Por DOUG CURLEE | Mensajero de La Mesa<\/p>\n
For some time now, the city of La Mesa has been positioning itself as a city concerned with the health, safety and general well-being of its senior citizens.<\/p>\n
A city-sponsored event on Nov. 16 was another in a series of long-lasting efforts to provide that help \u2014 an effort that attracted a number of organizations to come tell people what kind of help is available if needed.<\/p>\n
About 16 different organizations came together at the La Mesa Community Center, to be available for anyone who might be interested.<\/p>\n
Eldercare, City Hope, Meals on Wheels, Oasis, Sharp Healthcare \u2014 the list went on.<\/p>\n
Megan Howell, of the city staff, hoped attendance would be better than, frankly, it was.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always hope you\u2019ll draw a crowd,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ll keep putting these on, and hope the word gets out more and more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some people came to take advantage of the free hearing testing and blood pressure checks \u2014 things that are vital for seniors to keep an eye on.<\/p>\n
Bill Eiffert, of Elderhelp, could chronicle a long list of the services available to seniors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey need to know that whatever they might need is available at places like this, whether from us or any of the other organizations, absolutely free of charge,\u201d he said. \u201cTransportation, home visits, daily welfare calls, the whole list at no charge at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
City Hope\u2019s Bonnie Welch echoed that, and said, \u201cWe are available for any kind of problems that arise, not just for seniors, but anyone who finds themselves facing a situation they can\u2019t handle. We have memorandums of understanding with everyone from school districts to cities and counties and senior citizens, where help of any kind is available, no questions asked. We\u2019re privately funded with grants from foundations, and income from property we own.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a good thing indeed that there is so much available for people, if they only know about it and can take advantage of the resources.<\/p>\n
The problem is making sure that more and more people know about those resources.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a slow process, letting people know all that. But it\u2019s a process the city is not about to give up on. That\u2019s a good thing for everyone.<\/p>\n