Southeast Seniors Celebrates 20 Years of Service to the Community!

Seniors at home–comfortable, connected, empowered, safe. That has been the vision of Southeast Seniors, A Living at Home Block Nurse Program, since 1988. With your help, we have made it possible for hundreds of our neighbors 65 and older to remain in their homes.

In the early 1980’s, Southeast residents Wanyce Sandve and Gene Taylor told each other that when they retired they would do something for Southeast. They both had public health nursing backgrounds and were teaching at schools of Nursing.

In 1987 a Steering Committee was formed to set up the Prospect Park Block Nurse Program. Members of the committee included: Anne Barnum, Virginia Betlach, Helen Kretchmer, Kay Jones, Esther McLaughlin, Nancy Miller, Jere Purple, Wanyce Sandve, Gene Taylor, Ann Tonskemper and Laura Weinberger. Agency representatives were Bruce Graff, Pratt Community Education; Evelyn Czaia, East Side Neighborhood Services; Eleanor Montgomery, J.O.Y group; Karen Swanson, MVNA; and Marjorie Jamieson, St. Anthony Park Block Nurse program. The program was patterned after the St. Anthony Park Block Nurse Program which was the first of its kind in the State of Minnesota.

The first year was spent fund-raising, receiving solid support from neighborhood individuals, businesses and churches. Initial foundation support was received from the Carolyn, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Northern States Power, Thorpe and Weyerhauser Company Foundations. Darla Wexler was the first nurse with the program and remained the Primary Block Nurse for 19 years. The first Block Nurse client was served in June 1988. Many others joined their commitment, which led to the formation of the Prospect Park Block Nurse program in 1988. The program expanded in 1992 to serve all of Southeast and changed the name to Southeast Seniors, A Living at Home/Block Nurse Program.

The first Program Director, Mary Quirk, and Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Lichtig joined the program in 1992. The program has focused on providing services of nursing, visiting volunteers, service coordination, outreach services, health seminars and inter-generational programs. Current staff include Marji Miller, Executive Director and Jeanne Hanson, Service Coordinator. The program has grown over the years and we now serve approximately 300 seniors over the course of a year.

The foundation of our program has always been our wonderful volunteers. We are fortunate to have a very dedicated Board of Directors made up of 25 individuals from the Como, Marcy Holmes and Prospect Park neighborhoods. We have many, many other volunteers who provided services including friendly visiting, transportation and chores. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make Southeast Seniors a very important part of the community, including our many donors, and our current funders—State of Minnesota, Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis, PPERRIA NRP, Catholic Community Foundation, and Cooperative Association for Community Action.

Welcome to our New Staff

Jeanne Hanson has joined our staff as the new Service Coordinator. She will be working with neighbors 65 and older who would like a bit of assistance in making their lives easier as they remain living in their own homes. Jeanne is very qualified for the position as the former Executive Director of the Edina Block Nurse Program. Jeanne will also be working in the areas of outreach and inter-generational programming. Jeanne says, “I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know them.”

Jeanne replaces Jane Burnham who is leaving the organization after five years as a paid employee, but happily staying on as a volunteer. Jane says that it was a very pleasant job where she received quite an education both in learning about services for seniors and hearing from the many and varied clients. “In the process of helping connect people to services, I learned much about the area and our country’s history. Our neighbors have enjoyed and endured many amazing experiences. It’s been an honor to get to know them.”

Southeast Seniors is proud to announce that we are now contracting with Fairview Home Care and Hospice for our nursing services. Fairview has been providing Home Care services since 1987. Working with our clients will be Erin V. , RN, Molly B. , LPN, and Home Health Aide, Julie G. Erin says she has enjoyed meeting her clients in Southeast and is impressed and inspired by the number of seniors in this neighborhood who have remained “vibrant and active” in their homes and the community.

We are also pleased to announce that Darla Wexler, former Primary Block Nurse, has come back and is providing nursing services at Blood Pressure Clinics in Marcy Holmes and Prospect Park. She is also helping with outreach services. Gina Gustafson continues to perform the blood pressure screening for the Van Cleve Senior group in Como.

 

Help Your Neighbors Beat the Heat!

 

As we grow older, our bodies are less efficient at regulating temperature. Here are some tips for keeping safe and comfortable during periods of higher heat.

· Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeine or alcohol, which cause the body to lose more fluid.

· Keep your home cool by letting in cool air during the early morning and evening hours. If your home does not have air conditioning, create cross-ventilation by opening windows on two sides of the room. Use fans to circulate cooler air.

· Try to take an air-conditioned break during the hottest part of the day by going to the mall, a movie or the library.

· Dress for the weather. Wear short-sleeve, loose-fitting garments. Natural fibers and light colors are cooler than synthetic materials and dark colors. Don’t forget to wear a hat and sunscreen.

· Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion: dizziness, weakness, nausea and perspiration.

· If ignored, these symptoms can progress to a dangerous condition called heat stroke. A person with heat stroke should be seen by a physician immediately. Symptoms of heat stroke include: fainting, body temperature over 104, confusion, staggering, dry flushed skin with no sweating, strong rapid pulse, headache.

With a few precautions, older adults can stay safe and comfortable, even on the hottest summer days.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers give from the heart! You can make a difference in someone’s life. Check out some of the volunteer opportunities with Southeast Seniors:

· Friendly visits to seniors in need of companionship.

· Shopping for groceries and other essential items for seniors.

· Help for seniors with home chores such as lawn mowing, leaf raking, yard clean-up and snow shoveling.

For information on becoming a volunteer, call 612-331-2302

Financial Help for Seniors

Do you feel like you have to choose between your prescriptions or eating? There are many programs to help you get the nutrition you need to stay healthy. From Meals-on-Wheels to food support, there is help.

· Call Hennepin County at 612-596-1300 to learn if you qualify for food support.

· Call Southeast Seniors at 612-331-2302 to learn about home delivered meals.

If you own your home, have you applied for property tax deferral?

If you’re having trouble paying your property tax, check out the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program. To learn more call 612-348-3046.