

Faith In Action
Faith In Action provides aid to the elderly and those with difficult life circumstances. The Faith In Action office is located within the Red Wing Senior Center at 1407 West 4th Street. Services include: * Friendly visiting * Chore Service * Respite * Transportation
* Handy Person * ACS Road to Recovery
To volunteer or if you need help with any of the above services, call Faith In Action, 651.385.3290.
Family Caregiver Support Group
Wednesday, September 15th, 1:30 pm · Senior Center
Offering support and resources to those who provide personal care for a loved one, this Faith In Action sponsored group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Robin Wipperling and Marcia Hislop facilitate this peer group and welcome all care givers and interested family members.
Alzheimer Support Group
Thursday, September 16th - 6:30 pm
The Red Wing Area Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet monthly in the Community Room at St. Brigid’s at Hi-Park, 135 Pioneer Road, Red Wing. For more information call Sara Larson at 388.1234.
Free Blood Pressure Checks
Thursday, September 16th - 9:15 to 10 am
Free blood pressure checks are offered every month in the Wellness Room at the Senior Center. This service is provided by St. Brigid’s at Hi-Park. No appointment is required.
Peg’s Party (In memory of Peg Quinn)
Cancer Support Group
Please call Pat Ross at 388.3988 for meeting details.
Alzheimers: Understanding Memory Loss
Gerise Thompson, Regional Director for the Alzheimers’ Association, is available for those who have questions or concerns for loved ones who have memory loss. She can be reached at 507-289-3950 if you need assistance.
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Diabetes Support Group
Tuesday, September 21st · 3 pm
St. Brigids’s at Hi-Park
Support and information is available for those with or caring for those with Diabetes. Call Sara Larson for more information at 388.1234.
Parkinsons Support Group
Thursday, September 16th at 3 pm
The Parkinsons Support Group welcomes family, caregivers or anyone who has Parkinsons. Please join us.
Stroke Support Group
Thursday, September 9th at 3 pm
Facilitated by Deb Howard with Fairview Red Wing Health Services, the stroke support group provides information and emotional support to survivors, family and friends. For further details, contact Robin at 385.3456.
Memory Loss Support Group
Tuesday, September 28th · 2 pm ·Senior Center
Lucy Boxrud will facilitate this support group, providing information and education on dementia. Call Lucy at 267.05441 to sign up.
Senior Home Work
Would you like help with simple repair projects to make your home safe and more energy efficient?
Senior Home Work can Help!
They provide volunteers who can help with minor home repairs and maintenance projects at NO OR LITTLE COST You will be asked to help pay for needed supplies, however NO LABOR COSTS will be charged for the work completed.
Call RW Area Seniors - 651.267.3599.
Some examples are:
_weather stripping doors and windows
_install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
_install railings/fixtures/ grab bars
_replace light bulbs and furnace filters
Support Services . . .
Who, What and When?
Caregiver Support Information: What Is Caregiver Burnout?
Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude -- from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned.Burnout can occur when caregivers don't get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able -- either physically or
financially. Caregivers who are "burned out" may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression. Many caregivers also feel guilty if they spend time on themselves rather than on their elderly loved ones.
What Are the Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout?
The symptoms of caregiver burnout are similar to the symptoms of stress and depression. They include:
• Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones.
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
• Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless and helpless.
• Changes in appetite, weight, or both.
• Changes in sleep patterns.
• Getting sick more often.
• Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you are caring.
• Emotional and physical exhaustion.
What Causes Caregiver Burnout?
Caregivers often are so busy caring for others that they tend to neglect their own emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The demands on a care giver's body, mind, and emotions can easily seem overwhelming, leading to fatigue and hopelessness -- and, ultimately, burnout. Other factors that can lead to caregiver burnout include:
Role confusion -- Many people are confused when thrust into the role of caregiver. It can be difficult for a person to separate her role as caregiver from her role as spouse, lover, child, friend, etc.
Unrealistic expectations -- Many caregivers expect their involvement to have a positive effect on the health and happiness of the patient. This may be unrealistic for patients suffering from a progressive disease, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
Lack of control -- Many caregivers become frustrated by a lack of money, resources, and skills to effectively plan, manage, and organize their loved one's care.
Unreasonable demands -- Some caregivers place unreasonable burdens upon themselves, in part because they see providing care as their exclusive responsibility.
How Can I Prevent Burnout?
Here are some steps you can take to help prevent caregiver burnout:
Find someone you trust -- such as a friend, co-worker, or neighbor -- to talk to about your feelings and frustrations.
Set realistic goals, accept that you may need help with care giving, and turn to others for help with some tasks.
Be realistic about your loved one's disease, especially if it is a progressive disease such as Alzheimer's.
Set aside time for yourself, even if it's just an hour or two. Remember, taking care of yourself is a necessity.
Take advantage of respite care services. This temporary break can range from a few hours of in-home care to a short stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Stay healthy by eating right and getting plenty of exercise and sleep.
Accept your feelings. Having negative feelings -- such as frustration or anger -- about your responsibilities or the person for whom you are caring is normal. It does not mean you are a bad person or a bad caregiver.
Join a caregiver support group, such as the one at the Red Wing Senior Center. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others in the same situation can help you manage stress, locate helpful resources, and reduce feelings of frustration and isolation.

Medical Equipment Loan Program
Red Wing Area Seniors, Inc. And Patty Svien PT, physical therapist, have established a durable medical equipment
loan program at the Senior Center. “Gently used” medical equipment is available to use for up to three months during
a period of medical convalescence or short term disability.
Equipment available includes: wheelchairs, walkers,
crutches, canes, bath/shower chairs, commodes, safety
rails for toilets, grab bars, and portable bed rails; and
small assistive devices such as sock aids, reachers, long
handled shoe horns, and adaptive eating equipment.
Since available equipment changes on a daily basis,
call or stop by the Senior Center if you need something.
Donations are gladly accepted.
NEW: Family Wize Prescription Drug Discount Cards
FREE Family Wize Prescription Drug Discount Cards, distributed by United Way are now available at the Senior Center. The cards are primarily for people with no health insurance or prescription coverage. However, they can also be used when people have to buy medicine not covered by their health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or VA benefits. Family Wize cards even include prescription pet medications if purchased at a pharmacy. The cards have no usage or age limits, income requirements or registration forms, and can be used immediately.
Seniors Helping Seniors
When the frustrations of aging become too difficult to handle, sometimes the best help is finding someone who truly listens and understands. Senior Helping Seniors peer support volunteers are skilled and committed to helping other seniors who are experiencing distress in their lives. If you need someone to talk to or you know someone who does, please contact Robin Wipperling (385-3456) at the Senior Center or Enid Reams (388-7614) at Jordan Towers. Your call will be kept in strict confidence.
BETTER BREATHERS CLUB
We are happy to announce we will be offering a new support group for persons with chronic lung disease! This
is a group organized by the American Lung Association better known as the Better Breathers Club.
The Better Breathers Club is for adults suffering from a chronic lung disease. Members share their experiences,
knowledge, ideas and strengths to improve the quality of each other’s lives. Meetings include expert local
speakers, video presentations and round table discussions. People who should attend are adults who suffer from asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, and any other respiratory problems. Also, all care givers and
support persons are welcome. We will begin our meetings in September, 2010. Look for more information in a future newsletters. You may also follow our progress on the American Lung Association web site www.lungmn.org or call 1-800-lung-usa for more information.
Living Well with Chronic Conditions
Fairview Red Wing Health Services will soon be hosting another Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshop. The workshop that was held in June-July was a huge success!
The six-week program is designed to provide you with support, find practical ways to deal with pain and fatigue, discover better nutrition and exercise choices, understand new treatments, and learn better ways to talk to your doctor and your family about your health. *In order to maximize the learning of the program, you must be able to attend all six sessions.
Call 651-267-5425 to register for the next workshop
that will begin Wednesday, October 6th at the Red
Wing Senior Center from 1:00-3:00 PM and meet each
week until November 10, 2010.