December 2007 Vol. 26. 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.

Senior Friends
HSRC launches community-based initiative to improve Alzheimer’s care
Alzheimer's: Food and the person with dementia
Around the Center: Holiday foods can conflict with medications
Foster Grandparents: Make a difference in the lives of children

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Senior Friends
Individuals, the Bear River Rancheria and Bed, Bath & Beyond honored at
annual meeting
by Cindy Denbo

Senior Friends were honored by the Area 1 Agency on Aging. Standing are members of the Bear River Rancheria, Arlys Stedman, community health representative; Donna Albers, Administration on Aging coordinator; Lisa McGinnis, wife of the vice chairman; and Dakota McGinnis, vice chairman. Seated in front from left are Dorothy Erickson, Florence Couch, Maryann Cometto and Robert Lazelle. Photo by Barbara Clark

The Area 1 Agency on Aging recognized seniors and individuals at its annual meeting and luncheon Nov. 27. The meeting, which has been held each year for 27 years, provides an opportunity to publicly recognize people in Humboldt and Del Norte counties who have, through their generosity and kindness, contributed to the betterment of lives in their communities.

The agency’s 2007 Senior Friend Awards were given to those who have addressed a public need experienced by seniors in their community and who have made a significant contribution to meeting that need.

“Nominations are received from people who have first-hand knowledge of the involvement and good works provided by the nominee,” said Tom Rowe, A1AA board president.

The 2007 Senior Friends Awards were presented to Maryann Cometto, Florence Couch, Dorothy Erickson, Robert Lazelle, the Tribal Council of Bear River and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Maryann Cometto is a retired nurse and an active volunteer working with the Preventive Health Care for Adults Program since 2001. She is a powerful patient advocate for seniors and works tirelessly to ensure that patients referred for medical care have had their needs met. She volunteers at blood pressure clinics throughout Humboldt County and delivers meals through the Nutrition Program for Elders in Rio Dell and Carlotta. Cometto was nominated by Karen Ross, director of public health nursing of the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services. “She is a champion for the needs of the senior community,” said Ross.

Florence Couch, 86, and Dorothy Erickson, 87, both members of the Trinidad Lion’s Club, delivered meals to homebound seniors in Trinidad for more than 10 years. Refusing to accept reimbursement for the transportation costs of their deliveries, these senior volunteers traveled, rain or shine, to bring meals to “their” seniors. The two reluctantly retired earlier this year because of health issues. They were nominated for a Senior Friend award by Roz Keller of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center who said, “Florence and Dorothy represent the heart of volunteerism and its benefits for the givers as well as the receivers.”

Robert Lazelle has been a faithful volunteer at Food for People for nearly 30 years. For the past three years he has provided, on average, 100 hours per month to that organization. He was nominated by Chris Wisner, operations manager at Food for People, whose nominating letter stated that Robert’s “huge heart and commitment to the community are an inspiration to us all.”

The Tribal Council of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria provides a variety of free programs to enrich and improve the lives of Bear River and Yurok Elders. Programs include hot meals at the Tribal Community Center, home delivery of frozen meals, transportation to events and medical appointments, a walking group, foot care program, healthy cooking classes, a talking circle for reminiscing, blood sugar and blood pressure testing and massage therapy. The Tribal Council was nominated by Byrd Lochtie in recognition of its “thoughtful, collaborative and creative programs.”

Bed, Bath & Beyond was selected as the first recipient of the Business Friend to Seniors Award in recognition of generous merchandise donations provided to the Humboldt Senior Resource Center for distribution to seniors. Since June 2006, donations of mattress toppers and pillows, comforters and quilts, cooking equipment and utensils, blankets, lamps, furniture, hygiene products and bathroom supplies valued at more than $39,000 have been selected by care managers working with seniors and provided by Bed, Bath & Beyond. According to HSRC staff, “the recipients of the donations often express deep gratitude, saying they have never before had such warm bedding, quality cookware or beautiful furniture.”

Past Senior Friends have included Mary Beth Wolford, Congressman Mike Thompson, Food for People, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department SWAP program and volunteer videographer Skip Elam, Nancy Gregory and Ruth McCardie. The keynote speaker was California Department of Aging Director Lynn Daucher, and her topic was “Boomers – The Rising Tide.”

Cindy Denbo is executive director of the Area 1 Agency on Aging.