Page 58 - SCG December 2015.indd

fifty-five plus SENIORS
from 1-3p. We will provide turkey, ham, coffee, and tea. Music provided by local keyboardist Jack Grant. Sign up at the Senior Center or call 707-829-2440. Suggested donation: $3 for Wisdom Counts Members; $4 for Associate Members.
Dec 16 ~ Christmas Lights Tour ~ The Sebastopol Area Senior Center to tour the holiday lights of Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park on Wednesday, December 16, 4-8p. Co-hosted by Thunderstar Stages, which will provide hot cider, cocoa, and cookies. Bring a sandwich or other food if you would like. Sign up in advance at the Senior Center. The cost is $16 for Wisdom Counts Members and $20 for Associate Members. The tour will leave from Mount Olive Lutheran Church, located at 460 Murphy Ave. in Sebastopol.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Caring Connections -Volunteer Visitors Seniors At Home has expanded our older adult visiting program to provide more intensive support to those seniors with a history of mental health issues. Through one-hour weekly visits, volunteers help seniors engage more fully in their communities. As a volunteer, you’ll be working on specific goals to help your client combat isolation, loneliness, and depression. No previous knowledge of working with seniors is required, just an open mind and heart! Training and ongoing support will be provided. Contact Barbara at 707-303-1510; BarbaraT@jfcs.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Join the JFCS Rides Program Just a few hours of your time can make a huge difference in the life of a local isolated senior. Help seniors stay connected to their communities by transporting them to appointments, the grocery store, social events, and more. Contact Barbara at 707-303-1510; BarbaraT@jfcs.org.
Depression Treatment Offered
for Low-Income Seniors
Nationwide, 20% of seniors experience depression. Remarkably, 80% of those seniors can be treated successfully, if
they seek and receive effective care and support.
“That’s important health news for Sonoma County, which has one of the highest senior populations in California,” says Nurit Licht, MD, Chief Medical Office of Petaluma Health Center. “Depression is often under- recognized and under-treated in older adult patients,” she says. “It negatively impacts physical health and can cause medical disorders to worsen. The Sonoma Care Collaborative Project will help us identify and treat patients who need help.”
During the two-year project, the Sonoma Care Collaborative Project (SCCP) will provide care to at least 100 low-income seniors aged 65 and over who will work with a specially trained team for 10-12 weeks. The team includes their
PHC provider who screens them for depression, a PHC, licensed clinical social worker,
a psychiatric consultant and the Care Coordinator, an Adult and Aging Division geriatric social worker who visits patients at home.
“By facilitating better collaboration between health care providers and Human Services professionals, the
Sonoma Care Collaborative Project will help seniors who are depressed and increase their access to services,” says Adult and Aging Division Director Diane Kaljian. “Many seniors, particularly those who are high risk for depression, often don’t know where or how to get proper treatment. Through this innovative program, their own primary care provider will be able to enroll them into treatment and part of their care will take place in their own homes.”
Low-income seniors, who often face financial stress, social isolation and other health and medical conditions, are at greater risk for depression. They may
not seek treatment because of the stigma attached to mental health concerns, the cost of treatment and the difficulty of accessing care. “The SCCP makes depression screening and treatment even more accessible to those in our County who need it most,” Kaljian adds.
The SCCP uses the highly successful Collaborative Care model developed at the University of Washington Advancing Integrated Mental Health Solutions Center (AIMS Center). Clinical trials show that Collaborative Care more than doubles the effectiveness of depression treatment for older adults in primary care settings.
The collaboration between the Adult and Aging Division and Petaluma Health Center was one of seven depression-intervention projects funded
by Archstone Foundation. Established in 1986, the Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation whose mission is to prepare society for the growing needs of an aging society. Under the leadership of President and CEO Joseph F. Prevratil, J.D., Archstone grants up to $5 million annually, primarily in Southern California.
Senior Ballroom Dance Schedule ~ 1 to 4pm at Finley Community Center, 2060 West College Ave. (707) 543-3737 $8 Admission
Nov 27 No Dance - Thanksgiving
Dec 2 ~ Larry Broderick Trio
Dec 9 ~ Tom Shader Trio
Dec 16 ~ Stever Luther DJ - Holiday
Formal
Dec 23 and 30 ~ No Dance - Holiday
thru Dec 7 ~ St. Joseph Health to Offer Free Medicare Open Enrollment Seminars ~ Seminars are open to the public. Topics include health coverage options for 2016, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplemental plans, enrollment windows and more. Options for seniors no longer covered under any medical insurance or who are continuing to work but would like to compare their employer plans will also be covered. To RSVP or for information about an upcoming seminar call 877-449-DOCS (3627) or go to www.stjhs.org/medicare
Petaluma Valley Hospital Groverman Hall 400 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94954
5:30p Tuesday, December 1
Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Conference
Rooms B C & D 1165 Montgomery
Drive, Santa Rosa CA 95404 5:30p Monday, November 30 5:30p Monday, December 7
Dec 15 ~ Annual Holiday Potluck ~ Bring a dish to the Sebastopol Area Senior Center for our annual Holiday Potluck
Alzheimer’s Respite Center
Giving Caregivers a Break
Our licensed day program for people
with dementia allows family members a
break from full-time care giving, while
their loved one enjoys a stimulating day of
music, activities, sharing, and caring. We
pair clients with trained caregivers who
provide activities designed to improve
communication and mental and physical
health in a warm, stimulating atmosphere.
The respite center maintains a highly trained staff, including a registered nurse, and providing a 2:1 client-to-caregiver ratio of care.
The program is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. We currently have openings. Suggested contribution for services are based on a sliding scale. Veterans welcome. Please contact Michele Osmon, Director of Senior Services, at 707-528-8712 x185 or mosmon@srcharities.org, or Lindsey Hazlewood, Program Coordinator at 707-528-8712 x184 or email: lhazlewood@srcharities.org.
58 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 12/15
For On-Going SENIORS Gatherings - Lunches, Socials, Support Services - please vsit our website @ SonomaCountyGazette.com for SENIORS Resources