NURSING HOME OUTREACHES
Elderly neglect and abuse is one of the most well known forms of abuse in the US. Even in the best circumstances, elderly in healthcare facilities are often depriived of human comfort and affection due to extreme isolatoin. We aim to raise awareness for elderly abuse and neglect by building a community that loves, cares and respects the elderly through our various outreaches.
CHRISTMAS OUTREACH
COVID 19 Update
After a year hiatus, we are relaunching our Christmas tree program! Our goal this year is to brighten every Samaritan Health Care Center resident's room with a mini Christmas tree! We need your help! What makes our Christmas trees so special is that we hand make the majority of the ornaments ourselves. With our many different Christmas programs, this becomes a huge task, but with your help it doesn't have to be! If you 're looking for a fun way to teach your kids about loving others this Christmas, we have the perfect project for you. We accept any and all homemade ornaments and Christmas cards, but store bought is helpful too! Please read below to see a full list of items we are in need of and where to send them to!
Not Everyone Gets a Merry Christmas...
Christmas is my favorite time of year-- the lights, the decorations, the increase of genuine kindness and generosity.... With so much extra love going around, did you ever think how extra painful it is for those who still get none?
While churches and 4-h clubs pour out love for various charities and nursing facilities, many residents of state run and inadequetly funded nursing homes live lonely and isolated lives. At the nursing home I visit, I've never met a fellow volunteer. I understand why. . . it's hard and depressing, but how would we like to be locked away alone and forgotten?
There really aren't many material items an elderly person wants-- all they need is a friendly face willing to talk and be good company. Their rooms are small and gloomy-- especially at Christmas time. But when you plug in a little Christmas tree adorned with homemade ornaments and candy canes, it makes a lonely place seem a little less lonely. It's not much, but it seems to me there are certain basic humans rights, and feeling loved at Christmas is one of them.
While in the past we have only been able to provide trees for 30 residents, roughly one floor, our goal is to provide a tree for every resident. We officially start decorating trees in October, however, we accept donations for this project all year round. Items we accept are the following:
Homemade mini ornaments (homemade is always the best, don't you agree?)
Mini Christmas ornaments of all kinds
Fairy lights
100 bulb Christmas lights (all colors are ok, but we prefer none blinking lights!)
Mini Christmas trees between 15-35 in
Tinsel
Candy canes
Mini Christmas tree toppers (angels and stars are our favorite!)
Ribbon-- preferably red, green, siver, or gold
Other Items We Accept:
Homemade Christmas Cards
Soft or Fuzzy Blankets for Residents (Must be brand new, with exception for homemade blankets)
Fuzzy Socks (Brand New)
Christmas Craft Supplies
Plastic Ornament Bulbs for Making Homemade Ornaments
Craft Paint
All Donations can be Shipped to:
Smile for a While Bundles Inc.
8482 Stacy Dr.
Fredonia, WI
53021
OTHER HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS
Unfortunately due to COVID19 restrictions, we cannot make any in-person visits or deliveries. We are currently working with our local nursing home to start pen pal programs with residents. If you would be interested in participating in this program, please contact us below!
Facts On Elder Abuse and Neglect
How many older Americans are abused?
Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.
When we talk about Elder Abuse, very limited research has been done on it, even where there is evidence that suggests it may be almost as widespread as child abuse. And although attention has increased in recent years, most research on Elder Abuse has focused on the different types and causes.
Gharibian Law Firm
What is elder abuse?
Elder abuse includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Perpetrators include children, other family members, and spouses—as well as staff at nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities.
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Physical abuse means inflicting physical pain or injury upon an older adult.
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Sexual abuse means touching, fondling, intercourse, or any other sexual activity with an older adult, when the older adult is unable to understand, unwilling to consent, threatened, or physically forced.
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Emotional abuse means verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment, or intimidation.
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Confinement means restraining or isolating an older adult, other than for medical reasons.
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Passive neglect is a caregiver’s failure to provide an older adult with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
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Willful deprivation means denying an older adult medication, medical care, shelter, food, a therapeutic device, or other physical assistance, and exposing that person to the risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm—except when the older, competent adult has expressed a desire to go without such care.
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Financial exploitation means the misuse or withholding of an older adult’s resources by another.
How does a person make an elder abuse report?
If an older adult is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call 911. Anyone who suspects that an older adult is being mistreated should contact a local Adult Protective Services office, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, or police. NCEA describes various scenarios and ways to Get Help, and more information is available from the Eldercare Locator online or by calling 1-800-677-1116.
