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It's a Wrap at the Inspired Gift
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Simply
drop off your shopping bags at the Inspired Gift Monday through
Saturday 10am-4pm at The Inspired Gift and have your packages expertly
wrapped in time to be loaded onto Santa's sleigh.
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On-going Events
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FRIDAY MORNING COFFEE BUZZ
Monthly, 2nd Friday
10:30-11:30am
Marblehead COA
Stop in for coffee and get information about elder
services and area resources.
Marblehead COA
Website
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Caregiver Support Groups at NSES
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First & Third Mondays 10:30am
Contact Janice Wyner
jwyner@nselder.org
First & Third Wednesdays 7:00pm
Contact Gwen Kopka
gkopka@nselder.org
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Our local Councils on Aging are
in need of meals-on-wheels drivers and back-up drivers.
A rewarding opportunity to
bring a hot meal and a smile to isolated community members.
Volunteers must have a vehicle
and license.
E-mail: Volunteer@nselder.org
for more information.
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Your Help Is Needed
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Emergency Relief Fund for New England Homes for the Deaf
Donations may be mailed to:
NEHD Relief Fund
Eastern Bank
4 Federal Street
Danvers, MA 01923
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A Publication of North Shore Elder Services
Life. Made Easier.
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December
2006
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 "Keeping
a list of important phone numbers in your wallet and on your
refrigerator can go a long way in the midst of a disaster, an
evacuation or some other emergency."
-Janice
Wyner, NSES Caregiver Advisor
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Disaster
Response: A Reminder for Contingency Planning
"I got here a little bit before
8:00 a.m. and there wasn't really any chaos. Residents are calm and
information is taking a little while but, I am very proud of the
response getting interpreters here," Laura Brown, NSES Case
Manager said following the explosion in Danvers that resulted in
the evacuation of residents from the New England Home for the Deaf and
Thompson House to the Danvers High School gym. "Right now we are
just chatting with people, making sure they are okay."
And when she says "chatting,"
Brown specifically means communicating using American Sign Language.
"We are proud to have Laura on staff who, in her regular duties is
a diligent advocate and dedicated case manager working with clients who
are deaf or deaf and blind," Paul Lanzikos, NSES Executive
Director said.
Once it was certain people were safe and
immediate needs had been met, NSES took action to coordinate temporary
housing. As good fortune
would have it, an entire empty nursing facility at Essex Park
Rehabilitation Center was available in Beverly. So, most of the
residents can be kept together with their regular caregivers. Vans from
the Peabody Council on Aging , also transported Thompson House
residents, to Brooksby Village in Peabody.
"We are just trying to get families
together," Brown reported. "We had a client who didn't know
any phone numbers to contact her family, but we were able to track it
down."
North Shore Elder Services offers
Caregiver Contingency Planning which gives caretakers piece of mind,
that should an emergency arise a plan is in place. We encourage you
to give us a call for more information.
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 Help
Us to Help Elders in Need
-Paul
Lanzikos, Executive Director
Quite simply, your help is needed.
The floods in Peabody last May and the
recent explosion in Danvers are two of the more visible misfortunes
that affected elders this year. However, every day North Shore Elder
Services' social workers, nurses and protective services personnel
reach out to frail elders in need. Usually, the stories behind each of
these individuals don't make the newspapers, but the impacts are real.
Our request this holiday time is basic
--help us to help elders in need. Your donation will be put to use
responding to the needs of elders whether affected by catastrophic
events or coping with the every-day issues of advancing age.
$35 funds a personal emergency response
system for an elder for one month.
$60 provides twelve prepared meals in case of snow emergencies.
$125 pays for fuel to help heat an elder's home this winter.
Donations can be mailed to North Shore
Elder Services 152 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Give a donation as
an honor or memory gift this season and a card will be sent to acknowledge
the gift.
Thank you for supporting our mission
during this holiday season. May the year ahead be filled with blessings
of well-being and peace for you and all who are close to you.
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 Coffee
with Congressman Tierney
Members of North Shore Elder Services
staff, board and volunteers brought up big issues with Congressman
John Tierney just after the coffee was poured at the November 27th
Power Breakfast. "My belief is we have to change the Medicare
program and make it more responsive to people's needs," Tierney
said. "We have to do more when we return to Washington in
January."
Congressman Tierney touched on the
reauthorization of the Older Amercian's Act, recent budget cuts
affecting elder care as well as immigration issues. "Some of
these people [illegal immigrants] are in their 70's and 80's," he
said. "You can't just do nothing for them." Attendees
discussed the importance of immigrant workers as a vital part of caring
for our elders among other jobs in the commonwealth. "People say,
'these people need to learn English,' but budgets are being cut.
Currently there are 19,000 people on a waiting list for English as a
second language classes in Massachusetts." Tierney said.
Congressman Tierney encouraged
constituents to contact him stating "We don't work as close to
the issues as you do. What you have to say can end up in legislation,
can end up a bill." If you have an issue or concern, make your
voice heard by calling his Peabody office at 978-531-1669.
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 NSES
Board Member & Volunteer Recipient of AARP Award
Long-time volunteer of North Shore Elder
Services, Gerald Stepner was named the Massachusetts Recipient of
the prestigious AARP Andrus Award on November 16th amongst friends
and colleagues. "What an honor to honor this guy," Dick
Hylan, Statewide Money Management Coordinator, simply stated. It was
Hylan who nominated Stepner for his dedication in all aspects of the
Money Management Program including overseeing 100 client checking
accounts. Not to mention the six other organizations Stepner volunteers
for.
"If every organization had a Jerry
Stepner, what a wonderful world this would be," said Dr. Charles
Desmond, (pictured above right with Stepner) Massachusetts AARP State
President.
Jerry's work in helping elders, his
service on our board and his decades of service are an inspiration to
us all." Paul Lanzikos, NSES Executive Director noted.
The AARP Andrus Award for Community
Service recognizes outstanding volunteers who are making a powerful
difference in their communities. The recipient supports AARP's mission
and inspires others to volunteer. The award is given yearly to one
individual in each state. This year there were nearly 20 nominees in
Massachusetts, a record number.
After words from several people in his many
areas of service, Stepner's eloquent acceptance speech stood out as
the icing on the cake. He told the story of his mantra "to tie
the score is not enough," a simple sentence we could all learn a
little from.
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Volunteer
and Veteran Remembered
We at North Shore Elder Services were
saddened to hear of the passing of Donald Earl Wheeler,73, of Danvers.
Mr. Wheeler, along with his wife of 50 years, Arlene, have been
volunteers with NSES for many years. NSES Board Member, Don Thomas
describes Mr. Wheeler as "the go to guy," saying, "Many
people in the community where used to saying 'ask Don Wheeler' for all
kinds of help."
Mr. Wheeler was also an active member
and deacon at Maple Street Congregational Church in Danvers. He held a
volunteer position at Beverly Hospital and was also a member of the
Reading Community Singers.
The flags flew at half staff on Monday in the town of Danvers to honor
this Vietnam veteran and member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
"Don's commitment, compassion and
professionalism will be remembered by all our clients he worked with.
He is missed greatly," said Sally Zavarella, NSES Money Management
Program Manager.
We are appreciative of the memory gifts
we have received honoring Mr. Wheeler's memory.
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