Alzheimer's Resource Center Renamed Gallagher Alzheimer's Resource Center
Elder Services' Alzheimer's Resource Center, established
in 1993, has been updated and re-named in honor of the late Richard and
Rita Gallagher, formerly of Lanesboro.
The Gallagher Alzheimer's Resource Center contains
books, journals and videos to assist Alzheimer's caregivers, both family
members and professionals.
At a gathering of about forty family and friends
of the Gallaghers on November 25, Colin Gold, of Lanesboro, grandson of
the Gallaghers, cut the ribbon on the newly re-named and enlarged resource
center. Karen Gallagher Gold of Lanesboro, her family, and her brother
Kevin F. Gallagher of Fords, New Jersey, welcomed the guests. Richard
(Dick) Gallagher was a devoted and energetic caregiver to his wife Rita
Gallagher, an Alzheimer's victim. He was one of the early participants
in Elder Services' Caregivers Support Group, helping others new to caring
for loved ones with this dementia to cope and continue.
Dick Gallagher also helped other Alzheimer's victims
and caregivers he encountered while Mrs. Gallagher resided at Sweetbrook
Nursing Home; many of his friends and fellow caregivers attended the re-naming
ceremonies. At Sweetbrook, Dick Gallagher was instrumental in having a
safe and secure outside area for Alzheimer's victims constructed.
The family of Richard and Rita Gallagher have donated
nearly six thousand dollars to Elder Services to update and expand the
materials available at their 66 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, office's Alzheimer's
Resource Center. The Gallagher family is particularly interested in on-going
usage of the Resource Center, and significant effort will be directed to
encourage community and professional use of the materials.
The Gallagher Alzheimer's Resource Center at Elder
Services is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and materials
can be taken out for a two week period or read and viewed there. Please
call 499-0524 with questions.
New Title V Credits and Low Interest Loans Will Help with Septic Repairs
By State Rep. Christopher J. Hodgkins
Title V was enacted by the Legislature in March 1996
to ensure clean ground water and protect public health by laying out a
strict set of requirements for septic system inspection. If a homeowner
wants to expand or sell their home they must comply with these standards.
Since its enactment, Title V has targeted 10,800
septic system failures, including 5,000 systems that were polluting ground
water in the Commonwealth. While the law has worked to ensure a clean
environment, it also has caused financial burdens on those homeowners seeking
to comply with the law.
The Legislature, recognizing the need to help homeowners
who incur costs to repair a failed septic system, has passed two laws to
alleviate these monetary concerns.
During budget deliberations this past spring, I
was happy to work to include a section in the final appropriation bill
that will provide a tax credit to eligible owners of residential properties
who must repair or replace a septic system. The credit is equal to
40 percent of design and construction expenses, up to a maximum credit
of $6,000. This credit must be spread out over a number of years,
as the maximum yearly credit is $1,500. The credit would be reduced
by the amount received by any subsidy or grant. The Department of
Revenue will provide information on how to apply for this credit within
the 1997 state income tax return application.
Another proposal I played an active role in initiating
was the Title V Bank Loan Program that was established through an act of
the Legislature in 1996 and modified in the Fiscal 1998 budget this year.
The program provides for 0 to 5 percent interest loans, depending on the
income level and market area, for homeowners to finance repairs of failed
septic systems. Loans range from $1,000 to $25,000. The local
participating lender is Lee Bank.
These two measures will be of help to elder homeowners
who are in the process of selling their homes or making any additions or
expansions to their home.
The Legislature recognizes the costs involved with
compliance and is enacting reforms to assist homeowners in this process.
While the required repairs can be costly, it will protect the ground water
and the public health for future generations. If you have any questions
regarding this or any other matter, please contact my district office at
243-0289.
From The Director:
As 1997 ends and 1998 begins: we are thankful
by Catherine R. May
Elder Services of Berkshire County had much help
in 1997 to achieve the agency's mission - to assist Berkshire County elders
to live in dignity and independence. We are indeed thankful for our generous
volunteers and donors, without whom we could not provide much of what we
do.
We are thankful for the committed community volunteers
who make up Elder Services' Board of Directors and Advisory Council, and
for those who volunteer each day at the Congregate Nutrition sites throughout
the county. The hard working volunteers who package meals at the Elder
Services kitchen in Lanesboro, too are greatly appreciated...as are those
who pack Meals on Wheels at the Stockbridge Grange and the North Adams
Eagle's Hall each weekday.
Every day, several elders are driven to medical
appointments by Elder Services volunteers; other volunteers do weekly grocery
shopping for elders who can no longer do this independently.
Nursing home residents have assistance from Elder
Services trained and certified ombudsman volunteers, who are available
to resolve complaints in every one of the twenty-two nursing homes in the
county.
Trained SHINE volunteers are available throughout
the county, all coordinated through Elder Services SHINE (Serving Health
Insurance (information) Needs of Elders) program, helping to take some
of the mystery out of Medicare and Medigap, explaining what really covers
what, and what is a bill and what is not.
Safely Home volunteers are ready to drive elders
home from the hospital or nursing home, and perhaps do some tasks or errands
to make the return home smooth.
Forty elders receive assistance from trained Money
Management volunteers in managing their monthly bills. Coordination for
Money Management services provided to low income elders is largely paid
for by donations from local financial institutions.
In 1997, Elder Services received over $7,000 for
Meals on Wheels thanks to the Board of Realtors' Second Annual Golf Tournament.
Berkshire Taconic Foundation boosted the Elder Care
Fund, which covers emergency needs of elders, by $1,000. Memorial donations
from grateful families also enrich the Elder care Fund.
Donations to the Elder Independence fund, which has replaced our annual
Meals on Wheels fundraising appeal, continue to come in at press time;
this will be used to fund direct services.
A nearly $6,000 donation from the family of the
late Richard and Rita Gallagher
has allowed us to update and expand the Alzheimer's Resource Center.
Readers who need assistance providing care for victims of Alzheimer's and
other dementias are invited to utilize the helpful materials in the Gallagher
Alzheimer's Resource Center.
As 1997 ends, and we at Elder Services look forward
to assisting even more Berkshire elders to maintain dignity and independence
in 1998, we are thankful for all the invaluable help we receive from the
greater Berkshire community. The task is large... and we sincerely thank
all who join with us in providing for the needs of elders.
People who use wood stoves, fireplaces, kerosene
or gas heaters and electric space heaters to save on fuel costs during
the winter months should be aware of hazards. These stoves can be dangerous
if installed or used improperly.
Annually, 100,00 residential fires, which kill an
estimated 600 people, are associated with heating appliances. In
addition, thousands of injuries, contact burns and deaths from carbon dioxide
poisoning also occur each year.
Safety tips for using these heating units safely
include keeping children and pets from the appliances; not leaving stoves
unattended; maintaining proper ventilation; placing heaters at least three
feet away from furniture, draperies and other flammable material; and keeping
properly functioning smoke detectors nearby.
Portable electric heaters
Portable electric heaters are designed for temporary
heating only. They should not be used as a substitute for central
heating. While seemingly harmless, these heaters were associated
with 2,800 fires and 80 deaths in 1987. Half of the deaths from electric
heaters occur at night.
Broken or damaged heaters should only be repaired
by a qualified appliance service center.
Wood stoves, space heaters and gas heaters
Gas heating equipment can also lead to tragedy if
not installed or used properly. These products are associated with
the twin dangers of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Older, unvented, gas space heaters are particularly
hazardous and should be replaced with newer, safer stoves or another safe
heating appliance.
The primary cause of fires are improper installation,
maintenance and creosote buildup. (Creosote is a poisonous-like residue
which builds up in chimneys over time.)
Anyone using wood stoves and fireplaces must have
all chimneys inspected annually for structural problems and creosite buildup.
Trash, coal, charcoal or plastics should not be
burned in wood-burning stoves and fireplaces since they can over-heat and
cause a fire.
Kerosene heaters.
The use of the wrong fuels (such as gasoline or
non-kerosene fuels) can cause flareups in kerosene heaters which can emit
pollutants that can be harmful, especially in a closed room.
Although it is important to keep warm during the
winter season, it's also important to keep safe.
This article was drawn from "Aging Arkansas," December 1996.
Determine Your
Nutritional Health
The "Determine Your Nutritional Health" checklist
is part of a national nutritional screening initiative developed by the
American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Dietetic Association,
and the National Council on Aging. All seniors are encouraged to
use the checklist to identify and respond to any nutritional risks and
factors that might affect their health.
The Warning Signs of poor nutritional health are
often overlooked. Use this checklist to find out if you or someone you
know is at nutritional risk.
Read the statements below. Circle the appropriate
number of points for each statement that applies to you or someone you
know. Total your nutritional score.
I have an illness or condition that made me change the kind and/or
amount of food I eat......... 2
I eat fewer than 2 meals per day...............................................................................................
3
I eat few fruits or vegetables, or milk products........................................................................
2
I have 3 or more drinks of beer, liquor or wine almost every day............................................
2
I have tooth or mouth problems that make it hard for me to eat.................................................
2
I don't always have enough money to buy the food I need.........................................................
4
I eat alone most of the time.......................................................................................................
1
I take 3 or more different prescribed or over-the-counter drugs a day......................................
1
Without wanting to, I have lost or gained 10 pounds in the last 6 months..................................
2
I am not always physically able to shop, cook and/or feed myself...........................................
2
TOTAL:_______
Total Your Nutritional Score. If it's -
0-2 Good! Recheck your nutritional score in 6 months.
3-5 You are at moderate nutritional risk. See what can be done
to improve your eating habits and lifestyle. Your senior nutrition
program, senior citizens' center, health department or Elder Services of
Berkshire County can help. Recheck your nutritional score in 3 months.
6 or more - You are at high nutritional risk.
Bring this checklist the next time you see your
doctor, dietitian or other qualified health professional. Talk
with them about any problems you may have. Ask for help to improve
your nutritional risk. If you are at risk at all or have any questions
about your nutritional health, you may schedule an appointment with Elder
Service's Registered Dietician by calling Elder services! Few nutrition
problems are insurmountable! We welcome your questions.