I had the privilege this weekend of attending the TedX Austin event.  Wow, what a day!  I am always moved by the inspiring stories of those who have an idea and then actually act upon it.  It is so easy sometimes just to sit back and not make a move or expect someone else to do it for you.  It got me thinking a lot about what problems need to be addressed in our community and how we might go about it.

• How do we provide care for a rapidly growing aging population?
• Will we have enough qualified, trained medical and support personnel to meet the need?
• How can we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a quality life in the environment of their choosing?
• What attitudes need to be changed in order to develop a true culture of support and respect for seniors in our community?
• How do we engage people of all ages to take an interest in assisting and protecting the wisdom that is available?

Hard questions right?  But what the TedX event reminded me was that one person with a great idea can spur a movement to make a change.  H.A.N.D. is excited to be part of the answers to these hard questions.  We look forward to working with the community to actually jump in and do something.

Have a great idea?  Email me:  amy@handaustin.org                   Amy Temperley, Executive Director

Every day, the staff at H.A.N.D. gets to see the positive effects of the assistance that we provide- clean laundry, a client's full belly, grocery shopping done, the smile on a client's face when they have had a nice warm shower.  The assistance we provide helps maintain dignity and independence.  It allows individuals the chance to remain at home as long as possible and also provides a safety net and support system.

But there is so much more to it than that.

The visits we provide might be the only social contact a person has all day.  The smile on an attendant's face or a kind word might make the day go by a little easier or ease depression.  For the family caregiver, the assistance that is provided may be the only break that they receive all day.  It may be those 2 special hours in which they can run an errand or go get a massage.  It can mean the difference between burnout and health. 

On the outside, it might just look like housekeeping, shopping, bathing, toileting, or meal preparation.  But we know that it is so much more! 

This year, H.A.N.D. is celebrating 40 years of care in the community.  40 years of supporting the elderly and people with disabilities by assisting with daily tasks like bathing, shopping, or meal preparation.  This assistance has often meant the difference between staying in the comfort of home or having to go into a nursing facility. H.A.N.D. was doing this work even back in 1972 when Austin was a lot smaller and our community was a lot younger demographically.

As we celebrate 40 years and the thousands of individuals we have helped, the question inevitably becomes, “what next?”  Though most think of Austin as having a young population, the reality is that according to the US Census Bureau, Travis County will have a population of approximately 100,000 adults over the age of 65 by 2015. This number is expected to grow by as much as 30% by 2030.  Additionally, approximately 18 percent of individuals are living with a disability, which rises to 72 percent for individuals over the age of 80.  The scariest part of this growth is that Austin does not yet have the infrastructure to support a growing population with increased care needs.

Aging in particular can bring to light a host of new problems: physical limitations, medical problems, retirement concerns, housing issues, isolation, depression and loneliness.  Add to this, financial struggles or poverty, and finding the support you need can be daunting.

So where do we go from here?  H.A.N.D. is researching the gaps in elder and disability services in our community and working to forge collaborations with other nonprofits, corporations and individuals to help ensure that individuals can remain in their home as long as possible.  As always, our mission is not only about serving the elderly and people with disabilities but with a particular focus on those who are living at poverty level or on the fringes.  As we enter 2012, H.A.N.D., its staff, board, and volunteers will be working to develop services that deepen and broaden our capacity to help.

We are excited to show you what we come up with and hope that you will join us on the journey!

  

A wonderful article by ElderCarelink.com provides four benefits to helping your loved one stay at home and why in-home care services could be a better option for your elder.

Number One: Home care provides freedom.

Having your loved one at home means they are able to continue their day-to-day routine while getting the care and need that they support. H.A.N.D. provides loving and nurturing attendants to assist where needed.

Number Two: Home care provides for control.

Keeping your loved one at home gives them the ability to stay in control of their lives. They control the final say in their health and everyday actions.

Number Three: Home care is flexible and organized.

Since we all have personalized needs, H.A.N.D.’s attendants are able to adapt and tailor their talents to fit the needs of your loved ones. You are able to establish what times are best for an attendant to visit and how often.

Number Four: Home care relieves the caregiving burden.

Instead of a single family member being responsible for 24/7 care, H.A.N.D.’s attendants help you by sharing the responsibility.

Won’t you consider giving your loved ones the ability to stay home and remain independent by teaming with H.A.N.D. to find you a caregiver that fits your needs?

With the New Year quickly approaching, we all begin to compile a list of goals and dreams that we hope to accomplish within the next 12 months.

Why not resolve to help improve the quality of life for a senior in the community? Not sure how to start?

The first step:  Make time.

Maybe one of your resolutions already is to make more time for volunteering or family. What better way to help fill those new gaps than to spend time with your elderly parents or grandparents or take the time to make a home cooked meal and share it with a homebound senior. If time is something that doesn’t come easy for you, consider sending a card or making a phone call.

The next step: Be creative.

Share common interests with each other and find an activity that you both enjoy. Some ideas might be taking a walk, playing cards, reading together or singing songs. You might also consider taking a tape recorder or video camera to document their life and stories. You’d be surprised what you’ll learn.

One of the last and most important steps is: Cherish your friendship.

Stay involved in the lives of your elderly parents and friends. They have much we can learn and you’ll not only reminisce over the years past, but also create many more memories for the future.

Always remember that H.A.N.D. has wonderful volunteer opportunities for you to connect with the individuals that we serve on a daily basis. Please feel free to contact us with your interest or ideas.

Happy New Year!

For many years, H.A.N.D. has hosted a holiday party to celebrate our clients and the amazing personal care attendants who assist them.  On December 15th, over 150 guests gathered together for a wonderful turkey dinner, a variety of desserts, and door prizes.

This year was particularly special as we dedicated the event to Cynthia Rupprecht, our former HR manager who worked for H.A.N.D. for over 10 years.  For many years, Cynthia put her heart and soul into planning the party but was unable this year due to illness.  We were so pleased to have her and her family at the event and get to honor her dedication to our clients and attendants.

We are so grateful for the wonderful volunteers, donations of desserts and door prizes from the community as well as our event sponsor, St. David's Foundation Health's Angels.  Seeing the smiles on all the faces reminds us all of the importance of our work and how we are all part of a larger family.

You can check out some more photos from our event on Facebook.