Special Sections

Young at Heart May 2021

Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1377916

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 0 of 7

We seek a community where people age at home with dignity and good health. We seek a community where all people receive supportive health and social services in the least restrictive environment possible Health Projects Center supports people as they age to live safely at home by delivering high quality services and programs in the Monterey Bay Region. TO HELP PEOPLE AGE AT HOME, WE WORK ON 3 LEVELS. Dignity and Health for an Aging Population Serving the Monterey Bay Region Since 1980 1-800-624-8304 www.hpcn.org | www.delmarcaregiver.org Central Coast Area Health Education Center We strengthen and support the health care workforce to more effectively address geriatrics and chronic care management. Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center We support family caregivers to provide and sustain quality care to their loved ones, and to take better care of their own physical and mental health. Multipurpose Senior Services Program We manage health care and supportive services for medically frail low-income elders so that they can stay safely at home. May 2021 edition Special Advertising Supplement to the Santa Cruz Sentinel Grey Bears: Nourishing Santa Cruz County Seniors By Tara Fatemi Walker It's truly amazing how much Grey Bears accom- plished not only during the peak of the pandemic, but also before and after. They continue to help high numbers of local seniors on a daily basis. The organization was first created in 1973 by two individuals—including 23-year-old UCSC alumna Kristina Mailliard—who wanted to help with the undernourishment of local seniors. By 1975, GB had 1,200 members and it offi- cially became a nonprofit in 1976. GB has a substantial food distribution program entitled "Healthy Food." During 48 weeks of the year, they do weekly gro- cery deliveries (one shop- ping bag per senior). They also have daily grocery distributions plus weekday hot lunches. There are suggested fees ($30/year, $50/two years, $70/three years, $250/lifetime). No one is ever turned away for lack of funds. "As with so many others, COVID had significant impacts on our opera- tions," says Tim Brattan, who has served as GB's executive director since 2011. The number of new Healthy Food participants dramatically increased in the 2020-21 year; weekly grocery deliveries are up by 29% from the previous year. A 68-year-old Felton resident was laid off because of the pandemic's effects. She finds the assis- tance very helpful because she had counted on work- ing for two to five more years before COVID-19 happened. A 64-year-old Zayante resident said: "I have a chronic illness that makes it hard to get to stores. Getting the bags has been a huge blessing, especially during this long COVID time." A 73-year- old Boulder Creek resident shares that if not for as- sistance provided by Grey Bears (as well as local nonprofit Valley Church- es), they probably would have lost their home. Every day, Grey Bears volunteers pick up gro- ceries from 20-plus local markets and vendors like Shopper's Corner, Staff of Life, Deluxe Foods, Gayle's Bakery, Trader Joe's, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Costco. "These are items nearing expira- tion, mis-labeled, slightly dented, or any items that don't make it through the checkout line," explains Tim. Then they distribute this food from their ware- house coolers (these cool- ers also store food gleaned from local orchards and gardens) and use it in hot meals provided to seniors. GB predicts that by the end of June, its kitchen will have served 34,000 meals since July 1, 2020. This year, GB's 'food rescue' program will hit 1.5 million pounds! That's in addition to the 1.7 million pounds GB will deliver weekly to 4,200-plus seniors at 49 County-wide distribution sites, and 62 driver routes delivered door-to-door to isolated seniors (some are disabled, some don't drive or are rurally isolated). These seniors are very grateful. One Santa Cruz resident said: "Thank you for the very thoughtful bag of goodies this morning. The selection was so appropriate for a single 87-year-old lady." With everything com- bined, GB will provide 3 million pounds of grocer- ies in the 2020-21 year to 5,000 seniors, families and farmworkers. "I love getting my Grey Bears grocery bag every Thurs- day and use up every bit of what I receive," says a 68-year-old Live Oak resident. "I've even made new dishes with what comes. Your website's recipe page is great for finding out how to use items I've never had. Getting a choice of bread every week is fantastic too!" Volunteers are key to GB's ability to serve so many people in need. The number of regular, older volunteers decreased with sheltering in place. "As of early May, many volun- teers have been vaccinat- ed and are beginning to return," says Tim. This year, 442 volunteers will contribute more than 50,000 hours of service. There is a wonderful "blending of genera- tions" that happens with GB's volunteer program, Tim says. Some middle/ high school and college students come to Grey Bears to learn and run the composting program, ver- miculture (worm compost- NO MORE PAIN LEARN ABOUT OUR REGENERATIVE TREATMENTS FOR CHRONIC JOINT CONDITIONS AND TAKE BACK CONTROL FROM PAIN www.trilogymedical.net FREE WEB CLASS Chronic Joint & Spine Pain: Top 5 Holistic Tools to Restore Comfort and Ease In this LIVE Web Class with Dr. Jeff Lester and Amber Weiss, PA-C, LAc., we will reveal our comprehensive, holistic approach to relieving pain naturally. We will also cover: • How the system of drugs and surgery has failed so many Americans • How Regenerative Medicine can repair tissue damage and reduce inflammation • Our most amazing success stories of relieving chronic joint pain naturally • The 5 pillars of health to activate and regain true health • Our complete system to restore your joints to optimal health Are you looking for tools to lead a more productive and pain-free life? Are you tired of relying on over-the-counter or prescription pain medication just to get through the day? Are you hoping to avoid surgery that could have you out of commission for weeks? Do you get confused or overwhelmed trying to figure out all the answers yourself? Dr. Jeff Lester, D.O. and Amber Weiss, PA-C, LAc collectively have over 40 years experience of treating chronic pain naturally and effectively. In this 1 hour webinar, we will share our best advice for getting long lasting results without addictive painkillers or surgery. If you are afraid of how your body will feel if you continue down your current path, come hear us talk about real solutions to chronic pain. Soquel: (831) 600-8117 4105 Soquel Drive Watsonville: (831) 724-1164 65 Aspen Way Join us! Tuesday, June 8 • 6:30 pm Interested in attending? (it's free) Go to: www.trilogywebinar.com Sign up today and reserve your spot! Young at Heart Young at Heart In Santa Cruz County Continue on page 3 A volunteer places organically grown cauliflower into Grey Bears grocery bags delivered to more than 4,000 seniors each week. Photo credit: Jeremy Lezin.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Special Sections - Young at Heart May 2021