Connecting older adults and caregivers to services that support healthy aging and independence
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COVID 19 Update
Overcoming Spring Fever
Volunteers to the Rescue
Volunteer Spotlight
Groceries to Go In Action
Recipe of the Month:
Beth's Basic Quiche
Become Dementia Friendly in 2020
Do you have an idea?
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COVID 19 Update
Mary Bovee
Executive Director
I can’t image there is anyone in our community who has not been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I remember very clearly, nearly 35 years ago studying to be a laboratory technician and taking medical terminology courses. We were learning about the differences between medical terms describing the incidence of diseases within a population including epidemic, endemic, and pandemic. I was confused about when to use each term and our instructor did her best to clarify for the class. She told us an epidemic affects a large number of people in a community and that a pandemic spreads to multiple countries and continents. I remember thinking to myself that a pandemic must be a very bad thing and I hope I never experience such a challenging situation. I had no idea that in my lifetime I would be living in a world where people had to remain in their homes for many weeks to avoid contracting a disease that could cause death, especially for the elderly population.
We work very hard every day to ensure older adults in our community have the services and supports they need to remain healthy and independent. That priority has never been more important for Age Well, than right now. There is great fear and concern for older adults contracting the virus. The best action for most people is to stay at home and reduce their risk. As a result, the need for delivery services has been in high demand. Age Well’s Grocery-to-Go services has been a lifeline for many folks needing groceries and supplies. Within one month of the pandemic, we doubled our volume of clients and by late April, we tripled the number of clients we regularly serve. To meet that demand, we rely on a large pool of volunteers and financial support. Fortunately, many amazing people have stepped up to help us shop and deliver groceries and supplies and make weekly check-in calls to our isolated clients. Without their support, we would not be able to help so many people, and most would have little or no options for receiving fresh food and needed supplies. Our volunteers are on the front lines each week at 4 grocery store locations. They are the reason we know we are making a positive impact in the lives of many people. We are beyond amazed at the kindness and generosity of so many folks dedicated to making sure people in need are cared for and supported.
To help us build capacity to manage the demand for our grocery delivery services we reached out to local foundations to provide some financial support. A very BIG thank you goes out to the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation for supporting our Groceries-to-Go program through their COVID-19 Northeast Minnesota Response Fund. Within a matter of days, DSACF responded to our request and made the funds available so we could take quick action. They have always been very responsive to the needs of our community and they are a valued supporter of Age Well Arrowhead. The grant funds will allow us to meet the ongoing demand for vital services during a great time of need.
If you need help arranging for grocery delivery services call 623-7800
If you would like to volunteer call 623-7800
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Overcoming Spring Fever
Strategies to enjoy spring while at home
Let it Shine- It is a know fact that sunlight can brighten our moods. During winter people often pull curtains shut to limit cold drafts from entering a room. As warmer weather arrives, people forget to open the curtains which keeps areas feeling dark and winter like. A simple fix is opening drapes and curtains to let the sunlight shine. It warms the rooms, allows for great outdoor views, and helps improve positive attitudes. Pull back the curtains in all of the rooms in your house or apartment and get some well needed sunlight.
Go on a yard picnic- Can't go anywhere due to the pandemic? Try to do a picnic in your own yard. It is as simple as packing a delicious lunch, blanket, beverages and heading out into your own yard. Pick an area that you don't normally spend time and enjoy the time outside. Take a chance to listen closely to the birds, look at the trees and take advantage of no bugs! Variations to the picnic can include having a lunch on your deck or even sidewalk with a chair. Shake off the winter blues by getting outdoors close to home!
Organize your pictures- Most of us have boxes of pictures stored away or pictures saved on our computers. Spring cleaning as well as sheltering at home during a pandemic offers the perfect time to sort through old photographs. This is a task that becomes enjoyable quickly with trips down memory lane. Organize photos into years, family groups, vacations, birthdays, weddings or anything else you choose! Take it one step further and share them with others. With today's technology sharing photos with others is really easy. Programs such Facebook, Google Photo's and Shutterfly allow simple sharing of your pictures with anyone.
Plant an indoor garden-This spring has been unseasonably cold which can be hard on any sprouting vegetables. Get a jump start on your garden by starting an indoor garden. All it takes are some plastic cups or peat pots and seeds. Place the seeds in the pots along with some soil. Set all of the pots in a flat baking pan, cooking sheet or large open tupperware. Water and set in the window sill. After a few days and weeks you will have a great start on your garden and the plants will be protected from the cold.
No garden? No problem. Transfer the small plants into a planter box or 5 gal bucket with additional soil and drainage and watch them grow. Growing plants and vegetables can be relaxing, rewarding and great for providing fresh produce.
Water color paintings- You don't need to be an artist to enjoy watercolor paintings. Many of us have that junk drawer with the old watercolor paint set tucked way in the back. If you don't have watercolors they are sold online for only a few dollars and also can be found at your local grocery store. Simply set yourself up with a blank sheet of paper, paint, paint brush and water for rinsing. Then let the creativity flow! Watercolor paints are ideal for painting landscapes like lakes, sunsets, trees and mountains. Get over spring fever by painting some beautiful artwork!
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Volunteers to the Rescue!
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In early March we all began hearing reports about the spread of COVID 19 around the world. We didn't know how it would impact Age Well Arrowhead but we did know that our clients would need more support during this time of uncertainty. As a team, we began preparing the best ways to help our clients with essential items. One of the areas we identified was through Age Well Arrowhead's Groceries to Go shopping program. This meant more volunteers would be required to meet these needs. Over the next few weeks older adults began sheltering in place and looking for help to get essential items. Our phones started ringing and we began to see an increase in those utilizing our grocery shopping program.
With the increase in older adults requesting groceries, Age Well Arrowhead turned to the community for volunteer's to help. The response was incredible! Dozens and dozens of people contacted Age Well Arrowhead offering their time to help others. People called everyday asking how they could join Age Well Arrowhead's volunteer team and shop for seniors. Volunteers from all age groups and backgrounds joined together to provide the essential grocery shopping service to those in need. The dedicated weekly shopping team quickly expanded with college students, working adults, married couples, people recently laid off, and the newly retired all joining. Each week in April saw more and more new volunteers join the shopping efforts to help support the Groceries to Go program.
As grocery shopping increased so did the need for volunteer grocery order takers. People working from home gladly volunteered their time to become an Age Well Order Taker. New volunteer's helped support the already hard working and experienced volunteer order takers. This key volunteer role which is done from home helped Age Well Arrowhead support the needs of all clients placing a grocery order each week.
Today, Age Well Arrowhead is shopping for over 60 older adults per week. With coordination from Jayne Petrich, the Groceries to Go program has over 75 dedicated volunteers working hard each week to make it a success. Despite the uncertainty of COVID 19, our team has become stronger and more capable to help older adults during April and beyond. This is directly linked to the amazing people who volunteer their time each week with Age Well Arrowhead.
We still need help!
If you want to join our team and volunteer contact Peter Hafften at 218-623-7804 to learn more.
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“We’re here to help” Let us know what you need. Call 623-7800 today!
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Current needs at Age Well Arrowhead:
Transportation Services
URGENT NEED
Homemaker
As available
Remote Groceries to Go Order Taker
Monday or Tuesday as available
Groceries to Go Shoppers
Kenwood- Wednesday
Cloquet- Wednesday
West Duluth- Thursday
Superior- Thursday
Subs For ALL Positions Needed
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Join us in welcoming our new volunteers!
Tracy A.
Marie B.
Kim C,
Eric H.
Kathryn L.
Megan P.
Amy R.
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Age Well would like to thank the following volunteers for their years of dedication.
Happy Anniversary!
David Hileman
Julie Reichoff
Lynn Bode
Rachel Christy
Brody Gordon
Laura Laaksonen
Tim Morris
Nikki Norland
Ava Peterson
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Age Well Arrowhead would like to recognize the following volunteers as they reach high milestones for the number of hours they have volunteered since 2017.
Thank you for your contribution!
100 or more hours
Rachel Christy
Brody Gordon
Evan Watkins
200 or more hours
Lynn Bode
300 or more hours
KatieThompson
David Wedin
Jane Wedin
Carol Cheslak
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Colton Brinker
Melissa Bromme
Ben Fornear
Levearne Hagen
Paul Jahn
Aria Kampfer
Nick King
Laura Laaksonen
Bernadine Lundberg
Jeff Mayne
Nikki Norland
Ava Peterson
Abbie Rivard
Tammy Theibert
Ellen Troeltzsch
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Try this great Cake Recipe!
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Beth's Basic Quiche
Ingredients
1 pie crust (baked, 9-inch)
1 cup vegetables (chopped, broccoli, zucchini, or mushrooms)
1/2 cup cheese (shredded)
3 egg (beaten)
1 cup milk (non-fat)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Cooking Steps
1
. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2.
Shred the cheese with a grater. Put it in a small bowl for now.
3.
Chop the vegetables until you have 1 cup of chopped vegetables.
4.
Cook the vegetables until they are cooked, but still crisp.
5.
Put the cooked vegetables and shredded cheese into a pie shell.
6
. Mix the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.
7
. Pour the egg mix over the cheese and vegetables
8.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
9.
Let the quiche cool for 5 minutes before serving
Enjoy!
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The American Red Cross and their partners will install free smoke alarms for those who cannot afford their own or are physically unable to install an alarm. A limited number of specialized bedside alarms are also available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Keep your family safe by installing smoke alarms or updating the ones in your home.
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A few topics we are working on for the next newsletter...
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Volunteer Spotlight
Summer Services
COVID 19 Update
Groceries to Go!
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Got an idea for the newsletter?
Is there a topic you would like to learn more about? Would you like to write something in the next issue?
Let us know! We would love to hear from you!
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Groceries to Go in Action!
Our shopping team has been shopping each week at Super One Grocery Stores. Thanks to a great donation of masks from LiUNA and Brandon Buxbaum, our shoppers are able to stay safe and healthy. Enjoy the grocery shopping images from April.
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Help older adults in their groceries as a Grocery Shopping Volunteer for Age Well Arrowhead! Contact Peter Hafften at 218-623-7804 or email him at peterh@agewellarrowhead.org
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We need your help as a volunteer at Age Well Arrowhead. We are in need of
Companion,
grocery order takers, homemaker, and transportation volunteers. Join our team and help seniors in your community!
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Thank you to our generous donors in April. We appreciate your support of Age Well Arrowhead and those we serve.
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The Age Well Volunteer Spotlight
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This month Age Well Arrowhead wants to give recognition and appreciation to one of our Grocery Shopping Volunteers, Kellie Wilson.
Kellie has been one of the most friendly, energetic, and reliable volunteers we have had since she started in January. She has an incredible ability to multi-task and often comes up with new and innovative ways to grocery shop. Kellie has become a key member of our volunteer team and has been a tremendous addition during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Thank you Kellie !" -Age Well Arrowhead team
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Become Dementia Friendly in 2020!
If you are interested in learning more about how your business can become dementia friendly, contact Peter Hafften at 218-623-7804
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Thank you to Mike Warner from the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) for donating masks to our Groceries-to-Go volunteers!!
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Age Well Arrowhead connects older adults and caregivers to services that support healthy aging and independence.
We are passionate about serving the older adults and caregivers of our community. For this reason, Age Well Arrowhead was founded in 2014 as a local non-profit. We are funded by a Live Well at Home grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Title III funding administered by the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, a grant from the Minnesota Board on Aging, contributions, and service fees. These grants allow us to provide services that are easily accessible and affordable.
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Beth Kaiser
,
Service Coordinator
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Joe Sandbulte, Chair
Jennifer Smith, Treasurer
Travis Hill, Secretary
Stacy Foster, Director
Susan Waldie, Director
Nicolle Olness, Director
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Follow Us on Facebook and stay up to date on the latest news and events
with Age Well Arrowhead.
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