December 2006 Vol. 25. No. 12

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Silvercrest Dining Center: New site develops an energetic following
Area Agency on Aging meeting names Senior Friends
Think About It: Foul weather driving - getting to your destination safely
Hot fresh lunch, plus: Senior dining centers offer more than a meal
Food safety for the holidays
Ferndale - Join the new slcial evening at the movies

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The Area 1 Agency on Aging held its 26th annual meeting and luncheon Nov. 28 at the Baywood Golf and Country Club. The keynote speaker was local retired physician Scott Sattler who spoke on Aging With Grace.

The luncheon meeting included the presentation of the agency's 2006 Senior Friend Awards to Dr. Joan Hoffman, Howard "Skip" Elam, JoAnn Diaz, and the Del Norte County Department of Health and Social Services Adult and Family Services Unit. These awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have made a positive difference in the lives of older adults living on the North Coast.

Joan Hoffman is a physician in McKinleyville who has a reputation for providing wholistic care and going the extra mile for her patients. She frequently visits frail, homebound patients at the end of her work day and will go out of her way to provide services beyond required medical care. Hoffman was nominated by the staff of Mad River Home Health Care, who describe her as the "Mother Theresa in our community."

Skip Elam has been a volunteer at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center for the last 11 years. In that time he has videotaped and edited more than 500 presentations by nonprofit organizations so that homebound seniors can receive health education through local television stations and remain connected to the community. Skip was nominated by staff from the Preventative Health Care for the Aging program and the Humboldt Senior Resource Center for educating and entertaining the county's seniors.

JoAnn Diaz is the director of HCAR's Bay Center. JoAnn and her staff recognize that the needs and challenges of seniors with developmental disabilities are unique. Under her direction, the Bay Center created a program that helps senior clients continue to be connected to the community in a variety of ways that are appropriate to their age and needs. JoAnn was nominated by Shelly Mitchell and Donna Shipley.

The Senior Friend Award was given to one organization - the Adult and Family Services unit of Del Norte County - for its outstanding service. In addition, the Area Agency on Aging recognized the AARP Senior Community Service

Employment Program with a special Spirit of Service award for its 31 years of outstanding commitment to Humboldt County seniors.

The President's Award was presented to Mary Dennison for her many years of advocacy for seniors through the California Senior Legislature.

April Cooper is executive assistant for the Area 1 Agency on Aging. Her e-mail is administrator@a1aa.org.