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November 2011
Serving the Lafayette Community
Healing Hoof Beats: High on a Horse By Jody Morgan High on a horse, children who have never walked experience the empowerment and freedom of motion. The repetitive rhythm of hoof beats allays anxiety. Therapeutic riding makes miraculous moments happen for children and adults suffering from a variety of psychological, emotional and physical problems including ADHD/ADD, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, Bi-Polar Disorder, Blindness, Brain Injury, Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, Depression, Developmental Delays, Down’s Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Scoliosis, Spinal Bifida, and Stroke. Hoisting a student with limited muscle control into the saddle and providing a safe experience takes at least four trained caregivers. In addition to the instructor who is responsible for determining the goals and plan of the lesson and the tack and horse to be used, a handler is required to lead the horse, and two side walkers are needed to stabilize the rider. As strength improves, students graduate to managing their horses with less assistance. Games, toys, songs, and pounds of posiEliana works on words with Instructor Karena tive reinforcement elicit Smith far right and Volunteer Amber Decorano. giggles from children who seldom smile in other situations. Reaching to put a ring
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Community Thanksgiving Breakfast The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce invites you to join city leaders, residents and the business community for breakfast as we have done for 31 years. The 32nd Annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast will be held on Friday, November 18th, from 7am – 8:30am at the Lafayette - Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC), 49 Knox Dr. in Lafayette. Breakfast will be graciously provided by Spring Loaf Catering. This event is our way of bringing the community together before we all get too busy with the holidays. Our new congressman George Miller (redistricting) is this year’s
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Lafayette seniors, family members, and caregivers attend Lafayette Community Foundation’s Liaison Committee for Seniors Symposium on Aging.
Addressing Senior Concerns By Fran Miller It is ironic that many of the traits that make Lafayette such an attractive place to live are the same traits that make Lafayette a challenging place to grow old. Open spaces, rolling hills, and large multi-story homes, aspects that draw young families to the area, all pose problems for the elderly. The curvy, narrow-road drive to Lafayette’s Community Center becomes an obstacle course to an aging driver. The large home with multiple stairs is problematic. Like the rest of the country, Lafayette is experiencing a graying of its population, and with it, the challenges associated with a larger retired population requiring specific services not readily available. Seniors, age 55 years and older, currently account for more than 30% of Lafayette’s population. This figure has increased steadily over the years from 26% in 2000 and 24% in 1990. By 2020, the figure is expected to rise to 35%. Taking the lead in addressing senior concerns is the Lafayette Community Foundation’s Liaison Committee for Seniors. Formed in 2007 under the leadership of community volunteer Marechal Duncan, the committee’s focus is to serve as a unifying catalyst by facilitating community action, education, and discussions that will enhance the lives of Lafayette’s senior population. In addition to Duncan, Committee members include Robin Bowers, Chris Coons, Sherrie Foley, Dick Holt, Margaret Isaacs, Lois Laine, Mei Sun Li, Ruth McCahan, Kathy Merchant, Mary Miller, Maureen Neumann, Anita Rama, Matt Shiner, Sandra Smith, Karen Strachan, and Kristine Watson. One of the Committee’s first actions was to thoroughly appraise and identify the extent to which Lafayette seniors’ current and anticipated future needs are being met. Utilizing the comprehensive Senior Needs Assessment findings, from a 2009 City of Lafayette Seniors Needs Assessment Task Force study (which included two community workshops, a telephone survey of residents, and interviews with community leaders and senior service providers), the Committee has placed emphasis on the oft-stated needs for increased transportation services, moderately priced housing, and a centrally located senior center. “Our Committee wants to take the lead in how to best serve the area’s seniors,” says Committee member Dick Holt, a longtime Lafayette resident who is himself experiencing life’s arc from young Lafayette resident to senior citizen. “With this assessment, we are identifying what is important to this Volume V - Number 11 growing portion of our population, and we are seeking 3000F DANVILLE BLVD #117 ALAMO, CA 94507 ways to address the concerns that were voiced.” Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 In a budget-strapped economy Fax (925) 406-0547 PRSRT STD where resources are not readily editor@yourmonthlypaper.com U.S. Postage available for the creation of a new PAID Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher senior center or senior housing Permit 21 opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not Lafayette, CA development, the Liaison Committee The necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is is doing its best to address concerns not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, ECRWSS
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