News

Successful Aging was a Success!

Zoe Trout — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:40:00 -0400

From: http://ncchw.unca.edu/news-events/news/2013/5/older-adults-wnc-learn-how-unleash-power-age

Older Adults from WNC Learn How to Unleash the Power of Age

May 14, 2013

The N.C. Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) at UNC Asheville played host to the Successful Aging 2013 conference in partnership with the Council on Aging of Buncombe County. The event brought older adults and caregivers from the Western North Carolina community to UNC Asheville.

Attendees began the day with a session in memory care dance. The group used music and exercise to help supercharge their brains. Participants let loose in the Sherrill Center’s aerobic studio, dancing to the beat of tribal drums while they free-form danced. Guests enjoyed additional breakout sessions on the importance of Sleep, Chi Walking, Falls Prevention and Sexual Intimacy. Attorneys from Elder Law were also on hand to lead a panel discussion on the power of planning and creating an Advanced Directives document while highlighting the importance of this document pertaining to healthcare decision making.

Additionally, Dr. Rebecca Reeve from the NCCHW led a packed house for the Mindfulness Practices session which helped attendees become centered and provided them ways to practice mindfulness in their homes. “Nothing lasts forever— not our possessions, health, relationships, good times or bad times. Mindfulness Practices can help us see that reality. They build our response-ability. We can learn to pause and avoid habitual or unintentional reactions when we want to hold on to something good or push bad things away. Regular use of any one of the three mindfulness tools we practiced in our session today can help us live with intention, no matter what comes our way,” said Reeve.

The day concluded with a keynote speech from Cappy Tosetti. Tosetti provided participants with ways to keep their brains healthy, fit and flexible with Neurobics—a scientifically based exercise program that stimulates new brain cells and connections. The conference brought close to 200 participants who were looking to “Unleash the Power of Age,” several of who were celebrated as persons who had aged 100 years and older. The NCCHW hopes participants will use the information they learned at the Successful Aging conference to keep leading fulfilling, active, healthy lives.

To view photos from the event please visit http://goo.gl/WltV0

Board Chair, Bob Tomasulo receives Kathleen Godwin Cole Award

Zoe Trout — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:50:41 -0400

The Kathleen Godwin Cole Award was established in 1990 in memory and honor of Kathleen Godwin Cole who served for several years on the Council’s Advisory Council on Aging and was Chairman of its Contractor Relations Committee. She was also Chairman of the Buncombe County Domiciliary Home Community Advisory Committee for several years.

This award is given annually to one Land-of-Sky Regional Council volunteer, aged 55 or better, who has made a major contribution to our region. Nominees are from or serve a Region B County - Buncombe, Henderson, Madison or Transylvania.

Over the past five years, Robert Tomasulo (Bob) has served in voluntary leadership and advisory capacities with the following groups: Buncombe County Aging Coordinating Consortium (ACC), Chair of the Buncombe County ACC Planning Committee, Buncombe County ACC Community Awareness and Advocacy Committee, “Boomers and Beyond” Conference at the UNCA Reuter Center, 2009, Board Chair of the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Inc, Vice-Chair of the Buncombe County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee, Statewide Task Force on the Co-Location of Different Populations in Adult Care Homes , 2010, Land-of-Sky Community Resource Connections (CRC) Leadership Team, and the Land-of-Sky LGBT Elder Advocacy Group.

Bob Tomasulo describes himself as a “lifelong advocate to our elder community.” Indeed, since his arrival in to our region in April 2008, Bob has made significant and lasting contributions to a number of groups and elder initiatives. For example, during the development of the Land-of-Sky Community Resource Connections, (CRC) Bob brought his expertise and insights gained through a similar effort in Florida to the process. He was instrumental in helping the group coalesce around the development and implementation of this program.

When Bob speaks, everyone listens carefully. The knowledge and experience he gained through a thirty-three year career with the Social Security Administration in New York and Florida is matched with a steady, balanced and always-thoughtful communication style. He is quietly effective in researching topics and bringing a group’s attention to the central aspects of a discussion. As a result, everyone on the work team benefits from being better informed, more focused, and initiatives are able to move forward with more ease.

Volunteer Tax-Aide Program Generates $1,692,171 for Buncombe Residents!

Zoe Trout — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:04:06 -0400

Each year the Council on Aging partners with the AARP Tax-Aide Program and the Buncombe County Library system to offer free tax prep to seniors. With the help of many volunteers at 4 different libraries over 3,464 tax returns were filed generating total refunds of $1,692,171!!

Thanks so much to the wonderful volunteers and the Pack, West Asheville, West Asheville, Weaverville, and Black Mountain Libraries for providing their space.

March is Pill Take Back Month

Zoe Trout — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:49:02 -0400

Visit www.omd-nc.org for locations

Eating Well as You Age

Zoe Trout — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:50:43 -0500

http://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/community-education/eating-well-as-you-age.html?utm_source=NCOAWeek_130305&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=NCOAWeek

Helping Ensure Healthy Lives for Older Adults

Zoe Trout — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:47:14 -0500

See the original article here http://www.unca.edu/features/helping-ensure-healthy-lives-older-adults

Project EMMA, (Eat better Move More Age well), is a collaboration among the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and the YWCA of Asheville-Buncombe County. The project provided exercise classes and nutritious, locally grown food at six county nutrition sites, two senior housing facilities, and a home food-delivery system.

At the conclusion of its very first year, its funder, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, decided to renew its support based on its success—74 percent of participants noticed an improvement in their overall health, and 58 percent reported a change in a specific behavior that affected their health.

But one problem remained—how could Project EMMA be used as a model for other agencies across the state to establish similar programs.

Enter the N.C. Center for Health & Wellness, a new center at UNC Asheville that is focusing its efforts on becoming a state hub for the promotion of healthy living initiatives. The center wants to use its network of health and wellness contacts across the state to identify or develop tools for evaluating programs and replicating successful efforts in healthy living. Focus areas will initially be on healthy aging, prevention of childhood obesity and the enhancement of workplace wellness.

Project EMMA training was held at UNC Asheville in June with 16 participants from five counties across the region. The participants included leaders from senior centers and health care and fitness organizations for older adults. A panel of experts spoke about the logistics of Project EMMA and shared resources that will enable other groups to implement the project in other areas.

Laurie Stradley, director of state and community collaboration at the N.C. Center for Health & Wellness said, “Project EMMA has changed lives in Buncombe County for nearly four years, and it has the potential to do so much more if we can work together to replicate it in other areas. This training program is the first of many efforts by our center to foster opportunities for collaboration among community-based organizations to encourage healthy living, and prevent chronic disease and injuries among all North Carolinians.”

Wendy Marsh, executive director of the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, said, “The genuine interest in using Project EMMA as a prototype for improving health and wellness programming in senior service sites really impressed me. The questions were excellent, the creativity was encouraging, and I think people left talking about how to collaborate and make these changes happen.”

Another training session participant from the Council on Aging Cyndy Wallhauser, said, “Project EMMA’s success is centered around the collaborative efforts of our partners, like the YWCA, ASAP, the N.C. Center for Health & Wellness, and of course, the support from Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation. It is very exciting to take this replicable model to the next level by sharing Project EMMA with other communities and having a greater reach to older adults in North Carolina.”

To learn more about the efforts of the N.C. Center for Health and Wellness, visit http://www.ncchw.unca.edu/.

AARP Free Tax Assistance

Zoe Trout — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:45:00 -0500

Both Federal and N.C. State tax returns will be electronically filed for safe and accurate preparation and faster refunds.

LOCATIONS DAYS/HOURS

Pack Library Mondays

67 Haywood Street 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

(Downtown Asheville, next to U.S. Cellular Center) Wednesdays

Asheville, NC 28801 (Tel: 250-4700) 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Free parking for the first hour at the Civic Center Garage

West Asheville Library Tuesdays

942 Haywood Road 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Asheville, NC 28806 (Tel: 250-4750)

Weaverville Public Library * Thursdays

41 North Main Street 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Weaverville, NC 28787 (Tel: 250-6482)

* closed for construction during February

Black Mountain Library Tuesdays

105 N Dougherty Street 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Black Mountain, NC 28711 (Tel: 250-4756)

Taxpayers should bring the following documents:

* Social Security cards and ID for all taxpayers and dependents.

* Previous year’s (2011) income tax return

* W-2 forms from each employer

*1099 forms for income from Social Security, Pension, Interest, Dividends, Brokers/Mutual Funds,

Miscellaneous Income, Gambling Winnings (Form W-2G) and any other income

*Detailed list and receipts for Medical Expenses, Charitable Contributions, Real Estate Taxes and

Mortgage Interest (Form 1098), if you are claiming itemized expenses

*Any other tax forms or information for both income and expenses

*A voided check for direct deposit of any refund to your checking or savings account

Questions and requests for home bound individuals can be directed to the Buncombe County Council on Aging, Inc. (Tel: 277-8288)

VetsFirst: An Employment & Educational Resource

Zoe Trout — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:15:19 -0500

VetsFirst has a new employment and education resource available on its website that helps disabled veterans understand the protections and opportunities available to them not only as veterans, but also as people with disabilities. The resource, Disabled Veterans Employment and Education: Gearing Up for Your Future, offers disabled veterans a variety of tools to realize their academic and career goals. It provides a step-by-step outline to finding employment and covers unique needs such as workplace accommodations, adjustments, or modifications.

http://www.vetsfirst.org/veterans-employment/

Lenoir-Rhyne University: a COA meeting sponsor

Zoe Trout — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:46:33 -0500

Thank you to Lenoir-Rhyne University of Asheville for generously donating their conference space to COA!

Visit their website for more information about the new location and the graduate programs offered.

asheville.lr.edu

Free Flu Shots

Zoe Trout — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:40:00 -0500

http://www.buncombecounty.org/news_Detail.aspx?newsID=13071

BUNCOMBE COUNTY NEWS

Flu Vaccines - No Cost!

Flu activity in North Carolina continues to rise above what would normally be seen this time of year. North Carolina has recently suffered its first two flu deaths this year, one of which was a Piedmont adult who had no pre-existing medical conditions that would indicate that they were at high risk for flu complications. The person had not received a flu vaccine.

The Buncombe County Department of Health strongly recommends that anyone 6 months of age and above who has not yet received a flu vaccine be vaccinated now. Vaccines are available from the Department of Health at no cost to those 6 months of age and above that does not have health insurance.

Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with a chronic illness should be especially vigilant about getting a flu vaccine because they are more likely to experience complications from flu. It's equally important that children in childcare and school have the vaccine since they are most likely to get and spread the illness.

Flu vaccines are available at:

Department of Health and Human Services building
40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville (across the street from the bus terminal and post office)
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (No appointment is necessary.)
Buncombe County Human Services West
339 Leicester Hwy, Asheville
Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursdays from 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon
Black Mountain Methodist Church
101 Church St., Black Mountain
1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

Remember - most important thing you can do besides getting a flu shot is to wash your hands often. After washing, use a towel to turn off the water and open the door to avoid picking up germs from others.

For more information about the flu, please visit the Buncombe County Flu website at www.buncombecounty.org/flu. You may also want to visit the CDC’s Influenza website.

"THANK YOU" to The Cathedral of All Souls

Dawn Sponseller — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:20:00 -0400

The Council on Aging was one of nine recipients of the All Souls Food Booth grants and we are so grateful!!

This money will help COA build ramps and provide grab bars for many seniors in Buncombe County.

more...

Senior Meal Sites Are More Than Food

Dawn Sponseller — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:30:06 -0400

Since June of 2011, the following dining and wellness sites around the County have served more than 350 older adults with over 25,000 meals:

Avery’s Creek Community Center
Lakeview Senior Center in Black Mountain
Senior Opportunity Center (City of Asheville)
Shiloh Community Center
Weaverville at First Baptist Church

In the words of many of the seniors who participate, these sites provide them with life changing, energizing, motivation that "Gets me going… keeps me going." To learn more, check out this short video.

Free Credit Report

Dawn Sponseller — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:22:30 -0400

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

For more information on how to access your free credit report, visit the Federal Trade Commission or AnnualCreditReport.com