Thank you to donors, attendees, board members, volunteers, and staff who came together to make Celebrate LIFE a record breaking success and an absolute fun fest.
9/SUMMER 2025 FUELING A HEALTHIER TULSA PAGE 3 MORE THAN CARE: LIFE PACE PAGE 4 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOCIAL SECURITY! PAGE 8
“...the focus of the night was never lost. people knew why they were there and embraced the mission.”
Dear Friend of LIFE,
This issue of LIFELines touches on a lot of things your support has made possible. We never take that support for granted. We recently had our annual event, Celebrate LIFE, and I was able to look out at 500 people who joined us to support seniors and caregivers. It was lots of fun, complete with dining and dancing. However, the focus of the night was never lost. People knew why they were there and embraced the mission.
Two of the attendees highlighted in this issue, Rod and Susan Nordstrom, are stalwart friends of LIFE Senior Services and our work. They invite friends to learn more, give tours, open up their home and spend many hours volunteering. The Nordstroms are emblematic of so many kind and wonderful volunteers who work shoulder to shoulder with our team. They bring knowledge and enthusiasm and, in my opinion, are what sets our organization up for success.
Eileen Ryan Bradshaw
PRESIDENT & CEO
Thank you for what you do for LIFE and those we serve. We are fortunate in your friendship!
SENIORS by the numbers
1.87 7.09 $150B The average number of annual doctor visits age 15-44* The average number of annual doctor visits age 65+*
Estimated annual impact to U.S. healthcare industry due to missed appointments and delayed medical attention**
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports additional costs from delayed care also include preventable hospitalizations and poorer health outcomes for seniors.
*National Center for Health Statistics – 2019
**Source – American Hospital Association – 2017
LIFELines Publishing Team: Kelly Kirchhoff, Greg Raskin,
Lauren Zeligson
Transportation: You Say You Want a
Revolution
SENIOR ISSUES ARE COMMUNITY ISSUES.
Macular degeneration, debilitating arthritis, slowed reflexes, and many other health concerns can raise the need to turn in one’s keys and lose a great deal of personal independence. For seniors, a lack of transportation sets up barriers to receiving needed healthcare and ultimately drives up medical costs for everyone. If we can lower those costs for seniors, everyone will gain from lower expenses. In addition, society at large benefits when seniors live at home as long as possible, remain healthy, and engage meaningfully in their community.
During the pandemic, medical transportation
presented unique challenges for older adults. How could someone who can no longer safely operate a vehicle find rides to medical appointments? As a result, the community looked to LIFE for help. LIFE found pandemic funding and offered a new avenue to serve the community. By simply providing cost-effective rides, getting seniors to the doctor on time proved to address a critical need for improving senior health.
As the effects of the pandemic eased, the need for senior transportation didn’t disappear. However, as special funding for these programs began to evaporate, it was clear that plenty of
seniors who don’t drive still need a way to get to medical appointments and treatments.
When discussing impacts and issues surrounding increases in the percentage of people over 65, the authors of a 2021 article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health wrote, “…the focus on the less able-bodied elderly in traditional transport policy requires a revolution.”
Studies have shown millions of Americans delay or cancel important medical care because of challenges with transportation. Those situations
“...the focus on the less ablebodied elderly in traditional transport policy requires a revolution.”
lead to poor health outcomes and crises. Against that backdrop, LIFE wants to support the health of Tulsa seniors by taking a lead role in the transportation revolution. Thanks to a generous capital gift, LIFE has increased its fleet of vehicles for medical transportation. It’s just beginning, but we hope LIFE can support senior health through dependable rides provided by compassionate drivers.
Your gift can help seniors to better health outcomes. Please reach out to Greg Raskin, at (918) 938-7643 or graskin@LIFESeniorServices. org, if you would like to participate in this support.
The Spice of LIFE
ROD AND SUSAN NORDSTROM
“had i known about resources like life’s at that time, it would have made a huge difference.”
Rod Nordstrom’s interest in senior issues began as the oldest child in his family. He took responsibility for his mother and grandmother as they began to experience age-related challenges. “My grandmother fell and broke her hip walking across an empty lot. She was fine as she left the hospital but, went to a nursing home, and six months later, she was gone.”
“My mother was young when she passed away. I didn’t have the tools to help. Had I known about resources like LIFE’s at that time, it would have made a huge difference and I could have been a much better caregiver.”
Since that time, Rod has served on all three of LIFE’s boards. He has hosted many a party in support of Celebrate LIFE, and volunteers for LIFE’s Medicare and Tax Assistance programs. Commenting on many of his recent tax calls, “They want to have their taxes done at Roma Berry. When they do that, then they can play pickleball afterwards.”
Susan came into LIFE’s orbit when Carolyn Stewart, her long-time friend (and former LIFE board president) invited her to attend a friendraising party for the event now called Celebrate
LIFE. The party was hosted at Rod Nordstrom’s home. Susan recalled, “On the on the way home, Carolyn said to me, ‘You know, you should think about going out with Rod. He’s a nice man. We went to high school together and I’ve known him for years.’”
Sounding like a scene from “Bye, Bye, Birdie” — Here’s the story morning glory. Rod contacted Carolyn for Susan’s number; got it. Then he called Susan. They went out to dinner, dated for three years, then they both retired on the same day. Finally, they were married just a few weeks later.
Susan loves her volunteer service with LIFE. “Through the years I always help with gift gathering for Celebrate LIFE (silent auction items) and setting up for the event the day before. I still enjoy that. When Carolyn and I got the call this year to see if we would help we responded, ‘Sure, just tell us what we need to do, we’ll be happy to.’”
As the unofficial mayor of Celebrate LIFE, Rod said, “I’m like a butterfly floating and talking from table to table. I’ll come sit down when it’s time to eat.”
The Spice of LIFE - Meet Cheri FOR TAP VOLUNTEERS, IT’S NOT JUST THE TAXES >>
For many people tax season brings fists tight with anxiety. However, the Tax Assistance Program (TAP) helps participants save money and, more importantly, peace of mind. At LIFE, tax help begins the moment each person is greeted.
Adept at putting people at ease, Cheri (Sure REE) shows up ready to serve. Gently guiding nervous individuals through the registration process, she helps simplify the government-required intake forms, ensures the presence of necessary documents, and engages in casual conversation. As a result, TAP participants feel supported and ready to meet with the preparers.
Reflecting on finding LIFE Cheri said, “I heard about LIFE Senior Services from a friend of mine who receives the Vintage Magazine. I’d been looking for somewhere to volunteer and everybody I’ve known speaks highly of LIFE.
“I’m an outgoing person and don’t know a stranger,” Cheri said. “People come in, and they’re so open, and they want to talk. I’ve had people come in and just thank me for sitting down and talking to them because they may live by themselves. When they are leaving I give them information included in the Vintage Magazine if they don’t get it. I also pass along information about other services LIFE offers.”
Through this season and the variety of people, one person stands out for Cheri. “A woman came in and was in tears. She ran late trying to find us. Then while helping with her paperwork she mentioned she just lost her husband and everything was a mess.” Her husband had always taken care of their taxes, but once LIFE completed her filing, Cheri noted.“She hugged and hugged and was so thankful.”
“...it’s like a whole house has been lifted off their shoulders and they’re excited about coming back next year.”
Cheri described the vulnerable state of participants after a death. “Between getting the funeral ready, then doing things like canceling credit cards, and here it is tax season, and they’ve never done taxes before, you really have to make them feel comfortable. When they come out (from the preparer) it’s like a whole house has been lifted off their shoulders, and they’re excited about coming back next year.”
For Cheri, her volunteer efforts bring many rewards. “Personally, I’ve gotten a lot of satisfaction and a lot of happiness out of this. I know that sounds kind of funny, but I feel like I have a purpose when I come in. I look forward to meeting people. Everybody’s different; every day brings different challenges and different stories, and it’s just cool. I love it.”
Looking for your own volunteer experience? Contact Danielle Hill at (918) 938-7635 or dhill@ LIFEseniorservices.org.
If you would like to volunteer for LIFE in any capacity, or want to learn more about volunteer opportunities at over 100 area nonprofits, scan the QR.
