Generations August 2024

On August 5, we launched the 2024 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults. Randomly selected households will begin receiving mailed survey invitations around this time. If you receive an invite, please follow the instructions to provide your feedback. Residents not selected for the initial random sample will have the opportunity to participate in September when the survey opens to all community members age 60 and over. Sign up now to receive an email notification when the survey is available on Polco, our secure civic engagement platform. Visit https://polco.us/n/res/profile/state-of-indiana, select “Follow” next to State of Indiana CASOA and set up a Polco account. Thank you in advance for joining the conversation.

Senior farmers market vouchers

Generations is participating in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and currently has some vouchers available. Applicants must be from Knox, Dubois, Daviess, Greene, Martin or Pike County. The two local markets that are participating in the program are Mayall’s Market in Oaktown and the Vincennes Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays and Apple Hill Orchard in Bruceville Monday-Saturday.

Applicants must be at least 60 years old, have a gross household income of not more than 185% of current federal poverty income guidelines and have a smart phone with email access.

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons applying must bring their ID, proof of income, smart phone and email address. To set up an appointment, please contact Alma Kramer at 812-888-4527.

Ten reasons to get vaccinated

• Vaccine-preventable diseases have not gone away. The viruses and bacteria that cause illness and death still exist and can be passed on to those who are not protected by vaccines. While many diseases are not common in the US, global travel makes it easy for diseases to spread.

• Vaccines will help keep you healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations throughout your life to protect against many infections. When you skip vaccines, you leave yourself vulnerable to illnesses such as shingles, pneumococcal disease, flu, human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B, both leading causes of cancer.

• Vaccines are as important to your overall health as diet and exercise. Like eating healthy foods, exercising and getting regular check-ups, vaccines play a vital role in keeping you healthy.

• Vaccines are one of the most convenient and safest preventive care measures available.

• Vaccination can mean the difference between life and death. Vaccine-preventable infections can be deadly. Every year in the US, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 50,000 adults died from vaccine-preventable diseases.

• Vaccines are safe. The US has a robust approval process to ensure that all licensed vaccines are safe. Potential side effects associated with vaccines are uncommon and much less severe than the diseases they prevent.

• Vaccines will not cause the diseases they are designed to prevent. Vaccines contain either killed or weakened viruses, making it impossible to get the disease from the vaccine.

• Young and healthy people can get very sick, too. Infants and older adults are at increased risk for serious infections and complications, but vaccine-preventable diseases can strike anyone. If you are young and healthy, getting vaccinated can help you stay that way. Vaccine-preventable diseases are expensive. Diseases not only have a direct impact on individuals and their families, but also carry a high price tag for society as a whole, exceeding $10 billion per year. An average flu illness can last up to 15 days, typically with five or six missed work or school days. Adults who get hepatitis A lose an average of one month of work. When you get sick, your children, grandchildren and parents may be at risk, too. Adults are the most common source of pertussis (whooping cough) infection in infants which can be deadly for babies. • When you get vaccinated, you are protecting yourself and your family as well as those in your community who may not be able to be vaccinated.

• Your family and co-workers need you. In the US each year, millions of adults get sick from vaccine-preventable diseases, causing them to miss work and leaving them unable to care for those who depend on them, including their children and/or aging parents. Source: www.nfid.org/immunization/10-reasons-to-get-vaccinated/

Protect the skin you’re in

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with an estimated 9,500 people diagnosed every day. Your skin is your largest organ and protects all of you. Some useful tips for being outside include using broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 when you are outside, even in the shade, and reapplying it every two hours. Wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing to shield skin. Finally, seek shade during the midday hours.

Generations to offer virtual Living a Healthy Life class in September

Generations will be offering a free virtual six-week course, Living a Healthy Life, every Tuesday beginning September 10 through October 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST/12 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST. According to the National Council on Aging, about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease and 68% have at least two. Many adults with conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and others struggle to find ways to manage their condition. This program will address issues faced by individuals dealing with chronic disease. Some of the topics discussed during the course of this program are techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep, decision-making skills to better deal with medication use and treatment options, exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance, pacing activity and rest, nutrition gaps and action planning. For more information or to register please contact Cathy Jones at 812-888-5159 or by e-mail at catherine.jones@vinu.edu. *Please note that your computer system must have a camera and a microphone.

A Matter of Balance to be held in Vincennes

A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance. Generations will be offering A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls at the Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Pavilion, 519 S. 9th St. in Vincennes every Monday from September 16 through November 4. Classes will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This eight-week program is offered free of charge, but pre-registration is required. Spots are limited. A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. For more information or to register please call 812-885-3765. *The University of Southern Indiana Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $5 million with 0% percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. For more information please visit HRSA.gov.

Build-a-Basket by the month-August

Generations is collecting different items each month that can be used at the end of the year to supplement the Build-A-Basket program. Each month, we will be collecting these items and storing them away for the holiday season to create additional baskets as needed. August collection items are brain health items such as crossword puzzles/sudoku puzzles, books/magazines, adult coloring books, pens/pencils, playing cards, etc. If you would like to donate brain health items, please contact Alma Kramer at 812-888-4527 or by email at akramer@vinu.edu to schedule your pick up. Items may be dropped off at the Generations office at 1019 N. 4th St., Vincennes. Thank you for your help in supporting our Build-A-Basket program.

Generations, Area 13 Agency on Aging & Disability, is a program of Vincennes University’s Community Services Division. Our agency connects individuals and caregivers to community resources and options for long-term care and in-home services. For more information, call 1-800-742-9002 or 812-888-5880 or visit our website at www.generationsnetwork.org