J . L . Tu r n e r C e n t e r June Newsletter FiftyForward enriches the lives of adults 50+ by providing pathways to health, well-being, and lifelong learning. June 2014
Letter from the Director Dear Turner Center Members, The FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center is once again asking for your support. We will be putting out a giving tree during the month of June to request donations of kitchen items (plastic cutlery/ cups, napkins, paper plates, disposable tablecloths, iced tea bags, etc.) and office supplies (pens, post-it notes, white out, copy paper, etc.). Your donations will be used throughout the coming months for the multitude of programs and social activities that we offer. Thanks to receiving many of these items as donations we are able to keep the cost of our events low and even allows us to do many events at no charge to our members. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support of the Turner Center – we appreciate it! ~ Megan
Safety First! June is National Safety Month and the Turner Center will be focusing our activities on Senior Safety. We’ve got events planned that will help you with home safety and financial safety. Sgt. Linn from the Metro Nashville Police Department will be sharing information on the importance of Neighborhood Watch Programs as well as knowing when to call 911. We are also pleased to welcome Judy Langston with Smart911 to discuss setting up a safety profile for your household. In keeping with “Safety
Question: I’m concerned for my elderly mother’s safety behind the
wheel. Her reflexes and eyesight are not good, and she is disabled. She is reluctant to give up driving. What
can I do?
First” the Deloitte Tech Day volunteers will be available to discuss internet safety, among other things tech related. Our friends at SunTrust bank will also be presenting on the topic of Preparing for the Unexpected. Join us this month at one of our many activities and see how you can live a safer, healthier life!
Ask The Social Worker Driving often symbolizes independence, and when that privilege is taken away, it can feel like freedom is being taken away. One option is getting your mother enrolled in a Driver Safety course offered through AARP. These courses help older adults feel safe and confident behind the wheel. If your mother’s condition is beyond this intervention, another option for maintaining her (and others’) safety, is to enroll her in the AccessRide program through the MTA. It is a transport service in Davidson County designed to meet the needs of disabled people unable to drive. She can still maintain independence by being the one to call them when she needs them. It would be beneficial for you to get your mother’s doctor involved in the conversation about driving safety – that way, she is also hearing the concern from a trusted professional. Visit www.aarp.org to learn about their Driver Safety Programs. The AccessRide program can be contacted by calling 615-880-3970.
Candace Waligora, BSW-Program Coordinator, FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center