ISSUE 4/SUMMER 2023
LIFELines LIFE SENIOR SERVICES
YOUR GUIDE TO LIFE; YOUR LIFELINE TO OTHERS
celebrating 50 years of life!
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ISSUE 4/SUMMER 2023 1
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A Note from
EILEEN BRADSHAW
Dear Friend:
If the planning and the postal service have worked out, this note should find you towards the end of August. Though it is still hot and steamy, we at LIFE are already planning for the holidays and how to make a senior’s holiday season a bit brighter. Read on to learn how we can connect you through our Holiday Project. The State Legislature has given seniors and caregivers a boost. The Caring for Caregivers Act passed and will make Oklahoma the first state to support caregivers with a substantial tax credit (you can read more about it in this issue). LIFE Senior Services salutes and thanks the lawmakers who recognized and prioritized the needs of seniors and their devoted caregivers. We hope other states follow our lead! We continue to celebrate LIFE’s fiftieth anniversary, and we remain aware it is all due to
LIFE
people like you. From the staff, and on behalf of the thousands of seniors we have served, thank you, thank you! Best, Eileen Bradshaw, President and CEO
Eileen Bradshaw
LIFE Senior Services, Inc. and Affiliates
by the numbers
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“YOU LOOK TO THE HELPERS”
John Burnett, a 36-year veteran NPR reporter summed up why he is no cynic after bearing witness to staggering human tragedy through his years of global reporting. In his quote he refers to the “countless souls who rush into the breach to help their fellow humans who are suffering.”
540 LIFE volunteers helped thousands of seniors last year through LIFE’s programming and other volunteer opportunities through our 100 partner agencies. Each of those helpers rushes into the breach, and 112 direct service helpers employed by LIFE. They all shine as one of John Burnett’s countless souls charging to help their neighbors. Thanks to every one of you. LIFELines Publishing Team: Rochelle Dowdell, Kelly Kirchhoff, Greg Raskin, Lauren Zeligson 2 LIFELines
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Holiday Project
START PLANNING NOW
With the heat of August comes the prelude to winter, LIFE’s Holiday Project. LIFE Senior Services starts preparations early so every person served in our Vintage Housing apartments can receive helpful items that reflect the care and concern of the community. You can make winter joyful for someone who may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. With your help this holiday season, seniors in our programs will receive a stocking filled with needed items as well as additional gifts to bring joy. The project focuses on seniors with limited incomes, many of whom live isolated without family nearby. Last year, stockings filled with essential items such as
soap, shampoo and conditioner, denture cleaner, toothpaste, and pill cutters went to over 1,200 people in need. As you consider giving this year, also include fun items such as puzzle books and back scratchers. Even flashlights and fidget toys make amazing stocking stuffers. Check social media for plenty of ways to drop off your stocking or bring them to our Stocking Drive at Legacy Plaza on November 28.
For more information, contact Carrie Clevenger cclevenger@lifeseniorservices.org or 918-664-9000, ext. 1255.
WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW - THE CARING FOR CAREGIVERS ACT Oklahoma steps forward as the first state in the nation to adopt an expansive caregiver tax credit. The Caring for Caregivers Act provides financial relief offering tax credits for 50% of family caregivers’ expenses up to $2,000. The cap is extended to $3,000 if the care recipient is a veteran, has Alzheimer’s, or related dementia. Eligible expenses include home modifications such as installing a ramp, durable medical equipment, assistive technologies, home health care, and more. House Majority Leader Tammy West, who championed the legislation in the House reflected, “For Oklahoma’s 490,000 family caregivers, caregiving is decidedly a labor of love, but the experience is stressful, isolating and has a real financial cost.” She further commented, “Family caregivers save the state money by keeping their parent or other loved ones at home, but they pay the price.
We know that caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s can be especially difficult.” According to a 2021 AARP survey, family caregivers spend more than $7,200 yearly on out-of-pocket expenses. Sean Voskuhl, state director of AARP Oklahoma noted, “Family caregiving can be physically, emotionally and financially challenging. The Caring for Caregivers Act recognizes the hard work and sacrifice and assists those stepping up to the plate to care for their loved ones.” The legislation takes effect January 1, 2024. Caregivers may qualify if their annual income is no more than $50,000 (or $100,000 for a household) and their loved one is at least 62 years old and living in a private residence. If you need more information, call LIFE’s SeniorLine at (918) 664-9000.
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0 5 >> 1973
2023
years Celebrate LIFE
SOLID GOLD THANK YOU
The dancing continued well into the night, patrons enjoyed Susan and Rod Nordstrom’s signature cocktail, a wide variety of silent and live auction items, and live music from Ben Neikirk and The 66 Band, all in the Solid Golden glow of a shimmery ballroom. This year’s gala marked LIFE’s most successful fundraising event, and the largest attendance in LIFE’s history, with over 500 guests supporting area seniors and caregivers. Thank you to honorary co-chairs Denise and John Redmond. Redmond Thank you to our board, Celebrate LIFE committee volunteers, everyone who attended, and our fabulous sponsors for making Celebrate LIFE – Solid Gold a social and fundraising success. Happy 50th Birthday, LIFE Senior Services!
Celebrate LIFE Major Sponsors LIFE Begins at 50 Kathleen Craft Mowry LIFE of the Party The Hale Family Foundation Leslie and Michael Moore Senior Star Larger Than LIFE AG Equipment Company Mervin Bovaird Foundation
LIFE is Grand Alliance Resource Partners, LP Bank of Oklahoma ONEOK Montereau Saint Francis Health System The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation
Scan the QR code to watch a video production that describes why the largest ever Celebrate LIFE crowd was so eager to support seniors in the community. 4 LIFELines
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A Day in the LIFE:
FROM COWGIRL TO NOW GIRL:
RICKYE WILSON
As LIFE transitions, beginning its next 50 golden years, we also mark a bittersweet transition. Rickye Dixon Wilson, has provided a vital link to people who care about supporting seniors, serving LIFE since another famous Wilson, Woodrow Wilson, was President of the United States. Actually, the year was 2001, and since then, the sparky gal from West Tulsa touched many hearts and benefitted the organization immensely. This June marked Rickye’s 21st year of organizing LIFE’s special events. She said, “This year’s was the best Celebrate LIFE. It had the most excitement I have seen. People enjoyed the dancing and the decorations, and we had the most people in attendance.” Rickye reflected on her time, “It’s nice to have seen LIFE grow as it has from when it started. I have seen the expansion of programs and services as well as completion of the two Donald W. Reynolds Adult Day Health centers, the opening of the PACE program, the move into the
Legacy complex, and the start of the Roma Berry Center for Seniors (due to open in January 2024). LIFE has taken off and it is growing like wildfire.” “I was a caregiver for my step-mom when I started at LIFE. LIFE’s guidance and the case managers helped me find a place for her and showed me how to support an Alzheimer’s patient. Also, our Medicare specialist is great, and I learned how to sign up for Medicare here.”
“...to me, that’s the best part of the job, working with people.”
The most enjoyable part of her job was getting to know LIFE’s supporters. “I count many of our people as my friends now. We have a lot of nice donors and volunteers who support us year after year. To me, that’s the best part of the job, working with people.” In her retirement, Rickye looks forward to spending more time with her family, especially three grandchildren and her sweet dog Lucy. You may also find her belting out favorite Karaoke songs and signing up for LIFE’s volunteer program, Give 5. Thank you Rickye! ISSUE 4/SUMMER 2023 5
One is Gentle; One is Kind TWO SISTERS WHO GIVE 5
Having grown up in Tulsa, daughters of a long-time kindergarten public school teacher, Laura Roberts and Barbara Young absorbed the value of giving and volunteering from their mother. Laura initially planned on becoming a teacher, but instead engaged work in business and technology. She eventually relocated to Grove, Oklahoma to help care for her aging in-laws. Barbara, initially productive in the insurance business, soon blossomed into the second-grade teacher she was meant to be. “When I retired, I felt I had no purpose anymore,” Barbara said. “When Laura moved back we looked for something to do together. We wanted to make a difference in some way.”
“... I have friends in other states and they have nothing like this. It’s so unique, it’s wonderful.” For anyone who would like to participate in a session of Give 5, contact Carrie Clevenger at 918-664-9000 x-1255.
One evening, Laura happened to see LIFE CEO, Eileen Bradshaw, on the evening news talking about the Give 5 program. She immediately called Barbara to tell her about it. Give 5 offered the pair a chance to engage in consequential activity together. They enjoyed lunch during the sessions and had a great time learning more about their community. Laura said, “I never realized there were so many opportunities to receive services in Tulsa. Each week agency representatives came and gave us an overview of different areas of need in Tulsa, and then we would hop on the bus and visit four or five nonprofits. “We made quite a few friends during the classes and from volunteering. We’re both volunteering at Join the Cause, an agency that provides comfort items in a backpack to police, fire, and EMSA when they have an encounter that involves children.” “After our mother passed, it made it more precious for us to be closer and do things together. We try to get together and go out once a week. We volunteer for two to four hours and then we go out to lunch. We make it our day.” Barbara and Laura both encourage others to join Give 5. “You will learn so much about the needs in Tulsa and it will enrich your life to take part. Tulsa agencies can use everybody as a volunteer.”
“LIFE SENIOR SERVICES is an absolute necessity for the Tulsa community. Everyone should be connected to them so they will know what great resources they offer.” Marva, whose family received help from the Medicare Assistance Program while her mother faced a journey through Alzheimer’s
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Spice of LIFE Donors
MARY H. LHEVINE AND GEORGE SCHNETZER Mary Lhevine lives a life filled with a menagerie of interests, skills, and activism. A love of education has remained constant across the arc of her life whether absorbing new information, supporting institutions like the University of Tulsa, or Tulsa Public Schools traditional and charter programs. She also shares her love of learning by teaching GED math for Women in Recovery. Through it all her focus, and that of the love of her life, Dr. George Schnetzer, remains making the world a better place. Recently, Mary and George contributed to the Roma Berry Center for Seniors. Mary chose to name an exam room after her great uncle, Dr. Paul Orr. “When I heard about its design [The Roma Berry Center] and the value, it just made sense. This is the time in our community that we really need this kind of resource. As our community ages, we need these special resources that you can only get with an organization that works on a broad basis.” For Mary, it was an easy decision to honor her uncle in this way. In 1976, Dr. Orr was awarded the Ohio State Medical Association’s Certificate of Distinction, honoring him for a half century of service. At that time Dr. Orr took stock of the most significant changes in medicine during his 50 years of practice, particularly more specialization and hospitalization and less treatment in the home by family physicians. One of Dr. Orr’s most significant works was published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases in 1920. While working as a young epidemiologist, he made a breakthrough discovery identifying a deadly source of botulism that went undetected in canned food. His moment of discovery occurred when he noted breastfed infants were spared. His finding led to new practices in food container sterilization subsequently saving numerous lives and foodborne illness outbreaks. Now, as a result of Mary and George’s gift, Dr. Orr’s legacy will continue to promote improved health outcomes for seniors.
“... This is the time in our community that we really need this kind of resource. As our community ages, we need these special resources that you can only get with an organization that works on a broad basis”
About 30 years ago while helping a friend with Medicare, Mary first learned about LIFE Senior Services. Today, as a life-long learner, she takes advantage of the many learning opportunities LIFE provides to seniors and caregivers. As a result, Mary remains engaged with LIFE. You can too. Give us a call at (918) 664-9000 and find your place with LIFE.
Use this QR code to help support seniors and caregivers or go to www.LIFEseniorservices.org.
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LIFE’S SENIOR CAMPUS
construction update
ROMA BERRY CENTER FOR SENIORS
Construction on the LIFE Senior Campus continues. Walls, plumbing, ductwork and other critical elements continue to take shape inside the former school house. The walking trail is complete, and landscaping will go in later in the year. Additionally, completion of The A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation Gymnasium
and Activity Center will occur this summer, but look for the opening later in the year when finalization of grading and the parking lot occurs. The work to renovate the Roma Berry Center for Seniors remains on its timeline. We hope to move into the campus January 2024. Look for details later in the year for a dedication
LIFE’s Senior Campus is projected to open in JANUARY of 2024. We can’t wait. See you there!
LIFEseniorservices.org 8 LIFELines
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