunity to share 3 hours with a young person (relative or friend). The woodshop will be set up with experienced hosts and materials for a young person to complete a project. They can learn a skill that will be used throughout their life.
There will be small fee to cover cost of materials. All you people must be accompanied by an adult during the project. The date will be announced in January.
What a Gal!
Some people feel it is too late for them to begin an exercise program but Marian DeBoer has proven that is not true. Marian enrolled in an aerobic dance class at the Valentine Center when she was 79 and now, 19 years later, at age 98, she still participates in the same aerobic dance class at Burnham Brook Community Center. Because of maintaining her physical fitness, Marian is more than able to live in her home, rake her own yard, feed the birds, and last year, the Secretary of State renewed her driver’s license for five years.
Marian’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren live in California and Texas. She enjoys frequent phone calls and visits from them. When they come to visit, one thing you can be sure of, they get invited to attend the aerobic class with her. Marian’s place in the front row of class is secure, and on her 100th birthday the back of her workout shirt will say, “What are you complaining about?”
Line Dancing
If you want a class with personality this is the class for you. The Instructor, Bob Meredith, is fun and serious. You can tell he loves being around people and teaching them. Everyone in the class will welcome you, they will help you and encourage you on your way to learn all the steps. Line dancing is a fun way to exercise and to just keep moving. If you want a class that’s new and exciting, this is the class for you. Line dancing is only two hours of your afternoon and only two dollars if you are a member here at Burnham Brook. The class has about a ten minute break between the two hours to rest and talk with all of the interesting people. This class will keep you on your toes and make your day a good one!
(article submitted by Sheila Smith, Calhoun County Career Center Co-Op student)
Mondays 2:00pm-4:00pm
$2 members $5 non-members
Photo Club
Club members enjoyed photographing at several sites during summer and early fall. Hidden Lake Gardens in Michigan’s Irish Hills was the destination for August, and the photographers enjoyed the flowers outdoors and in the large conservatory as well as the various areas of trees and lakes.
September found the photographers at Binder Park Zoo, where the prairie dogs, the giraffes and a very relaxed red panda were among the stars, along with the unusual white peafowl parading along the path.
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary offered a variety of ducks and geese swimming in the lake and injured hawks, owls, and a bald eagle in cages on a sunny October afternoon, and later in the month the group photographed the Langley Covered Bridge and the sunset. The reflections in the St. Joseph River were spectacular.
The Area Agency on Aging invited the club members to its annual meeting where their photographs from the intergenerational project were on display and they enjoyed a reunion with the young photographers who also participated in that project.
Finally, the members held a farewell lunch for instruction, mentor, and friend Mary Jasper, who is moving to Findlay, OH, and will be working with the seniors there. Our loss, their gain! We wish her all the best in her new home. For further information on the Photo Club, contact Steve or Gail Heeter at 964-9205.
Sharing the Caring
Paul and Betty Harvey know what it is like to be caregivers. Betty’s brother, Richard, came back into their life in 1989. Richard was in Florida and struck by a car, and had to return to Battle Creek so family could care for him. Richard was diagnosed with three injuries to his brain, a broken arm, and a broken leg. At the time, Richard was not expected to live, and was in a coma for two weeks.
After Richard was stabilized in a Florida hospital, his family wanted to move him back to Battle Creek. Richard was transported via a military ambulance transport jet and was taken to reside at the VA Hospital for 17 months. When it became time to plan Richard’s discharge, Paul and Betty had to decide on nursing home placement or taking him home. They decided to take Richard home.
With the demands of being 24-hour caregivers, Paul and Betty’s life changed drastically. If you have ever been a caregiver, you know that being a caregiver can take a heavy toll on you if you don’t get enough support. Caregiving involves many stressors such as changes in your family dynamics, household interruptions, and financial pressures. At times, the enormous amount of work involved with caring for a loved one can be overwhelming. In Paul and Betty’s case, they both needed to work full-time -- so utilizing the services offered by Marian Burch was ideal for them (nursing, personal care, bathing, transportation, and overnight respite). Whenever medical care was needed, the adult day care nurse worked with Richard’s primary care physician.
Paul and Betty heard about the concept of adult day care and were diligent about finding out if there was an adult day care in the area. Initially, Richard was an adult day care participant when day care was housed within the Calhoun County Medical Care Facility. After the existing building was completed in 1992, the day care was named Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care, but remained a department of Calhoun County Medical Care Facility.
Richard continued to be an adult day care participant five days a week until his death on June 5, 2009. Paul shared with us that “There is no doubt that we could not have maintained our normal lives without the involvement of Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care. We felt relieved and comforted by the fact that he was getting good care. Everyone at Marian Burch cared for him as a person and developed a compassionate relationship with him.”
For many years, Richard became a part of our daily lives. I will never forget, but on the day of his funeral, there was a rainbow in the sky. Thanks Richard, for being a part of our lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with being a 24-hour caregiver, Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care Center will be happy to discuss with them the services that are offered. Please have them call us at (269) 962-1750. Sharing the caring -- and working together -- makes all the difference.
Kristin Jenkins, Director
Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care Center
Medicare Part D shopping season began November 15, 2009
Each year from November 15 through December 31, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to compare and enroll in a prescription drug plan for the new calendar year.
While you may stay with your current plan, it is recommended that you take this opportunity to review your options before making a final decision. This is the time to
“prepare to compare” all the plans, including the plan you may already be enrolled in.
Take a few minutes and ask yourself these three questions: Will your present premium and costs change? Will the prescription drugs you take be covered by your plan next
year? Are you satisfied with your present plan’s service? Did you receive a notice from your present plan notifying you of changes in your coverage or costs?
Jolene English, MMAP Regional Coordinator said, “each year plans have an opportunity to change their benefits and new plans may also become available. Therefore it is very important seniors review their present plan and also look at other plans as well.”
Remember, to ensure a smooth transition, seniors should plan early to compare and make changes so their new plan (if they choose one) has time to send the membership card
before their coverage becomes effective on January 1, 2010. Seniors are encouraged to schedule their appointment before December 15, 2009 when possible.
Help is available for seniors by contacting the MMAP Hotline at 1-800-803-7174 to schedule an appointment with a trained MMAP Benefits Counselor. Counseling sites will be made available throughout Calhoun County for easy access. This is a free service to all Medicare Beneficiaries. The MMAP (Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program) Benefits Counseling program is administered by Region 3 B Area Agency on
Aging funded by MMAP and Calhoun County Senior Millage.
Don’t wait to make this important choice! Call now!
Contact: Jolene English
Community Services Manager
Region 3B Area Agency on Aging @ Burnham Brook Center
1-269-441-0924
Battle Creek Public Schools 21st Century Afterschool Learning Centers are seekin
Do you enjoy working with young people? Do you believe in youth potential? 4-H and AmeriCorps are working together to encourage youth and adults alike to establish positive relationships through planned mentoring. By establishing relationships, you will provide today’s youth with a greater sense of self-worth, empowerment and direction. These goals can be accomplished by incorporating advice, access, and advocacy in their lives. This is an outstanding volunteer opportunity in a protected and respected environment.
For information, please call 269-788-0508