William Penn Life, 2002 (37. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
2002-01-01 / 1. szám
Charitable Idea Year-round caring & sharing Four seasons worth of simple ways to help the elderly A LITTLE HELP AROUND THE house can go a long way—especially for an older person who may be challenged by some aspects of daily living. That's why AARP has come up with 100 ideas to help aging family members, friends, and neighbors continue living on their own. It's as easy as raking someone's yard, installing a grab bar in the bathroom, or fixing a broken step—and it can make all the difference. By the way, helping someone stay independent can bring you a great deal of satisfaction. Here are some of the 100 ways to make a difference for someone in your community: WINTER- Shovel snow from a sidewalk, steps or a driveway.- Make an emergency survival kit for bad weather.- Prepare and share a meal.- Head to the discount food club and stock up on staples that will last for the winter months.- Offer to pick up and return rental movies over the winter.- Install porch lights or reflective house numbers to make is easy for emergency personnel to find the house.- Clean or replace lint and furnace screens.- Sew some buttons on coats or mend some warm socks.- Provide an up-to-date directory of local senior citizens services.- Visit and vacuum.- If snow and ice damage trees, clean up fallen branches and debris.- When the weather warms, help put winter clothes into storage. SPRING- Clean windows.- Change storm doors to screens.- Put new batteries in smoke detectors. William Penn Lila, January 2002- Rearrange kitchen cabinets and other storage spaces for easier reaching.- Clean high places and hard-toreach spaces.- Do some touch-up painting.- Inspect handrails on steps or stairs for stability and strength; make sure they are in place on both sides of the steps.- Plant some flowers or herbs in a window box.- If it's broken, fix it.- If it's peeling, patch it.- If it's leaking, seal it.- If it's squeaking, oil it.- If it's fallen down, put it back up. SUMMER- Mow the lawn and trim bushes.- Help clear out a closet or storage room and hold a joint garage sale.- Put in window air conditioners or have a central air system inspected; provide fans for your neighbor who has no air conditioning.- Run errands to the post office or the store.- Wash car windows or the whole car; check tire pressure.- Clean the porch.- Check the house for loose throw rugs, electrical cords that are in the way, tom carpet or slippery floors.- Help choose the best emergency response system for a friend or family member in case they fall.- Volunteer to house sit or pet sit while an older person is away.- Install inexpensive night lights in bathrooms and at least two grab bars in the bath. FALL- Rake leaves.- Enjoy a daily walk with an older neighbor who is mobile.- Offer to drive a friend to his family's Thanksgiving gathering~or invite him to yours.- Walk his dog, cuddle his cat, or take his pet to see the vet.- Make sure the fireplace and the furnace have been cleaned and inspected.- Contact the phone company about amplified telephone handsets.- Weatherize the house for winter with insulation and weather-stripping on doors and windows.- Make sure ramps aren't slippery.- Fertilize plants and clean up the garden for winter.- Take trash or recycling to the curb.- Change screens to storm windows and clean and put away room air conditioners. Charity Links For more simple ways you can make a big difference in the life of an elderly family member, neighbor or friend, log onto the website of AARP at: www.aarp.orgl week20011100ways.html 5 I
