MAY 2020

Valley West Center Newsletter

Volume 33, Issue 11

Visit our website for more Information • www.ywcaaz.org

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Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect

yourself and your family from getting sick. During

the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping hands clean is

especially important to help prevent the virus from

spreading.

Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent

the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections

from one person to the next.

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay

healthy by washing your hands often, especially

during these key times when you are likely to get

and spread germs.

How Germs Spread:

Touching a contaminated surface or objects

Preparing or eating food & drinks with unwashed

hands Blowing your nose, cough, or sneeze into

your hands and then touching other people’s

hands

Key times to Wash Hands. Before & After:

Before eating food

Before, during, and after preparing food

Before and after treating a cut or wound

Before and after caring for someone at home who

is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

AFTER:

After using the toilet

After touching garbage

After handling pet food or pet treats

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After touching an animal or animal waste

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who

has used the toilet

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the

most effective ways to prevent the spread of

germs.

Wet your hands with clean warm water

Lather your hands, between fingers & nails

Scrub for 20 seconds

Rinse well

Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them

LIFE IS BETTER WITH CLEAN HANDS

WE HAVE WIFI

Bring your iPads, tablets, laptops

& gadgets

WHEN AND HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS

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MAY IS…

Esperanza, Rogoff 5 -10 Ray Jarnagin 5-26

Louise Coates 5-18 James, Greco 5-27

Connie Kelly 5-21

MAY BORN: You can have a lot of fun with

them, nevertheless you will definitely regret it

when you dare to provoke them. You do not

want to experience how evil they are when they

lose their temper. Just don’t mess with them!

Happy Birthday To You

Flower: Lily of the Valley

Message:

You’ve Made My Life Complete

Birthstone: Emerald

Emeralds are extraordinarily rare, and can be

more expensive per carat than any Diamond. Em-

eralds are also associated with the 20th, 35th, and

55th anniversary.

On behalf of the YWCA Senior Center, Thank You to our Advertiser’s for generously supporting our publication.

Life is a FIESTA

MOTHER’S DAY May 10th Skin Caner Awareness May 1st Cinco de Mayo May 5th National Bike Month May 15th Memorial Day May 25th Older Americans Month Barbecue Month

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MAY

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

YWCA Valley West Meal Service for the Community CAN’T USE SOAP & WATER

Washing hands with soap & wa-

ter is the best way to get rid of

germs. If not available, use

hand sanitizer. Rub the gel over

all the surfaces of your hands

and fingers until your hands are

dry. This should take around 20

seconds. However sanitizers

do not get rid of all germs. Sani-

tizer may not be effective when

hands are visibly dirty/greasy.

They also might not remove

harmful chemicals from hands.

Use sanitizers that contain at

least 60% alcohol.

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HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS

Older adults and people who have severe underly-ing medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19 illness. There is currently no vaccine to prevent corona-virus disease. Take steps to protect yourself and others.

KNOW HOW IT SPEADS:

The Virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possible be in-haled into the lungs.

Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

EVERYONE SHOULD:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily availa-ble, use a hand sanitizer. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

AVOID CLOSE CONTACT:

Avoid close contact with people who ae sick. Stay home as much as possible, Put distance between yourself and other people, especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.

COVER COUGHS AND SNEEZES:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Immediately wash your hands or use a hand sani-tizer. Throw used tissues in the trash.

WEAR A FACEMASK IF YOU ARE SICK:

You should wear a facemask when you are around oth-

er people, sharing a room or vehicle and before you en-

ter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to

wear a facemask because it troubles your breathing,

then you should do your best to cover your coughs and

sneeze. People who are caring for you should wear a

facemask if they enter your room. Facemasks may be in

short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

CLEAN AND DISINFECT:

Frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables,

doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks,

phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

HOUSEHOLD BLEACH: follow instructions for applica-

tion and proper ventilation. Never mix household

bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK

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POWER OF ATTORNEY A power of attorney (POA) gives someone else legal authority to make decisions about money or property. The designated person or agent can make decisions if the older adult is sick or injured. A POA can be a family member or a friend you trust.

Creating a POA is a relatively inexpensive way to ensure someone you trust is appointed. If not, your family members or friends will have to go through the court system and someone you do not want designated as an agent may be ap-pointed. The process through the courts can also be lengthy, expensive, and public.

POAs vary, depending on what state law allows and the wording in the document. Generally, a POA goes into effect as soon as it is signed un-less the document specifies a different arrange-ment. That means that even if you are capable of making decisions, your agent will be able to act on your behalf immediately.

A durable power of attorney remains effec-tive even if the grantor loses the capacity to make financial decisions. If you want your POA to remain effective if you become una-ble to manage your money or property, make sure it is “durable.” A durable POA is very important for financial incapacity due to Alzheimer’s, dementia or other health issues. There are different ways to customize a power of attorney to fit you needs and pref-erences. An attorney can help you create an appropriate POA for you circumstances. A POA does come with some risk. It gives another person a great deal of authority without regular oversight which can lead to POA Abuse. Please read next month’s News-letter to learn how to minimize POA abuse and protect yourself.

For Your Information...

Thank you to our Funding Sources

Welcome Our Activity Program services are

available for individuals who are

60 years of age & older

Suggested Meal Program

Contributions:

For Eligible Seniors & Disabled

Adults

Dining Room ....................... $2.50

Dial-A-Ride (each way) ....... $1.00

S.A.I.L. Program .................. $2.50

Meals on Wheels:

Private Pay Glendale .......... $8.00

Reservations Reservations for lunch are requested. Call

(623) 931-7436; 48 hours in advance

Seating on a first come, first serve basis.

No “saved” seats! Disabled participants

may be served.

IMPORTANT! Signatures and emergency information

forms are REQUIRED by all who

participate here; as this is an eligibility

program.

The form is confidential and updated

annually. Participants must be

independent and able to take care of

their personal needs and be cognizant

of their surroundings. This is not an

Adult Day Care site, but referrals can be

made. If you use wheelchairs, etc, you

must use them while in this facility.

Mobility devices must NOT block any

walkways and bags/carts are not

allowed in the dining room. Safety is

most important to us!

Participant Grievance The YWCA will provide a means to insure fair handling of participant complaints and grievances. For the purpose of these policies and procedures, a grievance means any dispute regarding the meaning, interpretation or alleged violation of these policies, procedures and services. Any participant seeking assistance or services through the YWCA senior programs who feels that he or she has not been treated fairly may appeal any decision rendered by filing a grievance.

Procedure Participants who have a problem or complaint

should first try to get it settled through discussion with the Staff.

If, after this discussion, the participant does not believe the problem or complaint has been satisfactorily resolved, he/she will have the right to discuss it with the Senior Center Director You may reach the Senior Center Director at (623) 931-7436.

If the grievance is not resolved in steps 1 or 2, the participant shall submit in writing a complaint detailing the basis for the grievance. The complaint will be submitted to the Senior Center Director within ten (10) working days.

The Senior Center Director will render his/her decision and comments in writing and return them to the participant within ten (10) working days.

Should the Senior Center Director fail to resolve the grievance, within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the grievance, the person may communicate the grievance in writing to the YWCA CEO within fifteen (15) calendar days.

The YWCA CEO will render a decision. The YWCA CEO has the final decision in appeals.

If the grievance is not resolved at the local level, it can be appealed to:

Contracts Department

Area Agency on Aging Region One, Inc.

1366 East Thomas Road, Suite 108

Phoenix, Arizona 85014

602-264-2255

Contributions may be given

at the Lobby Desk for

confidentiality purposes

Meet Our Staff…

Debbie Esparza, CEO

Kathy Saunders, Director

Bea Lopez-Parra, Program

Assistant

Judith Pennell, Meals on Wheels

Coordinator

And many others who make this

all possible!

Program Locations:

Meals served at noon

Monday-Friday at:

YWCA Valley West Center

8561 N 61st Avenue

623.931.7436

Glendale Adult Center

5970 W. Brown

623.930.4321

Glendale Community Center

5401 W. Ocotillo

623.930.4700

Japanese Senior Center

5414 W. Glenn Dr. (3rd

Wednesday of Month only)

Sun Valley Gleaner Brown Bag every

Thursday.

You do not need to be wealthy to leave

a legacy. In addition to supporting the

YWCA with your cash donations, you

can also contribute to the sustainability

of our efforts to better women's lives in

the long term.

Please call Debbie Esparza , CEO, at

602.258.0990 ext. 13 to discuss

planned giving opportunities.

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