Leonard Dorothy’s smile says what his voice can’t.

Mention the name of his friend, Legacy Corps volunteer Allison Elfline, and his smile speaks volumes. The pair became fast friends since being introduced about a year ago and they meet every Wednesday morning for a few hours.

Leonard Dorothy and Allison Elfline share a laugh during one of the Wednesday morning visits. Allison meets with Leonard through Intouch Adult Day Services of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’ Legacy Corps program.

“It’s a wonderful thing for someone to give up their time for someone they don’t know,” Marsha Dorothy, Leonard’s wife said. “It gives him some one on one time with someone other than me. That socialization is so important. She had just the right personality for Len and they became good friends. It was the perfect match.”

Coming up with a “perfect match” is what Paula Sims, Social Service Coordinator at Intouch Adult Day Services of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) in Moline, hopes to achieve. Part of Paula’s responsibilities is to recruit, train and link Legacy Corps volunteers with those who need services.

Legacy Corps is a volunteer program that combines lifelong learning with community service. LSSI is one of two agencies in Illinois and one of only 12 agencies in the United States selected to participate in the Legacy Corps, which is managed by the University of Maryland. This program specifically uses the skills, experiences and talents of volunteers to provide respite to caregivers and companionship to clients.

The hours Allison spent with Len did give Marsha some respite – time for shopping or running errands, but more importantly it provided companionship for Leonard.

“He was glad not to have to go, and he was happy for the company,” Marsha said with a laugh.

“Legacy Corps volunteers are essentially friendly visitors that allow the caregiver to have a break,” Paula said. “Even though the volunteers do not perform any medical care or housekeeping services, their presence can provide a much needed breather to the caregiver.”

It provided Leonard with the chance to enjoy a morning of playing dominoes, cards and other games. During their visits Allison and Leonard also work on speech exercises. Leonard has aphasia and apraxia. While alert, oriented and willing to talk, a brain injury a few years ago affected his ability to communicate verbally.

The exercises were an opportunity to share successes and failures.

“One morning he looked so frustrated,” Allison said. “He knew exactly what he wanted to say, but just couldn’t get it out. It was one of those moments when we recognized that it was not big deal. At least he was alive.”

“I love doing it,” Allison said. “It has changed who I am. Volunteering is a wonderful way for me to share my life experiences, but more importantly they share theirs.”

Legacy Corp volunteer opportunities are offered to people 55-years-old and over, however, younger people like Allison are accepted into the program. Legacy Corps volunteers provide in-home, non-medical care to older adults to enable them to remain independent in their own communities and to provide relief to their primary caregivers for up to four hours per week. Services may include preparing light meals or snacks, driving the individual to doctor appointments or shopping, and engaging in other activities that do not require the skills or services of medical, therapeutic or other licensed professionals

Volunteers receive about 20 hours of training before they are put into the field. For their time, volunteers receive a bi-weekly stipend, totaling $2,000 for the year, to cover related expenses – such as transportation – and a $1,450 educational voucher upon completion of the year’s service. Volunteers must commit to serve 450 hours during the year. Families receive respite care based on availability of volunteer services.

If you are interested in either volunteering as a Legacy Corps member or receiving the services for yourself or a loved one, please call Paula at (309) 797-0200. The deadline to enroll as a volunteer for this year is March 15. Requests for care by a volunteer are accepted anytime throughout the year.

Pam Berenger is Community Liaison at Intouch Adult Day Services, 4011 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102, Moline, IL 61265. She can be reached at (309) 797-0200 ext. 304.

A Great Activity to Share with the Grandchildren!

Beginning September 1, the Davenport Public Library will offer nine different story time sessions each week! Story times are vital to a child’s development because they teach verbal skills, coordination, socialization, and listening skills. The Library’s story times are planned with specific age groups in mind, with each session featuring age-appropriate songs, stories, fingerplays, and more. Story times are as much for the parents as they are for the child. Parents will learn tips and tricks on how to educate their kids by making reading fun and engaging. It is also an opportunity to talk with other parents and caregivers, as well as the librarians who can suggest age-appropriate materials available for check-out. Everyone in the Quad Cities is invited to Davenport Public Library’s numerous story time sessions:

Baby Story Time

Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. – Fairmount Branch Library
(3000 N. Fairmount Street)

Fridays at 10:00 a.m. – Eastern Avenue Branch Library
(6000 Eastern Avenue)

Toddler Story Time

Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. – Eastern Avenue Branch Library
Fridays at 10:00 a.m. – Fairmount Branch Library

Preschool Story Time

Mondays at 10:00 a.m. – Fairmount Branch Library
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – Eastern Avenue Branch Library
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. – Main Library (321 Main Street)

Family Story Time

Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. – Fairmount Branch Library
Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. – Eastern Avenue Branch Library

Story times will run weekly through December 18th. For more information about our story time sessions, call 563-326-7832, or visit www.davenportlibrary.com.

As our older loved ones age and perhaps experience a decline in health and cognitive ability, how do we know when they are ready to enter Assisted Living? Sometimes the signs are huge and obvious, and sometimes they’re not. Quite often we may turn a blind eye to these signs until there is a devastating event like an injury due to a fall or other accident. It is a harsh realization that our aging parents can no longer care for themselves. To determine if your loved one is ready for Assisted Living, these are some of the signs you should look for.

• Weight loss and loss of appetite.
• The inability to plan for and prepare healthy meals, having cereal for supper.
• Traditionally simple tasks are now labor-some.
• Difficulty getting around and decreased mobility.
• The housework goes undone, the dishes and laundry pile up, and the bed is unmade.
• Difficulty managing their medications.
• Difficulty managing their finances.
• Poor personal and dental hygiene.
• Disheveled personal appearance, wearing the same clothes day after day.
• Lack of interest in family or favorite hobbies
• Isolation, loneliness and a need for socialization.
• No longer able to drive or to navigate around familiar streets of town.
• Unable to manage home maintenance, lawn care and snow removal.

If you recognize three or more of these signs, your older loved one may be ready for Assisted Living. It is better to look into Assisted Living options carefully and leisurely and not hurriedly as in response to an accident or illness where a previously active senior suddenly can not return to their home to live. Often, seniors who flounder at home will flourish and thrive in Assisted Living.

Assisted Living communities such as The Fountains afford residents a great deal of independence and the ability to direct the activities of their day. The twenty-four hour nursing staff provides a great deal of care for all of the activities of daily living. Residents enjoy an extensive social calendar full of entertainment, stimulating activities and outings that provide plenty of opportunities for socializing and making new friends. The highlight of The Fountains residents’ day is enjoying the delicious, healthy meals.

A close friend shared her experience in helping her parents make the transition to Assisted Living. She watched her father’s health decline as he was the caregiver for her mother. In retrospect, she recognized their need for Assisted Living 2 years before actually making the move. She sited many of the signs from the list, including the fact that they were eating cereal for supper.

If you would like more information about The Fountains Assisted Living Community, Please call Becky at (563) 332-5775 to schedule your personal tour.

James Taylor was absolutely correct; it IS good to know that you’ve got a friend. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were right on the money when they penned the words “Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.” And Burt Bacharach and his friend Carol Bayer Sager wrote, “In good times and bad times, I’ll be on your side forevermore. That’s what friends are for.”

These are wonderful songs that extol the virtues of friendship and several recent studies suggest that socialization can actually help you to live a longer, happier and healthier life. Loneliness for a person of any age is a curse, but for an older person, it can be hazardous to their health. People who are withdrawn or isolated in their homes often succumb to depression, which in turn makes them susceptible to many diseases including malnutrition, heart disease, alcoholism, diabetes and perhaps, cancer. “But just as loneliness can destroy a person’s life, socializing can save it. In a 13 year study published in 1999 of almost 3,000 senior citizens, Harvard researchers found that social activities such as playing bingo or attending church were as important to survival as regular exercise. That’s right: when it comes to adding years to one’s life, looking for bingo’s O-62 is right up there with jogging‚” states Chris Woolston of Consumer Health Interactive.

“The working hypothesis is that social engagement is what makes you mentally engaged,” said Lisa F. Berkman, the study’s senior author and director of the Harvard Center for Population and Development. What else is notable about the study is that seniors didn’t have to be married or surrounded by extensive family to receive the positive benefits of social engagement. The importance lies in the many opportunities to connect with their contemporaries.

Seniors get more out of socializing than just a few extra years of life. Friendships, recreation and activities reduce stress, allow people to feel worthy and needed, and stimulate the mind. A recent report in the Annals of Internal Medicine20states that “Strong social contacts offer powerful protection against the mental declines that go along with aging. And having strong friendships can also add years to one’s life.”

The opportunity for socializing is the top benefit of senior living. Successful senior living is all about choice, dignity and quality of life. Active and socially engaging surroundings help residents to make those ever so important friendships that will help them to maintain their health and provide a strong sense of purpose.

At The Fountains Active Retirement Community, each day is filled with occasions to socialize. The Fountains provides opportunities designed for senior interests and health, including social and fitness activities, continuing education and other pursuits designed to keep one’s mind sharp and body fit.

Food, Fun and Friendship-It’s All Here at The Fountains. Senior living options at The Fountains include Independent Apartments, Assisted Living Residences, Dementia Memory Care Suites, Villas and Town Homes.

To learn more about the socialization opportunities offered at The Fountains, or to schedule your personal tour call Becky at (563) 332-5775 or (563) 676-6750.