Time of Your Life North Kitsap - Fall 2013 Time of Your Life

the FALL

Time of your

2013

LIFE

YOUR GUIDE TO MATURE LIVING, HEALTH, FINANCES AND LIFESTYLE FITNESS VOLUNTEERING HOME CARE HEALTH CARE DENTAL CARE LOCAL SERVICES FAMILY ISSUES AGING IN PLACE RETIREMENT This publication is sponsored by:

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Fall Time of Your Life

CARE

ABOUT ME.

KEEP ME

SAFE .

HELP ME HE AL .

We Have Thousands of Reasons to Join Together And we care about each and every one

Harrison Medical Center is now affiliated with Franciscan Health System to make healthcare better for you. Our shared missions bring us together. Making a positive difference. Providing exceptional healthcare. Creating healthier communities. You, our patients, are at the center of every decision we make. With Franciscan Health System, we will collaborate on best practices and share expertise to improve the quality of care. We’re planning to bring you new services, more specialists, and state-of-the-art medical technologies. And we will share systems, to make healthcare more efficient and reduce costs. Together we are making healthcare better for you and your family for generations to come.

Making Healthcare Better Together.

Bremerton Silverdale Port Orchard Belfair harrisonmedical.org Referral & Information 866-844-WELL

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Fall Time of Your Life

• 2013

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You have the experience; make a difference forests, shorelines, streams and user groups that inhabit them — rely on volunteers to help maintain and improve amenities. Volunteers are welcome to drop in for one-day work parties or enroll in classes to get educated and then serve as educators, naturalists and monitors of the environment.

Visit the Parks and Recreation website at www.kitsapgov.com/ parks to learn about stewardship groups at work in our county parks. For more information about the popular Master Gardeners, Beach Watchers, Stream Stewards, Beach Naturalists and 4-H leadership programs, go to the county’s Western State University Extension Office site at http:// county.wsu.edu/kitsap/Pages/default.aspx. n Emergency responders: The Kitsap Department of Emergency Management is supported by more than 500 volunteers who can be mobilized in the event of disaster.

Serving as ham radio operators, in a searchand-rescue capacity, as public information officers, emergency preparedness educators, severe weather shelter volunteers or critical incident responders, citizens play a

By rebecca pirtle Kitsap County Volunteer Services

T

he adage that retirees are busier than when they worked rings true, especially in Kitsap County.

Just look around in local food banks and museums, our parks, and library book sales — you’ll see seniors busy with the tasks at hand, with a welcoming smile on their face and a sense of purpose in their stride.

When the labors of a career and child raising have come to a close, volunteering brings fulfillment and helps define purpose.

According to the 2010 Census, 14.5 percent of Kitsap’s population is 65 or older, compared to 13.2 percent statewide. The saying “Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer,” resonates especially for retirees looking to continue to have purposeful experiences as a part of their lives, adding quality while at the same time contributing to their communities. Volunteering can also provide social relationships and physical and mental activity to help keep seniors energized and engaged while contributing to benefits and services offered in the county.

Kitsap County Volunteer Services coordinates with county departments to provide opportunities for thousands of people each year who generously invest their time, enerAbove, a volunteer with the Kitsap County gy, skills and talent to improve and extend Department of Emergency Management’s county services and make Kitsap County a Underwater Search & Rescue helps with better place to live for all its citizens. pond clean-up. Right, volunteers transHere is a brief listing to kindle interest. formed an old garage into a picnic shelter Many more can be found on the Kitsap and tool shed on county land, known as the County website at www.kitsapgov.com/volMarkwick property, on the Clear Creek Trail unteer. For help in finding a good fit for your in Silverdale. lifestyle, contact Volunteer Services directly at 360-337-4650, rpirtle@co.kitsap.wa.us.

Kitsap County Volunteer Services Department n Citizens on Patrol and Community Resource Volunteers: Working with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, volunteers Volunteers serve as advocates for residents are offered training that of nursing homes, assistedreadies them to educate and living facilities and adult faminteract with the public, and Kitsap County ily homes to ensure a high serve as the eyes and ears of quality of care and respect. volunteer law enforcement. They assist Ombudsmen regularly visit services with traffic control, handicap facilities, investigating and parking enforcement, vacation Contact Rebecca resolving concerns of resichecks and Neighborhood Pirtle dents by working with famiWatch programs. lies and facility staff.

360-337-4650 or n Juvenile Department: n State Health Insurance rpirtle@co.kitsap.

Volunteers speak up for abused wa.us.

Benefits Advisors: and neglected children within Volunteers are trained www.kitsapgov. the court system, serve on citithrough the Washington com/volunteer zen advisory boards, work as state Office of the Insurance mentors, assist probation offiCommissioner to educate, cers, help troubled youth find assist and advocate for conalternatives to court hearings and more. sumers about their rights and options with n Long-Term Care Ombudsmen:

See VOLUNTEER, Page 4

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health care benefits and insurance so they can make informed decisions and navigate new regulations. n Get outdoors! The thousands of acres of Kitsap County parkland — and the

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Fall Time of Your Life

Plan ahead so you can ‘age in place’

By AARON MURPHY Architect/CAPS

A

t the first Kitsap County Urban Land Institute Conference, as I ascended the two steps to the stage and podium, I crashed and fell.

I was the last of four expert speakers for the event, and I think this shook off any breakfast-food coma that may have been

Volunteer

Continued from page 3 vital role in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters.

For more information, go to www.kitsapdem. org/volunteer-opportunities.aspx. n Boards, Commissions and Councils: Citizens of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to participate in and promote effective, efficient service by participating on 30 advisory boards, commissions

settling in the audience. My handful of notes and pen flew skyward, fluttering to the ground in a scattered mess. I’ve done this act before, but this time I didn’t plan it quite right. I split my chin open on a chair in the vicinity, and I wasn’t aware of it until I saw the blood dripping onto my tie, shirt, and the laptop with my PowerPoint presentation cued up.

There were gasps in the doubly sold-

out audience of 220 (the goal was 100-120 attending), including mayors, jurisdictional permitting staff and planners, county commissioners, developers, builders, contractors, and real estate industry professionals.

I was able to brush it off, make a joke of it, and continue with my 10-minute speech.

I’d gotten their attention, and it was time to get into the presentation. It starts like this: “Were you scared? You don’t even know

and councils. From serving on a community advisory councils to supporting the arts, human rights, veterans, youth and the aging, members are essential to Kitsap County governance, ensuring it is not only for the people, but by the people.

Open seats are regularly posted on the Volunteer Services website, where more information each advisory group may be found. n Beyond County Departments: United Way of Kitsap County maintains a listing of volunteer opportunities available at other

non-profit organizations, and many more to meet a variety of interests are posted on the United Way of Kitsap County website, where non-profit organizations throughout the county list options for volunteers. Go to www.unitedwaykitsap.org/volunteer.html or call 360-377-8505 for more information.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, with an office located in Bremerton, offers those 55 years and older a variety of opportunities from gardening, tutoring and serving the homeless to welcoming new military

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me. What if that was your mother who fell today, while you were at work? Guess what: Right then, it’s too late to hire me. We can’t design, permit, and do construction at her house (or yours, if she lives there) to make Aaron Murphy the modifications she’ll need when she returns home from the hospital and the live-in rehab with her occupational therapist and/or physical therapist. Her physical needs will be See AGING in place, Page 5

families. Volunteers serve through non-profit private and public community organizations from the north to the south end of the county. For more information, contact Inga Jennings at 360-377-5511 or 800-378-5771.

Contact me — Kitsap County Volunteer Services Coordinator Rebecca Pirtle — at 360-337-4650 or rpirtle@co.kitsap.wa.us to find a volunteer position that’s right for you. More information on Kitsap County programs listed above and online applications are available at www.kitsapgov.com/ volunteer.

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Fall Time of Your Life

• 2013

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Aging in Place Continued from page 4

different if she (for example) broke her hip, or had a seizure or stroke, or hit her head and has an alteration to her mental faculties.

Please plan ahead!

Next question in the presentation: “Raise your hand if you are a parent.” (About 80 percent of those in the room raised their hand.) “OK, now raise your hand if you are a child.” (Rhetorical, of course, and almost everyone raised their hand.) Then, for humor’s sake, “Now, if you didn’t raise your hand just then, raise your hand to admit you’re not listening and you’re in the wrong room!”

My point? If you are a child (and you all are) this topic applies to everyone. We all have parents, or are a parent. Ten out of 10 people are aging every day. We are getting older, whether we want to talk about it or not. That’s why I’m here.

The truth is that 10,000 people started turning 65 every day in January 2011. The Baby Boomers are here, they are flipping the age/population triangle on its head for the first time in our existence, where there are more older people than younger people.

USE YOUR BENEFITS

This is our reality for the next 30 years or so. The next three decades will be driven by this age group. They have more money, spend more money, and will make more consumer decisions as an age group than we’ve ever dealt with in our history to date as a nation.

In 1950, only 0.5 percent of the population was older than 80. In 2040, that will increase by 10 times, to 5 percent, if forecasting is correct for age and longevity increases because of medical advances. What are you doing in your industry to adjust and prepare?

I became a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist, or CAPS, through the National Association of Home Builders, to become educated in the specific housing and design needs of this bulging population demographic. I am passionate about the topic, and I want to share the information and help as many people as I can with this upcoming challenge of the “Silver Tsunami,” as they’re calling it.

I watched my grandmother go from being a masters-level bridge player traveling the world, to a hospital bed in her living room with 24-hour care, someone who didn’t know my grandfather’s name or who he was.

Their house was broken, as almost all

Hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noise is an injury. We can guide you through the paperwork for the benefits you deserve.

are. In their split-level house, the laundry was downstairs and the bedrooms and bathrooms were upstairs. She couldn’t get to either as she deteriorated from osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Except for the 1950s-era ranch style house, there wasn’t any home that really considers accessibility in its design and layout. “Master on the main floor” wasn’t a concept phrase in our industry until about 2003.

Work in preparation, not in a panic.

— Aaron D. Murphy is an architect and Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist at ADM Architecture (www.adm-architecture.com).

For more information about how to prepare your home so you can “age in place,” contact him at 360-440-8475.

the

of timeyour life Publisher: Donna Etchey

Time of Your Life editor: Richard

So, we have 90-plus years’ worth of housing Walker Sound Publishing Kitsap publishers currently standing that is broken in its rela- Cover design: Mark Gillespie Bainbridge Island Review, tionship to the largest growth percentage of Sales representatives: Jefferson Kitsap Herald, Kingston ourNorth population over the next 30 years.

Blakeslee, Marleen Martinez, Rita ICommunity know what I’m doingDonna to planEtchey and prepare News: Nicholson, Frank Portello, Ed for it. What are you doing — personally, Bremerton Patriot, Central Waterman, Jennifer Zuver professionally, financially — to be aware, Kitsap Reporter, Port Orchard prepare, and plan ahead for what’s coming? Creative consultants: Mark Independent, Veterans Life:Once Sean Please, be pro-active.

Plan ahead.

Gillespie, Bryon Kempf, Annie McDonald they fall, you’re already too late to make LaValle, John Rodriguez, Kelsey timely preparations have them return Port OrchardtoIndependent: Thomas home — home, where 90 percent of those Lorraine May, associate publisher. polled want to stay and live.

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2321 2321 Schold Place NW 2321 Schold PlaceSchold NW Place NW 2321 Schold Place NW Silverdale, WA. 98383 Silverdale, WA. 98383Silverdale, Our staff dedicated staff is 98383 Silverdale, WA. 98383 Silverdale, WA. 98383 WA. Our dedicated is excited to be able

Our dedicated staff is excited able toto offer excitedto tobe be able offer Our dedicated staff is to able to offer to offer Our dedicated staff is excited toexcited be able tobeoffer the increased comfort afforded by the private the increased comfort afforded by the private the increased comfort afforded by the private the increased comfort afforded by the private rooms just completed at Northwoods Lodge thejust comfort afforded by the private rooms completed at Northwoods Lodge 360-698-3930 atincreased Northwoods Lodge 360-698-3930 rooms just completed

360-698-3930 just completed at Northwoods rooms justrooms completed at Northwoods Lodge Lodge 360-698-3930 360-698-3930 community with hospitals for post AA community partner partner with hospitals for post A community partner with hospitals forhospitals post Orthopaedic and After Stroke Rehabilitation Orthopaedic and After Stroke Rehabilitation A community partner with

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Fall Time of Your Life

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Northwoods Lodge celebrates 20 years providing superior rehabilitation services E

ncore Communities is a 13-acre comprehensive retirement living and health care community located on a rural yet convenient country setting in Silverdale. This community offers various levels of senior living: independent cottages at Country Meadows, assisted-living apartments at Clearbrook Inn, and a short-term rehabilitation center, Northwoods Lodge.

Northwoods Lodge is part of the continuum of care for patients requiring rehabilitation following a hospital stay for orthopaedic surgeries and all other serious illnesses, injuries and diseases.

Encore Communities is managed by an established team of healthcare professionals who have been providing quality services to seniors for more than two decades.

Upgrades are continually happening at the Silverdale Encore Communities campus, focusing on resident and patient needs and requests.

with greater comfort for the patient.

For more information about these inpatient or outpatient therapy services, call 360-337-7422 or visit Northwoods Lodge, 2321 Schold Place NW, Silverdale.

Clearbrook Inn

Northwoods Lodge

Northwoods Lodge recently underwent a major expansion, adding an estimated 10,000-square-foot addition that increased the availability of private suites from 7 to 35 and decreased the number of companion suites from 20 to 6.

Patients will also see an upgrade to the rehabilitation gym, with patient centered private therapy rooms and an additional 1,000 square feet of gym space. These improvements will only enhance the culture of delivering excellent customer service that Northwoods Lodge is known for, as well as provide an environment conducive to superior patient outcomes.

The goal of the rehabilitation team at Northwoods is to assist patients in resuming an active, optimal lifestyle. Northwoods Lodge has a spacious occupational therapy kitchen, complete with appliances. In this setting, therapists can better address the challenges an individual faces when his or her life has been compromised by illness or injury.

Often, strength, endurance and balance are key issues that must be conquered to overcome the obstacles of “just getting along” in one’s home. Here, the individual can practice those chores many of us take for granted: loading the dishwasher, meal preparation, moving clothing from the washer to the dryer, and using numerous

Above, Northwoods Lodge affords its patients extraordinary care, excellent services and exceptional ambience. Left, the Red Barn Cafe provides a unique and scenic dining option. contributed photos

encore communities 2321 Schold Place Silverdale n Northwoods 360-698-3930 n Clearbrook Inn 360-692-1228 n Country Meadows 360-692-4480 kitchen appliances.

The warm water therapy program, staffed by physical therapists, has proven beneficial to participants. After orthopedic surgeries, the water environment allows for a reduction in weight bearing and stress in joints. This helps speed the recovery process. The water also provides buoyancy to

challenge highwww.encore er level balance communities.com skills in a safe environment.

The warmth of the pool at 92 degrees aids in muscle relaxation, and is often used to address low back pain and other pain syndromes, to improve functional mobility

Clearbrook Inn offers its residents comfort and safety combined with a variety of events and entertainment, all within a warm and congenial atmosphere.

In addition to long-term care services, Clearbrook offers short-stay apartments.

These apartments give an individual the options to continue to recover, or stay on a trial basis, in a furnished apartment. Cable TV and telephone services, as well as personal laundry service, is included.

Clearbrook is staffed with licensed nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can provide a full range of health care services. Apartment doors may remain open via a magnetic system, per resident request. Transportation services to medical appointments are also included during a short stay.

Country Meadows

Country Meadows, Kitsap County’s only retirement cottages, has a lunch dining option at the Red Barn Café. Lunch is served daily, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is open to the public.

Spacious one- and two bedroom cottages have been home to many local seniors.

Several of the cottages have undergone transformative updates, including new natural cherry wood cabinets, granite countertops, custom fireplace surrounds, stainless steel appliances, and tile bathroom floors and units have a barrier-free ADAaccessible shower in the second bathroom.

Country Meadows also offers a home care program, At Home with Country Meadows. Home care assistants provide a host of non-medical tasks such as bathing, domestic chores, dressing, meal preparation, mobility assistance, overnight care, pet care and shopping. Encore has found that these services extend residents’ independence in their own cottages. An additional service offered: Free personal chauffeur service in the Country Meadows shuttle van.

For a private tour of the campus, call 360692-1228 or 360-692-4480.

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Fall Time of Your Life

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Fall Time of Your Life

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Page 9

Poulsbo denturist receives top award Bruce Anderson of Anderson Denture & Dental

Bruce Anderson is presented the Denturist of the Year Award by Tad Bursynski, RDH, LD, president of the National Denturist Association USA.

B

ruce Anderson of Anderson Denture & Dental in Poulsbo has been a dedicated advocate for patient’s rights and has sought legislation that would allow patients a cost-effective alternative when choosing a provider for their prosthetic dental needs.

He continues to work diligently with state legislators seeking to provide these services, especially to individuals in lower economic areas where access to dental care is critical.

Anderson has worked with a benevolent group that goes into the lowest socioeconomic areas of Appalachia; this group will help people repair plumbing, restore electricity, clean, paint, and do general much-needed maintenance to their homes.

Anderson said he was much disturbed when he met families in these areas and saw, first hand, their desperate need for dental care; the majority of the people living in these areas need dentures.

Anderson said political restraints prevented him from providing dentures for those in need. He believes this is an injustice to these citizens and is working with state legislators to eliminate barriers which prohibit denturists from serving all who could benefit from their services.

For his efforts to help others, the National Denturist Association USA presented Anderson with the 2013 Denturist of the Year Award.

Anderson has been a denturist for more than 40 years. While the staff at Anderson Denture & Dental specializes in giving people with missing or problem teeth a healthy, full smile, their emphasis is good dental health.

“Oral hygiene affects the whole body,” said Wanda Anderson, office manager and Bruce’s wife.

“The goal of our office is to help people have good oral hygiene and maintain their natural teeth. The fact that we provide dental and denture services reflects the quality of care we want to provide. If we didn’t have both, a patient would have to be referred to two or three different providers.”

She added, “We want our patients to retain

Contributed

Anderson Denture & Dental Center 19410 8th Ave. NE Suite 102 Poulsbo, WA 98370 360-779-1566 www.anderson denturedental.com

their natural teeth. But if they have one or two teeth missing, the space needs to be filled in order to keep the natural teeth from moving.”

Anderson Denture & Dental’s range of services is reflected in its patients — from children to age 101.

Anderson received his bachelor of science degree from Covenant College. He studied for his certification in denturitry at the University of Florida School of Dentistry, Idaho State University and the American Denturist Academy. He received his diploma in denturitry from George Brown College.

As the son of a denturist, a professional specializing in removable dental prosthetics, Anderson grew up in the industry. He worked in his father’s laboratory during his teenage years and summers between college semesters. “My dad was a master, and the skills he taught me have proved invaluable,” he said.

Anderson enjoys his work and its challenges. He especially enjoys chatting with his older patients and the invaluable history lessons listening to their year’s past experiences. “I should write a book,” he said. “Many of my older patients are little vignettes out of

history. My daily highlight is when patients share their experiences. They are my heroes.”

After 40 years as a denturist, Anderson is a master in his own right. He designs custom dentures, paying close attention to how a patient smiles and speaks, the shape of the face, etc., and uses a natural complimentary color to match the original shade.

Anderson said the dentures he makes are so realistic “we have patients whose spouse or family members have no idea they wear dentures.”

Dr. Monica Berninghaus is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned

a B.S. degree in pharmacy and her DDS degree. She served in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps for 21 years.

In the Navy, she completed a general practice residency at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, as well a two-year comprehensive residency program at The National Naval Dental Center in Bethesda, Md., and received a master’s degree in dental science at George Washington University.

During her 21 years as a Navy dental officer, she served as staff dentist, dental department head, clinic director, division officer, and general dentistry director. She served in Alaska, California, Maryland, Mississippi and Washington. Her shipboard assignments included the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). She joined Anderson Denture & Dental Center shortly after retiring from the Navy in 2010.

Wanda Anderson received her bachelor of science degree from Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colo., and a master’s degree from Illinois State University, in Bloomington, Ill. Earlier in her career, she worked as a school psychologist and as a marriage, family and children’s counselor.

The dental assistants are known for their calm, assuring manner that helps put patients at ease. And Wanda, the former counselor and psychologist, also helps put patients at ease before major dental treatment.

The team strives to make a “visit to the dentist” a comfortable, relaxed experience. The classy and comfortable furniture seems like what you’d find in a living room, not a waiting room. The homey decor was thoughtfully designed to enhance the atmosphere and to help patients feel comfortable.

“We know that getting major dental work is a big occurrence,” Wanda said. “We feel that concern and realize it’s a big step, psychologically and aesthetically.”

Your Guide to Kitsap! www.wendyc.com

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Page 10

Fall Time of Your Life

Get over the ‘eww!’ and get checked A colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the colon with a fiberoptic camera on a flexible tube. During the colonoscopy, y young niece exclaimed “TMI! the doctor can examine lesions, polyps and TMI!” (Too Much Information) ulcerations, and remove polyps as small when I told her what was on my as one millimeter or less. Once polyps are calendar for Monday. removed, they can be studied to An older nephew made a wisedetermine if they are precancerous. crack that will go unrepeated.

“Routine colonoscopy to look I said “the word” and my colfor early signs of cancer should leagues at work laughed and begin at age 50 for most people — wriggled in their seats. earlier if there is a family history But what I’m going to tell you of colorectal cancer, a personal about is not funny at all. It’s about a history of inflammatory bowel procedure that could save your life. disease, or other risk factors,” In fact, in some other era, without according to the National Institutes this procedure, I might be checkRichard Walker of Health. “The doctor can advise ing out in about five years. patients about how often to get a I’m talking about the, um ... er ... colonoscopy.” colonoscopy. There, I said it — colonoscopy.

When it comes to cancer, early detection The much-maligned, joked-about procedure is key. Now, consider that colon cancer is that makes many adults, adept at handling the second-leading cause of cancer deaths chainsaws and fixing cars, squirm at the in the U.S. Some 53,005 people died of colon thought. cancer in the United States in 2005, the Shelve the jokes and stop squirming. A most recent year for which the Centers for colonoscopy is easier than you think. In fact, Disease Control has statistics. it’s not a big deal at all.

By RICHARD WALKER

M

Here’s what Dr. Sheila Lally, DO, at the Pacific Surgery Center in Poulsbo had me do to get ready. Sunday, a light breakfast at 10 a.m., followed by fasting (Jell-O allowed), taking a laxative, drinking a lot of water (broth, coffee and no-pulp juice allowed), and taking a laxative again. My last drink of water was allowed eight hours before checkin.

The first 6-ounce bottle of laxative, called Suprep, went down OK. Mixed with 10 ounces of water, it tasted salty with a hint of lime.

The second bottle of Suprep, later in the day, was the toughest part of the preparation for me. I had to chase each gulp with Sprite.

I was in the Pacific Surgery Center at 6 a.m. the next day. A nurse prepped me, made sure I was comfortable, and explained what to expect. The anesthesiologist and the doctor visited with me. Then a nurse walked with me to the surgery. Bob Seger was singing “Night Moves” as I laid down and the anesthesiologist put an oxygen mask on me and said something I don’t remember because I was out and the next thing I know I was looking at my wife Molly and asking

• 2013

when I was going in for my procedure.

I had the results and was napping back at home by 8:30. I was back at work Tuesday. I even got a souvenir photograph that will not go into the family photo album. Definitely TMI. Turns out, there was a polyp. Not cancerous. But …

According to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, most polyps remain benign; the likelihood that they will become cancerous is very low. But some benign polyps have a chance of becoming cancerous if not removed. Some polyps, known as adenoma, mature into early cancer at 2-5 years.

Dr. Lally does about six to eight of these procedures a day. She and the Pacific Surgery Center staff are life savers.

I don’t expect a colonoscopy to be as easy to talk about as a health checkup, because it really is some personal stuff. But I hope the stigma goes away, as well as the jokes (I must admit that I think “Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!” is pretty funny, though). And I hope people realize how easy it is. And most, importantly, that it could save their life.

— Richard Walker is editor of the North Kitsap Herald. Contact him at rwalker@ northkitsapherald.com

The doctor is in.

The doctor is in.

In-House Physician: Raising the Bar on Resident Care Expert specialist Michael Butler, M.D., has served our community for over 30 years.

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Port Orchard, WA 98366 Expertspecialist specialist Michael Butler, Expert Michael Butler,M.D., M.D.,has hasserved our community for over 30 years. As the in-house served ourDr. community for over 30 years.care physician Butler provides personalized found only in select facilities through out As the in-house physician Dr. Butler Washington State.

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Fall Time of Your Life

• 2013

Page 11

Are your parties ‘hearing friendly’?

By MEGAN NIGHTINGALE Peninsula Hearing, Inc.

N

ow that fall is here, it’s time to start thinking about all the fun holiday gettogethers that usually happen around this time of year.

Halloween parties, family gatherings at Thanksgiving, and office Christmas parties are all part of the fun. These gatherings can be a handful to plan.

Among all the minutia of planning a holiday party, we try to think of a space at the gathering that can be considered “hearing friendly.”

A “hearing friendly” space is a place where people can go to have Megan a face-to-face conversaNightingale, tion without being in AuD the middle of the dance dance, so we had the music on pretty loud. floor or in a busy, busHowever, the living room was a space that tling kitchen where many noisy household people could go to get away from the noise machines often dwell. and commotion of the party This reminds me of my and have a conversation. wedding and reception, Peninsula Many of our guests took which we had at our house advantage of this “hearing some 16 years ago. We had Hearing, Inc. friendly” space to sit back the ceremony outside under 19319 7th Ave., and relax and get to know a big tent in October and, Suite 102 some other guests. I would yes, it rained buckets that Poulsbo, WA 98310 walk through every now and morning. A half-hour before 360-697-3061 again to check on our guests the ceremony was to begin, and found several lively con1136 Water St. however, the clouds parted, Suite 103 versations happening, some the sun came out and all was Port Townsend of which I joined in. well. We had the reception 360-379-5458 I received thanks afterparty in the house, complete ward from many of our with dancing in the TV room guests for having a place and many bodies bustling available to get away from the noise of the about a lovely feast in the kitchen. party and have a meaningful conversation.

Now, our families and friends love to

Our awareness of the sounds around us gives us pleasure and connects us with the larger world.

Contributed photo

Since then, the concept of having “hearing friendly spaces has stuck with me.

We try our best to make every party we

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have a “hearing friendly” gathering, at least in some part of the house or other space we may be in. In our house, we have music and dancing in a room where the doors can be closed to bring down the noise level in the rest of the house. Of course, the door does not always stay open but at least it is a way to control the noise most of the time. Also, we encourage fun conversations that may start in the kitchen into the living room, where our guests are not as distracted by the noise of the common kitchen tools (blenders, food processors, fans) used to make party food and drink.

If you have a more open floor plan to your house, you may want to tuck some party foods or the bar in a den or other room that is off the main open area to encourage conversations that are often not possible with music and general party frivolity. If you are responsible for the office holiday party, consider asking for the board room or lobby area to be a quiet space in which conversations can take place.

I know I really appreciate having a noisefree space in which to talk. I imagine that while most people would not think to advocate for a “hearing friendly” space, they often wish there was one!

— Online: www.peninsulahearing.com.

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Page 12

Fall Time of Your Life

That sound you hear is your life again.

You’ll only understand how much you are missing until a hearing aid gives it all back. The people and places you’ve become disconnected from are still there and waiting. Visit us today to learn how easy it can be to open those doors again, and keep them open.

Call today for a

complimentary hearing screening.

Expires to 10/31/13

Committed to bringing back our clients’ sense of belonging with home, family, and community by providing the ultimate hearing and service experience.

Poulsbo:

19319 7th Ave., Suite 102 • 360-930-3241 Port Townsend: 1136 Water St., Suite 103 • 360-390-4068

Toll Free • 800-540-8698

www.peninsulahearing.com

• 2013