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SENIOR MINISTRY
by Lynne Ruedy

A recent program at Saint Michael's offered a wealth of information on services, safety, daily maintenance, local transportation services and health. This program was offered to meet the requests of several parishioners on parish and senior ministry surveys.

Our Senior Ministry column will be including two or three of these hints in the Love of Mike each month. If you are not a senior yet, you will be one day, and you certainly have a friend or family member who might benefit from this information.

1. Dial 211 – to get information or solutions to human needs issues – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No matter what the issue is, you will be directed to someone who has knowledge of or solutions to just about any concern or question you may have.

2. Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Program The County of Orange Office on Aging program provides seniors access to non-emergency medical appointments – including therapy, dentistry, prescription pick ups, testing and x-rays. Call 1.800.510.2020 for restrictions and requirements.

The Office on Aging Web site.

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PREVIOUS INFORMATION FOR SENIORS

Let’s take a fresh look at this important ministry.

Our goal is to provide programs and services that address needs of our senior congregation. DON’T STOP READING JUST BECAUSE YOU AREN’T A SENIOR. You most likely have a mom or dad, aunt or uncle, neighbor or friend who is a senior and could benefit from our programs. And, depressing as it may be, you will be one someday
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We are a small group and could certainly use some additional members to assist us in developing programs and in supporting Saint Michael’s Neighbors (see detail below.) We meet in the conference room at 2pm on the first Wednesday of the month.

Questions about this ministry? Call Deborah Newquist (949.854.2675).

THANKS

The Senior Ministry is most grateful to all those who responded so thoughtfully to our recent needs and desires survey. We have a number of new ideas for programs and will be pursuing some of those in the not too distant future, as well as continuing programs and events which you indicated you enjoyed and would like to see again.

One very interesting statistic that came out of the survey was that 35% of the respondents have no family in the area. We will pay special attention to that group.

Please remember that our Saint Michael’s Neighbors program exists to offer solace, cheer and assistance with small tasks to parishioners who could benefit from these contacts. A person does not have to be ill to receive our services. If you know someone who is lonely or just doesn’t get out much, let us know. We will see that a card or a call is on its way immediately.
Thank you for the support you show for Senior Ministry and its programs.

This is a committee of the Senior Ministry that provides rides for senior parishioners, does simple chores (changing light bulbs, etc.), sends cards and makes phone calls to parishioners who are ill or lonely. If you know someone who could benefit from this kind of service, you can find referral slips in the church office, or you may contact Susan Beechner (949.644.0463) to find the name and phone number of the dispatcher for the month.

We are available and eager to serve.

Saint Michael’s Neighbors

Please don’t forget to notify us if there are parishioners who need our assistance or attention. We aim to serve.

SMART (Senior Medical Assistance Transportation). Run by the County of Orange. You must register with them. Needs 48 hour notice. 866.856.8009.

TRIPS. You must register with them. 949.724.7433.

South County Senior Services. 949.855.9766.

Senior Services in Irvine. You must register ahead. 949.724.6926.

Oasis Senior Center. You must register ahead. 949.644.3244.

Senior Services. 1.800.510.2020.

Fee for Rides: Citi Shuttle 714.543.4277. This service is cheaper than a taxi and comes early in the morning for hospital admissions.