Falling into September
Just like that, the summer is over and September is here! What did you do this summer? Did you get to travel, see family or take a roadtrip? Let us know in the comments. (We'd like to hear what you were up to. What were we up to? You can always see what we're doing by taking a look at our calendar, our latest blog posts or our social media. If you don't follow us yet, shame on you! :-) It may seem a bit early, but FCCOA has been busy preparing for the holiday season. Now, why on earth would we be doing that? It's only September! We know, but we have to do extra prep to make sure our elder friends and neighbors have what they need for each of the oncoming seasonal changes. Not sure what we do? Keep reading and we'll get you caught up!
Holiday Closing
First off, Labor day is on Monday, September 5th. FCCOA offices will be closed that day in observance of the holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 6th.
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Senior Center Birthday
September is National Senior Center Month! The official "birthday" of the Winnsboro Senior Center is September 16th. For Friday, September 16th, at 10:30AM, we're going to dress up a bit to celebrate. After all, this is our 50th birthday, so we are going to celebrate in style with our participants!
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Health Focus: Fall Prevention
The weather is starting to cool down. The leaves are changing and the time is right to start getting cozy by the fireplace. Despite Autumns chill creeping up, we need to take care of our bodies even more as we age. Did you know that falling is the leading cause of injury death amongst people ages 65 and older? Here are some tips to keeping in shape this Fall and avoid falling:
Exercise!--Exercise helps you gain and maintain muscle strength, balance and coordination.
Talk to a physical therapist. --They can recommend appropriate exercises or equipment for you.
Revise your medication and limit your alcohol intake.--Check with your doctor to be sure you are taking the appropriate meds.
Check your vision and hearing. --Have these checked at least once a year. If you can't see or can't hear, that ups your risk of falling.
Foolproof your bathrooms. --Make improvements to the number one place where most accidents happen!
Ensure your home is well lit.--Increase the lighting in your home so you can see clearly.
Make your stairs safe.--Be sure that you have rails and that your stairs are not slippery.
Keep floors clutter-free.-- Keeping the floors clear means there are less tripping hazards.
Install fall mats. --These cushy mats can be placed in areas you may be more likely to fall and ensure you have a cushier landing.
Get help when needed. --Get a friend or a neighbor to change those lightbulbs or get things from the top shelf. Don't put yourself at risk.
Consider getting a Medical Alert system. -- If you live by youself, this device can keep emergency help at your fingertips!
So there you have it. Keep yourself fall-free this Fall and stay safe!
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Looking Ahead to the Holidays
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is on its way. As we start to wrap up the year, try to keep our senior neighbors in mind. A great way to help support them is to support FCCOA on Tuesday, November, 29th. Your donations help us make sure our older friends and neighbors can start the year in comfort.
Angel Tree
Angel Tree is one of our biggest focuses in the last quarter of the year. So many elders don't have the means to celebrate the holidays. That is where Angel Tree (and You) come in. FCCOA serves over 200 senior members of the community. Each one that we service--whether it be through Meals on Wheels or through the Vegetable Coop bags--are signed up to become "angels." Members of the community can "adopt" an angel and help us fill a box with goodies so that a Fairfield senior can go into the new year with some holiday cheer. If you are interested in helping out with this program, give the office a call at 803-635-3015 or keep a watch on our social media. Adoptions will start in November. If you don't want to adopt, but still want to help, we are always looking for items to help stuff the boxes--snacks, gloves, soap, word search books.
Oyster Roast Reminder
Starting in December, you'll be able to purchase tickets to our upcoming second Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser. Last time, we had a blast. This time, we are aiming to do it again. Mark your calendars so you don't miss out on the fun (and good food!) The official date for the Roast is January 28th, 2023. Keep an eye on our website or our social media to snag your tickets.