Battling the Opioid Crisis from Your Medicine Cabinet
Join Senior Corps and Support National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
By Deborah Cox-Roush, Director of Senior Corps
The prescription opioid crisis has become too big to ignore, stretching across the nation and affecting families in rural communities, small towns, and big cities. If we intend to stop this epidemic, all of us will have to get involved, and Senior Corps is doing its part by bringing attention to National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 27.
An analysis by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that chronic pain is common among seniors, with 8-in-10 struggling with multiple health conditions. Nearly 20 percent of seniors, roughly 20 million people, were prescribed an opioid between 2015 and 2016. In 2015, opioid-related complications caused nearly 125,000 hospitalizations, including more than 36,000 emergency department visits in this age group.
Battling the opioid epidemic is a priority of the Trump administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that leads Senior Corps, is a proud partner in this fight.
I’ll repeat some of the other statistics related to this crisis because the numbers are truly shocking and this problem has repercussions for our communities, workplaces, and even our homes and families.
Last year, more than 72,000 Americans died from a drug overdose. Approximately 6.2 million misused prescription drugs and more than 2.4 million struggle with opioid addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40 percent of all U.S. opioid deaths in 2016 involved prescription opioids. With nearly 58 opioid prescriptions written for every 100 Americans in 2017, this is one clear factor in this crisis that we can take direct action to mitigate, starting with the way we handle the prescriptions inside our own medicine cabinets.
This weekend Senior Corps volunteers will join the Drug Enforcement Agency, local law enforcement officials, and pharmacies to encourage the safe disposal of these medicines. During the 15th National Prescription Take Back Day in April, 5,842 collection sites took in 474.5 tons of medicines. That’s close to 1 million pounds of drugs that were made unavailable for misuse and abuse.
Our Senior Corps programs around the nation support efforts to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic, and the proper disposal of opioid prescriptions and other unused drugs. As they serve, our volunteers help inform their peers about searching their homes for medicines, the proper disposal of old prescriptions and the locations that will be accepting unused drugs. You can watch our new video that highlights some of the ways national service members and volunteers are helping to battle this epidemic below.
There is no substitute for action to help battle this crisis, which is another component along with education, treatment of addiction, and empathy for those affected as we work toward solutions. If we educate ourselves and learn to recognize the dangers and threats, our society has a chance to turn the tide on this dire public health problem.
“Foster Grandparent”
by Senior Corps volunteer Juanita Davis
Each day when I awake
I know the road I’m taking
To fulfill my needs and others
And the difference I am making.
I rush off to see the children
And start an interesting day.
I’ll listen with my heart and mind
To all they have to say.
They show appreciation
With a hug and so much more.
This fills my life with happiness
What else could I ask for?
I know I make a difference
And it makes my life worthwhile
To be a Foster Grandparent
To a very special child.
At age 81, I frequently look back on the many things I’ve accomplished during those years. My many God-given talents and raising six children, with the help of my husband, have kept me quite busy. I always somehow find myself in a position where there are children, from the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to school activities, Sunday school, home care, and teaching children how to cook.
After all my children became school age, I started working in hospitals, nursing homes, and some home care. Of course, there’s a time when your age affects holding down a job. The younger generation takes over and we move on. I knew I had to find something to do, so I started searching and I came across a notice in the local paper saying, “Wanted—male or female, age 60 or older, who wants to make a difference in a child’s life.”
That’s me! No doubt about it!
I called the number listed and, in no time, a nice gentleman came to talk to me. As we were talking, I was silently praying, “Lord, please let me do this.” Another few weeks passed and I found myself doing what I love to do.
I have been a Senior Corps Foster Grandparent for 17 years. What a joy it is to see the progress children make because I cared enough to get involved. I found satisfaction, laughter, memories, better health, and financial help. To be met at the door each morning and greeted by children with a hug makes a perfect way to start the day.
Our school is what I call a family-oriented school. The staff is so pleasant and grateful that the Foster Grandparents are there. There is always a “Thank you for helping,” or “We appreciate you so much.” Children look forward to seeing Grammie. If I miss a day of school, they always say, “I missed you. Can you help me?” It gives me a special feeling and, at the end of the year, I can look back at the progress they made, smile, and say to myself, “I was a part of this.”
I don’t think you could find a more perfect place to be than in a school making a difference in the future of our children.
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land,
AmeriCorps members were driving, in a basic white van.
But their stockings weren't hung; no, not with care.
They’re on a new mission, going to who knows where.
They had to be tired, many nodded their heads,
But when duty calls, everyone misses their beds,
This assignment was special, it came in a snap,
"Santa needs help; grab your boots, grab your cap!"
I looked out my window; wondering “What’s all the fuss?”
My wife and kids were sleeping, those folks need to hush.
All these people in khakis, branded with S's and A’s,
But others came with them, I didn’t know what to say.
The snow was falling; I had just come home,
Three tours of duty; no more need to roam.
Christmas might miss us, but we had each other,
Here, just four of us gathered, along with my mother.
All of a sudden, an SUV tore ‘round the corner;
It stopped in our drive, out popped folks with hand warmers;
The front door flung open and who did appear;
It was a special Team Leader, in green khaki gear.
She looked all around, like she had a plan,
Her team followed her lead, at a wave of her hand,
We'd heard of this legend, who knew it was real?
She called out to her groups, with vigor and zeal!
“On NCCC and VISTA, FEMA bring your Corps,
Come on State and National, we need you, of course!
Senior Corps got here first, thanks to RSVP,
And Foster Grandparents brought gifts for the tree!”
There were Senior Companions, and a team named Spruce,
They make the holidays happier, we just turn them loose!
“When Santa calls, we answer, each and every one,
Service is what we do, we ‘get things done!’”
Just then on the roof, a commotion began,
Santa and eight tiny reindeer, found a nice spot to land.
He popped down the chimney, and appeared at the door,
“My elves can’t be here, I wish I had more.”
Then he saw National Service, just bunched in a pack,
They were all clad in boots, carrying whatever they could pack,
His eyes -- they twinkled, as a grin crossed his face,
“I’m glad that you’re here, let’s Christmas this place.”
He said, “They need toys, a tree -- make this home festive.”
But his new elves were so quick, he exclaimed, “That’s impressive!”
He sat for a moment, and let his belly sag,
His old elves were slackers; it was really a drag,
“Can I borrow your elves just one night, for you see,
I would love the help of someone, who works even harder than me.”
She shook her head, and told Santa, “Tough luck”
America still needs us. Everyone -- back to the trucks!”
I watched in amazement, dumbstruck, as they left,
They brought Christmas to us before we could catch one breath.
Everything was so sparkly, so merry, so bright,
It was hard to believe, it was done in one night.
We tell you this tale, to fill you with glee,
‘Cause we love people like you, who are not just about "me."
National Service is awesome, just a wonderful sight,
Happy Holidays to all, and to all, a good night!
The Corporation for National and Community Service joins the Department of Veterans Affairs and the federal family during the commemoration of National Veterans and Military Families Month and Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 11 – a fitting tribute as we enter this season of thanks.
Some history first. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, an armistice went into effect, effectively signaling cessation of hostilities between Allied nations and Germany marking the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars.”
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first commemoration of Armistice Day – the precursor of Veterans Day in the United States – noting how the day should be observed:
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America …"
Our veterans are cut from a different cloth, serving as defenders of American principles and protectors of freedom around the globe. In peace and in wartime, each generation has accepted this responsibility by facing danger with unparalleled valor and taken on the challenges before them with an unbreakable spirit and will to complete their mission.
We are honored that more than 23,500 veterans choose to serve our nation again through our AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs.
U.S. Marine veteran Paola Gomez joined the VetsWork GreenCorps program, which works to mitigate wildfires on public lands in 11 states while training military veterans in careers in natural resource management and wildland firefighting. Even though Gomez suffered a personal tragedy when her mother died shortly before she joined AmeriCorps, she kept her commitment to the program and overcame her lack of wilderness experience to thrive in the program. She committed to a second year to train more AmeriCorps members and to share the experience with more of her fellow veterans.
Veteran Gordon Long has served with the Rochester, N.Y., RSVP Veteran Corps for the last 11 years. He is a volunteer driver for Fairport Baptist Home, Vets Driving Vets, and Penfield Symphony Orchestra. Last year, Long drove 2,700 miles and devoted 233 hours to helping individuals get to doctor appointments, grocery stores, and social activities, allowing more than 200 older adults to maintain their independence at home.
The RSVP Vet-to-Vet Program matches veteran RSVP volunteers with other veterans, helping connect them to services and programs through the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Maine Veterans Services, the VA, and other social and support services. There are 60 veteran pairs serving through RSVP, where they build camaraderie through shared experiences and break down walls that can lead to isolation. One Vet-to-Vet volunteer is a Marine who embraces the motto “leave no man behind” in his service. He visits five veterans each week, mowing lawns, taking lonely veterans to lunch, performing minor house and car repairs, going grocery shopping, and talking with vets who may not see anyone else that day. He also serves as a VA certified Veterans’ Service Officer who helps veterans enroll in the VA system and gain access to benefits and services they have earned.
Darrell Whitman served two tours in Iraq and knew he wanted to give back to other veterans when he returned to the Gila River Indian community. Darrell and his brother Joey began addressing the needs in his community that he heard about through his membership in the local American Legion Post. He created projects to identify and honor veterans and assisted them with transportation. He has expanded his knowledge and gained additional resources to help the community, especially in the area of employment and economic opportunity, through his three years in the AmeriCorps Veterans Serving Veterans program. His program coordinator says, “Darrell is one of the most passionate, selfless and service-oriented people that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”
And our CNCS programs and initiatives have the great privilege to assist more than 750,000 veterans and military families.
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Corps taps the knowledge, skills, and abilities of veterans by engaging them in AmeriCorps. These members act as peer mentors to veterans and military families at colleges and with community partner sites across the state, connecting them to information about veteran specific programs and services. Through their service, they help increase veterans success in transitioning from military service to civilian life.
Through the Sustainability Institute, Veterans Energy Conservation Corps AmeriCorps members provide energy efficient home repairs and updates that have a significant, long-term impact on housing affordability for homeowners in Charleston, S.C. While finding a unique experience to continue their service, these veterans complete certifications and gain experience that lead to new careers and opportunities.
AmeriCorps members serving with the Making Veterans Priority program provide transitional support, resources, and supplemental assistance to veterans and military families across the Tennessee. They offer assistance to veterans and military families during pre-deployment, deployment, and reintegration, helping connect them to educational benefits, employment services, and crisis intervention services, as well as completing home repairs and projects.
Catholic Charities USA engages veterans and military family members to serve as AmeriCorps Peer Navigators. These AmeriCorps members serve veterans, active military members, and military families across Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. They ensure that veterans and their families are able to access their benefits, while supporting additional health, mental health, educational, and social service needs. These AmeriCorps members also play a significant role in leveraging additional volunteers responsible for case management and variety of community based projects.
Through the University of Maryland Legacy Corps for Veteran and Military Families, AmeriCorps members provide caregiver support services to veteran and military families across California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Rhode Island. These AmeriCorps members provide respite and offer companionship to veterans, allowing them to remain in their homes and communities and offer support to caregivers and family members.
Vets Helping Vets RSVP program in Dane County Wisconsin matches veterans in need with fellow veterans who are Senior Corps RSVP volunteers. Through this program, RSVP volunteers provide rides to veterans and their families who need transportation to medical appointments and other meetings. This summer, the program and its RSVP volunteers were recognized as the Senior Corps program of the year by Serve Wisconsin. With more than 700 RSVP volunteer drivers across Dane County, the program has made real impact providing more than 8,500 rides to more than 1,100 passengers.
We’ve really just scratched the surface of the thousands of service stories we enable by serving with and supporting our veterans and military families.
You can see this service in schools, community centers, faith-based organizations, VA facilities, our parklands, and pretty much anywhere you can imagine.
We consider it a great honor that so many who have served our nation through the military choose to serve again through our Senior Corps and AmeriCorps national service programs. We are privileged to learn from your examples of leadership and commitment to making our nation a better place for all Americans.
We hear this phase a lot, but it can never be repeated enough. ...
To all the veterans who have answered when our nation called – thank you for your service.
Americans are living longer than ever and achieving even more. As they enter their second act, they’re choosing to take on new roles after decades of hard work to ensure greater opportunities for the generations that follow. Senior Corps provides an opportunity to harness the experience and dedication of an entire generation for the greater good.
For decades, Senior Corps volunteers have made a commitment to country and community through volunteer service, using a lifetime of skills and experiences. Today, more than 245,000 volunteers age 55+ are serving through Senior Corps’ programs – Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP.
Senior Corps service strengthens communities, and helps its volunteers lead active, healthy lives. Today, we can start to see just how healthy.
After their first year of service, Senior Corps volunteers report improvements in their health, physical capacity, anxiety, loneliness and social isolation, and life satisfaction.
Visit SeniorCorps.gov/HealthyVolunteers to see the specific data points and register for a webinar happening on July 26. You will also be able to learn more about the impact of Senior Corps or find a volunteer opportunity in your community.
Two-Way Street: The Power of Giving Back Through Senior Corps
By Emily Shea, City of Boston Commissioner on Affairs of the Elderly
Giving back is a two-way street. Senior Corps programs enrich the city of Boston, adding meaning and purpose to the lives of the recipients as well as the volunteers themselves.
In my experience as Commissioner on Affairs of the Elderly for the City of Boston as well as my time as Director of Elders Services at ABCD, I have had the opportunity to work with Senior Corps volunteers, who are 55 and over, from all three programs: RSVP, Senior Companions, and Foster Grandparents. What makes these programs so special is the amazing commitment from older adult volunteers.
I have seen people volunteer for a number of reasons and at different life stages.
We have volunteers who are retired and are looking to fill their time with consistent activities. Sometimes, they are working and want to dedicate a few hours a week to their community. Some volunteers want to use the skill sets that they have developed in their career. Other times, volunteers are eager about building new skills.
Though the circumstances vary, volunteering with the following Senior Corps programs is always an opportunity to find purposeful activities that create meaning and connection.
RSVP
RSVP is one of the largest volunteer networks in the country for people 55+. The RSVP program is as diverse as our Boston community, making it possible for older adults to volunteer in many ways and with flexible time commitments, including:
Coaching seniors on how to navigate public transportation,
Teaching ESL, and
Assisting veterans and military families
At the City of Boston, we take a lot of care with the interview process to understand what volunteers are passionate about so we can make a match that’s good for everyone.
Senior Companions
With the Senior Companions program, volunteers work with older adults in Boston who are more frail and just need a little extra support to continue to live well at home. Some ways Senior Companions volunteer their time include:
Driving to important appointments,
Providing light cooking, and
Providing socialization and companionship
This program helps make it possible for Boston’s older residents to live independently in their communities, and it also provides some respite and comfort to families and caregivers. For the older adults they volunteer with, Senior Companions are people you can rely on -- they become friends.
Foster Grandparents
Volunteers in the Foster Grandparents program become an extra pair of eyes and ears in the classroom for children with exceptional needs. They provide individualized support and attention to students in the classroom. Sometimes this includes:
Tutoring,
Mentoring, and
Advocating
For children in this program, a Foster Grandparent is someone steady in their lives: someone who can be counted on.
Ultimately, who makes a good volunteer for these programs?
Someone who really wants to make an impact. It is about deepening connections in the community, and creating ways for older adults in Boston to continue to share their lessons, experiences, and expertise with the city.
Tyissha Jones-Horner, Administrative Director of Volunteer Programs at the Elderly Commission, explained that the relationships become more like family.
“Many of the volunteers begin to feel like extended family to the people they serve,” said Jones-Horner. “They are a group of diverse, inspirational folks, each bringing their own unique personality to every opportunity along with a wealth of knowledge and life experiences; they have certainly become a part of my extended family as well.”
The Commission on Affairs of the Elderly facilitates full and equal participation in all aspects of life by older adults in Boston. The commission is dedicated to improving the lives of Boston’s older adults by connecting them with resources and information, and it is focused on setting the city’s direction for successful aging in Boston. Visit www.boston.gov for more information.
Follow our Senior Corps Week 2017 stories by searching #SeniorCorpsWorks on social media.
