Senior Community Bulletin

Frank Arcidiacono enlisted in the Navy Air Corps in 1940. Now age 90 and being cared for by Cornerstone Hospice at Winter Park Towers, the old warrior surprised everyone at a ceremony recognizing his sacrifice for his adopted nation by sporting his full uniform regalia and reminiscing of various engagements he participated in as a Navy aviation radioman aboard the PBY amphibian plane.

Volunteers bring so much happiness to residents in long-term care at the Jewish Pavilion. Gloria Newberger coordinates a weekly Happy Hour at Savannah Court in Maitland, where residents enjoy a glass of wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Marge Dreayer leads a sing-a-long, and once a month, Mimi Shader comes with her family entourage of entertainers. Happy Hour is many residents’ favorite part of the week. Visit jewishpavilion.org

The June sessions for the Counsel for Caregivers Seminar Series are “Elder Law: Understanding Medicaid” at the West Oaks Library at 10:30 a.m. June 14; and “How to Design (or Redesign) for a Safe and Functional Home” at the Orlando Public Library at 12:10 p.m. June 16. Call 407-836-7446 or visit ocfl.net/seniors

Orange County Commission on Aging Newsletter for June 2011

New Foundation – Central Florida Gives, a new collaborative of nonprofit organizations in Central Florida, has hired Dennis Burns as the Executive Director. For more info on this new organization, contact Dennis at 407-459-6724.

Caregiving Symposium – “Enriching our Journey for Long Life” is a daylong conference open to elders, families and professionals at the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center on June 10 and 11. Dennis McCullough, M.D., a nationally known geriatrician and author of “My Mother, Your Mother”, will speak. Visit CanterburyRetreat.org

Hurricane Expo — Orange County’s annual hurricane expo is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 3 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 4 at the Fashion Square Mall. Free safety classes, prizes and giveaways include NOAA weather radios and disaster kits. Our Office on Aging will be there, too.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day — You’re invited to a community fair focused on education and awareness of elder abuse. It’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 15 at Lutheran Haven Fellowship Hall, 1525 Haven Drive, Oviedo. For info, contact [email protected] or 407-265-0534.

Brain Health — Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a nationally known neurophysiologist and author of “Save Your Brain” will be speaking about brain health at Emeritus at Ocoee, 80 N. Clarke Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 16. Space is limited to the first 50 to RSVP for each time. Call 407-299-2710.

Dignity Enhancement Therapies, Living Eulogies & Other Meaning-Making Approaches – You’re invited to attend a national webinar from 9-10:30 a.m. June 8. RSVP to 407-370-0185 or [email protected].

Cool Website — “Drivers 65 Plus” is an online test that allows drivers to assess their own performance. It provides specific safety suggestions based on the driver’s answers to 15 questions. Visit seniordrivers.org

Disaster Kit — Visit ready.gov to get tools to develop your disaster kit.

Caregiver Products — Visit thiscaringhome.org/products for ideas on products to help frail elders “age in place”.

National Caregiver Website — Visit caregiver.com and sign up for their free Fearless Caregiver weekly newsletter.

Organ donor — You can sign up online to become an organ donor in Florida at translife.org

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Wear purple, which is recognized worldwide for dignity, respect and royalty. Show the world you care about ending elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Fast Fact — The typical caregiver is a married woman in her mid-40s to mid-50s. She works full time and also spends an average of 20 hours per week on caregiving duties. In Florida by 2020, almost 1 in 4 will be between the ages of 60 and 84 (compared to about 1 in 5 in 2009). Source: doea.gov

Recommended Reading: “How, Then, Shall We Live?” by Wayne Muller

For more information about the Orange County Commission on Aging, visit ocfl.net/seniors