Do you collect quotes? I do. Here is one I’ve been pondering: “One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” Albert Schweitzer, whose life was devoted to humanitarian service, said that. Not everyone can make that kind of commitment, but most of us find time to be of service to others. Fearrington Cares is rich in such folks. I have been amazed at the number of volunteers and the range of ways they help your neighbors and the organization. We are fortunate so many of you have chosen Fearrington Cares as part of your way of being of service. Thank you for all you do!

CIRCLES OF SUPPORT – FEARRINGTON CARES GROUPS

One usually can’t get too far along in life without encountering illness, loss or disability. People find different approaches helpful in these situations. Some have found that being part of a support group can be a very helpful experience in coping with a chronic illness or learning to live with the loss of a loved one. Support groups typically provide a safe place for participants to express their feelings and fears, their questions and needs. Members of a group share similar experiences so they truly know something about how it feels to lose a spouse, or what it is like to live with Parkinson’s disease. Groups are led by a facilitator who may have had similar experiences to the members but who also has the skills and sensitivity to guide the conversations in directions that help all to understand and support each other. Many groups incorporate educational information or even occasional guest speakers into their meetings as well.

Fearrington Cares offers the following opportunities for residents to meet regularly with others and share some of the burdens of these experiences.

• Brain Injury group: for those dealing with conditions related to brain injuries and their caregivers
• Dementia Caregivers group: helps those who care for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementia
• Bereavement group: provides
• support for those who have lost a close loved one
• Parkinson’s Disease groups: provides education and support for both patients and
caregivers
• Alcoholics Anonymous: provides support and fellowship for those living with
alcoholism

If you or someone you know in the Village would benefit from joining one of these groups, please contact Fearrington Cares.

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

Our Annual Campaign has been underway since April. Many thanks to those of you who have given so generously. But, we are concerned that we have received contributions from only about 40% of Fearrington households. We need your help. Our hope is that everyone will try to give something. No amount is too small—all contributions are needed and gratefully received. Your participation at any level tells us you appreciate the hundreds of hours that our staff and volunteers devote to supporting the health and well being of everyone living in Fearrington Village.

Please remember, voluntary contributions and volunteer hours are what keep us going. We are not a membership organization – we do not charge people for our services. Our donors are our driving force. The only way YOU can continue to benefit from our services is if “people” contribute. For example, are you aware that the balance classes we have sponsored in
conjunction with Duke Center for Living cost us $100 per person? We initiated this program with the help of an outside grant to get it started. We will not be able to continue these worthwhile classes if the ongoing funds from the community are not there.

Likewise, we pay our nurse, Joyce Baird, to perform many services for us, including foot care clinics, and we pay our excellent support group leaders. You might not need our services now, but will you someday? Can you help keep those services in place for your neighbors who do need them?

Don’t forget it’s easy to give online through our web site. Go to www.fearringtoncares.org. Click on Donate and follow the prompts. We have a long way to go – and thanks again to all who have contributed already.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are as important as donors in the day-to-day running of Fearrington Cares. If you are looking for a rewarding activity, please sign up so that we can get your name in our data base. We need new drivers, more computer help group members, new people willing to be active, enthusiastic committee members, and people with special skills to help us as the need arises. To sign up, stop by the office and pick up a sign-up form, OR go to our web site, above. Click on Volunteer –
Job Possibilities.

NEED A FEARRINGTON FRIEND?

Do you have a neighbor or know someone in Fearrington who hardly ever goes out and seems eager for human contact? may be shy about asking you or someone else to call them just to chat or if they need something. , Fearrington Cares has the solution – the Fearrington Friends Program. can suggest that, besides yourself, there is someone else living in Fearrington who would love to get to know them and check in with them on a regular basis. can they meet that person? they have to do is call Fearrington Cares and say they want information about Fearrington Friends. Program is there for them. All they need to do is call 542-6877.

DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS GROUP

A new group was formed recently to offer support and education for those providing care or who are concerned about someone who is dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or similar
conditions. The group is ably facilitated by volunteers Karen and Fred Schectman; each of whom has a distinguished background in working with groups and individuals.

If you would like to join or want more information, please call Fearrington Cares or plan to attend one of the next meetings. The group meets at the Fearrington Cares office on Wednesdays at 12:30 – 2:00; the summer schedule is July 7th and August 4th

DO YOU KNOW A BYTE FROM A BIT?

Then we need you! The Fearrington Cares Computer Help Group needs to add to its team of volunteers who help neighbors with various computer challenges. Volunteers with solid knowledge of either Mac or PC computer equipment and operations and are able to translate that expertise into practical help will make ideal volunteers for this special service. Interested? Call Anne at Fearrington Cares (542-6877) for more information.

Our Annual Campaign letter was mailed April 15. As of May 5, 28% of all Fearrington (320 households) has donated, compared to 18% at this time last year. That’s great news! We hope to hear from many more of you over the next few months, as we seek to exceed last year’s total household participation rate of 54%. Maybe the recession really is beginning to end! Or maybe, even better, you like what you are hearing about, and/or receiving in programs and services, from Fearrington Cares. The current breakdown by dollar level to date is:
$1,000 or more – 4 , $300 to $500 – 8
$200 to $250 – 125 , $100 to $175 – 146
Under $100 – 37
If you did not receive a letter, please call the office at 542-6877 and a member of the fundraising committee will personally deliver one. Also, remember that you can contribute by credit card. A number of you have asked for this option, and we have made it possible via our web site. To offer this service we must pay a 2.2% processing fee on each transaction, but the most economical choice for us overall was to use PayPal, which allows you to use any credit card you wish. Go to www.fearringtoncares.org., click on “Donate” and follow the prompts.

VILLAGE VIEW: FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As I complete my first month working with Fearrington Cares, I have a new appreciation for the scope of services and programs we offer. From support groups to lectures on rabies; transportation to changing light bulbs, nursing care to massages; Fearrington Cares provides an amazing range of help and information. Most impressive is the talent and dedication of the volunteers who make all this possible and the skills and professionalism of the staff, Joyce and Pat. In addition, the support so many of you have already given to our Annual Campaign is further indication of the importance of Fearrington Cares to you. Thanks also to all who have made me feel welcome. I look forward to meeting more of you and to helping keep this great program going and growing.
— Anne Kissel, FC Executive Director

AGAINST ALL ODDS: HEALTH CARE REFORM

Why is it so difficult to reform the US health care system? What was in the bill that Congress passed? How will it impact you, your family and other Americans? What did it accomplish and what was left out? We are honored and excited to have Jonathan Oberlander, PhD, UNC Professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Social Medicine and the School of Public Health’s Department of Health Policy & Management speaking on this important and timely topic on June 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Gathering Place. If you have been following the health care debate, you have likely seen Dr. Oberlander on television news shows or heard him on NPR as he acted as a resident expert on the different iterations of the massive bill. Come hear from someone who has been following this subject for many years and bring your questions.

CAN WE TALK?

Have you had discussions with family members about your plans for care at the end of your life? How can you increase the chances that your directions will be followed?
Many Fearrington residents have completed some type of advance directive (i.e., living will, health care power of attorney), but not all have taken the next step in this process to engage loved ones in thoughtful discussions about what those documents mean. This program will provide suggestions and resources for initiating these difficult conversations. While communicating your wishes for care clearly is important, understanding the feelings and concerns of those you ask to implement your choices is just as critical. Advance care planning is important for all adults so this program will be useful for both younger and retired folks.
Anne Kissel, Fearrington Cares’ new Executive Director, has had extensive experience in end of life planning and care. She will lead a discussion on meaningful conversations with loved ones about your end of life healthcare wishes. Join us at the Gathering Place on June 1 at 7:30 pm for some practical ideas and resources on managing these difficult conversations.

KUDOS TO THREE SPECIAL PEOPLE

Three of our more than 300 volunteers need special attention: Connie Eby, who designed our new Access data base (now in its second year), which allows us to provide meaningful service statistics to the community; Bob Steen, who is our lead System Administrator and solves our office technical problems; and Bob Maarschalkerweerd, who has provided major support in both areas. They have given us hundreds of hours of time and saved us thousands in professional fees.

CHAMPION WALKERS

Jack Brown put in 2,666 miles for the year and Saliann Mao accumulated 2,852 miles. Both know the health benefits of walking. Jack went from 225 to 168 lbs. in two years and walks twice a day. Saliann is a small package of well-toned muscle and walks every day, no matter the weather.
Our challenge for the year was to walk 25,000 miles but the logbook shows only 18,047. This would bring us to the Gilbert Islands in Micronesia. We fell short of the goal but not because people weren’t walking; they just weren’t walking to Fearrington Cares to record their miles! Our Village is beautiful and there is no more healthful way to appreciate that beauty than to get out for a walk.

WANTED: COMPUTER WHIZZES TO JOIN COMPUTER HELP GROUP

This popular service is looking for additional volunteers, especially during the summer vacation season. Those with good computer (Mac or PC) skills are needed. Please contact Anne Kissel at 542-6877 or annekissel@fearringtoncares.org.

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN/WOMEN

We’re looking for a few folks to serve on the Fearrington Cares Nominating Committee. After an initial meeting in June, much of the work can be done by telephone and email. Our goal is to finish by October 1. The start date for new board members is the Annual Meeting in early February. Board terms are two years. Please contact Kay Hunt at 542-1750 or huntkw@earthlink.net.

CCRC PROGRAM HANDOUTS

If you missed the handouts from the May 3rd program on Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), copies of both the PowerPoint and the CCRC comparisons are available at the Fearrington Cares office. You can also request a copy from the presenter, Attorney Gregory Herman-Giddens, at ghgiddens@trustcounselpa.com.

FC HELPS ALL RESIDENTS

Recently, I went outside to water the flowers. Staring me in the eye was a LARGE 6-foot black snake. Needless to say, I jumped back a few feet. I went back inside to look out at the snake. About that time, a 92 year old patient came into the office and I showed him the snake. He said he liked snakes—this was my lucky day—but it was really the snake’s lucky day! We both went outside and found the snake entangled in the mesh net I had put over the flowers to keep the deer out. And, boy, was he stuck: his body was constricted in several places. My friend grabbed the snake by the head as I cut him free of the mesh. We walked across the street to the woods at Weathersfield and set him free! He looked quite content as he slithered off into the grass. So you see, we care for all residents in need of a little attention! And we will care for you as well if you walk through our door.
—- Joyce Baird, FC Nurse

NEW FC STAFF EMAIL ADDRESSES

FC Nurse- joycebaird@fearringtoncares.org
Exec. Director- annekissel@fearringtoncares.org
Admin. Asst.- patskiver@fearringtoncares.org

In recent FHA newsletters we’ve talked about reaching the decision to hire a part-time (20 hours/week) Executive Director; that we were most fortunate to receive a 3-year outside commitment to fund the position and that we launched the search process in January 2010. We received applications from many excellent candidates, interviewed seven and are pleased to announce that our selection, Anne M. Kissel, Ph.D., started work April 12. Anne was the unanimous choice of the search committee. She brings superb skills and experience to the position, and we are certain that she will make us a stronger organization, more focused and responsive to community issues and needs. In her own words:
” I am looking forward to becoming the newest member of the Fearrington Cares team with Joyce and Pat and to meeting the volunteers and residents who have made the program such a valuable part of your community. I’d like to tell you a little about myself. Growing up as an ‘Army brat’ led me to attend a lot of schools in many states and countries, including college in Kentucky and graduate school at the University of Florida, where I studied counseling with a specialization in Gerontology. I have worked with several programs that served elders and disabled persons but have spent most of my career in hospice programs. Since moving to the Triangle from the Atlanta area, I have been working with the Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care, the state association for hospices in North and South Carolina. My husband, Frank, and I moved to Chatham County nearly five years ago from the Atlanta area. We enjoy the rich variety of activities here (and no nasty Atlanta traffic!) and are still exploring all the area has to offer.
April 18th began National Volunteer Week; this year the theme was “Celebrating People in Action”. I can see already that Fearrington Cares volunteers are very much in this tradition of active, creative service. I look forward to helping you to continue this, as the program grows towards meeting the needs of the community in the future.”
Anne will coordinate the efforts of our volunteers and committees, allowing the Board to focus on assuring adequate financial resources to sustain our mission, explore the need for additional programs and services, deal with policy issues and prepare for a new strategic planning process in 2011. She will relieve Joyce Baird, Pat Skiver and the Board of many administrative functions, so that our nurse can concentrate on medical issues and our volunteers on providing services. Most importantly, she will provide continuity so that normal board and volunteer turnover does not lead to months of lost time while replacements learn “what it’s all about.”
Anne is busy meeting Board members, committees and major volunteer groups (receptionists, drivers, handypersons) in April, and we are setting up additional meetings in May for other “stakeholder” groups. To reach Anne, call Fearrington Cares at 542-6877 during regular office hours, M – F, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
– Kay Hunt, Fearrington Cares President

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT
COMMUNITIES SERIES

What plans do you have if you find yourself unable to continue living in your own home? Have you evaluated any Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)? Do you know the differences between the CCRCs offering life care and fee-for-service facilities? What levels of health care are provided? When and how would you apply? What questions would you ask?
Get answers at Fearrington Cares’ two-part CCRC Series on May 3 and May 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place.
May 3: Attorney Gregory Herman-Giddens will explain contracts and other legal and financial matters related to CCRC contracts. Who gets to make housing and care decisions for the residents? What’s in the small print?
May 10: Angel Dennison, Executive Director, Chatham County Council on Aging, will discuss the differences among the various types of CCRCs and other available senior housing options. She will provide practical advice on when to apply, when to stop saying “not yet” and the availability of an ombudsman program in NC.
Deanna Kitay, a Fearrington resident with extensive experience in dealing with CCRCs will also be on hand to help answer your questions.

SAFETY OF OUR FOOD

Come to the Gathering Place on May 20 at 2:00 p.m. to hear Phyllis Smith, RD, LDN, Extension Agent for Chatham County, Department of Family and Consumer Education, tell us what our own county is doing about food safety and what’s happening nationally. She will discuss additives and chemicals in our manufactured food, hormones and antibiotics in our meat and why they are there as well as concerns about plastics in packaging food. She will allow time to answer any questions you have.

VOLUNTEERS LIVE LONGER!!

Many volunteer organizations claim that “volunteers live longer.” While this is a snappy catchphrase, determining the effect of volunteering on life expectancy or quality of life is a difficult endeavor because people who volunteer may differ in many important ways from those who do not volunteer. Nevertheless, recent studies have suggested that volunteering is associated with enhanced quality of life and increased life expectancy.
At the 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco presented evidence that retirees older than 65 who volunteered were less than half as likely to die during the study period as those who did not volunteer. The 6,360 subjects for the UCSF study were selected from participants in the 2002 nationwide Health and Retirement Study, which asked whether participants had done any volunteer work for charity organizations within the previous year. There were 1,766 in the volunteer group and 4,594 in the non-volunteer group. Between 2002 and 2006, 12% of the volunteers and 26% of the non-volunteers died. Even after adjusting the data for differences between the groups, such as socioeconomic status or chronic health conditions, the UCSF researchers still found that volunteering is strongly associated with lower mortality.
The UCSF study speculated that volunteering may help seniors remain more engaged in life and stay more physically, mentally and socially active. This hypothesis is supported by a 2004 University of Wisconsin study, which found that seniors who volunteer had increased levels of purpose in life (the tendency to derive meaning from life’s experiences and to be focused and intentional).
The UW study focused on the psychological well-being of seniors with role-identity absences (i.e., the person lacks a partner, employment and/or a parental role). The subjects were 373 people, aged 65-74. The study found that seniors with a greater number of major role-identity absences reported less purpose in life. However, it found that being a volunteer can protect older adults with a greater number of major role-identity absences from decreased levels of purpose in life. The researchers infer that “volunteering might provide older adults, who are likely lacking other major sources of role-identity, an opportunity for developing more meaning and experiencing more purpose in their lives.”
Finally, a 2009 Rush University Medical Center study found lower mortality in seniors having a greater purpose in life. Investigators from the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center studied a subset of participants in two ongoing research studies, the Rush Memory and Aging Project and the Minority Aging Research Study. The subjects were 1,238 seniors living in continuing care retirement communities and senior subsidized housing facilities. Each subject completed a purpose in life questionnaire at the beginning of the study and again for up to five years of follow-up. During the 5-year follow-up period, 151 subjects (12.2%) died. After adjusting for age, sex, education and race, a person with a high purpose in life score was about half as likely to die over the follow-up period compared to a person with low purpose in life. The association of purpose in life with mortality persisted even after adjustments for other demographic, medical, psychological and socioeconomic factors.
Taken together, these studies suggest that volunteering increases a senior’s sense of purpose in life, which may lead to an increased lifespan. While these studies do not consider all factors associated with well-being and mortality and do not consider the forms or levels of volunteering that might produce a positive effect, there is growing evidence that volunteering is beneficial to the volunteer as well as to the recipients of his/her service.

Can simply paying attention to our everyday lives make us happier and healthier? The concept of “Mindfulness” is gaining in both popularity and acceptance in medical training. Susan Gaylord, PhD, is Program Director of the UNC-CH Program on Integrative Medicine. She is also Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UNC School of Medicine. On April 1 at 1:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place, Professor Gaylord will give an overview of integrative medicine, and then discuss mindfulness-based programs in detail. Her research interests include studies of outcomes and mechanisms of action of specific complementary therapies including homeopathy, mindfulness, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, the role of health beliefs in determining care pathways, cancer therapeutics, geriatrics, and women’s health issues.

PARKINSON’S RESEARCH UPDATE

Dr. Mark Stacy, Director of the Duke Movement Disorders Program, will be speaking about the latest research and clinical trials for patients with Parkinson’s disease on April 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the Gathering Place. If you have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, or know someone who does, this talk will educate you about how the disease affects both patients and families. The Parkinson’s Disease Support Group welcomes new members. Contact Vivian Crouse (533-6097), MSW, group leader, for information about joining our group.

HOW ARE YOUR NERVES?- This lecture has been cancelled

Neuropathic dysfunction may be uncomfortable and can be debilitating. Associated pain may be seen in many area of the body such as the peripheral nerves of the feet and legs. Other neuropathies include Shingles, Bell’s Palsy and entrapment syndromes like Carpal Tunnel. What are some of the treatments and techniques that can be of help for pain and abnormal nerve function? Do you have a neuropathy? Perhaps you have questions. Dr. Suzanne Clare, Local Volunteer for the Foundation for Wellness Professionals, and Dr. David Stewart will discuss Non-Drug Solutions for Neuropathy on April 28 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gathering Place.

RABIES PREVENTION

Rabies is a fatal viral disease of the nervous system of mammals. In the U.S., rabies is normally carried in the wild by bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks. There is no effective treatment once clinical signs develop. Larry Glickman, DVM, PhD, is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health in the UNC Department of Emergency Medicine. Rabies in dogs and cats can be prevented by routine vaccination. Humans are best protected by avoiding contact with infected animals. On April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place, Dr. Glickman will discuss the current situation with respect to rabies in North Carolina and offer recommendations about what to do should you or a pet be exposed to a potentially rabid animal.

MEETINGS FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS/ VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSONS

On April 19th there will be a meeting with all Volunteer Drivers at 9:00 a.m. in the Gathering Place. On the same day, at 10:00 a.m., there will be a meeting with Handypersons. This will give volunteers an opportunity to hear news from the Volunteer Coordinator, as well as from the Fearrington Friends, and a new FC program “Volunteer Connect.” It also is an ideal time to share ideas for improvements in service as well as to discuss concerns and make suggestions.

FEARRINGTON WALKERS UPDATE

Through February our group has walked 14,761 miles. Geographically, we are now in Birdsville, Queensland, population 120, a “must visit” location in the Outback. Walk Fearrington Day is April 24!

IN SEARCH OF A FRIEND?

Fearrington Friends continues to grow and welcome new volunteers and Fearrington residents to our program. We provide both respite care to spouses as caregivers and companionship to individuals living alone. If you are interested in being a Fearrington Friends Volunteer OR want a friend to call or visit you regularly, contact the Fearrington Cares Office at 542-6877.

WHY HUMOR IS SERIOUS BUSINESS

If you have a hard time laughing or even grinning at puns, this article is critical for you. Here is a lesson on why you need to lighten up a little! A spoon full of laughter is the medicine itself (Anybody remember Mary Poppins? She and Poppin’ Fresh got married and they popped out a few babies – come on, laugh with me folks!).
Okay, that pun was not the best, but this is serious. Actual scientific studies have shown that laughter has good physiological and psychological effects on people. Many of those same studies show that children laugh a lot more than older people (do they get all the jokes that fly right over our heads or only the dirty ones?).
Once you start to look at the particular studies, humor and laughter start to take on the aura of miracle drugs. Our immune system is a major defensive barrier to diseases. One of the really neat sounding parts of the system uses Natural Killer Cells (it’s not clear to us why Hollywood hasn’t made a big-time movie with this title). High levels of these cells are correlated with disease resistance and laughter helps elevate their levels. (On the dark side, stress can lower their levels – so don’t stress if you don’t think they would make a good movie.) Antibodies are another part of that wonderful immune system and laughter has also been shown to elevate some of their levels. In fact, one study has shown that some really good humor can pump them up for about 12 hours. This article should be good for 10 to 15 minutes. There are at least four other immune system components that show positive effects from laughter.
Blood flow is slightly important for us. Stop it and we stop. Tighten those pipes (okay, veins and arteries) and blood pressure goes up. People who have seen a funny movie (funny ha-ha, not funny strange) have expanded pipes and better blood flow. (People who are in chain saw movies have all sorts of blood flow but the good kind means keeping it inside the pipes.)
Alas, laugher does take energy but that means it burns calories and that means laughter can help you lose weight. It has been estimated that 15 minutes of good yuks can burn 40 calories, which would take care of that half an apple you ate for breakfast. (Of course it would take a Three Stooges Marathon on TV to burn up that donut you had instead.) Nevertheless, it is clear that humor can be one part of keeping your body healthy.
Humor can also contribute to keeping your mind healthy. It relieves tension and anxiety. Laughter helps in decreasing perception of pain. Humor provides a way to cope with the inevitable problems that wear us all down. It won’t kill you to laugh a little!
Some naturally grumpy people think they can’t laugh. We hope we’ve made the case that it is important to try. It’s free medicine. Don’t be so serious about everything; see the lighter side of life. Try some hearty laughter (it might be best to try this at home first; public laughter for no obvious reason can put you in a different “home”). Go to Google and search “joke of the day;” you’ll see 17,000,000 links. Obviously, lots of people like humor and laughter and you should join in!

More than 160 brave souls sloshed through a downpour to attend the February 5th Annual Meeting. The meeting was a salute to our fantastic volunteers and donors, and we were most grateful for the many expressions of support we received. Despite the weather, spirits were high inside the Barn (thanks to RB Fitch and Gilda McDaniel), and those attending enjoyed a good time (thanks to Carol Sherrod’s arrangements committee).
Our 2009 annual report summarizes all our activities over the past year and encourages you to give us your comments and feedback. We are proud to report that, by October 2009, all the objectives of our 2007 Strategic Plan were either met or were works in progress. Stop by the office for a copy of the report or for pamphlets and a price list related to the Galloway Ridge “Partners in Caring” program.

DIRECTOR SEARCH UNDERWAY

This year we were extremely fortunate to receive a three-year commitment from the Arthur Carlsen Charitable Fund of the Triangle Community Foundation. This grant is restricted to paying the start-up expenses of a part-time (20 hours/week) Executive Director (ED). It was given to us in recognition of Fearrington Cares’ growing administrative and management needs, and we are truly grateful for this support.
Fearrington Cares (including its predecessor organizations) has been in existence for 20 years. During that time, it has been an almost entirely volunteer organization. Exceptions have been the part-time Professional Nurse and more recently a part-time Administrative Assistant.
In 2007, Fearrington Cares developed a Strategic Plan, which has driven everything we have done in the past two years. That plan included exploring the need for an ED for our organization. Much time since then has been devoted to analyzing, asking questions, forming recommendations, and writing and re-writing job descriptions (www.fearringtoncares.org/contact-fearrington-cares/).
The Board of Fearrington Cares has been an operational board, running the day-to-day business of the organization. Over the past two years, as services have grown to meet community needs, the burden of work placed on the Board has increased considerably. There is a need for professional help to keep things well-coordinated and running smoothly. This was the subject of a Board retreat held last June, led by consultants from the Executive Service Corps. Both they and the Triangle Community Foundation advised us that an organization of our size, complexity, and varied services should have an ED. We have also learned that almost all similar organizations across the country have an ED.
With an ED, our board will gradually spend more time on policy decisions and less on hands-on operations. More importantly, an ED will handle administrative and managerial functions, thus freeing our nurse, Joyce Baird, to concentrate solely on medical issues and the growing need for her services, especially in-home services.
After the three-year start-up period, the Triangle Community Foundation expects us to fund the ED position. We know that our Fearrington donors will vote on the success of this ED endeavor, and indeed on all our efforts, with their checkbooks. During the coming year, the value of the ED position will become clear.
The closing date for applications for the ED position was February 5. Applications are currently being reviewed and the target hiring date is April 1.

FEARRINGTON CARES FUNDRAISER:

CREATIVE CARD WORKSHOP

Learn how to make beautiful, one-of-a-kind cards in this “hands on” workshop being held as a fundraiser to benefit Fearrington Cares. This workshop is limited to 30 participants and will be held on March 12th, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Gathering Place. No card-making experience is necessary. Advance registration is required.
Each participant will make five cards using a variety of tools, equipment and easily acquired embellishments. There will also be an opportunity to learn to make a matching envelope.
Your tax-deductible check for $35 made out to Fearrington Cares reserves your spot in the workshop and must be sent in advance to the Fearrington Cares office. In addition, please bring a $5 material fee to the workshop.
Workshop instructors are Robin Bowyer, Linelle Dickinson, Nancy Foster, Carol Genovese, and Julie Snyder. A few sample cards will be available at the Fearrington Cares office. For more information contact Robin Bowyer at 542-4891 or rbbowyer@aol.com.

TICKS AROUND FEARRINGTON: DISEASES AND PREVENTION

Marcia E. Herman-Giddens, PA, DrPH, will discuss prevention, detection and treatment of tick bites March 2, 7:30 p.m. at the Gathering Place. She is an Adjunct Prof. at UNC’s School of Public Health and president of the Tick-borne Infections Council of North Carolina, Inc, a non-profit organization formed to improve the recognition, treatment, control and understanding of tick-borne diseases in NC.

HEAR WELL IN A NOISY WORLD
AN AUDIOLOGIST’S REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Please join Dr. Stephanie Sjoblad on March 8, 1:00 p.m. at the Gathering Place as she dispels common myths and outlines guidelines for best practice concerning hearing assistance.
Dr. Sjoblad is the Clinic Coordinator for the UNC Hearing and Communication Center and an Assistant Prof. in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences in the Dept. of Allied Health Sciences, UNC School of Medicine. She teaches doctoral students of audiology and works with patients in the clinic. Dr. Sjoblad is also a consumer of technology, having worn hearing aids since the age of 6. She recently received a cochlear implant and is now utilizing ‘bimodal’ hearing – implant in one ear and hearing aid in the other.

EXERCISE AND THE CANCER CONTINUUM

Research shows that physical activity can aid in the prevention of certain cancers, and that physical activity programs increase the physical and mental quality of life in those directly affected by the disease. Mike Clark, a Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer at the Duke Center for Living at Fearrington will speak on March 18, 1:30 p.m. at the Gathering Place. He is the facilitator of the Duke Center Cancer Wellness Program. He will highlight the use of exercise to help prevent the disease and the importance of maintaining physical activity throughout cancer treatment.

BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH

The Brainiacs, Fearrington’s Brain Injury Support Group would like to educate Fearringtonians about brain injury.
Examples of brain injury include, but are not limited to, a blow to the head, lack of oxygen, brain tumor, stroke, or a penetrating wound, such as a gun shot.
Men are twice as likely as women to experience brain injury, and males between 15 and 24 have the highest rates of injury. However, this injury impacts individuals of all ages.
After a brain injury, an individual can experience emotional, physical, and cognitive (thinking skills) changes. The impact of these changes is related to the location and severity of the injury. Although many people experience brain injury, each injury alters an individual differently. Brain injury not only impacts the individual, but the whole family. Often, how the individual interacts and supports his/her family changes after the injury. Consequently, it is important to find appropriate professional and medical supports to meet the varied needs of the whole family.
The Brainiacs welcome new members. If you would like to join this confidential and supportive group, we meet each Thursday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the FC office. Contact Joyce Baird, RN, for more information (542-6877).
For more information about Brain Injury, please refer to the Brain Injury Association of America’s website, www.biausa.org.

It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since I began my term as President of Fearrington Cares. The time has gone by so quickly and is filled with fond memories of working with our dedicated staff, generous volunteers and amazing Board of Directors. We have all worked together to serve our community better.
You, our friends and neighbors in our shared community, have let us know you are pleased with what we are doing. We hear from you in our day-to-day encounters, by phone and by e-mail. We can also tell that you like what we are doing by the increased participation in our various programs.
We are grateful to you for sharing with us your time and talents and for supporting Fearrington Cares with your generous contributions.
With all of the improvements that have come about, one thing remains the same – the spirit of Fearrington Cares: we are neighbors helping neighbors. We help people to help themselves.
We hope you will join us at our Open House to see the wonderful renovation that provides us with more useable space to serve you better. We also hope you’ll join us at the Fearrington Cares Annual Meeting at the Gathering Place later that day.
As the torch passes to the very capable hands of our new President, Kay Hunt, I know we will continue in the spirit of what we have begun. Kay has worked tirelessly these past two years as Vice-President. She’ll take us into the future with an exciting agenda..
Thank you – Linda Stryker-Luftig

JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE!

Drop by on Friday, Feb. 5, from 2-3pm to tour our newly renovated Fearrington Cares Office. It’s located on Swim and Croquet behind the Gathering Place. Come and see the new meeting spaces, offices and storage area that are enabling us to work more effectively and efficiently. We’d love to see you. Our Annual meeting at 3pm immediately follows the Open House.

FEARRINGTON CARES
ANNUAL MEETING
AND VOLUNTEER & DONOR SALUTE

You are invited to join us on Friday, Feb. 5, from 3-5pm at the Barn, for our Annual Meeting and Volunteer and Donor Salute. There will be a brief meeting describing Fearrington Cares’ achievements over the past year. After that, we will adjourn for a festive wine and cheese celebration as a salute to our many volunteers and donors who make it all possible.

PARTNERS IN CARING: FEARRINGTON CARES AND GALLOWAY RIDGE
INFORMATION MEETING

Please join us at the Gathering Place on Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7pm for a community-wide meeting about Fearrington Cares’ collaboration with Galloway Ridge. Jason Cronk, Galloway’s Executive Director and Doug Oliver, Associate Executive Director and Administrator will make a presentation and answer questions.
Since first opening, Galloway Ridge has had a close relationship with Fearrington Village. We share the same neighborhood, many former Village residents reside there, we share the Duke Center for Living, and many Fearrington Village clubs and activities are open to Galloway residents.
Galloway would now like to provide many of their services to residents living in Fearrington Village. This would include nutritional support, nursing services and supportive living services. Any Fearrington resident choosing to participate in the Galloway program would pay Galloway directly for the selected services on a fee-for-service basis. Fearrington Cares’ services, including nursing services, would continue to be available free of charge. We remain two independent organizations. Galloway Ridge offers their services; Fearrington Cares is helping to make them available. Of course, services from other outside suppliers will continue to be recommended.

THANKS, JOE! YOU SAVED US $$!

With the help of Joe Geohagen, the annual Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Assistance Program was a complete success. Sixty-five residents were assisted, double the number from last year. Of the 65, 47 changed plans and saved an average of nearly $800, for a total savings of over $37,000. We look forward to helping even more next year.

FEARRINGTON FRIENDS

Fearrington Friends continues to serve residents in your neighborhoods. If you have a neighbor you think might appreciate a regular visit from a Friend, speak to them about this program and encourage them to call Fearrington Cares. If YOU want a Friend, please call and request one! The number is 542-6877. All recipients must request the service directly; to protect your own privacy, give us a call yourself! We’d love to hear from you!
There will be an orientation for anyone desiring to be a volunteer Friend on Feb. 25, 10am, at 46 Caswell. Please call Emilee Hendrix at 642-0450 if you are interested in attending. All are welcomed – both women AND men.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
TO TEST NEW TECHNOLOGY

Fearrington Cares is cooperating with a firm in RTP that is developing a touch screen and video-cam based system for enabling senior citizens living independently to stay in touch easily with their families, neighbors and caregivers. They would like to identify several families to pilot test the system. Seniors involved need not be computer literate.
Home Health Network, Inc. will lend the necessary equipment and software to the persons testing the system. There will be no cost to participants and they will have the opportunity to observe and comment on a pioneering effort to utilize technology and a social networking system to support independent seniors. It is anticipated that the pilot test will last about 60 days beginning this spring.
You can find our more about this system by going to the web-site www.homehealthnetwork.com. If you are part of the family of a dependent senior and might be interested in participating in this test, contact Phil Morse, chairman of the Fearrington Cares Service Development committee at 542-6386 or pmorse@nc.rr.com.

WALKER UPDATE

The faithful Fearrington Walkers spent New Year’s Eve in Singapore. Keep walking and recording as it will take another 4,000 miles to get to Sydney, Australia.

H1N1 SHOTS

H1N1 flu vaccine is now available to all at the Chatham County Health Department in Pittsboro. Call 542-8220 for an appointment.

GOT TEETH? WANT TO KEEP THEM?

Want to chomp on good old NC corn on the cob and flash your dazzling smile forever? Learn about preventing periodontal disease (the leading cause of tooth loss) and current treatments (including dental implants) on Feb. 11, 7:30pm, at the Gathering Place. Daniel A. Greenberg DDS, Assoc. Prof. of Periodontics, U. of Illinois; Adj. Prof. at the UNC Dental School; and Fearrington resident, will make a presentation and answer your questions.

ALZHEIMER’S WORKSHOP

Are you caring for a spouse, partner or parent with Alzheimer’s or dementia? Would you like to learn tips to make your life easier? Fearrington Cares will offer a half or full-day workshop given by the Alzheimer’s Association if there is enough interest. We held a similar workshop several years ago; it was well attended and beneficial for caregivers of those with dementia, regardless of diagnosis. If you are interested in this program, please contact Fearrington Cares at 542-6877.

This interactive presentation and discussion will provide immediate strategies to prevent falls. Learn when falls commonly happen and how you can lessen the likelihood of a fall. David Parker, MS, PT, OCS, Director of Rehabilitation at Galloway Ridge will be joined by Blaine Warren, Exercise Physiologist, Liz Dryden, DPT and Mary Collins, OTR in demonstrating exercises which can help in fall prevention. Discussion with fellow participants will increase the number of successful strategies we can use. For those who choose to participate, a quick test will determine if you are ready for a balance class. Please join us on Thursday, January 7 at 1:30 in the Gathering Place for this very important program.

Good Views for Old Eyes – What’s New in Ophthalmology?

Featuring: Travis A. Meredith, MD
Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, UNC
Plan to catch up on exciting new advances in the treatment of eye disorders in the aging population. Dr. Meredith is a world recognized leader in applied ocular research. He will discuss the current status of this burgeoning field of medicine that is so critical to maintaining vision, as we grow older. Most exciting for us are the recent findings in the treatment of macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in people over 65. Recent progress in retinal repair, control of diabetic retinopathy, lens replacement, and eye fluid flows will also be presented. An open forum for comments and questions from the audience will follow. Thursday, January 21, 7:30 pm in the Gathering Place

Partners in Caring:Fearrington Cares and Galloway Ridge Information Meeting

Please join us for a community-wide information meeting about Fearrington Cares’ collaboration with Galloway Ridge. Jason Cronk, Galloway’s Executive Director and Doug Oliver, Associate Executive Director and Administrator will make a presentation and be available to answer questions.
Since first opening, Galloway Ridge has had a close relationship with Fearrington Village. We share the same neighborhood, many former Village residents reside there, we share the Duke Center for Living, and many Fearrington Village clubs and activities are open to Galloway residents.

Galloway would now like to provide many of their services to residents living in their own homes in Fearrington Village. These services would include nutritional support, nursing services and supportive living services. Any resident participating in the Galloway program would have their relationship with Galloway Ridge, not Fearrington Cares. Galloway services would be paid directly to Galloway on a fee-for-service basis, while Fearrington Cares services, including nursing services, would continue to be available free of charge. We remain two independent organizations. Galloway Ridge offers the services; Fearrington Cares is helping to make them available. Of course, services from other outside suppliers will continue to be recommended.

Please join us at the Gathering Place on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Computer Problems? Need Advice?

Fearrington Cares experienced volunteers can assist you with computer setup, software installation, troubleshooting and more. Call the office at 542-6877 for help; please leave your name and number, Mac or PC, and a brief description of your need.
If you are considering a new computer, there is a folder in the office containing general guidelines and ratings that may help you make your selection.

Fearrington Cares Building Reopens With Big Thanks to Many

Fearrington Cares’ newly renovated offices reopened on Monday, December 7 – exactly on schedule. We owe many thanks to many people:
Fitch Creations
R.B. Fitch for his generosity in underwriting the cost of design and labor
Greg Fitch for overseeing the project and providing us with beautiful new landscaping
Laura Morgan for perfection in scheduling
Brian Cather, architect, for his great design, and for windows!
John Farrell, job superintendant, for putting it all together
Jacques Condoret, painter, for a beautiful job at a beautiful cost
David Rickman, Chatham Carpets, for putting the rugs under our feet at a down-to-earth price
Kay Hunt, Fearrington Cares VP, who led the team
Tom Skiver, who coordinated one and all and found undiscovered resources
Pat Skiver, our Administrative Assistant, who coordinated moving us out and in and kept us all on our toes
Members of the Fearrington Cares Board who gave up a Saturday to lift heavy objects, climb ladders, scrub floors, and do everything possible to assure we’d be open in time for business on Monday morning.

A huge THANK YOU to you all for helping us put it together to serve our community better than ever.

Balance Classes Begin Again

Our next balance class begins February 1 at The Duke Center For Living at Galloway Ridge. The February sessions already have a waiting list, but more will follow later in the year.

Fearrington Cares sponsors these twice weekly, eight week programs because we truly do care. Falls are the leading cause of injures/ hospitalization and, often, early death in seniors.
If you can walk unassisted and if you can commit to the full 8 weeks call Fearrington Cares at 542-6877 and place your name on the list. We expect to hold at least four of these 8-week classes in 2010.

Fearrington Cares Annual Meeting and Volunteer & Donor Salute
Save the Date

Please mark you calendar for Friday, February 5 for our Annual Meeting and Volunteer and Donor Salute. There will be a brief meeting describing Fearrington Cares’ achievements over the past year, followed by entertainment. After that, we will adjourn for a festive wine and cheese celebration as a salute to our many volunteers and donors who made it all possible. More information to come.
3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Gathering Place

Nursing Services

9am – 1 pm on Monday, Tuesday (November 23rd and 24th)
9am – 1pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (November 30th, December 1st and 2nd)

Location-Small Room at the Gathering Place

Transportation Services

No change, call 542 6877 to request transportation

Handyperson Services

No change, call 542 6877 to request a handyperson

Medicare Part D Review

All scheduled appointments will be held in the FHA office

AA Meeting

Meetings wll be held in the small room at the Gathering Place Nov. 25rd and Dec 2nd at 7 pm

Thursday Support Groups

Meetings will be held at the Gathering Place Dec 3rd at 10 am- Small and large rooms

Notice regarding telephones-the telephone system will be monitored daily. There WILL NOT be phone service for Fearrington Cares at the Gathering Place.

Growing our Services to Better Serve our Community

You may have noticed a few changes at Fearrington Cares. We have always been an organization of neighbors helping neighbors. We work together to bring important services to our community. Each of you is a part of that. You volunteer your time and talents, you use our services, and you provide financial support through your generous donations.
Over the past year or more, our services have evolved and grown to meet community needs. Here are a few statistics:
Volunteers: nearly 300
Committees and task forces: 16 (50+ members)
During the first 9 months of this year we provided you with
241 rides
126 home repairs
100 loans of medical equipment
432 blood pressure readings
719 nursing services
21 educational programs with 821 attendees
Add to this list our numerous support groups and referral services. Fearrington Friends are reaching out to help their neighbors with a variety of personal services. Our new computer support group is already at work helping neighbors with equipment and usage issues. And, of course, everything we provide is free of charge.
As our services have grown, we have found that we have reached a point where we need to seek professional management support. We do this after much consideration, with the advice of professional consultants, and with financial support from outside our community. Even with hundreds of volunteers, we find we cannot continue to sustain the level of service we have been providing without professional help. Our Board members have worked tirelessly and it is unreasonable to ask them and other volunteers to do even more.

Here are some of the details:

Grant from the Arthur Carlsen Charitable Fund of the Triangle Community Foundation

Arthur and Alice Lee Carlsen were long-time Fearrington residents. This fund was created to provide support for Fearrington Cares and other Chatham County charities. The Fund has just given us a three-year grant solely for the purpose of establishing a part-time Executive Director position. We are grateful to them. The Executive Director will be responsible for day-to-day management and will coordinate all programs and activities.
While a professional Executive Director will help us to serve the community more efficiently and effectively, it will not change the nature of our organization. We are a community that helps itself. We will continue to rely on you to support us in all of the ways that you have been there for Fearrington Cares in the past.

Support from Fitch Creations for Building Renovation and Landscaping

We would like to thank Fitch Creations for underwriting the cost of design and labor for our much-needed building renovation. The internal reconfiguration will create new office space, additional meeting space, and room to house our growing array of medical support equipment. In addition, Fitch has also just provided new landscaping.
With gratitude,
Linda Stryker-Luftig; President, Fearrington Cares

Galloway Ridge and Fearrington Cares:

Partners in Caring
We are pleased to announce an exciting new joint-project involving Fearrington Cares and our neighbor Galloway Ridge at Fearrington, entitled “Partners in Caring.” Galloway Ridge and Fearrington Cares have mutually agreed on this joint venture to better the lives of Fearrington Village residents. Galloway Ridge will be the “preferred provider” when a resident requests a referral for certain services. The Fearrington Cares Board has voted in favor of doing this. We want to assure our community that this will not impact the services currently being provided by Fearrington Cares. Residents would deal directly with Galloway Ridge to arrange for their services and pay for them on a fee-for-service basis. Fearrington Cares will continue to provide its services free of charge. Community-based services would include nutritional support, nursing services, and supportive living services. Here are the plans:

Nutritional Support:

Similar to Meals on Wheels, nutritionally balanced lunch and dinner options could be purchased and delivered to your door.

Nursing Services:

In-home professional nursing services would be available to those who need longer-term nursing support. The Fearrington Cares nurse, Joyce Baird, will continue to provide her regular services to our community upon request.

Supportive Living Services:

Personal care, companionship, and homemaker assistance programs would provide “hands-on” help with everyday living needs from personal care to medication reminders to assisting with pet care and much more. These services would supplement our Fearrington Friends program.
The Partners in Caring program is slated to begin early in the New Year. Much more information will be coming your way in the near future. Look for an informational meeting in January, updates in the FHA newsletter, and e-mails from E-Cares. While Galloway Ridge would be a preferred provider, Fearrington Cares maintains lists of other vendors that provide similar services. For more information, give us a call at 542-6877 or visit our website at www.fearringtoncares.org.
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Educational Programs at the Gathering Place

Free Course on Living with Chronic Illness

“Healthy Living” a course to help persons who are dealing with a chronic illness live better and self-manage their conditions will be offered on 6 consecutive Tues. afternoons 1:30–4pm. beginning Jan. 19, 2010, at the Gathering Place. This free course is provided by Fearrington Cares in partnership with Triangle J Area Agency on Aging and the Chatham County Council on Aging.
Co-leaders are Jane Armstrong, MSW, and Judith Barrett, MD, professionals trained in using evidence-based information developed through Stanford University. Topics will include techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation; appropriate use of medications; nutrition and exercise; effective communication; and making informed choices.
For more information and to register, e-mail Jane at jarmstrong@tjcog.org or call 558-9341 by Jan. 15. The class number is limited. Those dealing with chronic conditions as well as those close to them are invited.

December Grandparenting Talk

Can you survive the holidays with grandchildren? Dr. Frances Campbell, senior scientist at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC, will share ideas at the Gathering Place on Tues., Dec. 8, at 2:00pm. Dr. Campbell is a research psychologist and grandmother of four.

Other Opportunities

Are You Looking for Companionship?

Many Fearrington residents have expressed a desire for a daily phone call or a regular visit. We have heard you and can respond by matching you with another Fearrington resident called a Fearrington Friend. If you would like a phone call from a familiar Friend or a weekly visit just to chat or assist you with some home details, call 542-6877 and we will connect you with a Friend!
If you want to become a Friend call Fearrington Cares at 542-6877. We welcome both men and women!

Are You a Caregiver (Local or Otherwise)
for an Aging Parent?

Fearrington Cares is exploring a new Caregiver’s group to complement our current offerings. This group will focus on the role and issues of “general” caregiving. Included are caregivers with a spouse or child with a chronic health condition or illness and adult caregivers of aging or ill parents. If you have an interest in joining a group and supporting one another in the role of caregiving, please contact Joyce Baird at 542-6877. We hope to get this group established in early 2010.

Chris Kehrer

will assume the role of vice president in 2010. Chris was a partner with her husband Ken for 25 years in a research and consulting business whose clients include large banks, life insurance companies, and financial services firms. Her strengths are in organization, communication, project management, survey design and analysis, and writing.

Charles Waldren

will become board secretary in 2010. After an academic career in biophysics and the effects of environmental agents on genetic diseases, he was recruited in 2001 by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences as Chief Scientist/Chief of Research for the Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.

Deanna Kitay

will take on a new board position, Community Liaison, immediately. She is a former faculty member and researcher in neuroscience at University of Virginia School of Medicine and University of Texas at Galveston. She is also a licensed instrument fixed wing pilot who has served as a consultant on aero-medical physiology and human factors in airport development.

Nurse’s Notes

Medicare Part-D Review

Starting Nov. 15, Joe Geoghegan will again be helping Medicare recipients review their plans and alternative options for prescription coverage under Part-D. Many prescription plans have made changes that could affect your pocketbook – and not in a positive way! Call Fearrington Cares (542-6877) to schedule your free 1/2 hour appointment. If both you and your spouse need to review plans, you will need two appointments. Bring your Medicare card and list of current medications to your appointment. If you met with Joe last year, also bring the paperwork from your previous review.

Do you want to be a safe driver?

If so, the AARP Safe Driving course is for you! Joe Geoghegan will again be teaching this one-day class to Fearrington residents who want to refresh their driving knowledge. The class will be held on Nov. 20 from
9 am – 1 pm in the Gathering Place. The cost is $10; checks should be made out to AARP. Call Fearrington Cares (542-6877) to register. We hope to see better driving in the Village after the class!

Caregiver’s Support Groups to Expand

A new Caregiver’s Support Group is being formed to complement the current ones for Brain Injury and Parkinson’s Disease. This will be an “all purpose” group, focusing on general caregiving issues that apply to all caregivers. If you are currently a caregiver and want to meet on a regular basis with neighbors to support one another, please contact Joyce Baird, Nurse Manager, at 542-6877. Given sufficient interest (4-6 people), the new group will begin meeting in early 2010.

Help Grant a Child’s Wish this Holiday Season

Fearrington Cares volunteer nurses and receptionists will again collect holiday toys for Chatham county foster children. This year children will create a “wish list” of gifts that they hope to receive. We are sponsoring 25 children this year; each child will receive 3 gifts that total no more than $100. Individuals or groups wishing to “adopt” a child can come to the Fearrington Cares office beginning Nov. 1 and find out what specific items have been requested. Unwrapped gifts must be delivered to Fearrington Cares no later than Thurs., Dec. 10, for transport to Pittsboro Department of Social Services. Let’s show the children of Chatham how much “Fearrington Cares!”

Balance Class Coming in February

A twice weekly 8 week balance program will be offered in Feb. 2010 in partnership with the Duke Center for Living at Galloway Ridge. The exact date will be announced soon. This free program can be a lifesaver since it’s designed to help prevent injuries that result from falls. Call Fearrington Cares now (542-6877) and place your name on the balance class list for 2010.
Good reasons to develop better balance are:
• More than 1/3 of adults 65 and older fall each year.
• Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths.
• Most fractures among older adults are due to falls.
• The rate of fall-related deaths has risen significantly over the last decade.

Walk Fearrington Update:

Over 7,400 miles have been logged by Fearrington Village walkers. By heading east, they would be in Kabul, Afghanistan, by now – not a safe place to stay. So keep walking and log in your miles at the Fearrington Cares office to continue our walk around the globe. We’re 1/3 of the way there!!

Fearrington Cares Computer Help Group

A small group of volunteers has agreed, on a trial basis, to assist residents with specific computer issues. This assistance includes suggesting reference materials to help you choose a computer or accessory; helping to set up computers or accessories; software installation; giving advice on data transfer, virus prevention, and internet security; suggesting software training classes; and general troubleshooting. This group CANNOT remove viruses, repair hardware, or provide software training.
If you need help, please call the Fearrington Cares office and leave your name, phone number, type of computer (Mac or PC), and a brief description of your need. Our group is small, with limited capacity and availability; we will respond as quickly as we can.

Free Course on Living with Chronic Illness

“Healthy Living” a course designed to help persons who are dealing with a chronic illness live better and self-manage their conditions will be offered on six consecutive Tues. afternoons 1:30 – 4 p.m. beginning Jan. 19, 2010, at the Gathering Place. This free course is provided by Fearrington Cares in partnership with Triangle J Area Agency on Aging and the Chatham County Council on Aging.
Co-leaders are Jane Armstrong, MSW, and Judith Barrett, MD, professionals trained in using evidence-based information developed through Stanford University. Topics will include techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation; appropriate use of medications; nutrition and exercise; effective communication; and making informed choices.
For more information and to register, e-mail Jane at jarmstrong@tjcog.org or call 558-9341 by Jan. 15. The class number is limited. Those dealing with chronic conditions as well as those close to them are invited.

Educational Programs at the Gathering Place

Declutter for REAL Life – Thurs., Nov. 5, 1:30 pm

Have you recently moved or tried to clear out a spare room? Is it time to get rid of “stuff” from the past? Jane Armstrong and Michelle Duncan, members of the National Association of Professional Organizers, will share their methods for getting rid of the stuff that is keeping you from enjoying life the way that you want.

Home modifications for aging in place – Fri., Nov. 13, 1:30 pm

Is your beloved home a safe environment for aging in place? Have you thought about small changes that could have a big impact? Come hear two local pros who have advice to offer on simple modifications for those who have mobility and balance challenges.
Travis Blake is CEO of NC Building Co. They can provide the installation and construction of a number of features designed to improve the quality of life at home for senior and disabled homeowners.
Stan Pomeranz is a partner in LightTech, a full service lighting design consulting firm. He says “lighting in our homes can have a profound effect on the quality of our life. Proper illumination may compensate for many age-related changes in the visual system. A sixty-year-old needs ten times as much light as a normal twenty-year-old to perform the same seeing task with equal speed and accuracy.”

In Memoriam

A good friend and extraordinary lady, Marilyn Fries Band, passed away on September 29, 2009. Marilyn lived in Fearrington Village for 20 years and was a dedicated Fearrington Cares volunteer that entire time. She also volunteered extensively for FHA.
Marilyn was pivotal in the movement to inform Fearrington about local agencies that are available to help people who choose to age in place. This helped expand the philosophy and direction of Fearrington Cares from that of providing a temporary helping hand to also assisting residents and caregivers who are dealing with long-term, ongoing health issues.
Marilyn and Karen McGrain were solely responsible for developing and maintaining FC’s extensive office files on Independent Living Resources. Marilyn added to and revised this information until last summer.
FHA joins FC in paying tribute to her memory.