Vol. 12 No. 10
November/December 2014
Tis’ the season for giving!
Many people are thankful for their blessings at Thanksgiving/
Christmastime and choose to give gifts Please consider Helping
Hands Outreach on “Give to the Max Day” on November 13.
This day is when people from all over the state give online to their chosen nonprofits. Go
to www.givemn.org/organization/Helpinghandsoutreach to support our work.
You can give any day you choose. “Giving Tuesday” on
December 2 is designed to follow “Black Friday”, “Small
Business Saturday”, and “Cyber Monday.” It celebrates the
giving of generous people and opens the giving season when
many people make their holiday and end-of-year charitable gifts. Thank you
for your generosity in the past. Please invite others to give as well!
Please note that this is a two month newsletter. Please consider cutting out and saving the
calendar each issue. Also watch for Helping Hands activities on the town marquees
in Holdingford and St. Stephen . We’ll be in touch!
November is National Hospice Month!!
It’s an all too common situation. A family is at the bedside of a loved
one who is seriously ill and nearing the end of life. Each member of
the family has a different idea of what should be done and what the
patient would have wanted.
Far too many people wait until they are in the midst of a health care crisis before considering the options available or the care they or their loved ones would have wanted.
Often, by waiting too long to learn about possible options, like hospice care, people end
up spending difficult days in the hospital or the emergency room and opportunities to be
with loved ones at home are lost.
(Continued on page 2)
Helping Hands Outreach • 101 Plymouth St • PO Box 293 • Holdingford MN 56340
Helping Hands Outreach
Page 2
November is National Hospice Month!!— Continued
When a family is coping with a serious illness and a cure is no longer possible, hospice provides the type of care most people say they want at the end of life: comfort and dignity.
Considered to be the model for high-quality, compassionate care for people with a lifelimiting illness, hospice care includes expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support. Care is provided by an inter-disciplinary team of professionals and
trained volunteers. The wishes of the patient and family are always at the center of care.
Most hospice care is provided in the home – where the majority of Americans have said
they would want to be at this time. Care is also provided in nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, and hospice centers. Care is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans and HMOs.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that more than 1.5 million
people received care from our nation’s hospices last year. Hospice providers can help with
information about care options and choices and ensure you live as fully as possible
throughout your entire life. They will make sure your loved ones receive support as well.
One of the best ways to make sure you and your loved ones benefit fully from hospice,
should you ever need this care, is to talk about it before it becomes an issue.
www.MomentsOfLife.org is a wonderful website that talks about the moments that hospice
makes possible for patients and families. For more specific details about how hospice can
benefit you, a family member, or a friend, contact Albany Area Hospice at 320-845-2440.
Regards, Jason Wesenberg-Director, Albany Area Home Care & Hospice
Helping Hands Adult Day Activity Center —
Helping Hands is making plans to open an adult day activity center, a place for older adults
or adults with disabilities to stay during the day who cannot remain in their homes alone
during the day and need someone present to be sure they are safe and comfortable.
We are currently taking preliminary applications for those who may be interested in participating in the center any number of days each week. We need to begin planning for how
many participants we may have to determine adequate staffing of the center. Please contact our office if you or a loved one may be interested in participating in the center.
We are also looking for persons who have an interest and/or background working in this
type of program who may want to be part of the staff. Please contact us as soon as possible so we may discuss our staffing needs with you.
We’re excited about the potential of this new center. There will be more information coming out as we get closer to opening within the next few months. Thank you.
Our Office Phone 320-746-9960
Our Office Fax 320-746-8132
Helping Hands Outreach
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MEDICARE FALL OPEN ENROLLMENT IS OCT. 15—DEC. 7TH
You will be able to enroll into a new supplement if you so desire. If you are
satisfied with what you have, there is nothing you need to do. You will automatically be enrolled for another year. Be sure to call me or stop in if you
have any questions about enrollment.
Gerry Bjorlo will be here on Fridays, Nov. 21st and Dec. 5th to help
anyone with either Medicare or MnSure enrollment. He is from
Diane Koehn
the Central Minnesota Council On Aging and well-trained to help
Service Coordinator
us. You must call our office for an appointment - 320-746-9960.
Volunteers -
A Reminder About Transportation
It has always been our policy for our volunteer drivers not to accept money for driving
someone. You might suggest persons to rather donate to Helping Hands. We provide mileage reimbursement for our drivers who would find it helpful and request it. Thank you volunteers for being so giving of yourself.
Omygosh! I forgot!
BERNICE SKWIRA
thank you as well for
baking for Holdingford
Daze! Sorry we forgot to
acknowledge your contribution
earlier. - Jeff
Meet Another Great Volunteer
Karen Larsen is one of our volunteers
who has dedicated herself a couple times
a month doing homemaking. She also
helps with our monthly Community
Luncheon and somehow still finds time to be active in
her church. May God bless you Karen!
Holdingford Hometown Thursdays
“Where food, Fun and small town pride come together!”
1st and 3rd Thursdays on Main Street, Holdingford
Nov. 6th—Ladies Night & Nov. 20th—Customer Appreciation Night
Dec. 4—Celebrity Night & Dec. 18—Santa Night
RAIN OR SHINE OR SNOW OR HAIL OR FROGS
This project was funded in part by the
Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation.
The services of Helping Hands Outreach are funded in part under contract with
the Central MN Council On Aging as part of the Older Americans Act Program.
Check us out at: www.holdingfordhelpinghands.org
Helping Hands Outreach
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Upcoming Events
Please call for more information on Upcoming Events and
to sign-up to ride the Handy Bus. Thank You!

Hyatt House Exercise Group: 2nd and 4th Mondays at 9:00 am at the Hyatt
House and “Fun and Fitness” on Mondays 10:00 am at Fairview Apartments in
Holdingford.

Feet First clinic will be hosted at the Holdingford City Hall the first Tuesday of
the month.

Tai Ji Quan every Tuesday and Thursday: 9:15-10:15 am at the City Hall in
Holdingford. (The last class will be on November 20th.)

Exercise and Line Dancing every Wednesday: 9:15-10:45 am at the Holdingford City Center. Try out this class for a great workout!

Matter of Balance Class on Wednesdays, 1-3 pm Nov. 5th, 12th, 19th at
the Avon Township Hall.

Monthly Luncheons will be held on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 2-4
pm at the American Legion. Nov. 13th music by Ted Buerman. The Christmas
Party will be on Dec. 11th. We will be having the Christmas Singers.

NO Lunch Bunch will be held in November or December. Watch for
alternative events, dates, and times for eating and socializing.

“Dancing Through the Ages” at the Paramount Theatre November 10th.

“Fare For All” on November 10th and December 8th is offering Holiday
Specials in St. Joseph.

Grocery Shopping at Teal’s in Albany on Wednesday, November 19.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Paramount on Saturday, December 6.

Christmas Shopping and lunch at the St. Cloud Mall Monday, December 15
General Election Day— November 4.
This is an important election year. Voters will elect a U.S. Senator, U.S.
House Representatives, Governor and state officers, Minnesota House
of Representatives, and many important local and county officers.
If there are any questions about how to register, request an absentee
ballot, track an absentee ballot, finding a polling place, or finding out
where candidates stand on the issues please visit mnvotes.org website. Happy voting!
Helping Hands Outreach
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Donations
From August 21 to October 6
Helping Hands Outreach is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, so your donations
are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.
We would like to thank the following for their continued support -
Dolores Burger
Joe & Jo Anne Christensen
Lloyd & Ramona Fedor
Dan & Nancy Fiedler
Jeff & Donna Fromm
Charmaine Hanson
Earl & Carol Hoffman
Husker Booster Club
Rose Kapsner
Joseph & Sue Katzner
Paul Keppers
Ron & Shirley Konsor
George & Cheryl Kuklok
Robert & Isabelle Lane
Martin & Delores Pilarski
John & Lisa Schmidt
Shirley Schwalbe
Ernie & Bernice Skwira
We Haul for You, LLC
Hank Wrobel
Donations Made In Memory of
Ken & Molly Abrahamson for Ed Lowe
Rose Mary Jarnot for Mike & Adeline Atkinson
Delores Kantor for Friends and Family who
have passed away
Pat & Kathy Kennedy for Ed Lowe
Richard & Diane Koehn for Joshua Koehn
Patricia Krueger for Ed Lowe
Dorothy Lowe for Edward Lowe
Marlene Scepaniak for Ed Lowe
HELPING HANDS CONTEST to name our new
Helping Hands
Wish List
Adult Day Activity Center. We are inviting people to suggest names for our center. Entries will all be in a drawing
to win $25 Holdingford Bucks. 2 entries per person, please.
The name you suggest will be followed by “Adult Day Activity Center, a service of Helping Hands Outreach”. All
suggestions need to be received in our office by November
30th to be eligible for the drawing. Our Center intends to
be a safe, active, warm, and friendly place. Get Creative!





Large 52”+ Screen TV
A Wii Machine
Wii “Fit” and games
Wall Dividers
La-Z-Boy or similar
recliner
Helping Hands Outreach
Deb Robinson,
Health and Wellness
Coordinator and
Caregiver Consultant
Page 6
Did you know...In the U.S. most of the long-term care provide for older
adults living in their community is provided by family, friends, neighbor and
organizations like Helping Hands.
*Research shows family caregivers are at an increase in health problems.
*About 1/2 of caregiving daughters & sons have jobs along with giving care.
*With life expectancy increasing into the 90’s, the caregivers are also older.
*The ave. length of being a caregiver is 2-4 years, but can be up to 20 yrs.
*Caregivers spend on average 20 hours a week or more providing care.
If you are in a demanding caregiver role, you are at a higher risk for illness.
Factors such as lack of sleep and exercise, poor nutrition, worry and depression contribute
to a reduction in one’s ability to fight illness. This what I call, “caregiveritis”. Finding support from others, such as a caregiver consultant or from taking better care of oneself can
help this condition. You are worth your weight in good! Finding outside help in one or two
areas of your loved one’s needs can keep “caregiveritis” at bay.
—adapted from the Caregiver Handbook: Powerful Tools for Caregivers.
This fall, we have had three
additional fitness and health
classes, Matter of Balance,
Living Well with Chronic Conditions and Tai Ji Quan for
Balance. Thank you to Lenore Dawson for co-leading
the Living Well class. This is
the third time Lenore has
lead the class with me. We also have two new leaders
for Matter of Balance, a daughter-mother team.
Thanks to Irene and Lindsey Schmidt for leading Matter of Balance. This class will end on November 19th.
Ten people have been coming to our newest class, Ti
Ji Quan two days a week. I have been impressed with
the learning and flexibility that has occurred over the
past 9 weeks. A reminder: class will be at the Legion on Nov. 4th and will be complete on Nov.
20th.
Our Annual Health
Fair was held this
past month in Holdingford.
Thanks to CHI Albany Area Health for
providing flu shots, glucose and
blood pressure checks, and information on diabetes, healthcare
directives, and swingbeds at our
healthfair. Thanks to CHI Home
Connect for information on
homecare and hospice along with
balance checks.
Our thanks to Lenore Dawson for
feet consultation, Lisa Mueller for
information on tooth care, and
Rebecca Peirskalla on mobility
exercises.
Request an Electronic Newsletter!
If you are interested in receiving this publication electronically feel free to contact our
office by phone at (320) 746-9960 or email [email protected].
Helping Hands Outreach
Page 7
St. Stephen/Brockway
Attention New:
St. Stephen/Brockway Office Hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00-12:00
Starting October 16th At the Church Hall
Karen Skaj
Site Coordinator
320-252-5772
Please stop in and visit.
Helping Hands Outreach
Senior Luncheon
Senior Luncheon
Volunteers
Lori and Lisa are working hard and having fun.
Thank You, to all who
help make it happen.
Volunteers Needed:
Denise Leahy VISTA
320-333-6442
Third Tuesday of the Month 1:00 pm
At
St.
phen
the
Ste-
Transportation
Light housekeeping
Running errands
Home visiting/companionship
Provide respite for a caregiver
Do home repairs or modification
Help with exercise or fitness activities
Help with outings and social gatherings
Organize a fund-raising event
Please call Karen.
The Senior Lunch is an ongoing monthly
event. If you would like to make a dessert,
or donate door prizes, please call.
Senior Exercise
Come
Join Us
Wednesdays
1:00 - 2:30
Church Hall
From City Hall– Curbside voting is available for St. Stephen residents. If you are driven to
City Hall to vote and have difficulty getting out of the vehicle, we can come out to the car to assist
with voting. Please call for more information and learn how this option can help you. Thanks!
The St. Stephen/East Brockway Expansion Project is supported in part by a CS/SD grant from
the Department of Human Services (DHS). Points of view or opinions do not necessarily represent official DHS policy.
Helping Hands Outreach
PO Box 293
Holdingford, MN 56340-0293
Return Service Requested
In This Issue 






National Hospice Month— Pg 1
Our New Adult Day Activity Center— Pg 2
Medicare Fall Open Enrollment— Pg 3
General Election plus Monthly Calendar— Pg 4
Adult Day Service Contest— Pg 5
Demands on Caregivers— Pg 6
St Stephen News and City Hall Voting Accommodations— Pg 7
Helping Hands Outreach—Our Mission
“Our mission is to help create a healthy community where
older adults and adults with disabilities want to live and be
a vital part of the community.”
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit No. 19
Holdingford, MN