Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Isleta seniors prepare gift baskets, offer respite care

Julia M. Dendinger News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jdendinger@news-bulletin.com

Isleta There were American flags and lilacs and little stuffed dogs and reindeer on the table. Hand-written temporary tags were affixed to each of the 26 wrapped packages designating them male, female, either or couple.

Switching easily and swiftly between English and Tiwa, the 10 Legacy Corps members in the room decide who will visit whom to distribute the heavily laden baskets. After some discussion, some swapping and lots of joking, the tables are cleared except for one basket, and Terry Salazar has a minute to sit and explain what just happened.

The baskets are for homebound elders living in Isleta Pueblo who are not served under another program, Salazar said. The baskets were provided and distributed by members of the newly established Legacy Corps respite care program in Isleta. Salazar is the coordinator for the program and will deliver the remaining basket herself.

Legacy Corps is part of the AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a network of more than 3,000 non-profit organizations, public agencies and faith-based organizations. President Bill Clinton created it in 1993.

The Isleta Legacy Corps program started in April 2006 and now boasts 28 members who provide respite care for 35 clients. "Some of them serve more than one client," Salazar said. Respite care is an intermittent service to provide care for homebound elders or disabled individuals, giving the family caregiver a break.

Literature created by Salazar to promote the program reads, "Legacy Corps is an opportunity to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you."

By signing up as an AmeriCorps/Legacy Corps member, a person receives caregiver training, as well as a small living allowance, for financial assistance. Members work 10 to 12 hours per week as a respite caregiver.

The vision statement of the program is to help families, the disabled, older caregivers and care recipients remain in their own homes, in a surrounding that is safe and familiar.

As a Legacy Corps member, a person will provide relief and peace of mind for families by relieving the family caregiver for one to four hours a day. A member must be able to commit to the program for a full year and be 18 years of age or older.

"The volunteers want to help do something for the community," Salazar said. "They receive a small monthly living allowance. It probably helps pay for their gas."

In addition to the small allowance, Legacy Corps members get important training free of charge. So far the Legacy Corps program has offered classes to their members in CPR, first-aid, nutrition, proper lift techniques using gait belts, how to be a respite care giver and "brain aerobics," to keep the minds of elders fit and nimble. The next training will be in shower and bath safety, Salazar said.

"We hope and plan to do more," she said. "We are doing a lot with only a few people."

The program is funded by a three-year AmeriCorps grant through the University of Maryland, Center on Aging. Salazar said if AmeriCorps feels they are doing a good job and providing services, then the grant will be renewed every year. The program received $84,375 this past spring at the start of the initiative.

"We are a team," Salazar said. "We do what we can to provide service; we all work together." Isleta and Zuni are the only two pueblos in the state participating in the Legacy Corps program.

The Isleta Legacy Corps program is housed at the Isleta Elderly Center. For information about the Legacy Corps program, call the center at 869-6661.

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