|
|
|
|
Member Recruitment Update
During the last several months, we have welcomed a half dozen members. We've also experienced some expected attrition as others have moved, passed away, or decided not to renew. We remain steady at approximately 100 members. We need to double our efforts to reach our goal of 150 to make the program sustainable. We've had a great turnout at some of our recent public events, and volunteers are actively following up with several prospects.
Please let us know if you are able to assist in any of the following ways:
1) Host an information session in your home or neighborhood
2) Provide names of potential leads
3) Volunteer to call prospects
4) Share other ideas for increasing membership
We encourage you all to get involved and spread the word about your excitement and commitment to JP@Home.Your personal stories are our best selling points. Please email Member Services and Recruitment Coordinator Jennifer Quinlan at jquinlan@ethocare.org
|
|
Report on May Green Burial Presentation
The End—Green Burial
by Glenda Buell
Did you ever consider that your death could be good for the Earth?
That's something a group of about two-dozen JP@Homers and friends discussed at Mount Pleasant Home on South Huntington one May evening. It's a topic that one of our members, David Ludlow, introduced to us on the online General Discussion Board. (See his comments below.)
At the evening event, Candace Currie, who works with Green Burial Massachusetts and Mount Auburn Cemetery, led the presentation about the evolving ritual of death. She noted that there was a time when it was common to hold funerals in the family home. Sometimes a photographer would take a family portrait with the deceased. It wasn't until the Civil War that bodies were embalmed, Candace said.
There's been a resurgence in green burials, Candace said. Besides costing less than a modern funeral, green burials are good for the environment.
Candace showed a 30-minute video, "Dying Green," which featured Dr. Billy Campbell, a leader in the green burial moment. Dr. Campbell opened the Ramsey Creek Preserve in South Carolina, which ties together land conservation and green burials.
In green burials—also known as natural burials—bodies can be buried in burlap bags or a cardboard casket or a pine box. Only biodegradable materials are used. No embalming fluids are involved. If there is a marker on the grave, it is flat.
Cremation is the second most green approach, Candace said. That's because burning bodies can pollute the air, she added.
Certainly, green burial brings new meaning to the old phrase "from dust to dust."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What My Mother Never Told Me About Green Burial
by David Ludlow
"It's ok to die, if you are prepared."
The key things to know from the green burial presentation to get a handle on what to ask of our successors:
1) Urban cemeteries are near capacity. Managers need heavy equipment to go over graves to create new ones, requiring even green burials to have a concrete vault over the unembalmed body. Forrest Hills Cemetery and one in Roslindale allow this.
2) In Eastern Mass., only Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge allows green burial with no concrete vault. You can have precise GPS coordinates, and your name on a nearby marker with 14 others, for (at present) $15,000.
3) Only cremation gives the freedom to not occupy precious urban open space.
- Fire cremation is green for preserving open land, but not green in terms of atmospheric pollution, adding to global warming and releasing poisonous mercury emissions.
- Water cremation Alkaline Hydrolysis is truly ecco friendly. It is available in Maine for just a bit over $2,000. (More on this at end.)
Here is Candace Curry's PowerPoint. On the last page find important information sources and services we might want when that time approaches:
http://www.bigtent.com/usr/files/101371915_2_00_JP_Talk_GBM_Dying_Green.pdf
Additional Information on Green Burial
I did some research and found the following resources:
Consultation service
To help you plan a home service and prepare for a green burial, contact Peg Lorenz at Peaceful Passage at Home. Peg supports families by offering educational consultations. Her fee is voluntary donation. Contact: 978-425-6602 or peglor@comcast.net
1) Prior to the death of a loved one. This time is devoted to helping families create their own plans for after-death care. Often the family and others who will be involved in the care will meet to have all their questions and concerns answered. Families and friends report a feeling of relief when a plan has been made and various tasks and roles identified.
2) At the time of death. If the family feels they need more support, Peg will be present for a period of time directly after the death. She will guide the family through the care of the body, washing, dressing, moving (if necessary), and positioning the frozen gel packs. Usually after two or three hours the body has been laid in honor and the family begins the vigil.
3) Throughout the Vigil. Peg will be available by phone and email for any questions or concerns that may arise. She will visit again at the request of the family.
Water cremation
Water cremation or Alkaline Hydrolysis costs $1,500 ($500 more than conventional fire cremation) but it is the greenest option available today as you don't need take up any space in an expensive urban burial plot. Only one company does this in New England: Direct Cremation of Maine: http://www.directcremationofmaine.com/contact-us/contact-us
I spoke with their funeral director, 44-year-old Bob Martin. I like him a lot. A little over $2,000 covers their getting all the permits, getting our body, and returning the ashes. This is probably what I will do.
|
|
Porchfest
Come join fellow JP@Home Members at Porchfest:
Saturday, July 8 - 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m., Connolly Library steps
Wear your JP@Home button and bring a friend - this is a great recruitment opportunity! JP@Home sing-along with JP@Home member Renee Miller leading selections from Broadway.
|
|
Climate Change Group
The Climate Change Group meets monthly, and focuses on researching the implications of climate change, especially for the Boston area. We are learning more about the various organizations and projects already active to decide what we can best add to these efforts. Members are determining the ways in which we can respond individually and together to protect the earth in which our children and grandchildren will live.
We have discussed the Mayor’s report, “Climate Ready Boston,” and are developing suggestions for what individuals can do in a variety of ways to respond. At our last meeting Paula Georges and Dick Clapp led a discussion of Community Choice Energy, a project proposing that Boston increase the amount of renewable sources everyone in the city would get through our electric service. Several of us also attended the presentation about this proposal at the JP Unitarian Universalist Church June 21.
We invite you to our next meeting, July 18, 2:30-4, at the Ethos: 555 Amory Street. The agenda includes follow-up from the Community Choice Energy events, discussion and support for group members as we continue to learn more and discern ways in which each of us is called to respond, and possible outreach ideas to the larger community.
|
|
Decluttering
JP@Home's Decluttering event, which took place on June 7, proved to be a hot topic. It was well attended by many members and several others from the community. Amy Roberts, founder of "Out of the Box Moves" and experienced with senior decluttering and downsizing, gave a presentation about the logistical and emotional aspects of decluttering so that we can proceed with living comfortably and organized in our current or future homes.
|
|
Dining Out
Another wonderful discovery of the Dining Out team of researchers is the restaurant Tikki Masala—located on Washington Street in JP just across from the lower bus deck of the Forest Hills T Station. Great Indian food, well served by the lovely family-owners, was the centerpiece of our three Dining Out sessions. Yes, parking can be a challenge, but everyone either found parking, walked, or took the T and just walked across the street. There were eight diners on June 20, including two new members who added much fun to the conversation and laughs. Everyone agreed that this restaurant is well worth a return visit. And the six diners on June 14 agreed—this is a place they’d like to return!
Especially if you are a new member, this is one of the best, most relaxed ways to get to know other members, and you are encouraged to come whenever you can. July Dining Out will offer the usual choice of three seatings (Wednesday, July 12, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Tuesday, July 18, 5:30 p.m.) at another family-owned restaurant, the Acapulco, near the intersection of South Huntington Avenue and Centre Street, Jamaica Plain.
Watch Big Tent for the announcement and link to DOODLE, the easy way to RSVP.
Dining Out will continue throughout the summer this year, and even though in past years we have taken a break in August, we decided it would be worthwhile to continue in August. Seatings will be arranged at Bella Luna (284 Amory Street/The Brewery) for Wednesday, August 9 and Tuesday, August 15. Please join us if you can!
|
|
Qigong
JP@Home members enjoyed a new activity on Friday, June 23: Qigong. Led by certified instructor Joyce Palmer, this session introduced members and guests to the five key dimensions of this gentle practice for increasing health, strength, balance, and energy flow. For more information and a free video demo about Qigong, visit http://www.leeholden.com/
|
|
Never Stop Learning
JP@Home members love Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), and asked us to pass along more information to all of you. Part of the UMass Boston's Gerontology Institute, OLLI provides lifelong learning, trips, and social activities for those over age 50 for an affordable membership fee. Information for fall courses is now available. Courses are available in the Arts; Business and Technology; Culture and Travel; History and Current Affairs; Literature, Language, and Writing, Philosophy and Sociology, and Science & Health. They also offer Brown Bag presentations, walking tours, day trips, and domestic and international travel opportunities.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Dining Out
Wednesday, July 12 - 5:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. seatings
Tuesday, July 18 - 5:30 p.m.
Acapulco in Jamaica Plain
Sign up on BigTent.
Reading Aloud
Monday, July 10 - 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Contact Rosemary Jones at rosekajo@earthlink.net
Knit & Needle
Beginners to advanced.
Monday, July 17 - 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Contact Katherine Cipolla at katharinecipolla@netscape.net
Mindfulness and Meditation
Wednesday, July 5, 19, 26 - 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Contact Glenda Buell at altalouise7@gmail.com
Information for Prospective Members
Tuesday, July 18 - 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Ethos, 555 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain
Contact Jennifer Quinlan at jquinlan@ethocare.org
Climate Change
Tuesday, July 18, 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Contact Sharlene Cochrane at cochrane@lesley.edu
Men's Social Group
Monday, July 31, 10:30 a.m.
Contact Jonathan Truslow at jontruslow@comcast.net
|
|
|
More About JP@Home
 JP@Home is a membership-based program of Ethos, a Jamaica Plain-based, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the independence of the elderly and disabled. While Ethos offers a very comprehensive continuum of care, most aging-in-place services are available only to those who meet specific age, financial and/ or clinical eligibility standards. JP@Home is an initiative that opens up Ethos expertise and care to JP residents who want to age-in-place but who will not meet most qualifying service criteria.
Membership in JP@Home is open to all adult residents of Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Mission Hill, Roxbury and the town of Brookline, on an annual basis, based upon payment of a non-refundable fee. Annual membership is $495 for an individual membership; $845 for couples and $345 for Social Membership.
Membership entitles residents to effective, high quality free or discounted benefits and services that promote successful aging-in-place. These include:
- Free, unlimited access to long-term care options counseling and information/ referral services.
- One free home safety inspection.
- One free personalized in-home needs assessment.
- Free, unlimited access to Ethos-vetted volunteer help.
- Two free evidence-based healthy aging trainings.
- Unlimited access to JP@Home seminars, forums and social, cultural and recreational activities.
- Unlimited access to Ethos case management services at special, members-only discounted rates.
- Unlimited access to Ethos-vetted direct-care professionals at special, members-only discounted rate.
- Unlimited referrals to pre-screened non-care-related vendors and service providers.
In addition to standard benefits, members will have the opportunity to be involved through the JP@Home Advisory Council, its various committees and interest groups.
|
|
|
Advisory Council
Judy Goggin (Co-Chair)
John Wicker (Co-Chair)
Elsa Bengel
Tottie Gelbspan
Anne Glickman
Anne Kelly
Jim Kilgore
Judy Kilgore
Marilyn Monteiro
Tracy Powers
Ginger Salvito
Sandee Storey
Panos Voukydis
|
|
Ethos Staff
Dale Mitchell
Executive Director
Margery Gann
Care Management Director
Ray Santos
Community Relations Director
Meg Barhite
Director of Counseling and Support Services
Jennifer Quinlan
JP@Home Member Services & Recruitment Coordinator
Tierra Jackson
JP@Home Recruitment Coordinator
|
|
Supporters
The Charles H. Farnsworth Trust
|
|
More About Ethos
As a state-authorized Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), Ethos administers the Money Management and SHINE Programs for the entire city of Boston and also coordinates all the non-institutional home and community-based services for elderly and disabled residents of the southwest Boston neighborhoods of West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, and Mattapan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
