of San Juan County 2019

SUPPLEMENT TO THE JOURNAL, SOUNDER & WEEKLY PUBLICATIONS

Senior Resource Guide

2

LAHARI Questions About Caregiving on Orcas? · What are the organizations that provide support and resources for family caregivers? · Is there a list of professional caregivers on the island? · How to bring additional help into the home? · What are the best caregiver interview questions? · How to do a caregiver background check? · What are the financial and legal considerations of hiring a caregiver? For answers to these questions and more, visit: OrcasCaregivingConnection.org A Lahari Aging on Orcas Resource

sland earing Healthcare We are thrilled to be celebrating our

13 anniversary! th

• Diagnostic hearing testing • Customized hearing aid acclimatization program • Free trial period

Contracted with most major insurers, including:

Connecting people with resources

Submitted by The San Juan Island Family Resource Center

The San Juan Island Family Resource Center is dedicated to linking local families and individuals with the services and resources they need to be healthy, safe and productive. Available services for seniors include assistance with transportation, utility payments, health insurance, private practice counseling, emergency rental payment help, and one-time prescription assistance. The Resource Center’s Household Essentials program helps low-income senior islanders with a monthly distribution of personal hygiene and cleaning supplies, and the Island Neighbors program provides volunteer-based help with transportation, errand-running, light housekeeping and enjoyable social outings. Many Family Resource Center programs are income-based, but some are available to all residents. Call the San Juan Island Family Resource Center at 360-378-5246 if you’d like information about program eligibility, more details or would like to find out about becoming a volunteer! The center is located at 476 Market Street, Friday Harbor, and hours of operation are 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Services for Seniors

Over 500 Large Print titles - Audio books on CD, Downloadable books and audio books, Friendly assistance with your mobile devices, Deposit collections at Orcas Senior Services and Orcas Longhouse, Home delivery service available, and more!

Call us at (360) 376-4985 • www.orcaslibrary.org

• Medicare

Orcas Community Resource Center

•L&I • VA Choice Provider

• Highly competitive pricing on all major hearing aid brands Dr. Stacie Nordrum, Au.D., CCC-A

360-378-2330 Friday Harbor 545 Spring St.

Eastsound

(Wednesdays)

www.islandhearing.net

33 Urner St.

Referrals and resources to improve quality of life with the help of local, county, and state agencies. • Veterans Assistance • Energy Assistance • DSHS Applications • Transportation Voucher Program • Medicaid Transportation

• Apple Health • Social Services & Advocacy • Community Wellness Program • Weatherization And so much more!

www.orcascrc.org

Please call 360.376.3184 for an appointment at our office located at 374A North Beach Road next to Wildlife Cycles!

Senior Resource Guide

Medicaid Transformation Demonstration project Submitted by San Juan County Senior Services

Do you know someone over 55 having a hard time managing their own personal care and not seeming to have the resources to cope? This is a growing population – people who are not able to get around without some assistance, or are at risk for falls, people with some memory issues so they are not taking their medications correctly, or not able to shower or make food for themselves. We have a strong community here and neighbors and friends are amazing watchdogs and helpers, and we can’t solve all these problems at senior services, but we want people to know there are programs that can provide some help. The Medicaid Transformation Demonstration project is a relatively new program that helps staff to serve more senior clients through Medicaid who have not qualified before, or who have not been able to access the unique services they need. If clients qualify financially and functionally, the program can pay for Personal Emergency Response Systems (Lifeline and Safety Line for example), counseling and training for caregivers, incontinence supplies, medical equipment and small home modifications and repairs. One important requirement for the program is that care receivers must be 55 years of age or over and have physical needs that they cannot complete without assistance. The areas of assistance that are a requirement for the program are at least one of the following: help bathing, turning/getting out of bed,

The

GENTRY HOUSE

traveling across the room, eating, self-managing medications, toileting or transferring from bed, chair, wheelchair or to a standing position. They also qualify if they have dementia that significantly impairs their functioning or if they need daily assistance requiring the oversight of a nurse (for example: wound care, catheter, injections, or application of dressing). There are two separate programs within the MTD project: The Medicaid Alternative Care Program and Tailored Supports for Older Adults. The first is only for care receivers who have an unpaid caregiver, the second for either those with a caregiver or an individual living alone. The programs have separate financial eligibility but the wonderful thing about these new programs is that they have raised the amount of income clients can have to qualify for services and there is no estate recovery. Only the care receiver’s income will be considered for eligibility in the program (instead of the total couple) and clients can still receive services even with savings or investment resources. Please contact the Senior Services office if you think either of these programs might benefit you or your family, and to get an eligibility review. For San Juan Island and Lopez Island, call Gail Leschine-Seitz at 360-370-7528. For Orcas Island, call Heidi Bruce at 360376-2677.

The

BRADFORD HOUSE

Gavin Ellis, Site Manager

Leigh Ann Benson, Site Manager

(360) 293-4466 1208 7th Street

(360) 755-1235 116 North Skagit Street

Anacortes, WA 98221

Burlington, WA 98233

www.skagitadultdayprogram.com

www.skagitadultdayprogram.com

gavin@skagitadultdayprogram.org

leighann@skagitadultdayprogram.org

3

Senior Resource Guide

4

Senior Services available in San Juan County Submitted by The San Juan County Senior Services Team

When you are out and about in San Juan County, it doesn’t take long to notice that many seniors call our islands home. As with the rest of the country, our county’s population is aging and the resources and services many residents need are changing. This is a challenge the Senior Services Team are always aware of as we endeavor to provide programs and resources that assist and enrich the lives of our islands’ growing senior population. San Juan County Senior Services programs are offered under contracts with the Northwest Regional Council and Whatcom

Need to borrow hard-tofind medical equipment? Anxious about life altering events? Hoping to learn more about caregiving? Looking for a safe place to express your grief? Staffed entirely by volunteers, Hospice of San Juan Charges no fees for these services. Call to leave a message at (360) 472-0322 or visit hospiceofsanjuan.org

Council on Aging through the Health and Community Services Department. We have a team of Senior Services Specialists and Aging & Family Case Coordinators available to assist seniors and disabled adults, their families and their caregivers. San Juan County Senior Services’ goal is to assist seniors in remaining independent and in their homes for as long as possible, attempting to postpone or eliminate the need for residential or institutional care. Our services are geared towards this “Aging in Place” focus including food and transportation assistance, caregiver support groups and classes, case coordination and information, and educational opportunities. We offer a “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” class to unpaid caregivers that provides valuable information and advice to those providing on-going care for a friend or family member. Another class we offer—Chronic Disease Self-Management—provides beneficial information for any individual suffering from a range of health issues. Community-based care is what we are all about and is crucial for those in need and their caregivers, especially in our small island community. Many services are provided in partnership with the non-profit organization Senior Services Council of San Juan County Inc. (SSCSJC) that oversees the three senior centers on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands.

This collaboration enables San Juan County Senior Services and the senior centers to offer an array of services and enrichment including senior lunches; talks and workshops that address health and other quality of life issues; support groups; wheelchair and walker loans; foot care; and many other opportunities. Each senior center serves community hot lunches and also delivers meals to qualified homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels and More program; the Program is provided through a three-way partnership between Whatcom Council on Aging, San Juan County, and the SSCSJC. Lunches are served twice weekly on Lopez, and three times weekly on Orcas and San Juan. Meals are offered on a donation basis to those age 60 and over; those under 60 are also welcome to attend the community meals and pay just $7. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with meal preparation and Meals on Wheels and More deliveries to homebound seniors, so contact us if you are interested in helping out! In addition to the above services, Senior Services also distributes a free Senior Signal newsletter; Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island each have a newsletter specific to their island’s services. Newsletters provide information on community resources available; educational information; community meal menus; and

information on upcoming events and classes at the senior centers. If you would like to be added to our newsletter distribution list, please contact the respective Senior Services Specialist for your island: • Lopez Senior Center - Roni Becker at 360-468-2421, ronib@sanjuanco.com. • Orcas Senior Center - Jami Mitchell at 360-376-2677, jamim@sanjuanco.com. • Mullis Senior Center - Debbie Haagensen at 360-378-2677, debbieh@sanjuanco.com. Please provide your name, phone number, address and email address, and indicate whether you would like a paper copy and/ or an emailed copy of the newsletter (we encourage those who have email to use this method to help keep costs down). For further Senior Services information or assistance, please contact us or drop by any of the three senior centers: • Lopez Senior Center: 360-468-2421, 4102 Fisherman Bay Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261, Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. • Orcas Senior Center: 360-376-2677, 62 Henry Rd, Eastsound , WA 98245, MondayFriday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. • Mullis Senior Center: 360-378-2677, 589 Nash Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. We look forward to assisting you!

Veteran navigators slated to return to Orcas Island Submitted by Orcas Community Resource Center

The Whatcom County Veteran Navigators will once again return to Orcas on Saturday, Oct. 26 to lend their assistance and expertise to our San Juan County veterans. This volunteer group comprised of veterans (and families of veterans) first came to Orcas in May of 2018 and will be returning for their fourth visit to the island where they have served over 90 county veterans to date! These events have resulted in San Juan County veterans accessing pensions, service records, disability benefits, medical benefits, and more! If this is your first visit to the event, rest assured you will be assisted by a trained volunteer who is also a fellow veteran or a family member of a veteran. These folks have experienced firsthand the frustration of accessing veterans’ benefits and understand just how difficult it is to navigate this process. On Saturday, you’ll enter the Orcas High School cafeteria to sign in where you will be greeted by a volunteer and take a seat in the cafeteria after you help yourself to a snack or sandwich along with a cup of coffee or tea. In addition to your DD214, you

may want to have a book or newspaper in tow to read while you wait. Every veteran will have their one-on-one with a Navigator until all tasks at hand have been addressed and paperwork completed and submitted; on average, each veteran will spend about an hour with their Navigator. Here’s what some county veterans are saying about their experience: “most productive Saturday;” “life-changing;” “I can’t believe it — after all these years!;” “The outcome of a few hours of my Saturday — amazing!;” “These people are angels;” and “I was moved to tears!” The Veteran Navigators continue to be overwhelmed by the hospitality of Orcas Island since their first visit to Orcas at which time island vets, businesses, and organizations donated everything from meals to lodging. They were so moved by our island welcome and the great need to serve our San Juan County veterans, that they have committed to returning to Orcas twice a year going forward! Please contact Jana at the Resource Center at 360-376-3184 or jana@orcascrc.org if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!

Your Connection to Community Resources  Information and Assistance  Confidential and Free of Charge  Caregiver Support ◆ In-Home Care Medical / Dental ◆ Prescription Assistance Legal Options ◆ Long-Term Care ◆ Medicare / Medicaid ◆ Housing Supporting the independence, dignity, and health of community members of northern Washington Skagit County iSland County San Juan County

NWRC (360) 428-1301 or 800-585-679, www.nwrcwa.org Island Senior Resources Senior Information & Assistance. Camano Island: 360-387-6201, Oak Harbor: 360-675-0311, & So. Whidbey: 360-321-1600 San Juan Island: 360-378-2677, Orcas Island 360-376-2677, & Lopez Island 360-370-7521

Senior Resource Guide

5

Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary Join Mindfulness Northwest for a 5-day retreat of mindfulness practices in the style of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at Orcas Island's beautiful Indralaya Retreat Center. Explore: • the roots of mindfulness • talks on Buddhist teachings • connected ideas from philosophy, poetry, and the sciences • hands-on meditation practices including sitting, walking and gentle guided movement.

Tuesday thru Saturday, May 5 - 10, 2020

Registration begins January 2020. Sign up now to receive notification as soon as registration is available for this retreat at: www.mindfulnessnorthwest.com/multi-day-retreats 360.830.6439 x 0 ◆ www.mindfulnessnorthwest.com

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

October 15 - December 7

CALL LIFEPLAN FINANCIAL, INC. for an appointment today! Serving San Juan County

360-419-0100 425-344-1389 cell

HARALD SCHOT

www.lifeplanfinancial.net ◆ www.medicareplanswashington.com

Senior Services Council of San Juan County, Inc

TURNING 65? LOPEZ ISLAND SENIOR CENTER - WOODMEN HALL 4102 Fisherman Bay Road Lopez Island, WA 98261 Tues-Fri, 9 AM - 3:30 PM 360-468-2421 ronib@sanjuanco.com

With Centers on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands

A local non-profit, providing services and support to our islands’ seniors and disabled adults

Visit your local Center today and take advantage of all we have to offer

ORCAS SENIOR CENTER

Exercise your Mind, Body, and Soul:

62 Henry Road Eastsound, WA 98245 Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 4 PM 360-376-2677 admin@orcasseniors.org

Fitness & Mobility Classes Arts, Crafts, & Volunteer Opportunities Lectures, Workshops & Book Clubs

Relax and Enjoy:

MULLIS CENTER

Home Style Community Meals

589 Nash Street Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 4 PM 360-378-2677 info@mulliscenter.org

Assorted Clubs, & Activity Groups Games, Social Gatherings, Movies, and More

Member Discounts (vary from Center to Center) On: SSCSJC Sponsored Classes & Events Off-island Travel for Medical Appointments & Shopping Foot Care and Venue Rentals

Age

well in

Join your local Center today and support the community while taking advantage of all we have to offer.

SAn JuAn Count y

Senior Resource Guide

6

Senior Services Council of San Juan County, Inc

A local nonprofit providing services and support for our islands’ seniors Submitted by Senior Services Council of San Juan County, Inc

San Juan County has a population of greater than 17,000 residents and more than 5,000 are considered seniors, over the age of 60. Providing opportunities and support to this growing segment of our islands involves multiple organizations working together. One of these organizations is Senior Services Council of San Juan County, Inc., a Washington 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation which was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.  Its mission is to maintain the value and dignity of citizens age sixty and over and disabled persons of San Juan County by providing a spectrum of services which will meet their recreational, intellectual, social, physical, and mental needs regardless of their abilities, disabilities, race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, color, or national origin.   Many of the islands’ senior services programs are offered under contract with Northwest Regional Council through the San Juan County Health and Community Services Department with significant support from the Senior Services Council of San Juan County, Inc. The SSCSJC supports provision of services to seniors and their caregivers by the Human Services Division of San Juan County Health & Community Services Department and assists staff in implementing and operating senior programs in a manner which is legal, ethical, fiscally responsible and fulfills program specific standards for grant funds and private donations.  The SSCSJC also provides a non-profit corporate umbrella for three separate District Committees and their respective Senior Centers which identify and endeavor to meet local needs and service gaps. San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island each have a Senior Center.  Each Center has a District Committee whose

members serve at the appointment and approval of the Board of Directors of the SSCSJC. District Committees are responsible for the development and operation of Senior Center facilities and for the provision of services and programs aimed at increasing “quality of life” for seniors, their caregivers and the community as a whole.  County personnel, supported by SSCSJC and based at each center, work to assist seniors to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. They offer supportive services such as Case Coordination, Family Caregiver Support, Respite Care, Senior Information and Assistance. They are also a resource to those under 60 who provide care or help to parents, older family members or neighbors.   SSCSJC and its three Senior Centers, in partnership with Whatcom Council on Aging and San Juan County, provide community lunches to those 60 and over and deliver meals to homebound community members (Meals on Wheels), asking a modest donation to help cover costs.  Additionally, in a unique partnership, SSCSJC and the County operate accessible vehicles with which to provide specialized transportation services to seniors and disabled in our communities.  SSCSJC and its Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Centers offer and host a wide array of social, educational, healthcare, and recreational activities and opportunities such as interest and hobby groups; game and book clubs; fitness classes; stimulating lectures; assorted classes and workshops; blood pressure, flu, mammogram, footcare, hearing, and dental clinic; and off-island shopping and medical trips. There are many ways SSCSJC is supporting seniors, their caregivers and the greater community. In partnership with the County, WCOA, and many other community members and organizations, and with the generous support of private

www.mcgregorbenefits.com

donors, the SSCSJC is working to support and serve a complete spectrum of seniors, from those who are healthy and actively contributing to the community, to those who are frail and in need. Memberships and volunteer opportunities are available at all three Centers.  

Lopez Island Senior Center – Woodmen Hall 4102 Fishermen Bay Rd (PO Box 154) Lopez Island, WA 98261 Phone: 360-468-2421 Hours: 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Tuesday – Friday Email: ronib@sanjuanco.com

Orcas Senior Center 6​ 2 Henry Road (PO Box 1653) Eastsound, WA 98245 Phone: 360-376-2677 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday Email: admin@orcasseniors.org

Mullis Community Senior Center 589 Nash Street (PO Box 684) Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Phone: 360-378-2677 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday Email: info@mulliscenter.org

Senior Resource Guide

Senior Services at the Orcas Island Library Submitted by Orcas Island Library

Throughout the history of the Orcas Island Library, dating from the 1950s when it was run entirely by volunteers, seniors have been perhaps the most active group both in operating and making use of the Library. The Library’s current service and usage patterns continue this trend. Seniors make up a strong majority of the Library’s 45+ volunteers, along with a large proportion of its daily users, checkouts, and class attendance. The Library offers a wide range of resources and services for everyone, though often with many senior users and participants, such as • Online resources such as Consumer Reports; language learning; car repair; travel; cooking; magazine and newspaper articles; streaming video; downloadable e-books and audio books; and more. • Over 5,000 new items added to its collection annually, including fiction and non-fiction books appealing to all viewpoints and tastes; DVDs; talking books; magazines; and music CDs. • A variety of programs by a range of speakers, typically at least two each month. Some examples from 2019 include the Coast Salish Speaker Series; programs celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first trip to the Moon; Black History Month; Poetry Month events such as readings and open mic; Cedar Weaving; money and budgeting; and Karl

Kruger on paddleboarding. • Classes and other meetings such as the ongoing Genealogy Club, Chess Club, and book clubs for all ages, • Non-traditional items for checkout such as an LCD projector; bat detector; GoPro video camera; telescope; and birding backpacks. • A variety of seating options for people to work in the building or even outside for a short while or all day. • A variety of volunteer opportunities, usually for three hours per week. Tailored more for seniors are such resources and activities as: • Free delivery of materials to homebound residents. • Deposit collections at the Senior Center and Longhouse. • Free weekly tech help for personal electronic devices and for using online resources. • A large print collection of over 500 books. Anyone can contact Librarian Holly King, who coordinates the library’s services to seniors, or Library Director Phil Heikkinen with any questions or requests at hking@ orcaslibrary.org, pheikkinen@orcaslibrary. org, or 360-376-4985. Or come by the library at 500 Rose Street, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.5 p.m., Friday-Saturday, or noon-3 p.m., Sunday.

Offering assistance with: HEALTH CARE ENERGY ASSISTANCE BASIC FOOD PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS Offering opportunities in Youth Mentoring and Academic Tutoring Call us at 360-468-4117 to find out more about these programs

7

Sleep Wellness for Seniors By Robert Reyna, MD Medical Director Island Hospital Sleep Wellness Center The lack of quality sleep on a regular basis can have serious health and quality-oflife implications. In fact, chronic sleep loss is now being linked as a risk factor to a growing number of disorders including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, stroke and more. Research shows that 75% of people report a lack of sleep but only 10% tell their physicians. IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP FOR SENIORS Seniors tend to fall asleep more slowly and awaken more often during the night. An increase in night awakenings can lead to other problems such as falls and injuries among seniors. This concern increases when the person is on sedating medications. Healthy seniors should have no or very few problems sleeping as they age. TYPES OF SLEEP PROBLEMS The more common sleep disorders include sleep apnea, insomnia and restless-legs syndrome. Symptoms for sleep apnea include snoring or gasping for air during sleep, morning headaches, memory problems and others. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep-related breathing disorder which has serious quality-of-life and work-performance implications, also can cause acute cardiovascular problems. It is estimated that only 10% of patients with OSA are being treated, and while the remaining 90% may know they have a problem, they choose not to pursue treatment. Poor quality sleep or insomnia is the sleep problem most frequently reported to physicians. Causes of insomnia are many: excess drinking of caffeine or alcohol, overactive bladder, jet lag and certain medications to name a few. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be a more effective therapy than any of the currently available sleep medications. A disorder of the part of the nervous system that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, restless-legs syndrome (RLS) usually interferes with sleep onset. Those with this condition have an uncomfortable feeling in their legs which worsens when at rest. HAVE YOU TALKED TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR SLEEP? If you feel you may have sleeping problems, let your healthcare provider know. Few can offer the state-of-the-art technology, the staff experience and expertise patients find at the Island Hospital Sleep Wellness Center, located at 1110 22nd Street in Anacortes. For appointment or information, call (360) 299-8676.

8

Senior Resource Guide

Your First Step... on the road back home! ⊲ Personalized Rehabilitation Services ⊲ Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies ⊲ 24-Hour Skilled Nursing Services ⊲ Comfortable Family Atmosphere ⊲ Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually we serve you and yours

“Our Family... Caring for Yours” Call Today to Schedule a Personalized Tour!

(360) 424 - 4258 2120 E. Division, Mount Vernon | LifeCareCenterofMountVernon.com