May 2007 Vol. 26. No. 5

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.

Art Therapy Color and patience tease creativity from participants
End of life compassion: Shall we have a choice about ending our lives?
May is Older Americans Month
Try out: STAR auditions set May 6,7
Pay attention to your medications
Tribute to Sister Ann McGuinn, CSJ
Redwood Community Action Agency provides low-cost rehab loans

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Tribute to Sister Ann McGuinn, CSJ

by Joyce Hayes

On April 12, the Humboldt Senior Resource Center joined the community in remembering and reflecting on Sister Ann McGuinn's impact on helping older adults live with dignity and independence. Her generosity, kindness and devotion to help those more vulnerable in our society will be greatly missed by HSRC and the senior community.

In 1994 we were privileged to receive a grant from the Sisters of Orange for expanding the Fortuna Dining Center from two days a week to four days a week. This grant changed the site from being a social gathering for seniors in the Fortuna area to a site that had a very positive impact on the nutritional well-being of seniors who attended. The Fortuna Dining Center is now a successful five-day-a-week program and serves an average of 50 seniors a day.

Through the years the assistance from St. Joseph's Community Need Grants for home-delivered meals has helped many low-income seniors remain in their own homes with the assistance of one hot meal delivered daily. These grants have also helped the nutrition program serve emergency meals to low-income frail adults who needed short-term assistance.

Sister Ann was instrumental in helping us obtain grants for adult day health programs which provide much needed therapeutic day care for adults with mental and physical disabilities, including Alzheimer's and related dementias.

Her legacy will continue to impact the seniors and families that we serve throughout the entire community. We will miss her.

Joyce Hayes is executive director of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center.