2024 Fall/Winter Edition of Vibrant Senor Options Resource Guide Magazine
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Thepictures below “paint a thousand words” across the sky. On the evening of May 10, 2024, my wife and I drove northeast of Sedro-Woolley in Skagit Valley and enjoyed one of creation's magnificent light shows, known as an aurora.
An aurora, commonly known as the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) or Southern Lights (Aurora Australis), is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of brilliant lights that appear as curtains, rays, spirals, or dynamic flickers covering the entire sky. Auroras result from disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate into the upper atmosphere. The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric constituents emit lights of varying color and complexity. (Wikipedia)
The strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years occurred in May 2024, resulting in stunning worldwide displays of the aurora Borealis. It dazzled scientists and sky watchers alike. The G5 storm culminated in a remarkable display of the Aurora Borealis overnight on May 10-11, visible from many areas worldwide, including latitudes where sightings of auroras are uncommon including as far south as Florida. (From an online article by Kathryn Hansen, NASA Earth Observatory)
An aurora’s color is influenced by atmospheric compounds found at different altitudes. Auroras occur high in the atmosphere, so observers on the ground can potentially witness them from very far away. The aurora radiates creative energy, with a variety of colors to enjoy.
Check out the variety of Senior Directories and Articles included in our Table of Contents (Page 5) and enjoy the “words that paint a picture.”
Mark your calendars for the following upcoming events by Elder Service Providers. For more information, see Page 9 or visit www.whatcomesp.org
• Winter Wonderland Masquerade Gala: January 25, 2025
• Caregiver Conference: late April to early May 2025
Now, with all that scientific explanation, I still picture the Creator with a brush in hand painting up a colorful solar storm against a palette of black with those trillions of white stars sprinkled in and having a great time making us marvel.~ Kirk Blankenship, Publisher
Photo Credit: Picture taken by Gunjan Sinha, May 11, 2024 looking south from near Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photographed by Kirk Blankenship, May 10, 2024, east of Sedro-Woolley, WA looking north in Skagit Valley.
Blue Zones: Life Style Lessons
Review by Christine Blankenship, Publisher
Inhis book, The Blue Zones, Dan Buettner studies "Long-lived communities where common elements of lifestyle, diet, and outlook have led to an amazing quantity - and qualityof life." Now granted, none of us will live on this earth forever, but there is something to how we live that may change health risks and how we age. However, this review is not about risk or aging but about learning and finding ideas for your Blue Zone list. So, grab a green tea, and get ready to read about an unusual lifestyle that can still exist today.
Buettner has joined the National Institute on Aging to find “Blue Zones” worldwide.
Striving to be a firsthand witness, he has personally visited these communities and even stayed long enough to form friendships. He’s not all clinical talk and theory. After discussing life choices with centurions, Dan shares his unique conversations in his Blue Zones book. Were there common threads around the world?
You bet! Some threads concern diet, movement, and simplicity. Many of us have heard this stuff before and consider it good for the young and restless but “too late” for us. However, the impact can be real at any age and our lifestyle choices are worth the effort!
Packed with insights about daily life, Buettner boils many ideas down to the “Power Nine” and a cross-cultural summary of the best tried and true practices common in different areas of the world. These lessons include
• Being active
• Eating less
• Avoiding or eating less meat and processed foods
• If consuming alcohol, taking in moderation
• Writing a mission statement with the big picture in mind
• Taking time to relieve stress
• Participating in a spiritual community
• Making family a priority
• Surrounding yourself with those who share Blue Zone values.
I have chosen five “Power Nine” ideas to discuss here.
Five Lifestyle Lessons
Exercise: A Secret to a Healthier Body
In Blue Zones, they do not employ fancy gyms lined with treadmills, personal trainers, and monthly payments. They have gardens that need sowing, weeding, and harvesting –perfect for strengthening the core. Plus, their environment of endless walking trails delivers what they need for a cardio workout. Now, that is a fitness plan! However, I will add that some of us enjoy those gyms and indoor exercise programs with our Pacific Northwest weather challenges.
Blue Zone people exercise by doing real-life
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stuff, like carrying groceries, chasing chickens, and maybe even dancing in the kitchen when no one’s looking. The whole point is to find ways to exercise at whatever level and place you dwell. It does not have to be complicated, but it does need to involve moving.
Diet: Less Complex and Fresher Meals
Free yourself from food stress by putting away the dreams of elaborate meal plans and parties to compete with The Rich and Famous. In Blue Zones, meals include fresh, nutritious ingredients and edible simplicity! This diet is not complicated, and it does not buy into the “Bleak Zone” conveniences of pre-made packaged foods.
The diet includes beans, nuts, vegetables, and small-portion meats. Remember that plain vegetables cook as easily as baking the old TV Dinners of the 70s and today. This diet reflects a mindset towards foods with fewer ingredients that add to, not harm, your health and wellness.
Stress Reduction: Yoga or a Good Nap?
People in Blue Zones take time to relieve stress with yoga, meditation, or prayer. They also understand that constantly attending to electronic media or worrying about the Wi-Fi connection wastes their time. Imagine a life where your daily decision is whether to have a second cup of afternoon tea or take a nap.
Social Life: Where Friends and Family Talk
In these zones, social life is a serious business. You would have close-knit friends who don’t just text to ask how you’re doing, but they
come over and talk.
Purpose: Beyond Finding a TV Remote
People in Blue Zones have a sense of purpose, whether helping others, staying active, or just being the community’s unofficial tea server. Every day they wake up with an idea or plan, even if that is to make the best cup of tea in town.
Beyond the Book: Your Personal Blue Zone
Even a small change for a healthier lifestyle is beneficial. I would say that some books or articles about health can be oversimplified, and no one is encouraged to go against their doctor’s orders. However, most health professionals would say Dan Buettner has a good plan, with adjustments for some individuals. Imagine your Blue Zone by choosing and implementing ideas for your doable list. Lifestyles recommended in Blue Zones are not costly or complicated. Neither is wellness about a mysterious secret diet. It is about living in a way that makes you eat simple food, stay active, and manage your stress. What steps can you take to embrace better health, find joy in daily chores, and socialize more often?
Review by Christine Blankenship
The Blue Zones, by Dan Buettner National Geographic Society 2008
End Note:
Did I mention that my Blue Zone includes one daily cup of coffee? But that is a different topic for a different article.
Why is Prostate Cancer Screening So Important?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the United States. It typically presents in men in their 60s or older but can happen at any age.
Twenty to fifty percent of men in their 50s can have prostate cancer.
What are the Common Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer screening is especially important because symptoms typically are not present until it has reached later stages. Early on, symptoms can be very non-specific or even absent. As the cancer progresses, people may experience bone pain or blood in the urine. It can block the urinary system and the kidneys.
Who Should Undergo Prostate Screening?
Based on the recommendations of the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer baseline screening for men includes talking with their healthcare provider to determine their risk level.
Men between the ages of 50-70 should undergo prostate cancer screenings. If an individual has a predisposition to prostate cancer, such as a first-degree family history (dad, sibling, son), the screening age is lowered to 40-45.
“And in men undergoing prostate screening
routinely, usually through their primary care doctor, about 90% of prostate cancer is found to be organ-confined at diagnosis, which is why the screening process is so important,” states Dr. Kyle Schuyler, a urologist at Skagit Regional Health.
What types of screening exist?
There are two ways to determine if a man has prostate cancer:
1. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA): A blood test to determine if higher than normal levels of this antigen are present
2. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): Physical examination through the rectum to evaluate the size of the prostate gland
If either of these tests is abnormal, further testing is necessary to make an accurate prostate cancer diagnosis and monitor treatment. Usually, a core needle biopsy is the method used to diagnose prostate cancer.
Next Steps
According to the American Cancer Society, "screening increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be treated successfully."
To schedule your prostate screening today, visit www.skagitregionalhealth.org to learn more.
Kyle Schuyler, MD
Urology, Robotic Surgery Skagit Regional Clinics - Mount Vernon 360-814-6565
Kyle Schuyler, MD
We’re with You Every Step of the Way
As friends, family, or loved ones age, unexpected events can derail even the healthiest person. Often friends and family need to step in and support when they least expect it. When thinking about your life’s health journey, it is important to learn what Palliative Care and Hospice services are and when and how you should take advantage of these valuable and specialized services.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is an interdisciplinary medical approach – helping people living with any serious or debilitating illness like cancer, congestive heart failure, lung disease, kidney failure, liver disorder, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or other forms of dementia.
At WhidbeyHealth our team works closely with your primary provider, specialist, or hospital to provide the best supportive care for patients and families facing serious illness.
What We Do:
• Build a care plan that lessens the physical symptoms of disease, eases the stress of emotional and social worries, and helps you decide what kind of care is right for you
• Help you navigate the healthcare system and access community resources through coordination and referral
“Patients with terminal illness who engage our Palliative Care team early, generally have an easier journey with better outcomes, especially when transitioning to Hospice.” – Carla Jolley, ARNP
Depending on your needs, palliative care can be involved for a short time or as part of your long-term care plan depending on your illness journey. Palliative care focuses on treating you as a whole person and supporting your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Hospice
Hospice teams provide family-centered, holistic, and compassionate end-of-life care for people with terminal illnesses. They help manage pain and symptoms and provide medication and supplies, emotional support, and respite for caregivers. Services are appropriate when the patient, the patient’s family, or the physician determines the goal is comfort and quality of life, and there are no further tests, procedures, or treatments.
At WhidbeyHealth, our Hospice team works with each patient to determine their goals. Is the patient looking for quality of life or length of life? Ideally, a patient would be in Hospice for 3-6 months. During this time the WhidbeyHealth team will work with the patient
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We're With You Every Step of the Way
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to develop a plan based on their choices and circumstances. Hospice services are typically provided at the patient’s home, allowing them to spend their final months surrounded by loved ones.
“Often patients and families wait until the very end before introducing hospice and miss the opportunity to have the benefits, resources, and support available.” – Dr. Shana Fogarty
WhidbeyHealth’s Hospice is Medicarecertified, which means that patients on Medicare receive hospice services at no cost:
• Time and service of your Care Team; home visits to determine your needs and establish the collaboration best suited for you and your family
• Medication for symptom control; pain relief
• Medical equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs or walkers, and medical supplies
• Grief and loss counseling for the patient and loved ones; helping mitigate anticipatory grief and providing grief counseling for the loss
Our team supports patients and families with
comprehensive expertise in the management of physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. For most hospice patients, “comfort care” means spending the last months of their lives within familiar surroundings with family, friends, pets, and relaxed routines. Patients who utilize WhidbeyHealth Community Pharmacy for their medications may have them delivered to their homes. Our teams are providing exceptional service and improving care, one patient at a time.
Insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers typically cover palliative and hospice services. It is similar to seeing other specialists such as a cardiologist. Your primary care physician or specialist can refer you to Palliative Care and/or Hospice services, or you can contact us directly.
Elder Law: A specialized area of legal practice, covering estate planning, wills, trusts, arrangements for care, social security and retirement
and other issues that involve older people. (www.uslegal.com)
Geriatric Care Manager/Elder Care Consultant: This professional is usually a licensed nurse or social worker who specializes in geriatrics. They are sort of “professional relative” who can help you and your family to identify needs and find ways to meet your needs. They will work with you to form a long-term
(www.nia.nih.gov)
Finance Tips: Going Through the Loss of a Spouse
Article provided by Edward Jones
Losing a spouse is a painful experience. Additionally, widows and widowers must deal with a range of financial issues. If you or someone you know is recently widowed, what steps should be considered?
For starters, don’t rush into any major decisions. Wait until you feel you can look at things objectively.
Review Your Finances
Review your finances. Look at your entire financial picture — your assets, investments, debts, and income. If you and your spouse had communicated well about finances and shared decisions, you wouldn’t encounter any big surprises. But if your spouse was the partner who handled financial matters, you may need to get up to speed quickly on what you have and what you owe. If your spouse has provided most of your household income, you must also determine what lifestyle changes you may need.
Life Insurance
You will also want to look at insurance. If you are to receive a death benefit from your spouse’s insurance policy, what will you do with the money? It may prove helpful in funding your retirement or meeting other finance goals. But you’ll also want to be clear about what other beneficiaries, such as your children, might receive. Also, consider your policies to determine if you need to update your beneficiaries.
Social Security Options
Review your Social Security options, as you may be eligible for survivor’s benefits. Be sure to investigate your own Social Security retirement benefits as well. You can’t take both, but you will receive the larger of the two. For more details on receiving Social Security benefits, visit the Social Security Administration’s website at www.ssa.gov.
Estate Plans
Finally, review your estate plans to see if anything needs to be changed.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to go it alone. Few events are as sad as losing a spouse. But when you feel ready, start taking the steps necessary to continue forward on your life’s journey.
This content is provided by Edward Jones for use by Troy Kunz, your Edward Jones financial advisor at (360) 293-4581.
www.edwardjones.com/troy-kunz
For some, receiving an inheritance is not just a transfer of assets, but also of values-leaving behind a 'legacy of love' and confidence about the future.
Regional Council 4
WA Cares Funds: Services and Resources
Article provided by NWRC
Long-term
care is a range of services and supports to help people daily. It may include care in your home, home-delivered meals, home modifications, assistive devices, help with transportation, or residential care. The need for long-term care can come suddenly from an injury or accident but can also be a result of prolonged illness, dementia, or aging. The fact is that 7 in 10 Washingtonians will need long-term care at some point in their lives.
Public Long-Term Care Insurance
The WA CARES Fund is a public long-term care insurance. All working Washingtonians have been contributing a small percentage (.58%) of their income to the fund since 2023.
Benefits, starting at $36,500, will be available beginning July 2026 for individuals who have met the contribution requirement and have a care need.
Choose How to Best Use the Funds
WA CARES lets you choose how to use the funds to best meet your long-term care needs. NWRC is passionate about helping people navigate long-term care and helping families understand the services and resources that are available to them. WA CARES is a first-ofits-kind benefit that will reach Washingtonians when they need it the most. Learn more about WA CARES at: www.wecareforwacares.org www.wacaresfund.wa.gov (360) 676-6749
NWRC has been helping older adults, people with complex medical conditions, and their families obtain resources and assistance. This assistance promotes optimal health, well-being, and independence to improve their quality of life in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties since 1971. For more information: www.NWRCwa.org
A New Requirement in Real Estate
Buyer Brokerage Service Agreements
Jenn Eddleman, SRES
If it’s been a while since you last purchased or sold a home, and you’re ready to buy again, you may find that the process has changed quite a bit.
Written Services Agreement
One of the big changes, enacted at the Washington State level as of the 1st of January of this year, is the new legal requirement for agents to have a written services agreement with clients “before, or as soon as reasonably practical after, performing real estate services.”
This means that, even before showing you a home, a broker must have you fill out and sign a Buyer Brokerage Services Agreement. It must include the following information, which you will negotiate with your agent:
• The term (length of time) of the agreement
• The geographical areas (or even properties) where the agent will represent you
• The name of the agent
• Whether the relationship is exclusive or non-exclusive
• Whether you agree to allow the agent to act as a limited dual agent
• The terms of agent compensation.
Buyer Protection and Clarity
The new requirement, and the new form, offer protection and clarity for both you as a buyer, and for the agent with whom you’ll be working. By signing the agreement, you hire an agent to represent your best interests as you progress through all the steps of the home-buying process. Most agreements can be canceled with a simple written notice, but all contracts are unique.
Signing Contracts with Buyer Agents
The introduction of this new form may create some confusion with buyers who are not accustomed to signing contracts with buyer agents and have not previously been asked to compensate their agents directly. Your buyer’s
to guiding
agent can help explain ways to minimize, or in many cases eliminate, out-of-pocket expenses for the
Reach Out to an Agent You Trust
Whether you’re embarking on a new homebuying adventure, or you would like to know more about how real estate buying and selling processes are changing, don’t rely on confusing headlines and potential misinformation. Real Estate agents are right in the middle of it and adjusting their work practices to meet the new guidelines, which makes them the best people to answer your questions. Reach out to an
agent you know, like, and trust, and ask to have a conversation about the new forms and the
in the real estate
Jenn Eddleman Broker,
Seniors
Jennifer is a full-time Realtor and Seniors Real Estate Specialist serving clients in Skagit, Whatcom, and northern Snohomish Counties.
Glossary: Home Support Agencies
Home Care: Supportive care provided in the home by a professional agency. Certified Caregivers provide assistance with daily care needs and companionship. Services: Home Care agencies provide non-medical services to people with functional limitations, enabling them to maintain their highest level of independence and to age in place in their own homes. Care may include assistance with dressing, bathing, medication administration, meal preparation, household chores, errands, and more. Hours/Days: Scheduled help 2 to 24 hours per day, up to 7 days per week, or as respite care. See Home Care Directory on Page 32.
Home Health: In-home services provided include Skilled Nursing Care and various therapies prescribed by a physician. This includes physical, occupational, respiratory and speech therapies, often used for seniors who are recovering after a hospital and/or nursing home stay. See Home Health Directory on Page 36.
Home Modifications - Safety & Accessibility: Regular attention to Home Safety and Accessibility is known to decrease fall risks and increase the chances of aging in your own home. Home Analysis for potential improvements should be done by a Home Contractor who is a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS Certified). This person will look at many factors, including: rugs, electrical cords, placement of furniture, and functional supports around the home. See Home Modifications Directory on Page 35.
A Coffee Chronicle
Christine Blankenship, Publisher
According to Brittanica.com, the beginning of coffee goes back to the year 850 AD. A goat herder noticed his goats were doing a strange goat jig. On investigation this Ethiopian, named Kaldi, saw a goat munching on unusual berries. He tried a sample for himself and joined the goat dance! Word of this story spread fast, and soon, monks were using coffee beans to stay awake during prayers.
The 17th Century Coffeehouse
Coffeehouses became the place to be in 17th century Europe. This drink had become steeped into daily life and culture. At these places of social networking, people discussed politics, philosophy, and the latest gossip. Coffeehouses
became “schools of wisdom because of the clientele they attracted, and ... some political leaders feared open discourse common in such establishments, … ” (www.britannica. com/topic/history-of-coffee) Kings feared the makings of revolution in coffeehouses and tried to ban them, to no avail.
The 1980’s: Coffee in the Family
My personal caffeine beginnings started with my mother, who embedded two quotes in my teenage brain.
• “If you are going to drink coffee, you learn to drink it black.”
• Of Dad, she said, “He drinks a little bit of coffee with his cream and sugar.”
Coffee at the Office
I was deterred until my first office job in the mid 1980’s. My main job was working with about 30 people, typing and answering their phone calls. The 8 am task was to brew coffee! I then drew my own lines on this topic: start with black and add sugar and milk until it tasted good. These days were enabled by mugs of caffeinated sweetness!
The Early 1990’s:
Somewhere around the dawn of the 1990s, coffee stands began to break through the café culture. These coffee drive-through stands became a wonder to behold with hot, fresh
brew on the road. It was during this time that my limit of one cup a day became the rule.
The Mid 1990’s: Off and On Again
In the mid 90’s we had our first two children, 11 months apart. For "healthy pregnancy" reasons, I went off coffee for almost two years! I also returned to this caffeinated fuel to keep up with those babies who turned into toddlers. It was painful to limit myself to one cup a day.
The 2000’s: As the Coffee Turns
In the year 2003, our third child was born. During these years my husband also joined my coffee fetish. It was also then that I determined to find “healthy” coffee. Now, I bring coffee beans home from certain stores, certain brands, certain roasts, certain brew, certain milk, etc.
Ordering at a modern day coffeehouse requires a new language. Special words include espresso, cappuccino, mocha, Americano, Italian, short, tall, Grande, drip, cold-brew, steamed, split shot, single or double shot, Nitro, Continued on Page 36
A Coffee Chronicle
Continued from Page 35
and more. This doesn’t even touch the topics of milk choices and the myriads of syrup flavors! I have even learned the correct language to order my certain coffee at my favorite coffee shop: “Black, no sugar" – a nod to Mom. Always add "a few dashes of milk" – a nod to Dad.
The Next Generation Weighs In
Needless to say, our adult children each have their own opinions. The oldest calls coffee the “Devil’s Brew” and scours the kitchen for tea.
Our next child meets with friends and family at coffeehouses for about any occasion she can think of. The youngest, a college student, is fighting the temptation of ever needing a caffeine fix and to be known as the one with no opinion and no taste for coffee. Who would have thought?
Christine Blankenship Publisher
Note: This article has been fueled by one cup of coffee.
Life Changing Service
"There's no place like home"
Hospice Serving: Snohomish County
Many patients and their families find reassurance in the idea of receiving care at home, where they can remain surrounded by the people and things they love. Home leads to a smoother recovery journey, with fewer obstacles along the way. Each member of our team shares responsibility and contributes to the treatment plan, to delivering the highest quality services with compassion and respect.
We take great pride in our patient care and strive to be the best provider in the communities we serve.
Home Support - Elder Care Consultant
Ellen
Nature is Good Medicine for Healthy Aging
Ellen Liu Kellor, MSW
Nature
is Good Medicine. This wisdom is reflected in many cultures and is now recognized by science. Fresh air, water, sunshine, and green foliage are all core elements for sustaining life and maximizing wellness.
What if we shifted to consider prescribing nature as often as pharmaceuticals?
“Forest Bathing," attributed to the Japanese cultural practice of spending time in nature for well-being, has become widely embraced as therapeutic for wellness. The field of "Ecotherapy" is recognized in healthcare. Engaging with nature is a healthful and beneficial practice regardless of culture or age.
Changes in Health and Logistics
As we age, changes in health and logistics, like transportation or where we live and receive care,
can affect access to nature. Some seniors do not go out much beyond medical appointments and the grocery store.
Planning for Nature
A little planning and support can remove many barriers to getting outside. Although it may not always be as simple as hopping in the car and driving to the beach on a whim, you can make a plan with a family member, friend, or caregiver to drive together, join a senior center or assisted living outing, visit a park, take a walk or scenic adventure, or get outside on the front porch or backyard regularly. Breathe some fresh air, listen to the birdsong, and observe the changing seasons, patterns of light, and plant life to benefit from nature’s abundant gifts.
Bringing Nature Indoors
We can also get creative in bringing nature indoors. I want to provide a few thoughts and inspiration to build on, starting with the basics…
• Open the windows and curtains regularly to bring fresh air, oxygen, and light into your indoor space. Let your environment breathe to exchange some of the stale air, dust, and chemicals from household or healthcare products, pathogens, and odors for a daily refresh.
• A natural rhythm of daylight is critical to regulating sleep/awake cycles and mood. This is important for those living with dementia as well. Indoors, you can control the lighting schedules and quality to more closely mimic nature and provide some associated benefits.
• Living plants in your environment provide fresh oxygen and life. Science shows that green colors provide a calming effect that can lower stress and blood pressure! Small terrariums, window boxes, or aquariums offer an engaging microcosm of nature.
Never underestimate the power of a fresh bouquet to bring some Joy!
Natural Imagery
Natural imagery can be in the form of artwork, books, videos, and audio recordings. Nature visualization can be a positive and accessible activity wherever one happens to be. Rather than turn on the news, why not try a calming nature video or enjoy the sounds of birdsong or beach waves to engage the senses? Aromatherapy using natural scents, fresh plants, and teas (not synthetic chemicals) can offer health benefits. Calming rose, lavender, or invigorating citrus and cedar can inspire pleasant memories, affect mood and energy levels, and bring nature indoors.
Your home can become a nature sanctuary that offers daily benefits to your health and wellness. The abundance of the great outdoors awaits you and is truly Good Medicine.
Ellen Liu Kellor, MSW Gerontologist Owner, Age-Well LLC 360-734-3064
County Name
Glossary: Housing - Independent
Affordable Housing: A subsidized apartment rental program for people who are disabled or elderly, including Section 8, HUD, public housing, and tax credit buildings.
Independent/Retirement: Private apartments rented to seniors. Some offer three meals per day. Activity programs and housekeeping may be provided, but residents are capable of independent living. Private pay only. Retirement Communities are maintenance free to seniors.
Glossary: Housing & Care
Adult Family Home (Adult Care Home): A residence owned or rented by a licensed provider. Room and board, trained caregivers 24 hours a day, and assisted care services for 2 to 6 adults are provided in a home environment. Licensed Nurses on staff are not required, but may be available. (Non-secured memory care may be available)
Assisted Living Community: Apartments for seniors with physical and/or cognitive impairments who may need assistance from trained caregivers. Meals, housecleaning, and activities to help seniors stay physically active and socially engaged are provided. Trained caregivers 24 hrs/day and Licensed Nursing up to 24 hrs/day. (Non-secured memory care may be available)
Continuing Care Community: These offer three or more types of senior housing in one community location, reducing the need for a senior to move as they age. Senior housing options may include: Retirement, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation.
Memory Care Community: This is special care in a secured community for people who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Some are stand-alone Memory Care communities, while others are located within Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing facilities. Trained Caregivers 24 hrs/day and Licensed Nursing up to 24 hrs/day.
Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation: A qualified facility that has the staff and equipment to provide round-the-clock skilled nursing care (RN’s and LPN’s) and rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapies. Also included are Social Work services, Medical Director oversight, and care giving staff to assist with personal care needs.
Affordable Senior Apts City Living & Country Atmosphere
Highland Greens Apts 3100 N 30th Street 360-848-2193
highlandgreens@coastmgt.com
Salem Village Apts 2619 N LaVenture Rd 360-428-5662 salemvillage@coastmgt.com
Salem Village II 2601-2617 N LaVenture Rd 360-540-1438
* Personal escort on tours of each new home/community
* Asking the right questions for the answers you need
* Assistance and guidance with necessary paperwork
* Work with VA Aid & A endance, Medicaid, and others
Fraud Prevention: Tips to Avoid Scam Calls
Kirk Blankenship, Publisher
Although you have “Caller ID,” you see that the calling phone number looks like a local number. Beware of Robo-Generated Scam Calls!
Is It Better to Ignore or Decline Spam
Calls?
The best way to avoid being scammed altogether is to not answer the call at all. If you answer the call, your number is considered ‘good’ by the scammers, even if you don’t necessarily fall for the scam.
Never Call Back a Spam Number
A spam number is a telephone scam technique where your phone rings once and stops. The person calling hopes that you will call the number back. If you do call back, it goes to a high-cost international number. Unfortunately, you will be charged for that call, and the scammer will make money.
Tips if You Answer the Call
Hang up the phone immediately if something seems suspicious or if the caller is aggressive.
Never provide personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card information, to unknown callers.
Preventative Measures to Reduce Risks
Register your home and cell numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. You must call from the same phone number you wish to register. Call the "Do Not Call" list at no charge: 1-888-382-1222 or go to www.donotcall.gov
Stay informed about the latest scams and how to prevent them by reading articles or visiting websites from trusted sources below:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: www.ConsumerFinance.gov Federal Trade Commission: www.FTC.gov
The National Council on Aging: www.NCOA.org
Whatcom County
Bellingham
Brookdale Fairhaven IL/AL
Cordata Court Senior Living AL
Highgate Senior Living AL
Orchard Park IL/AL
Solstice Senior Living IL
Rosewood Villa AL
Spring Creek IL/AL
Summit Place AL
The Willows IL
Sapphire at Woodway IL/AL
Ferndale
Avista Sr. Living AL
Lynden
Lynden Manor IL/AL
Meadow Greens IL/AL
Skagit County Anacortes
Cap Sante Court IL
Chandler’s Square IL/ AL
Rosario AL
San Juan Assisted Living AL
Burlington
Creekside IL/AL
Where The Heart Is AL
La Conner
La Conner Retirement IL/AL
Mount Vernon
The Bridge IL/AL
Heather Village IL
Highland Greens IL
Mountain Glen IL/AL
Salem Village IL
Memory Care Communities
Whatcom County
Bellingham
Bellingham at Orchard
Cordata Court MC
Highgate Sr. Living
Silverado Memory Care
Spring Creek MC
Lynden
Christian Health Care
Lynden Manor Memory Care
Skagit County Anacortes
Lighthouse Memory Care
Rosario Assisted Living
Burlington
Creekside MC
HomePlace Memory Care
Where The Heart Is
Skilled Nursing & Short Term Rehabilitation
Whatcom County
Bellingham
Alderwood Health & Rehabilitation
Avalon Healthcare
Highland Health & Rehabilitation
Mt. Baker Care Center
North Cascades Health & Rehabilitation
Shuksan Healthcare
Sedro-Woolley
Country Meadow Village IL/AL
Island County
Freeland
Maple Ridge IL/AL
Oak Harbor
Harbor Tower Village IL/AL
Regency on Whidbey IL/AL
Summer Hill AL
Welcome Home Oak Harbor AL
San Juan County
Friday Harbor
Village at the Harbor IL/AL
North Snohomish
Sedro-Woolley
Birchview MC
Island County
Oak Harbor
Regency on Whidbey
HomePlace Memory Care
Welcome Home Oak Harbor
Arlington
Cascade Valley
Senior Living AL
Olympic Place by Bonaventure IL/AL
Marysville
Cascade Village at Smokey Point IL
The Gardens at Marysville IL/AL
Grandview Village IL/ AL
Smokey Point
Fields Senior Living IL/ AL
Stanwood
Brookdale Stanwood IL/AL
The Suites at Josephine AL
Warm Beach Senior Community IL/AL
Arlington
Cascade Valley
Senior Living
Marysville
Fieldstone MC
The Cottages at Marysville
Smokey Point
Fields Senior Living
Stanwood
Brookdale Stanwood
The Meadows at Josephine
Blaine
Stafholt Good Samaritan Care
Lynden
Christian Health Care
Skagit County
Anacortes
Soundview Rehabilitation
Mount Vernon
Life Care Center of Mount Vernon
Mira Vista Care Center
Sedro-Woolley
Life Care Center of Skagit Valley
Island County
Coupeville
Regency Coupeville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
