The Milestone Magazine Fall/Winter 2020

Fall/Winter 2020-2021

TELEHEALTH 101

It’s never been easier to expand your horizons by seeing the world without leaving home.

FITNESS BENEFITS There are non-physical activities you can perform on top of a physical lifestyle to promote brain health.

ADOPT A PET

Welcoming a pet into your home can be a joyous occasion when done correctly.

INCLUDE S A G OR G E-WIDE SENIOR F O CUSED MEDIC AL DIRE C TOR Y

Redefining healthcare Mid-ColuMbia MediCal Center The community’s center of health for more than 100 years, offering a wide array of healthcare services that blend state-of-the-art technologies with compassionate and customized care.

the dalleS Main Hospital Primary Care & Specialty Clinics Celilo Cancer Center Immediate Care Center Medical Fitness Center

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IN THe CoLuMbIa RIveR GoRGe being your healthcare partner means being there for you when you are in need of care. It also means helping you stay healthy and fit. our hospital, specialty clinics, physicians and employees make up a one-of-a-kind healthcare system that is unique to the Gorge. With a philosophy built around person-centered care, you can look with confidence to MCMC as we redefine what it means to be a healthcare provider in the 21st century.

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WHAT’S INSIDE Rehabilitation Services................. 4 Learn A New Thing Online........................................ 6 New Dementia Therapy............... 8 Reach out to Nursing Homes............................... 12 Vision Changes In Seniors............................................ 14 Multi-Generational Housing................................................ 16

COVER STORIES

2

Use Telehealth Wisely

10

Fitness Benefits

22

Adopt A Pet

Medical Directory........................... 18 Try A Virtual Tour............................24 Creative Challenge........................27

publisher upcoming issue advertising

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THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

Platinum Marketing & Design Fall/Winter 2020 Tonya Flory, Ashley Almas, and Rachel Smith www.platinummarketing.org

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Use Telehealth Wisely The pandemic has brought telemedicine into the mainstream. While previously online doctor visits were an emerging concept, the pandemic accelerated their adoption by the public.

Challenges in mobility and transportation can be barriers to seniors being able to attend in-person doctor visits, as well as challenges for their caregivers. Managing chronic health conditions can be made more manageable with telehealth visits.

When seniors find their doctors to be more accessible, they are more likely to keep recommended intervals for doctor visits. In addition, with wearable technology that can track health information, doctors can access data to help them better treat patients from afar.

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CHALLENGES

Some seniors who are not digital natives might need some technological training in order to use telehealth services.

In addition, AARP reports that some government insurance programs have been slow to sign off on coverage for telehealth visits and may have restrictions that prevent some people from accessing care.

TIPS

It’s important to know that not all visits can be conducted virtually. Check with your doctor’s office about whether your specific concern or condition is a good fit for a telehealth visit. As usual, if you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, symptoms of a stroke or any other life-threatening situation, call 911 or visit an THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

emergency room.

U.S. News and World Report offers the following tips for a successful telehealth visit.

You’ll need a telephone line, a high-speed internet connection, a smartphone, tablet or computer for access to video streaming, and you will likely need an app your doctor’s office will provide.

Be sure you have filled out any paperwork your doctor’s office requires before the visit.

Check with your insurance company to be sure the visit will be covered.

Prepare as you would for any other doctor’s visit, including making notes of symptoms and questions you’d like to ask, as well as a list of current medications.

Find a quiet, private, distraction-free location in your home to have your visit.

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Rehabilitation Services:

The Key to Independence

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THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

People who have suffered a life-altering illness or injury often have a lengthy recovery process ahead of them. Stroke, car accidents, head trauma and other debilitating events usually affect many systems within the body.

These complex conditions require specialized care in order to heal and help return patients to a life of normalcy. That is where MidColumbia Medical Center’s rehabilitation program comes in.

“Patients who are recovering from severe conditions may be stable enough to leave the acute care setting, but they are not yet ready to go home,” says Lindsay Lederer, rehabilitation program manager at MCMC. “At MCMC, we have an entire team of doctors, therapists, nurses and certified nursing assistants providing specialized care to help patients learn how to walk, talk and take care of themselves once again. The goal is to prepare them for a successful return to their community.”

issues, while another one may be working on hand dexterity for feeding, while another is assisting in strength for sitting up at meals.

Because we provide 24/7 nursing care and physician oversight, our patients are less likely to be readmitted than some other rehab facilities.”

Outcomes like these are part of the reason MCMC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, the highest designation possible for a rehab Center of Excellence. In fact, 93% of patients who leave MCMC Inpatient Rehabilitation go back to their own homes—not to a skilled nursing facility.

“We have an entire team of doctors, therapists, nurses and certified nursing assistants providing specialized care to help patients learn how to walk, talk and take care of themselves once again.”

The Inpatient Rehabilitation team consists of physical, speech and occupational therapists, nurses, certified nurse assistants, dietitians and a physician specializing in rehabilitation services who oversees the care provided.

Patients in the six-bed unit spend three hours a day in therapy, five days a week. The intensive interdisciplinary approach is critical for helping patients learn how to care for themselves in new ways.

“It’s not unusual for three different specialists to be addressing one patient’s deficits at the same time,“ says Lederer. “One therapist may be helping a patient with swallowing THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

Of course, the healing process continues at home for many patients, and that is why MCMC offers Visiting Health Services. The program includes nurses, certified nurse assistants, social workers and physical, speech or occupational therapists who come to the home to help patients continue their recovery in their own environment. Therapists assess each person’s ability to perform activities of daily living and can help optimize how to work around any current disabilities. The number one goal for all patients is to keep them safe in their home and prevent the need for a hospitalization. The re-hospitalization rate for MCMC’s home health patients is 4% below the national average.

Once patients have successfully transitioned home, they also may receive outpatient therapy. At MCMC, over 25 licensed therapists offer a broad variety of specialized therapies, and many are board certified in their specialty.

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Learn A New Thing Online While online classes have become a common place, you might not think about learning hands-on skills online. Everything from plumbing to playing the guitar can now be learned online, thanks to technology.

on-one lessons for an added fee. You can also check YouTube for videos to get you started, but at a certain point, you’ll want to progress to more advanced materials offered by sites that specialize in online music learning.

If you know where to look, you can learn anything online. Here are some ideas to get you started on picking up a new skill virtually.

The app Synthesia is something akin to Guitar Hero for learning to play piano.

You’ll need a keyboard and an adapter to connect the keyboard to your computer.

The app then analyzes your playing to help you master accuracy, timing and more. It’s a great way for visual learners to get started with learning piano.

Music

Websites such as GuitarTricks.com and JamPlay.com offer lessons on everything from music theory to master courses by famous artists. The former even offers one6

THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

Home Improvement

If you’ve always wanted to get comfortable completing home improvement projects, the web offers endless resources for doing jobs big and small — from fixing a leaky faucet to building a new deck. Some places to start watching videos include BobVila. com and FamilyHandyman.com. They break projects down into small steps and provide advice and tips on tools and equipment, as well as technique.

illustration, photography, writing, music, sewing and more. Classes are usually less than two hours long and are typically taught by professionals with training in their field. You could even consider signing up to teach yourself, in order to share your skills with others. Udemy.com is a similar platform with course offerings that include health and nutrition, pet training, gaming, beauty, cooking and many more.

For some inspiration, you can check out Imgur.com’s online DIY channel at imgur. com/r/DIY, where hobbyists post step-bystep photos of their home projects.

Arts and Crafts

SkillShare.com is an online portal where you can sign up for a membership that allows you to learn a wide variety of arts and crafts skills, including graphic design,

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New Dementia Therapy While medical science has not been able to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and related dementia, a new therapy shows promise in treating the symptoms of dementia by practically transporting people back in time.

By 2060, the number of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementia will double from its 2014 levels to 13.9 million people, or 3.3% of the projected population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. As researchers are frustrated by a lack of progress in finding a cure, a treatment called immersive reminiscence therapy offers hope to patients and caregivers alike.

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The Power of Memories

The therapy involves recreating the sights, sounds and experiences from seniors’ teenage or young adult years. This can be as simple as singing familiar songs or watching old movies, or as elaborate as recreating entire rooms or locales using elaborate sets. Even telling old stories can bring back good memories.

Immersive reminiscence therapy can improve cognition, mood and general behavioral function, and help alleviate caregiver strain, according to a 2018 study published by the National Library of Medicine. A study by Aarhus University in THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

Denmark found that the therapy improved “autobiographical memory,” or memory about one’s personal history.

The first immersive reminiscence therapy facility was constructed at a long-term care facility for dementia patients in the Dutch village of Weesp, in 2009. The scene is set as a gated town called Hogewey, with 27 group homes designed with the aesthetic of past decades. The “town” is complete with a supermarket, barber shop, restaurant, courtyard, theater, pub and more.

Caregivers wear street clothing to add to the immersive experience, and residents go about their lives much as they did before they had dementia, doing tasks such as shopping for groceries, cooking dinner and going to the hair salon.

In the U.S., a Chula Vista, California, senior daycare center transformed a warehouse

into a 1950s Main Street, complete with a diner, barber shop, movie theater and a classic Ford Thunderbird. It’s known as Town Square. The Vogue Theater in San Francisco put on an event called Movie Moments at the Vogue, intended to help dementia patients recall familiar actors and scenes, spark conversation and inform caregivers.

Technology

Health care companies are leveraging technology to implement immersive reminiscence therapy. Virtue Health’s LookBack is a research-based virtual therapy tool created in consultation with Oxford University that allows users to visit familiar places virtually. Caregivers can upload custom tours of places a dementia patient remember fondly.

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Fitness Benefits You are probably familiar with many of the health benefits you can gain from physical activity. Exercise assists in heart health, healthy bones and weight maintenance.

You may be surprised to learn how exercise can protect seniors from dangerous diseases and decline in brain function.

Aging may provide an excuse for a lack of physical activity, as you may blame your lack of exercise on sore muscles or weak bones. But your senior years are when you should be focused on improving your physical health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that seniors have more to gain than younger people.

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BRAIN FUNCTION

It is a common rule that any exercise that benefits your heart is also promoting brain health. Increasing your heart rate allows oxygen to be pumped to your brain and creates hormones to aid in the growth of brain cells. An active exercise regimen has been shown to aid in the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

There are non-physical activities you can perform on top of a physical lifestyle to promote brain health. Some of these include a healthy diet, learning a foreign language or learning a musical instrument.

Learning something new is a great way to keep an aging mind active.

THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

FIGHT DISEASES

The National Institutes of Health state that staying active can prevent or slow down many diseases. Here are a few ways exercise helps hinder symptoms of several common diseases among seniors: • Diabetes. Exercise assists in insulin more effectively managing your blood sugar. It also will control your weight, which is a huge factor in your fight against diabetes.

CONTROL STRESS

You may notice higher stress levels as you age. Physical activity can be a key component in managing stress by improving your ability to get a good night’s sleep and releasing stress-fighting endorphins. It has been shown that physical exercise will decrease tension and stabilize moods, and aerobic exercise can have anti-anxiety effects.

• Asthma. Exercise has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma.

• Arthritis. Exercise will help manage pain associated with this disease. It also will maintain muscle strength in certain joints.

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THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

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Reach Out To Nursing Homes Nursing homes and other senior living facilities have been hard hit by COVID-19 and have responded with measures meant to keep residents safe. An unintended consequence has been some seniors feeing isolated. There are ways to help, however.

MASKS

In the early days of the pandemic, when supplies took a hit and became scarce, an army of helpers put their sewing machines to work to help fill the gaps. Contact local nursing homes to see how their supply of cloth masks is holding up. Consider donating masks, either homemade or store bought, or ask if you can make a financial donation to cover costs of masks and other personal protective equipment.

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STAY IN TOUCH

Due to restrictions placed on nursing home visitation, some residents haven’t been able to see visitors for months. Many communal spaces and dining areas are closed, limiting the interactions residents can have. Stay in touch with family by sending snail mail. They will appreciate the thought you put into the gesture.

AARP recommends sending gifts that remind seniors of family, such as a custom-made jigsaw puzzle of a family photo.

Ask about “adopting” a senior citizen in need of companionship. Visit within guidelines established by the facility. Get to know their tastes and interest and send small gifts or pass along interesting reading materials you THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

think they might enjoy. If they have access to a smartphone or tablet and an internet connection, plan a virtual meal where you can each enjoy a meal while chatting via video.

If you are part of a house of worship, consider asking youth in the congregation to make encouraging videos to send to nursing home residents, or organize a care package delivery.

HELP BOOST EMPLOYEE MORALE

Employees at nursing homes and other senior care facilities have had additional demands placed on them, aside from their regular responsibilities, during the pandemic. Look for ways to help show them you appreciate their efforts. This might include sending gift cards for local restaurants or coffee shops.

You also could arrange to send donuts and coffee at breakfast time for employees to enjoy. They will appreciate being recognized for their hard work.

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Vision Changes in Seniors It is normal to develop some difficulty with vision as we age. Some eye symptoms, however, are more concerning than others, as they may signal a serious disease or disorder.

Knowing the difference between the two can help you get treatment early. Here are some normal age-related symptoms, and some that should be reported to a doctor for further investigation.

Normal Age-Related Changes

Difficulty with up-close vision: Many people notice this change after age 40. Presbyopia, the gradual loss of the ability of the eye to focus on close-up objects due to loss of flexibility and increased rigidity of the eye’s 14

lens, is a normal age-related condition. The American Academy of Opthalmology reports that the term presbyopia comes from a Greek word meaning “old eye.” This condition can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery, and can cause headaches and eye strain if left untreated.

Dry eyes or tearing: These conditions can be normal as you age. If they persist or are severe, however, talk to your eye doctor, as they can be symptoms of disease.

Gradual loss of contrast: Rod cells, which help with contrast vision, degrade as we age, so you may notice more difficulty driving at night.

THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

Concerning Symptoms

• A sudden change in vision, straight lines appearing distorted, dark, blurry areas, whiteout in the center of vision, or a change in color perception: These can be symptoms of age-related macular degeneration, which affects more than 2 million people in the U.S. Regular vision exams can help catch this disease early.

• Floaters accompanied by flashes of light, wavy vision or dark shadows in the field of vision: While some floaters are normal, those that are accompanied by flashes of light, or any of the other symptoms listed above, could be a symptom of retinal detachment. See your eye doctor immediately. Surgery or laser treatment can address this serious condition.

• Fading side or peripheral vision: While glaucoma often has no symptoms in the early stages, as the disease progresses, it can affect your peripheral vision. Regular eye exams are important in diagnosing glaucoma.

This disease can be controlled by medication but may require surgery.

• Cloudy or fuzzy vision, double vision in one eye, halos around lights, or light sensitivity: Cataracts, which cause clouding of the eye’s lens, can cause these symptoms. People who smoke or have a family history of cataracts are at a higher risk.

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Multi-Generational Housing For many reasons, families are increasingly finding that living arrangements that include multiple generations under one roof are beneficial.

The seismic shift in housing actually represents a return to the way humans have lived for thousands of years and will lead to big changes to the buildings we call home.

THE TREND

A Real Estate consulting survey showed that 41% of Americans shopping for a new home said they planned to have an elderly parent or adult child living with them. A Pew Research study shows that about 20% of Americans lived in a home with two or more generations in the 1950s. That dropped to just 12% in 16

1980, before climbing again to 20% in 2016, representing 64 million Americans.

The trend is driven by growing racial and ethnic diversity, longer life expectancies and feelings of social isolation among families.

In recent years, young adults have become the group most likely to live in a multigenerational household, overtaking those 85 and older, a group which had long dominated the trend.

BENEFITS

There are many benefits to families living under one roof. Aside from sharing a mortgage or rent, they might save money on child care and gas, while getting more THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

family time. Chores and household tasks can be shared, and seniors can enjoy more companionship.

REAL ESTATE CHANGES

A trend in the new home building industry is the offering of multi-generational floor plans. These plans are more than just a typical single-family home with a mother-in-law suite.

They might include multiple kitchens and living spaces, as well as separate entrances and garages.

Start Your Journey Home

The remodeling industry also is seeing an uptick in garage conversions, as well as major remodels to make homes more suitable for multi-generational living.

If your family is considering a multigenerational arrangement, get in touch with a local Realtor, builder, or remodeling contractor to check into your options.

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THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

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THE MILESTONE SENIOR DIRECTORY ▌ADULT FOSTER CARE HOMES A Home Sweet Home Hood River, OR • 541-387-5335 Anita Allen Foster Care The Dalles, OR • 541-352-3504 Carolyn’s Adult Care The Dalles, OR • 541-298-2554 Cascade Senior Care The Dalles, OR • 541-993-2910

Providence Brookside Manor Memory Care Hood River, OR • 541-387-6370

▌ASSISTED LIVING, NURSING & ▌RETIREMENT HOMES Ashley Manor Hood River, OR • 541-387-4514 Bobbi’s Way In-Home Health Care Hood River, OR • 541-436-4515

Cherry Street Manor II Canyon Rim Manor White Salmon, WA • 509-493-1084 Maupin, OR • 541-395-2515 Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living The Dalles, OR • 541-370-2810 Margie’s Lyle Adult Family Home Lyle, WA • 509-365-5500 New Hope Farms Goldendale, WA • 509-773-3939

▌ALZHEIMER’S & MEMORY CARE Ashley Manor Hood River, OR • 541-387-4514 Flagstone Senior Living The Dalles, OR • 541-298-5656 18

Cascade Senior Care The Dalles, OR • 541-993-2910 Cherry Heights Retirement The Dalles, OR • 541-296-6880 Columbia Basin Care The Dalles, OR • 541-296-2156 Flagstone Senior Living The Dalles, OR • 541-298-5656 Hawks Ridge Assisted Living Hood River, OR • 541-387-4087 Hearts of Gold Caregivers Hood River, OR • 541-387-0207

Helping Hands Home Care The Dalles, OR • 541-436-4430 Hood River Care Center Hood River, OR • 541-386-2688 New Hope Farms Goldendale, WA • 509-773-3939 Oregon Veterans’ Home The Dalles, OR • 541-296-7190 Parkhurst Place Assisted Living Hood River, OR • 541-387-4600 Providence Brookside Manor Hood River, OR • 541-387-6370 Providence Dethman Manor Hood River, OR • 541-387-8278 Providence Down Manor Hood River, OR • 541-387-8290 Summit Springs Village Condon, OR • 541-384-2101 Rock Cove Assisted Living Stevenson, WA • 509-427-7272 The Dalles Health & Rehab The Dalles, OR • 541-298-5158 The Springs at Mill Creek The Dalles, OR • 541-296-1303

THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

▌DENTURISTS The Denture Specialist Hood River, OR • 541-386-2012 The Dalles, OR • 541-296-3310

▌ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION ▌ASSISTANCE & ADVOCACY Adult Protective Services 800-452-2333

Spencer Libby & Powell Funeral Home The Dalles, OR • 541-296-3234

One Community Health Hood River, OR • 541-386-6380 The Dalles, OR • 541-296-4610

▌HEARING AIDS TESTS & ▌COUNSELORS

White Salmon Family Practice White Salmon, WA • 509-493-1470

Cascade Hearing Aid Center Hood River, OR • 541-386-1666 The Dalles, OR • 541-296-3300

MCMC Internal Medicine The Dalles, OR • 541-506-6920

▌HOME HEALTH SERVICES

Columbia Gorge Hearing Care Hood River, OR • 541-298-8676 Bobbi’s Way In-Home Health Care Helping Hands Against Violence Hood River, OR • 541-436-4515 The Dalles, OR • 541-298-8676 Hood River, OR • 541-386-6603 Haven from Domestic & Sexual Violence The Dalles, OR • 541-298-4789 Skamania County APS 877-734-6277 (TTY) 1-800-977-5456 Klickitat County APS 800-459-0421 (TTY) 509-568-3086

▌FUNERAL HOMES Anderson’s Tribute Center: Celilo Chapel Hood River, OR • 541-386-1000 The Dalles, OR • 541-296-2600

Hear’s The Answer Hearing Center The Dalles, OR • 541-298-5558 Hearing Aid Counselors Hood River, OR • 541-387-3277 My Hearing Centers Hood River, OR • 541-716-4086

▌HEALTH CLINICS Columbia Gorge Family Medicine Hood River, OR • 541-386-5070 KVH Family Medicine Goldendale, WA • 509-773-4017

Mid-Columbia Family Health Columbia Hills Memorial Center Chapel Stevenson, WA • 509-427-4212 Goldendale, WA • 509-773-4646 NorthShore Medical Group Gardner Funeral Home Inc White Salmon, WA • 509-493-2133 White Salmon, WA • 509-493-1323 THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

Hearts of Gold Caregivers Hood River, OR • 541-387-0207 Helping Hands Home Care The Dalles, OR • 541-436-4430 MCMC Visiting Health Services The Dalles, OR • 541-296-7280 Providence Home Health Hood River, OR • 541-387-6339

▌HOSPICE CARE Heart of Hospice Hood River, OR • 541-386-1942 Klickitat Valley Health Hospice Goldendale, WA • 509-773-0380 Providence Hospice of The Gorge Hood River, OR • 541-387-6449 The Dalles, OR • 541-296-3228

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▌HOSPITALS Klickitat Valley Health Goldendale, WA • 509-773-4022 Mid-Columbia Medical Center The Dalles, OR • 541-296-1111 Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital Hood River, OR • 541-386-3911

▌MENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORT ▌GROUPS

Mid-Columbia Center for Living The Eyeglass Store Hood River, OR • 541-386-2620 Hood River, OR • 541-386-3937 The Dalles, OR • 541-296-5452 White Salmon Eye Care Brookside Manor Alzheimer’s White Salmon, WA • 509-493-2020 Dementia Support Group Hood River, OR • 541-387-6370

Flagstone Alzheimer’s & Skyline Hospital Dementia Support Group White Salmon, WA • 509-493-1101 The Dalles, OR • 541-298-5656

▌MEALS & FOOD ASSISTANCE ▌PROGRAMS FISH Food Bank Hood River, OR • 541-386-3474 Goldendale Food Bank Goldendale, WA • 509-773-5220 Meals on Wheels Hood River, OR • 541-386-2060 The Dalles, OR • 541-298-8333 Stevenson Food Bank Stevenson, WA • 509-427-4334 St. Vincent DePaul Meals The Dalles, OR • 541-296-9566 WGAP Food Bank Bingen, WA • 509-493-2662 800-755-1192

Grief Share Hood River, OR • 541-386-1049 Parkinson’s Support Group Hood River, OR • 541-340-0142 Cancer Support Groups The Dalles, OR • 541-296-7585 Cancer CARE Support Group Hood River, OR • 541-387-6445

▌OPTOMETRISTS Cascade Eye Center Hood River, OR • 541-386-2402 The Dalles, OR • 541-296-1101 Hood River Vision Clinic Hood River, OR • 541-386-2747 Indian Creek Family Eye Care Hood River, OR • 541-386-1700 Mid-Columbia Vision The Dalles, OR • 541-296-2911

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Preferred Optical The Dalles, OR • 541-296-5878

▌SENIOR SERVICES & ASSISTANCE Addus Healthcare Vancouver, WA (serving Klickitat County) 360-699-1222 ADRC Aging and Disability Resource Connection 855-673-2372 Chesterfield Services, Inc. Stevenson, WA • 509-427-0068 877-509-6847 Department of Human Services Hood River, OR • 541-386-3199 The Dalles, OR • 541-298-4114 Eldercare Locator 800-677-1116 Gorge Action Program Main Office Bingen, WA • 509-493-2662 (800) 755-1192 Gorge Action Program Goldendale, WA • 509-773-6834 800- 755-1192 Ext 300

THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

Gorge Action Program Skamania County Stevenson, WA • 509-427-8229 800-755-1192 Ext 311

Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance 541-645-5351 541-298-4101

Hood River Valley Adult Community Center Hood River, OR • 541-386-2060

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services 877-501-2233

Klickitat County Senior Services Washington State Home & White Salmon, WA • 509-493-3068 Community Services Goldendale, WA • 509-773-3757 Referral Line 1-866-323-9409 Mid-Columbia Council of Governments Area Agency SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL & on Aging RECREATIONAL The Dalles, OR • 541-298-4101

▌ ▌

Mid-Columbia Community Action Hood River, OR • 541-386-4027 The Dalles, OR • 541-298-5131 Mid-Columbia Senior Center The Dalles, OR • 541-296-4788 Oregon Senior Peer Outreach Program Columbia River Gorge 833-736-4676 Programs for Peaceful Living Goldendale, WA • 509-773-6100 800-755-1192 Ext 320 Bingen, WA • 509-493-1533 800-755-1192 Ext 334 Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid 1-800-772-1213

Hood River Valley Adult Center Hood River, OR • 541-386-2060

Link Bus The Dalles, OR • 541-296-7595 Mt. Adams Transportation Service White Salmon, WA • 509-493-4662 Goldendale, WA • 509-773-3060

▌VETERANS’ SERVICES Veterans’ Services Hood River County • 541-386-1080 Wasco County • 541-506-2502 Oregon Veterans’ Home The Dalles, OR • 541-296-7190 American Legion Hood River, OR • 541-308-0000 The Dalles, OR • 541-296-9633

Mid-Columbia Senior Center The Dalles, OR • 541-296-4788

For additional resources visit your counties senior services online at

Community Education Hood River, OR • 541-386-2055

Hood River County www.hoodrivercounty.org

Hood River Aquatic Center Hood River, OR • 541-386-1303

Klickitat County www.klickitatcounty.org

Wasco County Aquatic Center The Dalles, OR • 541-296-9533

Sherman County www.co.sherman.or.us

▌TRANSPORTATION & SERVICES

Skamania County www.skamaniacounty.org

CAT Bus Hood River, OR • 541-386-4202

Wasco County www.wascocounty.org

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Adopt A Pet As seniors become lonely or bored after retirement or their children move away, pets can help overcome their unhappiness.

Animal companions are shown to provide affection, company and a sense of responsibility that keeps our minds active.

Welcoming a pet into your home can be a joyous occasion when done correctly.

Before rushing to a local shelter to bring home your new furry friend, it’s essential to consider several factors to avoid developing regret.

Choosing an Animal

Cats and dogs are common household pets 22

throughout America but can result in two completely different experiences. When deciding which animal is right to welcome into your family, consider how the two vary when they’re young.

Puppies are generally full of energy and require constant attention to ensure they are comfortable, housebroken and respecting their surroundings. If you face limited mobility, chasing a small dog around your home may lead you to second guess your decision.

On the contrary, kittens tend to require less maintenance regarding grooming and THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

potty training. They are also content with staying indoors, so pet owners avoid making multiple trips outside each day.

Finding a Senior Pet

While raising a puppy or kitten can be a rewarding experience, it can be difficult to find the energy to train them properly. For many seniors, adopting an older pet who has already been disciplined can be a more comfortable experience.

Reach out to your local shelter to find wellbehaved companions that are in search of a new forever home.

Consider the Expenses

Pets can’t survive on your love alone. Before committing to adopting an animal, consider if your finances are in line with the increased costs you will experience.

When adopting a puppy, kitten or senior pet, they will likely rely on a specific food to ensure their optimal health. It’s important to visit a veterinarian’s office to discover any medical issues that may become aggravated when eating the wrong diet.

You will also want to plan for vaccines and wellness exams for your new companion.

Depending on their age, breed and current health condition, visits to the vet can be constant. Make sure you have room in your budget to protect your pet during regular checkups and medical emergencies.

Do you have a story idea? Would you like to have copies directly mailed to you? Contact us!

541-705-7217 THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

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Try Virtual Tourism With quarantine and social distancing requirements during the pandemic, it’s been more difficult to take a vacation. Luckily, technology is primed to take you around the world virtually.

It’s never been easier to expand your horizons by seeing the world without leaving home. Here are some ways to dabble in virtual tourism.

GOOGLE EARTH

Google Earth is a website and app that you can access from a PC, tablet or smartphone. Using

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satellite and local 360-degree photography, you can “fly” to destinations worldwide. Immersive images of historical and cultural sites even include extra content to help you discover the history and context of the area. If you’re nervous about tackling this technology, look for online courses that teach users the basics of Google Earth and facilitate virtual “trips” for beginners.

OTHER VIRTUAL OPTIONS

There are various other online options for virtual tourism, but you’ll need to do some legwork THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

to find the resources you need. Think of it as vacation planning.

Thrillist offers a list of VR and 360-degree photography resources at www.bit.ly/2DplyTZ. They include a tour of Japanese bamboo forests and sushi restaurants, a trip to Northern Ireland’s coasts, the Great Wall of China, the Northern Lights, dozens of World Heritage Sites, national parks and more.

SKIP THE LINES

One benefit of visiting destinations virtually is the ability to skip the lines, and in some cases,

THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

the hike required to access the attraction. Take it easy with a virtual visit to destinations such as Disney World, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pyramids of Giza, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum and more.

The Guardian offers a list of links to popular attractions you can visit virtually. Some include interactive educa-tional components so you can learn something new on your virtual travels.

Others include 360-degree aerial images, providing you a view you’d be hard-pressed to have access to when visiting in person.

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HEART of

HOSPICE

Is Hospice Right for Me? Hospice returns quality of life to people with life limiting illnesses through aggressive management of symptoms throughout the last months of life, focusing on the physical, spiritual, psychosocial, and personal care needs of patients. Hospice is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans and provides medications, medical equipment, and personal care supplies.

Heart of Hospice has a 15-year reputation for excellence in hospice throughout the Columbia Gorge. We are committed to providing the best hospice care to those who deserve it, regardless of the ability to pay.

If you are having: − Frequent trips to the ER or hospital stays − Recurring infections − Significant weight loss, or a decline in health over the past six months − Pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting − Increased sleeping, withdrawal, or mental confusion − A need for support with eating, walking, personal hygiene, or dressing, or you’ve made a decision to focus on quality of life, instead of aggressive treatments; ...then it may be time to learn about hospice.

If you’d like to know more, please contact Jen Keane, Communications Director, at (971) 221-4868

HEART of HOSPICE 407 Portway Avenue, Suite 201 Hood River, OR 97031

1042 NW Norman Avenue, Suite 212 Gresham, OR 97030

(541) 386-1942 main (541) 386-1728 fax

(503) 925-3029 main (541) 386-1728 fax

www.inspiringhospice.com

Creative challenge GAME ONE

GAME TWO

GAME THREE

GAME FOUR

Answer Key on page 32 THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

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Creative challenge answer

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GAME ONE

GAME TWO

GAME THREE

GAME FOUR

THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

START YOUR JOURNEY HOME

CLIENT FOCUSED - RESULTS DRIVEN

TONYA FLORY REALTOR LICENSED IN OR & WA

541-705-7217 www.homesinthegorge.com tonya@tonyaflory.com

CHERI BELANDER REAL ESTATE

THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021

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When the unexpected happens, the compassionate staff at Skyline Health’s Emergency When the unexpected happens, Department are here to deliver the compassionate staff at the very best service Skyline Health’s Emergency and care to you family.

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509.493.1101 MYSKYLINEHEALTH.ORG 509.493.1101

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My Skyline Health My Skyline Health

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@skyline_health @MySkylineHealth THE MILESTONE | FALL/WINTER 2020-2021 @skyline_health @MySkylineHealth