Special Sections - Lifelong Journey 2016 by Sound Publishing

FEBRUARY 2016

Lifelong Journey A SENIOR-ORIENTED PUBLICATION FOR THE NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA

EDUCATION Veteran soars after making a career change

ACTIVITY Class at YMCA brings active adults together

SKINCARE Just as the body changes, so do the needs of skin

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Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 SNORING: MORE THAN A NUISANCE

Find out the difference between annoying snoring and the more severe sleep apnea

10 ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS

A class at the Clallam County YMCA is a place for fitness and camaraderie

HEALTHY SKIN As the skin ages, a few changes must be made to keep it hydrated and glowing

SOARING BACK INTO A FIELD After going back to school, Chris Enges has found his passion in aerial photography

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH PT Film Festival’s executive director utilizes her knowledge and passion to represent artists

COPING WITH ALZHEIMER’S Find out the differences between ordinary memory loss and the disease

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES If you’re looking for a new hobby or a place to meet new people, check out these options

RECIPE Try out this simple apple crisp from a newspaper editor’s east coast family

Lifelong Journey February 2016 Published by PENINSULA DAILY NEWS and SEQUIM GAZETTE peninsuladailynews.com | sequimgazette.com

Peninsula Daily News: 305 W. First St., Port Angeles, WA 98362 | 360.452.2345 Sequim Gazette: 147 W. Washington St., Sequim, WA 98382 | 360.683.3311 Terry R. Ward • publisher Steve Perry • advertising director Patricia Morrison Coate, Brenda Hanrahan, Laura Lofgren • special sections editors Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

Accessible housing needs continue By CELIA FRY AND LYNN MEYER certified aging in place specialists “The Aging of America” is really a worldwide trend and is not unique just to the USA. Many people have a tendency to focus on our country’s “home accessibility issues” as only pertaining to the “baby boomers.” In fact, current demographic studies show that the increased need for accessible housing will continue with subsequent generations beyond the “Boomers.” Life expectancies are predicted to be longer well into the future, sustaining the continued need for accessible homes throughout the world. At this time it is apparent that there is a significant shortage of accessible housing for today’s population. • About half of the U.S. population lives in suburban areas. • 75 percent of older adults live in the suburbs and reportedly wish to remain there. • 90 percent of the overall population reportedly prefers to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, rather than move elsewhere. • Our suburbs and many homes were designed around the 1950s for young families without mobility issues. • Most homes today tend to be challenging for people with mobility, health or visual issues, no matter what their age may be. What can we do today to begin to reverse this accessible housing shortage? It will take people from many different professions working together as a “team” for a noticeable impact to occur. DISCUSSIONS We as a society can step-up the discussions about our shortage. AARP has a new “Lifelong Housing” program that can be adopted by 6

cities/counties/states, and they also have a “HomeFit” guide for anyone to access at no charge. This guide allows a homeowner to begin the process of looking at their home for accessibility. ASSESSMENTS Consumers and homeowners can have their homes assessed and recommendations given for changes to improve accessibility, either through the Lifelong Housing Certification Program or by a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). AARP is the association to contact for information about the Lifelong Housing Certification. Your local Home Builders Association or the National Association of Home Builders can direct you toward the specialized services of a CAPS professional. TRAINING PROGRAMS The National Association of Home Builders has professional training and certification programs in universal design as well as for CAPS. The Building Industry Association of Washington is in the process of exploring the adoption of our own Lifelong Housing Certification Program similar to the one Oregon is piloting in conjunction with AARP. • Universal design is a building style which focuses on accessible design features. • Certified Aging in Place specialists can be any building professional who takes the training and passes the certification exams. • They also can be either physical therapists or occupational therapists who have taken the same training and certification exams. • Use of a CAPS professional who also is a physical therapist or an occupational therapist adds another perspective for adaptations that work today, as well as in the future, due to

their in-depth medical backgrounds. • Combining CAPS physical therapists or occupational therapists with your typical building project professionals is an enhanced option for clients. We believe accessible changes can be done attractively, while meeting the individual needs of each client. REMODELING We, as a society, need more remodels of existing homes that will improve accessibility, to meet the needs of both our current aging population as well as those of any age with disabilities (temporary, permanent or progressive). Our new construction needs to also incorporate the principles of Universal Design. Some criteria that make an accessible home “visitable” by all guests would include: • Even paths from car to house with adequate lighting. • No-step entries having thresholds of ½-inch or less and with a 30 to 32 inch door clearance. • Adequate lighting in living areas, halls and task areas. • Level entertainment areas with 36-inch passage around the space. • Inclusion of a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen on the main floor. • Hallway to the bathroom 36 inches wide. • Lever handles for doors and water faucets. • Bathroom with a 30 inch by 48 inch clear turnaround space. Celia Fry is a retired physical therapist with over 40 years of practice in rehabilitation. Lynn Meyer is a retired physical therapist with over 35 years of practice in rehabilitation. Both Fry and Meyer are Certified Aging in Place specialists through the National Home Builders Association and co-owners of Age At Home LLC, a consulting business. Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

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Olympic Medical Physicians is a division of Olympic Medical Center. Visit OlympicMedical.org for more information.

Is it simple snoring or sleep apnea? Photo and story by PATRICIA MORRISION COATE special sections editor As annoying as it is, snoring that is rhythmic poses no medical problems, according to Dr. Jakdej Nikomborirak of the Sound Sleep Clinic, 512 E. Washington St. in Sequim. When it’s erratic, he said, it becomes a medical issue. “Simple snoring is when it bothers someone else, but apnea is when it bothers the snorer,” he said. “Due to the narrowing of the throat at night when you fall asleep, the throat has a loss of muscle tone and sucking air through it makes it even narrower, so the uvula and soft palate start to vibrate, which causes noise,” Nikomborirak said. “Snoring by itself is a cosmetic problem but it can turn into sleep apnea. You have trouble breathing because you exert more effort in breathing through a narrow passage, which leads to not sleeping well. “If your oxygen level drops and your carbon dioxide level rises, you wake up with a snort because that disrupts your sleep.” Controlling breathing while asleep is one of the func-

tions of the autonomic nervous system. “My recommendation is to do a sleep study if you snore loudly and make choking or snorting noises,” Nikomborirak said. “If you just snore, treatments are to lose weight because with weight loss, the neck size is smaller and the air passage is better. “Also sleep on your side because if you sleep on your back, the tongue and soft palate can cover the throat due to gravity,” Nikomborirak advised. “Other treatments are snore guards or mouth appliances that pull the bottom jaw forward and move the tongue away from the throat; however, they can cause problems like temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) and can change your bite. “The best thing is to see a dentist specializing in sleep apnea appliances,” he said. If a patient has mild to moderate sleep apnea, Nikomborirak prescribes a C-PAP device at night which “blows air in and inflates the throat and widens the throat,” he said. CONTINUED on 9 >>

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Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

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“It’s overkill for simple snoring, but it’s safe. It’s my first choice for treatment of both — you can’t really go wrong with a C-PAP. It uses normal room air and insurance will pay for it because it’s a treatment for a disease.” Nikomborirak works with patients in finding the right kind of mask and setting the C-PAP to the correct amount of air flow. If Nikomborirak diagnoses severe sleep apnea based on a sleep study, he refers the patient to a physician specializing in ear, nose and throat disorders who may decide to perform one of several types of outpatient surgeries. “They range from somnoplasty, which is ‘cooking’ the soft palate with microwaves so it shrinks and stiffens; to pillar procedures, when strips of polyester are inserted into the soft palate, stabilizing it so it won’t vibrate; to laser assisted uvula palatoplasty, where a laser cuts the soft palate and uvula,” Nikomborirak said. Not only can undiagnosed sleep apnea cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and arrhythmias in those who have it, it also can be dangerous to others, Nikomborirak said. “Sleep apnea is notorious for causing daytime sleepiness resulting in vehicle accidents (killing or injuring others) because somebody else had untreated apnea.”

Dr. Jakdej Nikomborirak of the Sound Sleep Clinic diagnoses and treats sleep apnea through the sleep studies he performs.

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Active Older Adults class participants work on their balance and strength.

A journey

not a destination The Active Older Adults class at the Clallam County YMCA encourages seniors to stick to their fitness goals Story and photos by LAURA LOFGREN special sections editor

At the Clallam County YMCA, seniors have myriad options to help them get fit and that cater to their needs. One class, Active Older Adults, is more than just a fitness class, though. These seniors have joined together to become a tight-knit group of friends, encouraging each other with goodnatured teases and motivational phrases. Instructor Deb Reed leads this group of go-getters, asking them for one rep because she knows they can. Reed is focused and determined to help these individuals meet their fitness goals and enjoy the journey that leads the way. CONTINUED on 11 >>

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Lifelong Journey â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 2016

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Active Older Adults, according to the YMCA’s class flyer, is one for keeping older bodies in motion without stressing joints or straining muscles. It offers a variety of weight, resistance, aerobic, stability and flexibility exercises, plus “lots of social support.” Classes meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at either 7:30 a.m. or 9:15 a.m. “It’s a mix of strength, cardio and balance where they’re working with an instructor for an hour,” said Health and Well-Being Coordinator Mikki Reidel. The hour-long 9:15 a.m. class hosts almost a dozen participants, with no particular age range being a requirement for the class. “I would say it’s more of an ability range,” Reed said. “If you’re coming off of surgery or recovering from some kind of cardiac event, this is a good way to get some of that confidence back and gradually start building that strength up.” Participants do tend to be 50 and older, she noted. Don Johnson, who is in his 80s, has been attending Active Older Adults for about three months. “I used to ride [my] bicycle all the time. After I retired, I was riding 6, 7, 8 miles, 9 miles every morning,” Johnson said. “My goal is to get back on the bicycle, and it’s getting closer all the time,” he said. Johnson started the class with a walker but has progressed to hiking poles to help him get around. “I can walk pretty well without them, but then you keep thinking about ‘I don’t want to fall down.’” Reed is more than happy to make modifications for class participants, noting they all have different strength, balance and stability levels. “Most people have some issues at this point in their lives,” she said. “We modify things. We work on the muscle groups I call the ‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up’ muscle groups. We do a lot of quad strength, upper body strength ... we do planks against the wall, they do planks on the stability ball and we also do wall pushups and what I call ‘wall burpees.’ That exercise works on the quads and upper body.” Balance, Reed said, is a major focus in the class. “Balance is one of those things that can be improved. There are a number of things you can do for balance,” she said, emphasizing the stability balls she picks out for class participants before each session. An example of a stability modification is if someone has a foot problem, everything done on a stability ball can be done on a chair, relieving pressure on the feet and joints. Reed starts the class with a warm-up in the gym, using half the court to get the larger muscle groups loose before moving back to the mat room of the YMCA. They then move onto their stability balls, where they stretch out the arms and legs before rolling into more Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

“The mental benefits, I think, are equal to the physical benefits.” — Deb Reed difficult moves. One position is a roll-out plank, where one lays on their stomach on the ball and walks out to a plank position, holds it and walks back. After some strength and stability on the balls — where falls are common but executed safely thanks to Reed’s teachings — she has the class move to the wall, where they hone in on balance and more cardio. This is where wall planks and burpees get done, again with modifications for different ability levels. At the end of class, Reed does a cool-down mixed with some focused breathing, thanking everyone and inviting them back for the next session. “They’re always complaining about sore muscles, and that’s a good thing,” Reed said. “That means we’ve all done our jobs, [but] I don’t want them to have sore joints or pain.” Though the physical benefits of Active Older Adults are great, the mental ones are, too. “Those people are friends,” Reidel said. “They look forward to seeing each other. They have brunches and they go out together, so it’s very much a small community.” The classes become so close they throw parties every so often to celebrate each other’s accomplishments. “Coming in, having this group with whom they exercise, and to whom they are accountable ... if someone doesn’t show up for a while, people call them to check up on them,” Reed said. Kathy Gresli said a friend talked her into coming to the class. “We have a lot of fun,” she said. She and classmate Carla Hagerty both come from a cancer support group. “Deb is an excellent instructor,” Hagerty said. She smiled, saying Reed works “all the muscles I didn’t use before.” Though weight loss and health is a common goal for many people, Reed wants her classes to focus on the path that leads them to a healthier lifestyle. “People tend to treat it as a destination, not a journey,” Reed said. “They’ve just got to take their first step.” For more information about Active Older Adults or other Clallam County YMCA classes, phone 360-452-9244. In Jefferson County, phone the YMCA at 360-385-5811. 11

Understanding, avoiding elder fraud By METROCREATIVE and PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Elder fraud is a financial crime that targets older men and women who are often unable to recognize they are being victimized. Elder financial fraud is a broad term that can be applied to a host of crimes, from stealing money or property directly from an individual to using an older person’s property or possessions without permission. Many seniors are targeted through telemarketing scams in which elders are scared into giving money out of fear of losing their homes. Some are exploited by people closer to home who forge signatures or get an older person to sign over deeds or power of attorney. Criminals often see elderly men and women as easy targets. Seniors may be suffering from declining physical and/ or mental health, which compromises their ability to defend themselves or even recognize they are being taken advantage of. Seniors may also be embarrassed that they were duped and not share their experiences with others as a result.

But elder fraud also can be perpetrated by family members who aim to acquire an elderly relative’s assets. Recognizing scenarios where fraud may be committed can help men and women protect their elderly relatives from being victimized by elder fraud. • Confirm professionals are who they say they are. More than 170 designations and certifications are used within the financial industry to identify professionals. Some of them do not necessarily mean a person is qualified or can be trusted to handle an individual’s assets. Always ask a financial adviser if he is overseen by a government agency or is authorized to provide advice under the “fiduciary standard of care.” Be especially careful when dealing with advisors who try to push certain products or those who suggest shortcuts and blending services. Such professionals are not necessarily criminals, but they may have ulterior motives in mind and not be overly concerned about you or your loved one’s financial well-being. CONTINUED on 13 >>

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Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

demanding payment by a prepaid debit card or wire transfer, something the legitimate tax agency never asks, Officer Patrick Fudally said. “The Port Townsend Police Department wants to remind everyone never to provide personal information over the phone,” Fudally said. In August 2015, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Headquarter’s telephone was compromised. The WSP received 30 complaints from citizens stating they were called by someone who falsely identified themselves as a WSP trooper. According to the citizens, the caller impersonating a trooper accused the citizens of various violations including outstanding warrants, unpaid tickets and unpaid school taxes. The WSP does not call citizens to advise of violations, warrants or collect fines. If you or a loved one receive phone calls from someone stating they are an official and it sounds suspicious: • Do not answer any questions. • Do not agree to pay any fines or other charges. • Do not share any personal information. • Hang up the telephone. Residents receiving scam calls can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc complaintassistant.gov or by calling 877-382-4357.

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• Pay attention to your accounts. Unusually large withdrawals from automated teller machines or cashed checks with signatures that do not match the signature on the account are both indicative of fraud. If you are monitoring a loved one’s accounts, question any surges of activity in accounts that are normally somewhat inactive. • Ask a loved one to keep you abreast of changes in their will. Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents should also cause concern. Family members caring for a senior should be aware of any major changes to important documents. • Monitor a loved one’s purchases. Sudden purchases, whether it’s an updated insurance policy or unnecessary home repairs, may be indicative of elder fraud. Elder financial fraud targets an often vulnerable segment of the population, and it’s often up to loved ones to protect their elderly relatives from being victimized by such crimes. In an October 2015 Peninsula Daily News story, a Port Townsend woman reported an IRS scam. The initial scam started with a bogus IRS agent

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Changing your skin care regimen As the body ages and changes, so do the needs of skin BY JODI FAIRCHILD licensed esthetician & METROCREATIVE Just as the body changes with age, so do the needs of the skin. While acne and breakouts may have been the bane of existence as an adolescent, wrinkles and dark spots are concerns as we age. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says that skin changes are one of the most noticeable signs of aging. Sagging skin and wrinkles are two of the more common problems men and women encounter as they age. As people get older, connective tissues in the skin that promote strength and elasticity have a tendency of breaking down. Furthermore, the blood vessels of the dermis become more fragile, which can lead to bruising. Sebaceous glands may produce less oil, making the skin less able to moisturize itself. As a result, the skin thins out. According to Jodi Fairchild of SkinCare Suites in Port Angeles, another important point to address is the underlying problems that cause skin conditions, which are an abnormal skin barrier and chronic inflammation like rosacea, eczema, skin cancer and fine lines and wrinkles. “[An abnormal skin barrier and chronic inflammation] are actually to blame for many conditions,” Fairchild said. “In order to treat these effectively, we need to deeply penetrate skin, restore the skins barrier and reverse destructive inflammation. ‘Inflammation’ is a term that seems to be popping up everywhere these days, describing diets filled with sugars, trans fats and processed foods, plus the health effects these inflammatory foods can have on our bodies,” she said. Fairchild notes that inflammation from poor diet, stress and lack of sleep wreak havoc on skin. Age, environment and your one’s own case-specific skin concerns have to be considered when looking for a skin care regimen. Meanwhile, the vast array of skin products on department and drugstore shelves can create a frustrating experience, as you hunt high and low for the perfect combination. Fairchild suggests you arrange a consultation with a trained skin care professional or dermatologist who can recommend the right products for you. Products that hydrate, strengthen and fortify — penetrating the skin to reduce redness and irritation caused 14

by inflammatory factors — are most effective. It is important to note these changes so that people can be proactive in their approach to skin care as they age. There are other strategies to put in place that can make the difference in the appearance and health of the skin. • Address dryness. If the skin is itchy or uncomfortable, or if you find that there is extra flaking, lack of moisture could be a problem. Moisturizer should be the staple of a skin care regimen. Experiment with moisturizers until you find the one that is the best match for your skin. • Use sun protection. The sun is one of the single biggest contributors to unhealthy skin and premature signs of aging. “Always wear your sunblock when outside,” Fairchild said, “even if the sun is not shining down on you.” • Don’t tug or be rough on the skin. The skin becomes more delicate and prone to injury as a person ages; therefore, unnecessary roughness while washing and drying can break capillaries or mar the skin in other ways. Be delicate, using cotton to wipe away makeup and avoid cleansers that have rough excoriators or other substances that can be rough on the skin. • Revise makeup shades and products as needed. As skin care needs change, it pays to go with the flow in terms of the products you use and buy. What may have been flattering a few years ago may not be flattering now. Think about neutral or rosy shades in the types of foundations and blushers you select. Avoid anything that is too dramatic or drastic. • Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can increase the risk of injury with regard to the skin, making it more susceptible to dryness and other issues. Be sure to always stay hydrated by consuming enough water to ward off feelings of thirst. “Water the your skins best friend. Drink up and make your bodies largest organ happy,” Fairchild said. • Experiment with a facial. Facials can help promote blood flow to the skin and improve the appearance of youth and vitality. Jodi Fairchild has been a licensed esthetician and certified in medical esthetics since 2007. She works as an esthetician out of SkinCare Suites, 106 N. Lincoln St., Port Angeles. Fairchild returned to school in 2014 to acquire her Master Esthetician License and graduated from Tacoma Laser Clinic in 2015 with the ability to now offer laser treatments. Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

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Veteran and Peninsula College alumnus Chris Enges went back to school and now has an ever-growing aerial photography business.

Peninsula College alumnus and veteran Chris Enges, 63, flies his drone around the school's campus. After going back to school, Enges now has a successful aerial photography business.

Story by KARI DESSER Peninsula College communication coordination specialist Photos by LAURA LOFGREN special sections editor Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Wait. No. It’s Peninsula College alum Chris Enges out flying his drone above a field of soggy sheep on the Key Peninsula. The Carlsborg resident was recently asked to put together a short documentary film on the state of the niche wool industry in the Pacific Northwest. An Olympia cooperative development company hired him to create a short video for the PNW Fiber Web Cooperative. “I love filming sheep in the rain!” Enges enthused during a break in shooting. “Just when I think [work] is going to slow down for winter, I’ve been busier than when I first started my business.” Even working as a heavy equipment operator for the Clallam County Road Department, Enges was an artist, taking time to capture images of the North Olympic Peninsula and particularly Olympic National Park. In addition to his full-time job, he worked as a semi-professional photographer with photos in galleries across Clallam County and shot images for wine bottle labels for Olympic Cellars Winery. Enges retired early as the road maintenance supervisor of the Sequim district to pursue an associate of arts degree in multimedia communications at Peninsula College. He worked in his position with the county for eight years before deciding to pursue a different course at the age of 60, with help from Peninsula College’s Veterans Services liaison, Terry Smith. Through the now-defunct Veterans Retraining Assistance Program Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

Chris Enges' drone hovers just above Peninsula College's campus on a cloudy January day.

(VRAP), veterans received funds for one year of occupational retraining. “Terry Smith really guided me along,” Enges said. “He is a super dude for veterans. There are a lot of vets out there who are really hurting and just need a little help and guidance.” He describes his return to school as a positive and eye-opening experience. “I had a blast because I was doing something I loved,” he said, crediting several instructors with creating successful learning environments. “Helen Lovejoy is such a sweetheart and was so helpful. “I had her for English, and I really enjoyed her class,” Enges said. He also spoke highly of Multimedia Communications Instructor Marina Shipova, calling her a brilliant lady and a wealth of information. “She knows the business really well, as she worked commercially before teaching and gives her class real-world experience,” he said. Enges created a short film for Peninsula College’s 2014 commencement called “Journey of Accomplishment” using digital photog-

raphy, videography and editing. He volunteered to create it as a class project for Renne Brock-Richmond’s advanced videography class. He speaks highly of Brock-Richmond’s impact on his new career, including her help with his current fiber arts filming gig. “Renne is a mentor and a real friend to me even outside of school,” he said. “She was instrumental in getting me the [fiber arts filming] work.” Further along on his academic journey, with the help of veteran Jake Fish of the Fleet Reserve, he was able to file for the Veterans Retraining and Education Program, Chapter 31, due to his service-connected disability. Enges started a VA business course in 2014. He presented a business plan to the VA for Spirit Vision films a year later, was approved and received a grant, funding his business LLC license and insurance. CONTINUED on 18 >>

<< CONTINUED from 17

Through the grant, he also received a Canon C 100, Mark 2 Cinema camera and an M4800 DELL workstation laptop, along with Adobe Creative Suite software. While he waited for those items to arrive, Enges decided to get involved in aerial photography. A lot goes into the venture. First, one must receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Section 33 exemption process. Flying a drone is a lot like flying a small airplane. The operator must get an N number and register the drone as an aircraft. There are a lot of restrictions, and one must have a recreational, sport or private pilot’s license to fly them. Operators also are required to have insurance to cover damages to others’ property. Enges is one of the few approved by the FAA to fly drones commercially on the North Olympic Peninsula. While at Peninsula College, Enges made the president’s list each quarter. Now, at age 63, one math class stands between him and his diploma. CONTINUED on 19 >>

Chris Enges packs up his drone he uses for his aerial photography business, which has taken off throughout the North Olympic Peninsula and beyond.

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Just five credits shy of receiving his Associate of Applied Science, he says he plans to return to finish. “I’d tell other veterans, find something that you love to do, get a hold of Terry to make it a reality, and just do it,” Enges said. “I’m really excited about the future. [Peninsula College] is a really cool place to be and has so much to offer a person of any age. It made me feel young and gave me a whole new perspective on life.” For more information on veteran’s benefits, email Terry Smith at tsmith@pencol.edu. To check out some of Enges’ work, visit www.cenges photography.wordpress.com. Kari Desser is the communication coordination specialist, College Advancement, at Peninsula College. She can be reached at kdesser@pencol.edu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), research has shown that strengthening exercises are safe and effective for men and women of all ages, including seniors. The CDC also notes that men and women with heart disease or arthritis may benefit the most from exercise regimens that include lifting weights several times per week. A strength-training program at Tufts University enlisted older men and women with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis. The program lasted 16 weeks, and by the end of those 16 weeks, participants reported that their pain had decreased by an average of 43 percent while also decreasing the disability caused by their conditions. In addition to the benefits uncovered in the Tufts program, strength training can benefit older men and women by improving balance and flexibility, which can decrease their likelihood of falling and the severity of those falls if they do slip. —MetroCreative

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AN OVERVIEW Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County By MARILYN NELSEN volunteer services manager Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (VHOCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, whose service area stretches from Diamond Point to Joyce. Its mission is to provide free round-the-clock registered nursing availability to terminally ill patients, while supporting their families emotionally, physically and spiritually. Since its inception in 1978, all services have been provided free of charge to patients and their families. VHOCC never bills any government agency for its services. As our name implies, VHOCC depends on its volunteers to play a vital role in the nonprofit’s dayto-day operation. We have over 150 caring volunteers who reflect the hospice mission and give freely of their time and talent, affirming life while serving others. For those interested in becoming a volunteer, we make every effort to match talents and skills with appropriate areas of service. Some volunteers come to us with professional degrees and experience

or specific expertise in a given field, but most are just folks who want to help their friends and neighbors while serving the community. We are in need of volunteers to assist our Port Angeles and Sequim delivery teams. Walt Blendermann, coordinator for the Sequim team, said, “The delivery of equipment, while a very mundane task on the face of it, has its own rewards. Delivery crews are sometimes the first contact with patients, and the physical equipment itself is perhaps a useful symbol of community support to the patient and caregiver.” There also is an ongoing need for those skilled in IT services and for volunteers to greet and assist the public in our front office. Volunteer interest should be directed to the volunteer services manager at 360-452-1511. VHOCC provides many other services to the community at large: education programs, grief support groups, one-on-one bereavement services, survivors’ workshops and other special programs. We also have a lending closet that loans durable medical equipment to those in our service area. You do not need to be a hospice pa-

tient to borrow equipment, which includes wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, crutches, hospital beds (when available) and much more. Here are some FAQs: When should a decision about entering a hospice program be made, and who should make it?

Hospice can be discussed at any time during a life-limiting illness, along with all other care options. The decision should be made when all acute aggressive treatments have been discontinued; however, the sooner a patient enters a hospice program, the more opportunity there is to address not only medical needs, but emotional or spiritual needs as well. By law, the decision belongs to the patient. What are the criteria for becoming a hospice patient?

A doctor’s referral and a full-time caregiver (often, but not always, a family member) is required. Should I wait for our physician to raise the possibility of hospice, or should I raise it first?

The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other health care professionals, clergy and friends. CONTINUED on 21 >>

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What if our physician doesn’t know about hospice?

Most physicians know about hospice. If your physician wants more information, it is available by calling Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, 360-452-1511. Can a patient living in a nursing home or convalescent home become a hospice patient?

Yes, hospice accepts patients who are in nursing homes or convalescent homes. Home is wherever the patient is. Patient care is coordinated between the teams to best serve the patient’s needs. What specific assistance does hospice provide patients?

Hospice patients are cared for by a team of doctors, nurses and volunteers; each provides assistance based on his or her area of expertise. Respite volunteers are available to relieve caregivers, giving them the chance to go shopping, visit their

doctor, have lunch with friends or simply rest and recuperate. We refer and coordinate services with community resources for social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy and therapists. In addition, hospice provides supplies, equipment and additional helpers in the home as appropriate. Does hospice do anything to make death come sooner?

Hospice neither speeds up nor slows down the dying process. The focus is not so much about dying. Hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge while attending to the needs of living. What if the patient gets better?

relief of pain. The nurses obtain physician’s orders for pain medications or changes in dosage. Hospice believes that emotional and spiritual pains are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so it addresses these as well. Counselors, including clergy, are available to assist family members as well as patients.

Does hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?

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Hospice provides continuing contact and support for family and friends for at least a year following the death of a loved one. We also sponsor bereavement and support groups for anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a family member, a friend or a loved one. For further information, phone 360-452-1511 or visit www.vhocc.org. Marilyn Nelsen is the volunteer services manager and co-chair of community outreach of Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.

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If the patient’s condition improves, they can be discharged from hospice care and begin again at any time. How does hospice “manage” pain?

Hospice nurses and doctors are upto-date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief. Pain medications are monitored frequently to assure appropriate

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Port Townsend Film Festival Executive Director Janette Force has set the pace for the city’s ever-growing cinema event and continues to face its new challenges head on, bringing to the table a distinct background that has cultivated her career. Story and photo by LAURA LOFGREN special sections editor On the fourth floor 211 Taylor St., workspace to Executive Director Janette Force, the Port Townsend Film Festival office is warm and inviting. The massive atelier houses windows that look out on the windy port town’s streets and shores, the sun beaming in over the staff’s souvenir collections and work. Greeted kindly first by Victoria O’Donnell, director of operations, she leads me into Force’s office, who offers me a cup of tea and a smile before we sit to chat. Force has had a tremendous impact on the Port Townsend art scene, and she explains what in her life has led her to the sometimes stressful but amazingly rewarding job. Force was born in 1951 and raised in Edmonds. She didn’t travel much growing up. “I didn’t realize the Pacific Northwest was one of the most beautiful places in the world,” she said.

“I had a very ordinary suburban childhood.” So she organized her neighborhood friends to put on plays and circuses. “I insisted that they do this, and I was one of those kids that could do that,” she said with a laugh. At Washington State University, she studied theater. “I really liked a lot of the production aspects of it,” she said. Slowly but surely, Force was unknowingly building herself up with the knowledge she would need for her future career. “I knew really early on I was good at organizing people. You wouldn’t think that’s an art form, but it really is.” After Force left college, she decided she “really did need to see the world, and I traveled quite a bit in Europe and North Africa,” she said. She came back and applied to The Evergreen State College. “They had a degree in arts management,” Force said. “At the time, I would have been the first woman to graduate from Evergreen with a degree in arts management, but then I fell in love and went traveling and didn’t do that,” she said with a smile. “So it’s pretty ironic I find myself in arts management 35 years later.” Reflecting on her past, Force didn’t see where she was going in her life right away. She was enjoying it, letting it unfold naturally. “I knew then what I wanted to do; I just didn’t quite see the path, but the path slowly opened on it’s own, which is pretty satisfying,” she said. Now, at the proud age of 64, Force is living in the same house on Blaine Street she bought in 1982 Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

with her husband, Robert. They have two sons: Dakotah, who lives in New Mexico, and Sam, who lives in Port Townsend. Force’s 89-year-old mother also lives nearby. “I feel very fortunate to have my family close by,” Force said. It helps keep her grounded at work and at home. Being the executive director of the Port Townsend Film Festival is rewarding, Force said, but it can be stressful. “You really have no control,” she said. Dealing with artists and wondering if they’ll fully commit to the festival can put anyone on edge. But in the end, when everything comes together, it’s all worth it, Force said. Behind me in Force’s bright office is a homemade calendar with the times, dates and films from last year’s festival. The majority of the individual days are filled with a red star or two. “That tells you a director or an actor or a producer from that film will be here,” she explained. “So when you look at that and realize how many artists we’re able to bring to this community and hear their journey and honor their work ... you know, for independent filmmakers, it’s not an easy road ... so for four days, we get to really honor their artistic journey and let them know that it matters that they find a way to share their voice with us,” Force said. “And that is profoundly satisfying.” On top of her executive director duties, Force is a universal life pastor. She marries people, performs me-

morials, house blessings and baby blessings, recognizing the sacred aspects of all faiths. She received her ministerial papers in 1970 at WSU from a Turkish exchange student at a party, where he “made like 70 of us ministers.” About 10 or 15 years later, Force had a friend who was Jewish who was marrying someone who was Baptist. “They weren’t really sure how they were going to [get married].” Force called up the state and was eventually given the go-ahead to marry the couple. Now, she says, she’s way over 200 families. This ministerial practice helps keep her down to earth. As one of Port Townsend’s linchpins in the arts community, Force has taken over and expanded a wonderful event, plus other film events in between, including the Women & Film Festival. Though she is on top of her career and her home life, it took all kinds of experience for Force to get here. One thing she would tell those still seeking a passion is this: “I think that remembering yourself as a child and what you could just get lost in, that’s where your passion is. You’re the same person at 80 that you were when you were 8. I think many times, [we] forget what was fun.” She added: “I think being outside and getting enough fresh air so you can hear your own voice is helpful, too.” This year’s Port Townsend Film Festival is slated for Sept. 23-25. Visit www.ptfilmfest.com for information about this fall’s production and other events. 23

Coping with Alzheimer’s disease By PATRICIA MORRISION COATE special sections editor As the generation of baby boomers moves into their ’60s and ’70s, more frequent memory lapses may be jokingly written off as “senior moments,” but for some 5.3 million Americans, the diagnosis is grave and terminal — Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. The difference between mild forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the National Institute on Aging, is forgetting where you placed your glasses or not remembering certain words versus forgetting when you last ate or becoming confused about time, people and/or places. Although the majority of patients with Alzheimer’s disease are age 65 and older, about 5 percent of people with the disease are diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. One in three seniors will die from complications resulting from the condition. Symptoms develop slowly over time and present as problems with memory, thinking and behavior that substantially interfere with a

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• In the moderate stage, memory loss extends to not knowing in the present who he is, where he is and when it is. He or she may forget decades of being toilet trained and need intervention and assistance in the bathroom. He or she has personality and behavioral changes, oftentimes becoming suspicious and compulsive. The individual roams the house at night, wanders off and becomes lost. He or she continues to confuse words and becomes frustrated and angry easily. • In the severe stage, he or she has become unable to respond to his environment and to communicate. The person cannot manage the activities of daily living, like dressing, eating and bathing. He cannot recall even very recent experiences and doesn’t recognize family members. CONTINUED on 28 >>

Alzheimer’s support groups CLALLAM COUNTY • Sequim Alzheimer’s Support Group, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. second Thursday monthly; Sequim Bible Church, 847 N. Sequim Ave., Room 401, Sequim; 360-683-5294. • Sequim Caregiver Support Group, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday; Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., Sequim; 360-452-3221. • Sequim Caregiver Support Group, 10 a.m. to noon, every Thursday; Senior Information and Assistance, 411 W. Washington St., Sequim; 360-452-3221. • Port Angeles Alzheimer’s Support Group, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., second Monday monthly; Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St.,

Port Angeles; call Mardell Xavier at 360-457-1225 before attending. • Caregivers Support Group, 5 p.m. third Tuesdays; Senior Information & Assistance, 481 Fifth Ave., Forks; 360-374-9496, ext. 2.

JEFFERSON COUNTY • Alzheimer’s Association Chimacum, 10:30 a.m. to noon, second Monday monthly; Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, Chimacum; contact Linda Whiteside at 206-529-3875. • Caregivers Support Group, focused on memory loss, 10:30 a.m. to noon, fourth Friday monthly; Courtyard Cafe, Jefferson Healthcare, 834 Sheridan St., Port Townsend; contact Karen Elliott at 360-385-2200, ext. 2017.

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Volunteer opportunities abound By LAURA LOFGREN special sections editor

For more information, visit coastsavers.org/index. php/volunteer.

The need for volunteers is endless in Clallam and Jefferson counties. People at any age give their time to their communities in order to beautify, restore and transform both their towns and themselves. Volunteering after retirement is often a go-to decision for retirees who remain restless post-employment. For those looking to start volunteering, here is a list just a few options on the North Olympic Peninsula. Because this is not an all-inclusive list of volunteer opportunities, we encourage those who are interested in helping the community to do some research of their own at their local library, senior centers, individual establishments or online.

FOR THE PEOPLE PERSON In Clallam County: Clallam Historical Society volunteers are charged with raising funds to operate the day-to-day affairs of the society’s museum and research library. Become a museum greeter, fundraiser or another people-oriented position by visiting clallamhistorical society.com or calling 360-452-2662. In Jefferson County: Interested in providing support to those caring for a loved one with memory loss? Alzheimer's Association caregiver support groups provide a place for caregivers to learn and gain support from others caring for a person with memory loss. If you or someone you know wants to volunteer, phone Linda Whiteside at 206-363-5500 or 800-848-7097 or email linda.whiteside@alzwa.org.

FOR THE ANIMAL LOVER In Clallam County: If you like walking dogs or playing with kittens, volunteering at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society may be for you. Visit ophumanesociety.org/volunteer to find out about the latest volunteer opportunities or phone 360-457-8206. In Jefferson County: Center Valley Animal Rescue, 11900 Center Road, Quilcene, provides safety and rehabilitation for unwanted, injured or abandoned domesticated and wild animals. For volunteer opportunities, visit centervalleyanimal rescue.org, phone 360-765-0598 or email sara@center valleyanimalrescue.org. FOR THE OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST In Clallam County: The Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition, 310 S. Forks Ave., often needs volunteers for fish collection and foliage planting. The nonprofit can be reached at 360-374-8873 for more information about chance to give back and help restore a healthy salmon resource in the region. In Jefferson County: Jefferson County Parks & Recreation utilizes volunteers for everything from trail maintenance to soccer coaches to strategic planning to its advisory board. For more information, phone 360-385-9160 or email mtyler@countyrec.com. Across the North Olympic Peninsula: Washington CoastSavers are always looking for people to help clean up beaches. By volunteering for a cleanup, participants can run the check-in table, transport collected debris, hold an after-cleanup celebration and more. 26

FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR CHILDREN In Clallam County: The Clallam County YMCA, 302 S. Francis St., Port Angeles, has volunteer opportunities that focus on helping the youth of the community. Become a youth program aide, play care program aide or a youth sports aide by contacting the Y at 360-4529244 or stopping in the establishment. In Jefferson County: The Jefferson Country Guardian ad Litem program requires volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected kids. They provide comprehensive training and support. Contact Paula Martin at 360-385-9190 or visit Jefferson CountyGAL.org for more information. FOR THE MARINE SCIENCE ENTHUSIAST In Clallam County: At Feiro Marine Life Center, 315 N. Lincoln St., Port Angeles, there are plenty of opportunities to satisfy the song of the sea. Key positions include naturalists, education programming, exhibit cleaning and animal husbandry crew, office support and information technology and citizen science. For more information, contact Bob Campbell at 360417-6254 or visit feiromarinelifecenter.org/volunteer. In Jefferson County: At Port Townsend Marine Science Center at Fort Worden State Park, volunteering is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. Volunteers serve as exhibit guides, or “docents,” in the Marine and Natural History exhibits, help maintain aquaria, feed animals and more. For more information, phone Amy Johnson at 360-3855582, ext. 204, or visit ptmsc.org/get-involved/volunteer. Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

RECIPE: Apple Crisp Mark Swanson, assistant managing editor of Peninsula Daily News, submitted this recipe from his Port Angeles kitchen, saying: "I inherited the recipe box from my mom (Millie Swanson) when she died in 2014 at the age of 89. We think her mom, Jane Sanders, passed down the recipe; my grandmom died in 1978 at the age of 88. My mom typed it years ago and put it on the card." Swanson's mother is from Philadelphia, and her mom is from Hockendaqua, Pa.

The card reads: 4 cups sliced apples 1 cup sifted flour 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ cup butter or margarine Spread apples is buttered 9-inch baking pan. Mix sifted flour with sugar and cinnamon. Cut butter into flour and sugar mixture. Spread this on top of apples and press down. Bake in 375ºF oven for 50 or 60 minutes.

Lodge Chiropractic and Integrated Wellness

Utilizing the Sigma Method, Palmer Technique, and Drop Table with Flexion-Distraction 660 W Evergreen Farm Way, Sequim, WA 98382 Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am - 5 pm

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Joseph L. Price, PhD 360.683.4818

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Donna Lodge, D.C.

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681-2220

Quail Hollow Psychotherapy PLLC

Medicare Accepted Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

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He or she loses his power of speech and eventually, the ability to swallow chewed food. It becomes more difficult to clear the lungs by coughing, and the individual likely will succumb to an infection. A PERSONAL STORY Mary and Aaron* felt they were lucky to find love the second time around when they married in 2010 at 70 and 73. They traveled, they ate out, they reveled in an active lifestyle. About two years in, Mary sensed something was different about Aaron. “I noticed he didn’t close drawers, the microwave door or house doors, and when I asked him why, he got angry. “His driving also began to be very erratic — he’d change lanes without looking and tailgate. I did a lot of praying when he drove,” she said. “I realized he got angry because he knew he’d forgotten and couldn’t remember directions but he never told me he couldn’t remember. He was just silent and confused.” Mary said she denied a diagnosis of dementia for a while until the stress of dealing with Aaron’s unpredictable behavior put her in the hospital with a heart condition. He watched her heartbeats on the monitor, and she

was able to say, “We have to discuss this. He suddenly relaxed and said, ‘I’m not alone.’ He was diagnosed at Virginia Mason when he was 75.” Three years after the Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it progressively has become more difficult to take care of Aaron at home. Mary described many sleepless nights worrying about him, about them. “He walked all night so to help me, I put him in adult daycare three days a week, but he was angry the days he didn’t go. We had to be going all the time or he was angry, so I put him in Dungeness Courte Memory Care (Sequim) for full-time daycare. He also got very frightened about a lot of things in the house and with the car. “I think he knew what was coming. He told me he knew what he hated most about Alzheimer’s — taking it out on the person you love and need the most.” Mary and Aaron’s family made the difficult decision to place him in Dungeness Courte six months ago, and things have gotten better for them. Everyone is carrying around much less stress. “He recognizes me and half the people who visit when I remind him. He’s still alert in many, many ways. I’ve noticed it’s hard for men to lose who they were and very hard for educated and successful men. Our relationship now is very sweet most of the time. We still take walks and talk lovingly in the gazebo. He says he’s blessed having me.” * Pseudonyms were used for confidentiality purposes.

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For information about including PBH in your estate planning, please call the Development Office.

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Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

240 West Front St., Port Angeles 360 452-7891 www.nohn-pa.org

Barbara J Maxwell, ARNP

Jessica M. Colwell, MD

Ben R. Curran, MD

Lissa K. Lubinski, MD

North Olympic Healthcare Network welcomes our new health care providers:

David J. Cutter, PA-C

Ben R. Curran, M.D. Lindsey Dickens Hay, M.D. Jessica M. Colwell, M.D.

Ned J. Hammar, M.D. Lissa K. Lubinski, M.D. Karen J. Lacy, LCSW

S. Robert Epstein, MD

The NORTH OLYMPIC HEALTHCARE NETWORK, a federally qualified community health center, provides high-quality, full-spectrum Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Oral Health services to meet the needs of North Olympic Peninsula. NOHN provides safe, effective, patient-centered, continuously measured and improved health care to every patient regardless of age, gender, race, creed, national origin, insurance status or ability to pay. Ned J. Hammar, MD

Curt L. Haugen, PA-C

• Primary Care • Obstetrics (OB) Including High-risk OB Care • Integrated Behavioral Health • Dental/Oral Health Access

• Nurse Case Managers • Pharmacy Access • Patient Navigators • Transportation Assistance • Radiology

For information about our services or on how to become a patient please call 360 452-7891.

Christopher J. Frank, MD

Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

Karen J. Lacy, LCSW

Susan H. Roberts, ARNP

Lindsey Dickens Hay, MD

Rienera S. Sivesind, MD

Michael S. Maxwell, MD Chief Executive Officer

621497483

Katrina C. Weller, MD Chief Medical Officer

SERVICES WE OFFER

We are leading providers of long-term skilled nursing care and shortterm rehabilitation solutions, located right here in your community. With our full continuum of services, we offer care focused around each individual in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever-changing healthcare environment.

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Bronze Award Since 2010 Quality Survey for 2014 Highest Medicare Quality Measures Rating on the Peninsula

650 West Hemlock St., Sequim, WA 98382 360.582.2400 www.sequimskillednursing.com

Quality Survey for 2014 Facility of the Year Award for 2013 Silver Quality Award Since 2014

Enhancing Lives One Moment at a Time

3 REASONS TO LOVE PENINSULA LIFE.

Race to Alaska. Tide Course. My Harvard-Trained Doctor. There are many lifestyle reasons we live on the peninsula. But I was surprised to learn

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Lifelong Journey • FEBRUARY 2016

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By demonstrating compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety, Olympic Medical Center has earned DNV Healthcare accreditation.

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