2018 WINTER EDITION
Where your friends live.
Gazette THE COMMUNITY
2-3
NEWS FROM THE TEAM: Letter from Jay Woolford Fresh Bucks & Farmer's Market Tax Help & Veteran's Corner
4-5
LIFE AT SHAG Wii Bowling Champs Resident from the Alder Ridge Fire
6-7
LIFE AT SHAG: The Garden Gazette HEALTH & WELLNESS Fitness DVDs at your Library 5 Safety Tips for Fitness
8
BRAIN GAMES: Get a Workout for your Brain RECIPE CORNER Chicken Creole
Tukwila Village OPENING SOON!
PRE-LEASING NOW! CALL TODAY!
(206) 494-0386
2
SHAG Community Gazette
News From The Team A Word from Jay
Every March, National Nutrition Month® is celebrated to remind all of us about the importance of food and nutrition in our lives. This year's theme encourages us to achieve the numerous benefits healthy eating habits offer, but it also urges us to find ways to cut back on food waste. Which brings me to a subject that is of concern to all of us at SHAG- food insecurity and older adults. The USDA defines food insecurity as “the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.” A staggering statistic is that one in ten US households over age 40 have serious food insecurity issues. Within our SHAG communities, staff and residents alike are actively seeking ways to alleviate food insecurity --- call it “neighbors helping neighbors.” They work with each other, area businesses, local food banks and community groups to help address this distressing issue. I’d like to share some wonderful examples of what is happening in our SHAG communities.
At Lynnwood City Center in Lynnwood
At Tri Court in Kent
The staff set up a Food Pantry for residents to have better access to food. Each Friday residents can leave food donations outside their doors. The food is picked up and distributed to needy residents. The food pantry is sustained by the residents and participation has been terrific.
An inspiring resident goes out and picks up bread donations weekly. He organizes the bread, laying out the bread in community rooms for residents to share at all three buildings. He also organizes many potluck dinners, asking for volunteers to help serve & cleanup, and invites caregivers as well.
At Boardwalk in Olympia The staff at Boardwalk work with the Olympia Farmers Market to gather and distribute items donated by the vendors. The fruits, vegetables, and fresh baked goods provide a muchneeded extension and variety of food for many residents.
At Conservatory Place in Tacoma Every Tuesday is dedicated to “Stone Soup Day”. Residents and staff alike are encouraged to contribute food items throughout the week and on Tuesday, a big pot of soup is made for residents to share and enjoy.
Where your friends live.
And, we have many more stories just like these. We are inspired by, and grateful for, our residents and staff commitment to each other to ensure a vital, healthy quality of life throughout their communities.
Sincerely,
Jay Woolford, Executive Director
SHAG Community Gazette
3
Fresh Bucks
Individuals enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) can get more bang for their buck at participating farmers markets across Washington State! Fresh Bucks is the largest EBT matching program in the state, but several markets fund their own programs through local partnerships. These programs have names such as Gimme Five, Double Up Bucks, Fresh Match, and more. Match amounts vary; common matches include $2:$2, $2:$5, and $1:$1. For example, with a $2:$5 match, for every $5 spent in EBT, the market gives an additional $2 to spend on fresh produce. All programs aren’t offered year-round; some operate based on funding availability. For a list of participating markets, visit: www.wafarmersmarkets.org/ebt-match/ For more information regarding Fresh Bucks, please call: (206) 706-5198
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is part of the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (AAA). It is run by the Department of Social and Health Services. The Senior Nutrition Program improves nutrition for low-income adults over age 60 with: •
Helpful tips about how to eat more fruits and vegetables
•
Information on how to store and prepare fruits and vegetables bought at farmers markets
Enrollment is required for this program and deadlines vary based on location. For your area’s enrollment date call 360.725.2466 to be connected with your local SFMNP contact. Talk to your Resident Service Coordinator should you need any assistance in getting started with either of these programs.
FREE Tax Help
It's tax season! Did you know there are many organizations are out there to help assist you with getting them completed? United Way, 2-1-1, AARP, Goodwill, local libraries, local senior centers all offer free tax services. Connect with your Resident Services Coordinator for more information.
Tuesday, April 17th
Veteran's Corner Call for questions regarding your veterans benefits.
(206) 245-8114 Jonathan Johnson
Veteran Outreach Coordinator Visit us at housing4seniors.com
4
SHAG Community Gazette
Life at SHAG
"Falling Pins"
Pat DeRiso
Bill Lien
Sheila Roution Patti Raczon not pictured
Arrowhead Gardens Crowns a New Champion
By Diane Radischat, Resident Contributor, Arrowhead Gardens
Wii Bowling, is the next best thing to being on ‘the lanes’ for all us old bowlers. It’s a wonderful social activity, a lot fun and great exercise. The sport has become quite popular at many of our SHAG communities and many have formed teams and competed in Wii bowling leagues. This year we had several teams who made it to the playoffs – one of them took home the trophy. In the past six years, we have had at least four teams in the National Senior League, bowling in a handicapped league against other teams throughout the country. We have always had one or two teams in our league advance to the playoffs only to be defeated before the final championship. This year was different, we had a new team and they went all the way. They won the Elite 2 Division. They persevered and hoped for the best each week, first winning their conference and then making it to the next round, and the next and finally, the big win. And the winners are… Falling Pins, Arrowhead Gardens, Seattle, WA! Patricia DeRiso, William Lien, Sheila Roution and Patti Raczon, make up this winning team and are the 2017 Wii Bowling National Champions for the National Senior League conference.
We are proud of ‘our’ champions!
Do you have a story, special expertise or passion that you would like to share with your friends? If so, we would love to include it in a future issue of the SHAG Gazette. Please submit your story to ResidentStories@SHAG.org Where your friends live.
SHAG Community Gazette
5
Out of the Ashes, A Friendship is Rekindled For many of us, December 26th, 2017 was a quiet night after the holidays, but for Joan Davis the night would serve as an example of how humanity connects us all.
Joan. She also leaned on the support of the entire Meridian community, initiating a donation drive of goods for displaced Alder Ridge residents in need.
It was 6:30pm when the homes of several residents were set ablaze at Alder Ridge Senior Apartments in Milton. The fire resulted in over 120 displaced residents; many of whom had lost everything. Among those residents was Joan Davis. Her apartment suffered extensive damage as it was located right above where the fire began.
As luck would have it, the team succeeded in finding Joan a new place, at Meridian Court Apartments.
Can you imagine being 70 years old and losing everything, living in a hotel and starting over? But a chance encounter between Joan and Alicia Berrios, Campus Manager with Meridian Court helped her do just that. You see, Joan was diligently looking for a new place and as she walked into her last stop that evening Alicia said, “I know you. Joan is that you?”
Joan says, “It’s the relationship that Alicia and I established in my old apartment at Alder Ridge, the help that she gave me then, connecting my TV, helping me hook up my cellphone to the WIFI and moving my entertainment center. And the help that she gave me now, that Alicia was here again for me when I walked in the door and she went out of her way to expedite the process. Nobody gets an apartment in two days! It was awesome!”
Getting an apartment was fantastic news, but it was the presence of a special friend that made the difference. “I believe Alicia’s compassion to go above and beyond is very important. The day I moved in, there was a gift from Alicia and her family, a bag of towels, throw rugs, shampoo and soap. And a lovely card from Mona too,” Joan states. Mona continues, “Joan described how blessed she feels and so grateful to have seen Alicia’s friendly and familiar face with an available apartment at the end of a long day searching for a new place to live.” Mona also put Joan in touch with a furniture bank to make sure her new place truly felt like home.
The two ladies’ history began at Alicia’s previous position with Alder Ridge Senior Apartments as a Manager, and the two have kept in touch since. When Alicia heard the devastating news, she immediately teamed with Mona Sanger, Senior Resident Services Coordinator and SHAG OPS/ Leasing to secure housing for
Visit us at housing4seniors.com
6
SHAG Community Gazette
Resident Finds Interactive Way to Get Involved With over 500 residents and a jam packed calendar, Arrowhead Gardens in West Seattle, is a community bustling with activity. When John Walling, 75, moved into there in 2014 it was a lot for him to take in. He wanted to find a way to stay active and get to know more people in the community. So, he decided to volunteer his expertise in Information Technology and freelance web development along with his experience with local web technology groups to create the Garden Gazette, a community-wide website. Today the Garden Gazette serves as a platform for resident stories, special announcements and wider community happenings. It’s especially important to John to offer support for newbie residents. “When I came here I was totally unfamiliar with this area and it took me a while to figure out where the grocery store was. So I knew it’d be helpful for others to throw that information on there as well!” While John has many ideas on the structure of the website, he looks for support from the community when it comes to content. Stories, events and announcements are submitted via email or the website’s submission form by fellow residents to streamline the process. Residents in the community are thrilled to have this information readily available and continue to be impressed by what John has created for them.
Health and Wellness Workout DVDs at Your Local Library Did you know your local library may be the best place for rentals in your area? The library holds a wealth of fitness resources to help you gain strength, balance and flexibility. How to access these DVDs: 1. Go to your area branch or county library homepage 2. Next, locate the search bar at the top of the webpage 3. Search using keywords such as “workout”, “fitness”, or
“exercise”. If searching by county, the search results will specify which branch the DVD is in and its availability.
Thurston King Snohomish Whatcom Pierce
www.trl.org www.kcls.org www.sno-isle.org www.wcls.org www.piercecountylibrary.org
Where your friends live.
Be on the lookout for our exercise toolkit from Programs & Partnerships, which will include exercise safety tips for machines, a compiled list of top-rated exercise DVDs for older adults, and more information on accessing fitness resources within your community.
SHAG Community Gazette
7
5 Tips to Start Your Fitness Journey One of the greatest concerns older adults have regarding exercise is knowing where to start. Start with safety!
1. Talk to your doctor Set up an appointment to discuss fitness goals and activities that fit your needs and abilities. These conversations can help you find out how you can meet your goals safely, without putting your body at risk.
2. Try a variety of exercises Have several options on hand to mix it up. After talking with your doctor about what activities would work best for you, explore differeny types of activities. To find other opportunities look to your local senior centers, the internet and fitness DVDs for options.
3. Warm up & cool down Coming out the gate running may sound like a good idea, but it can lead to serious injury. A good warm-up should last 5 to 10 minutes and work all major muscle groups to get oxygen flowing. Jumping jacks, lunges, and even dancing to your favorite song are all good exercises to get started. Likewise, spend about 5 to 10 minutes for your cool down, focusing on slow movements to prevent muscle cramps and dizziness while your heart rate normalizes. End your workout with stretching.
4. Stay hydrated Did you know that the amount of water within our bodies decreases by approximately 15% between the ages of 20 and 80?[1] Simply put, it is crucial that older adults stay hydrated when working out. Please consult with your doctor but aim for at least 1 liter of water per day when working out.
5. Exercise with friends
Enrolling in an exercise class, walking with a group of friends, or getting an exercise buddy are all ways to get started.
1.
European Review of Aging and Physical Activity April 2010, Volume 7, Issue 1, pp 27–36
Visit us at housing4seniors.com
Recipe Corner CHICKEN CREOLE
INGREDIENTS
Makes 3 servings
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 medium chicken breast halves (3/4 pound) skinned, boned, and cut into 1-inch strips 1 cup tomatoes, diced 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup low sodium chili sauce 1 small bell pepper, chopped 1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onions 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon parsley
DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken, stir for 3 or 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Add tomatoes, water, low sodium chili sauce, green pepper, celery, onion, garlic, basil, and parsley. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve over rice or whole wheat pasta. Down Home Healthy Cookin’, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health
Brain Games
1a. Just between you and me 1b. Hitting below the belt 1c. Head over heels in love 1d. Shrinking violets 2a. Cry over spilled milk 2b. Lying in wait 2c. Unfinished symphony 2d. Pineapple upside-down cake 3a. Nothing on TV 3b. Fly-by-night 3c. Raise a big stink 3d. Add insult to injury 4a. At the point of no return 4b. The inside dope 4c. Long underwear 4d. Ostrich with its head on the ground
Rebus
A rebus is an allusional device that uses pictures to represent words or parts of words. Can you spot the phrase, saying, or clichĂŠ using these below?
Answer key Where your friends live.
The SHAG Foundation 3131 Elliott AVe. S Ste. 350 Seattle WA 98121 Tel: 206.760.1093 Fax: 206.760.9207
housing4seniors.com