A supplement of the Journal of the San Juan Islands, Islands' Sounder and Islands' Weekly

Offering comprehensive rehabilitation services that include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech & Language Pathology.

Gait assessment • Balance • Weakness • Home Safety

Pain Management • Orthopedics • Stroke • Fitness/Strength

Vertigo • Osteoarthritis • Incontinence • Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson’s • Alzheimer’s • Lymphedema • Cardiac Rehab III

Let our skilled & caring therapists make a difference in the quality of your life!669 Mullis St, Suite 102 • Friday Harbor, WA 98250 • 360-370-5226

2 Senior reSource Guide

by MERRI ANN SIMONSONColdwell Banker

Did you realize that you may use all or a portion of your retire-

ment funds to invest in real estate? Retirement accounts are basically Trust accounts for your benefit when you retire. In the 1970s, the IRS approved real estate as an invest-ment option. You can purchase with your IRA or a 401(K).

You may also obtain a non-recourse real estate loan that is granted to your

self-directed IRA, which will increase your pur-chasing power. Typically, the lender, will loan up to 50 percent loan to value on a 3, 5 or 7 year adjustable rate mort-gage. Today's rates are around 5.25 percent.

This is an incredible tool for investors and real estate has histori-cally been a good invest-ment. Most individuals currently hold stocks, bonds or mutual funds in their IRA accounts which can be sold to

purchase a real estate investment. You are able to defer the tax on the gain from the sale of the stocks as they are held in your IRA account. Be sure to check with your account manager regarding any fee or charges related to the sale of your current IRA investments.

Similar to stocks, you can buy and sell real estate within the IRA account and defer your tax payment on the gain.

Self-directed retirement accounts for real estate

Caution:geezers gathering

Interested in downsizing or simplifying? Check out The Hamlet Cottages, a beautiful, vibrant, connected community in the heart of Lopez Island.

Your 1-year lease includes: • Personal Assistant’s help with housekeeping, errands and chores, twice monthly • Spacious laundry room with washer/dryer in your cottage • Airy, bright rooms with skylights, cathedral ceiling, zone heating • Large kitchen with full-size refrigerator, stove, microwave and dishwasher • Monthly concerts, art openings, performances and cultural events • Resident-sponsored classes and activities • Reserved parking • Building and grounds maintenance • Water, sewer, trash pick-up

Lopez Hamlet CottagesLeased Garden Cottages for Active Islanders Ages 55+

Six 1-bedroom cottages are reserved for those with modest income. Rates begin at $997/month

Two bedroom cottages, $1695/month

For more information please call The Hamlet at 468-2620 or

drop by for a tourwww.lopezhamlet.com

by CURT VANHYNING18 year SHIBA volunteer

You are invited to an Annual Medicare Part D Forum in Friday Harbor on Oct. 21 at the San Juan Island Library and Oct. 27 at Mullis Center.  At 2

p.m. hear an overview of how the different parts of Medicare work in San Juan County and your options for 2016 coverage.

About 30 years ago the Washington State Insurance Commissioner identified the need for trained volunteers and began recruiting Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors. Interested SHIBA volunteers from varied backgrounds enrolled in basic training, background checks, passed tests and received spe-cialized instruction. These unpaid, unbiased counselors continue to receive focused monthly training from professional instructors and pledge to keep confidential your personal health information.

Island Hospital has been a sponsor in our area for 25 years providing a regular meeting site and coordinator for 12 volunteers from Skagit and San Juan County.  Documented service contacts last year in the state were 66,000 with 798 of those in our area and about 400 in San Juan County.

Most of those occur during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 when Medicare participants review their Prescription Drug Plan options for the coming year using the Medicare.gov website.

Counselors utilize donated meeting/office space on three islands: Lopez Medical Center, Orcas Medical Center and Village at the Harbour in Friday Harbor. Personal appointments are scheduled by calling these numbers:  Lopez: 468-2245; Orcas: 376-2561; San Juan: 370-5018.

In addition to help choosing Medicare Rx Plans, counselors help introduce newly eligible clients (turning 65) to their rights and options under Medicare A and B, ways to enroll, and clarify differences between Medicare Supplement Plans (medigap) and Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C).

You get individual, confidential, dependable information and assistance with your questions by calling a local advisor. Services are also available to your friends and relatives in other states through programs called SHIP from their state insurance office.

360.376.6361 188 A Street • Eastsound www.OrcasAthletics.com

Physical � tness is just as important in your 60s as it is in your 20s. Orcas

Athletics & CrossFit has so much to offer to our

senior population, such as, Water Aerobics, Ageless

Strength and Pilates on the Ball. Not to mention our

personal trainers who are willing to help you reach

your goals and much more! Stop by today!

Servicesfor

SeniorsOver 500 Large Print titles

Audio books on CDDownloadable ebooks

and audio books,Friendly assistance with

your mobile devices,Deposit collections at Orcas Senior Servicesand Orcas Longhouse,Home delivery service available, and more!

Call us at (360) 376-4985

by DENNIS KINGExecutive Director of Lahari

Orcas Islanders are a hearty lot. We think of ourselves as independent and resourceful, able to do whatever it takes to enjoy and maintain our

island lifestyle….and we are getting older. According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Orcas has more than twice the percentage of people 65 and over then the rest of the state. Based on statistics from the same office, nearly 300 people on the island are having trouble with at least one Activity of Daily Living such as bathing, dressing, grooming,walking or eat-ing. Spouses, family and friends shoulder most of the support and assistance for their loved ones. There comes a time when one must look for more help, professional caregiving help.

Unlike many places on the mainland, where senior housing options exist with various levels of assistance, on Orcas, if you can no longer stay in your home, you probably have to leave the island. However, Orcas has an informal network of 30 to 40 professional caregivers that help make staying on the island possible.

Professional home care becomes necessary when circumstances such as illness, cognitive decline, frailty or injury make it difficult to remain safe and comfortable in one’s own home. So when family and friends can no longer fulfill the needs of a loved one, who can one contact for help?

Lahari, has been supporting our caregivers for many years by sponsoring training and certification, as well as providing courses for continuing edu-

cation credits. Lahari is now developing a website that can connect Orcas Islanders who have caregiving needs with local Orcas caregivers. The site, Orcas Caregiving Connection, will provide a directory of local caregivers and information resources for care seekers, caregivers, as well as individuals who would like to become caregivers.

The need for trained caregivers is rising rapidly due to the fact that not only is the island getting older, but so are our caregivers. Some of our caregivers have been helping islanders for over 25 years and we now need to recruit and train future caregivers to meet the increasing need.

Lahari will not be employing, recommending or endorsing any care provider or care seeker using the website, but will be providing information and tools to help care seekers and care providers connect and make informed decisions.

Orcas Caregiving Connection, located at orcascaregivingconnection.org will be launched at the 2015 Senior Faire on Oct. 28.

Lahari launches comprehensive caregiving website3Senior reSource Guide

How do I apply for Medicare or Medicaid? How do I find and hire caregivers on the island?

These and many other questions about aging on Orcas will be answered at the 2015 Senior Faire on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Orcas Island Senior

Center.The faire consists of informative panels and enter-

taining sessions dealing with the sometimes unique challenges of aging and staying here on Orcas, as well as

information tables describing various senior services available on the island. Sessions will include Medicaid, Medicare and You; How to Fall, or Not!;

Lions Mobility Assistance Equipment Loaner Program; How to Hire a Caregiver; Emergency Flight Insurance Programs and more.

This free, day long event is sponsored by Lahari and the Orcas Island Senior Center Operations Committee. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and regis-tration, and the first panel begins at 9 a.m. A one hour lunch break begins at 11:45 a.m, with lunch for seniors provided by donation at the Senior Center, and the conference will end at 4 p.m. Please RSVP if you will be joining us for the Senior Lunch by emailing orcasseniorcenter@gmail.com.

For more info, call the Senior Center at 376-2677 or www.orcasseniors.org/2015seniorfaire.htm.

2015 Senior FaireStaying on the island we love

www.peacehealth.org/peace-island

PeaceHealth is proud to serve our community so you get the care you need, right here on the island.

1117 Spring Street, Friday Harbor n 360-378-2141

n Primary care n Visiting specialistsn Emergency services n Diagnostics n Laboratories n Cancer center

4 Senior reSource Guide

by DIDIER GINCIGHearts and Hands Coordinator

I wanted to take this opportunity to give you an update about our

Hearts and Hands program, and let the community know great things are happening at the Orcas Senior Center.

While the main goal is to cre-ate matches between volunteers and seniors (and individuals with dis-abilities) as well as meeting the needs for one-time requests for assistance, Hearts and Hands has expanded to work with the senior center manager in a variety of ways to help the center not just survive but thrive and make it the best it can be.

Being a presence at the senior cen-ter and making connections in the community is quite a pleasure. It is difficult to put a value on human con-nection, on being available to listen, to care, to be present to hear about a request for help or share enthusiasm. I am honored to be part of an evolv-ing team.

There is a lot to solve as the popula-tion of the island ages. Issues include transportation (on and off-island for medical needs, for example), helping people be able to age in place, ways to help seniors and individuals with

disabilities thrive by offering resourc-es, finding ways to bring non-drivers to enriching events, dealing with care-giving and dementia, finances and more.

Our team is working on solutions in collaboration with other entities such as Lahari, the Orcas Island Community Foundation, ser-vice organiza-tions, churches, businesses, and caring individu-a l s . S o l u t i o n s include: workshops to help people figure out aging in place and finances (Medicaid, Medicare, etc.), bringing in experts in the field of dementia to help spouses with partners who have dementia; creating more oppor-tunities for respite care for family caregivers; effective communication for helping non-drivers with trans-portation; access to meals for seniors who may not be cooking healthy meals for themselves; finding more ways to develop human connections and develop a data base of qualified caregivers.

We have a great partnership with the county at the senior center to help meet the needs of seniors. With

the spirit of collaboration it feels like a great team that is getting stronger. And what a pleasure it is to work with Jami Mitchell, our new enthusiastic and hard-working team member.

One thing I want to impress upon you is while we are here to help meet the needs of seniors, we are also here

to bring great pro-grams for young-er seniors and people of ages. I often hear, “I’m too young to

go to the senior center.” We are going to change that myth! Soon enough we’ll see you at terrific lec-tures, classes, workshops, informa-tional and fun gatherings, exercise classes, concerts, dances, birthday parties, Seniors Have Talent show (save the date: Nov. 7), and various multi-generational events for which we rent the Betty Lundeen Room. By the way, it’s really fun to have lunch and friendships with people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s (lunch is Monday, Wednesday, Friday at noon).

You don’t have to be a senior to set up a foot care appointment (376-2677). You don’t have to be a senior to become a member of the senior

center. Come see our art shows. This month’s show is an amazing display of Frank Loudin’s work.

Would you like to lead a class or a workshop? Do you know of inter-esting speakers who you would like to invite to offer a lecture? Do you have extra produce to donate? Many seniors grew up accustomed to eat-ing food that was grown in their gar-den. They appreciate the local food surplus that they get to take home or consume at senior lunch.

Call me to discuss ways you can help with Hearts and Hands and the Orcas Senior Center. Let me know about referrals for someone who could benefit from Meals on Wheels or a friendly visit from a Hearts and Hands volunteer. We have a team of volunteers, and you are invited to join us. You'll find it gratifying. When I chop kindling for someone in the winter and stack their wood, I find that as I walk away, I feel good. What peace I’ve found reading to some-one who is dying or recovering from an illness. It’s satisfying to bring by library books, audible books and stick around for tea and play a

CONTINUED ON PG 7

The Hearts and Hands program on Orcas Island

What peace I’ve found reading to someone who is dying or recovering from an illness.

� ink “Village at the Harbour” when you want a little extra help...� e Village has Retirement Living, Assisted Living and Short Stay options.

Private studios and 1-BR apartments

Support services available when requested provided by 24-hour sta�

Restaurant-style meals made from scratch and served three times daily

Weekly housekeeping and laundry services

Daily activity programs

Stay a few days, a month, or longer! Conveniently located next to the Mullis Senior Center and across the street from Market Place. � e perfect choice when you don’t require daily medical care. Enjoy the privacy of your cozy apartment with help available when you want it. � e Village is a great option for recovery from

temporary illness or procedures with your doctor close by and sta� to assist with personal care.

Village at theHarbour

www.villageattheharbour.com(360) 378-7144 • email: sjal@rockisland.com • 543 Spring Street, Friday Harbor

submitted by SENIOR SERVICES OF SAN JUAN COUNTY

Senior Services programs are offered under con-tract 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., a Washington 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation.

San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island each have their own Senior Center, which serve as resource and information centers for all programs affecting those over age 60, and those adults who are disabled. The senior centers on all three islands serve congregate hot lunches. The lunches are served twice weekly on San Juan Island and Lopez and now three times weekly on Orcas. We ask a modest donation to cover the cost. Meals are also delivered to the home bound. These home deliv-ered meals are most commonly known as “Meals on Wheels.” The centers also provide a focus for organized social activities, and educational presen-tations, which provide opportunities for seniors to remain active in the community.

Our job at Senior Services of San Juan County is to assist seniors in remaining independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. We offer supportive services such as: Senior Information and Assistance, Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals, Respite Care, Case Management, Family Caregiver Support, and Transportation assistance. We are also a resource to those under 60 who pro-vide care or help to parents, older family members or neighbors. Volunteers are needed to help with

many programs and with fundraising projects.The goal of community-based supportive pro-

grams is to help seniors and adults with disabilities live in their homes and communities for as long as possible, postponing or eliminating the need for resi-dential or institutional care (such as nursing homes.) Community-based care is overwhelmingly preferred

by consumers and caregivers of all ages. For further Senior Services infor, contact any of the

three senior centers:Mullis Community Senior Center at 378-2677Orcas Senior Center at 376-2677Lopez Senior Center at 468-2421

Senior services for San Juan County residents5Senior reSource Guide

submitted by the ORCAS ISLAND SENIOR CENTER

Energy is high at the Orcas Island Senior Center as

increases in personnel and programming invigorate the community center. Member activities are on the rise with new benefits added and more classes, events and field trips on the horizon. Check the activities calendar at www.orcasseniors.org to learn more.

The Senior Community Meal program is booming with a recent expansion that adds a third weekly meal. They are served Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays beginning with a salad bar at 11:30 a.m. People 60 and older are encouraged to attend for good food in a warm social setting with a suggested donation of $5 per meal. The cost for guests under 60 is $6 per person. The center is seeking vol-unteers to help clean up the lunchroom following meals. Email orcasseniorcenter@

gmail.com or call 376-7929 to offer your time an hour per week in support of this highly utilized senior lunch program.

The community meal is a collaboration between the Orcas Senior Center, San Juan County and Meals on Wheels and More operated by the non-profit Whatcom Council on Aging. Together, these groups provide meals both at the center and to homebound seniors unable to attend the meals. Those qualifying for home deliver-ies get hot meals delivered to their door three times per week. Including both com-munity meals and home

deliveries, the partnership provided 8,800 meals on Orcas in 2014 and expects to do even more in 2015 with the expanded lunch calendar.

A critical piece of the meal program is volunteer drivers. The center is always looking for people willing to drive one or two days a month to bring seniors to lunch, to deliver Meals on Wheels and to drive seniors on and off-island for medical appointments. Call 376-2677 to inquire about becoming a volunteer driver.

For people who prefer to donate goods rather than time, the center accepts items of value in good condition year-round in preparation for its annual Granny’s Attic rummage sale. They are also looking for artwork donations for the Black Tie Art Auction scheduled for next June. If you have art in storage or on your walls that you are swapping out, consider gift-ing them to the center. All donations are tax deductible.

An easy way to support the

senior center and reap the rewards is to become a mem-ber. Membership is open to all ages as are member benefits. Membership fees of $20 per year for an individual and $35 for a dual mem-bership support the center’s operations. Active members receive a monthly newsletter and are eligible for a variety of member benefits includ-ing numerous local discounts such as $5 tickets to Orcas Center shows, access to the athletic club and a slew of classes and events held at the senior center. Membership applications are available at the senior center or by calling 376-2677.

The Orcas Senior Center is delighted to have improved parking due to the support of San Juan County which paid the majority of the bill for the upgrades. The non-profit that operates the center must contribute $12,500 to the project costs and is fun-draising for their portion of the bill. Ultimately, the center

would like to see all of Henry Road paved and wants to secure funding for its portion of that project as well. The center also needs a donated or reasonably priced passen-ger vehicle for transporting seniors. Currently, the center has vans but no passenger car, which would be more efficient for off-island medical trips and easier to maneuver for those who've had recent surgeries. Anybody interest-ed in making a tax deductible donation or with a lead on a reliable passenger car, can contact Jami Mitchell at 376-7929 or orcasseniorcenter@gmail.com.

The calendar for the Orcas Senior Center lists a number of upcoming events which the community is encour-aged to attend. The monthly Afternoon Tea is a free event hosted every third Thursday at 2 p.m. and includes live music, free food and beauti-ful table settings. Volunteers

6 Senior reSource Guide

What's happening at the Orcas Island Senior Center

CONTINUED ON PG 7

Home-cooked meals • Housekeeping • Linen Service • Activities Entertainment & more! All on one level • Sta� ed 24 hours a day

• Studio, one & two bedroom

• Is Dad getting enough nourishment?• Is Mom socializing enough?• What about their health?• Are they really safe?

Voted BestRetirement Community

in Anacortes

CAP SANTE COURT

www.capsantecourt.com1111 32nd St., Anacortes • (360) 293-8088

Lopez Island Hospice & Home Support is a skilled volunteer organization that provides hospice and home support services and resources to the Lopez Island community experiencing illness, injury, and/or loss.

For more information, call 468-4446admin@lihhs.org www.lihhs.org

Professional Case ManagementChore and Respite Service

Errands and TransportationDurable Medical Equipment

Support Groups

Providing a truly unique senior livingcommunity for those with memory loss.

(360) 836-4573 • 3502 K Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221www.lighthousememorycareanacortes.com

Our nurturing staff creates a welcoming, home-like environment where those needing assistance with the activities of daily life feel safe and valued. Six private rooms are located on the first floor. The large, sunny living room overlooks the gardens and Hamlet Green. Residents enjoy three healthy meals and snacks each day, plus housekeeping, laundry service, medication supervision and assistance with daily needs. Days are enjoyable and interesting. Sit and Be Fit exercise, afternoon movies, porch gardening, bingo, and help connecting with family and friends are just a sampling of the sweet flow of life at Hamlet House.

Hamlet House Adult Family Home Now Has OpeningsAttentive, professional 24-hour care for your loved one on Lopez Island

Both full-time and respite care now available Monthly rate: $5,300/month; lower rate may be available for

those with limited resourcesMore information, please call Administrator Nichelle

Sorenson at 468-3800 | www.lopezhamlet.com

card game.Tell your neighbors and friends. Do

you know of someone who could benefit from a meal, a ride, a phone call, friendly company or light house-keeping? We are seeking volunteers for one-time Hearts and Hands proj-ects, one-on-one matches, drivers for senior lunch and delivering Meals on Wheels and drivers to bring people to appointments.

Hearts and Hands is participating in the process of putting together an Orcas Island Village to to help seniors

age in place. (see www.vtvnetwork.org). We'll keep you updated.

Part of my role at the senior center is to help raise funds to keep our programs thriving. Funding helps us be available to proactively reach out to our ever growing senior popula-tion, to adapt and change, and be effective. Send donations payable to Hearts and Hands and/or the Orcas Senior Center at P.O. Box 1653 in Eastsound.

For more information about Hearts and Hands, email me at orcasheart-sandhands@gmail.com, call the office at 376-7723, or call my cell at 298-0362.

HEARTS AND HANDSFROM PAGE 4

SENIOR CENTERFROM PAGE 6

7Senior reSource Guide

interested in helping can contact Mitchell to make or serve tea sand-wiches and baked goods. The Senior Faire is Oct. 28. There will be a vari-ety of free sessions on pertinent top-ics such as Medicaid and Medicare, caregiving connections and issues surrounding aging. Seniors Have Talent is a benefit show planned for Nov. 7 and will feature delicious food and lively entertainment. The annual Holiday Festival of Arts is slated for Nov. 28 and signals the arrival of the holiday season on Orcas.

A vibrant community hub, the Orcas Island Senior Center is dedi-cated to serving elders on Orcas and offers a wide variety of health and well-being programs such as exercise classes, community meals, foot care appointments, social gatherings, field trips, Hearts and Hands matches and transportation assistance. The center thrives because of commu-nity support and asks for interested volunteers and donors of all levels to consider contributing. Tax deduct-ible gifts can be made to the Orcas Island Senior Center, PO Box 1653, Eastsound, WA 98245.

For more information, please call

360-378-2117

At Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands, we provide a variety of services designed to put each resident’s needs as top priority.We accept Medicare, Medicaid, private pay and most insurances.

Visit us onlinewww.LCCA.com 660 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

In-patient and out-patient, physical, occupational and speech therapies Respite care • Long term skilled nursing care • End of life care

Restoring Independenceand Changing Lives

Medical care for all on Orcas Island

Next door to Orcas Center on Mt. Baker Road, we provide care for newborns to seniors, whether year-round or seasonal residents.

Camille Fleming, MD, MBAAnthony Giefer, MD, MPH

360-376-2561orcasmedicalcenter.com

Your Medical Home Team on Orcas Island

A Family Care Clinic of

Earn your DSHS Home Care AideCerti� cation On-line

Caregiving is a profession in high-demand and earns good wages. You can obtain Home Care Aide certi� cation right from home. Cornerstone is a locally owned (Friday Harbor) DSHS certi� ed

caregiver training company. Certi� cation can be obtained online. In Washington, HCA certi� cation is required for employment inAssisted Living Facilities, Adult Family Homes, and Home Care

Agencies. Are you a private caregiver seeking professionalcredentials or would you like to enter this growing � eld?

Cornerstone Healthcare Training Company, LLCPO Box 519, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(206) 673-2919chtcompany@gmail.com • www.chtcompanyonline.com