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Island Senior Resources - January 2024 eNews
Serving Whidbey and Camano islands
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CELEBRATING A BRIGHT FUTURE OF MEANING AND HAPPINESS
By Michele Cato, Island Senior Resources Executive Director
At 51 years old, Island Senior Resources (ISR) would be considered “middle-aged” in human terms (defined by Merriam-Webster as ages 45 to 64).
This led ISR to consider how we can bring meaning and happiness to our community through our work to improve the health and well-being of our aging population. As we begin a new year with optimism and hope, ISR would like to share its gently shifting direction with our community.
Our New Vision: Island Senior Resources envisions an interwoven community in which aging adults and those who care for them are supported to live with dignity.
Our New Mission: Island Senior Resources will share the joys and help meet the challenges of aging in our Island County communities by providing integrated programs and services.
ISR will focus on collaboration, learning, health access, and sustainability to achieve this mission.
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Greetings Neighbors! Happy New Year!
From Robin Bush, Island Senior Resources Communications
Announcements
- All ISR offices will be closed on Monday, January 1 (New Year's Day) and Monday, January 15 (Martin Luther King Day).
- Please read Celebrating a Bright Future of Meaning and Happiness by ISR Executive Director Michele Cato - mentioned above - to see how ISR is working to meet community needs, plus our new guiding mission and vision.
Highlights/events this month
- Monday, January 8, and Wednesday, January 10: Death Cafes – informal group discussions about any and all aspects of death or end of life. Learn More.
- Come to the Memory Café in Oak Harbor. View times and locations.
- Classes on Medicare in January and February. Check the calendar for times and locations.
- Community meals happen weekly in multiple locations. Don't stay home and eat alone. Weekly Lunch n' Learns in Coupeville. Click here for schedule.
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Weekly support groups. Learn More. Interested in being a Meals on Wheels driver? Call 360-321-1600.
- ISR is a resource center for assisting older adults and caregivers, but we also help connect you to local activities that seniors and caregivers will enjoy. Learn more at the online Activity Hub. There you will also find our free downloadable monthly activity books for seniors and caregivers.
New blog posts (click to view)
- Celebrating a Bright Future of Meaning and Happiness by ISR Executive Director Michele Cato
- Reverse Bucket List
- Thoughts for Today
Add your thoughts, raise questions, or add information in the comments section of each blog post.
Connect!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and our YouTube channel.
Thank you for being one of our eNews readers and sharing it with others.
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Request Assistance for Yourself, a Friend, or Neighbor
Serving Whidbey and Camano islands
Island Senior Resources offers an array of programs and services. Programs and services information can be found here.
You can request assistance for yourself, a friend, or a neighbor. Ways to request help:
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Island Senior Resources is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) that has been serving Island County since 1972. Island Senior Resources is the trade name for Senior Services of Island County. | |
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YOUR GIFT WILL BE DOUBLED!
Every gift given this fall will be doubled! Donations can arrive in January as long as they are dated December 2023.Your gift will help us cross the finish line to reach our goal and maintain all our services to 3,000 island clients.
Please help us with a gift today.
Ways to give:
To learn more about the impact of gifts to ISR, read our Impact Report. Questions? Contact Charles LaFond, Development Director, phone 360-210-3011 or charles@islandseniorservices.org.
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The Activity Hub
Looking for something fun to do? Check out our online guide to non-profit resources offering activities for older adults. There is so much to do in Island County from gardening to theater, classes to hikes, lectures to recreation, and more! Check back regularly as we continue to add to this list.
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See. Hear. Now. Join our Board
We all want to make a positive difference through what we do in our lives. Having a purpose helps us live longer with better mental and physical health.
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Island Senior Resources (ISR) has openings on our board of directors. This could be your opportunity to lend your ideas and voice to how we, as leaders for our community, can help seniors in Island County.
We seek individuals from across generations and those with diverse life-experience from all regions of the county. We welcome representatives from every community and are particularly interested in those who can represent the north Whidbey and Camano communities to help us hear the voices of all those in need. Having past nonprofit experience is preferred but not required.
For more information about our board, contact Kathryn Beaumont, ISR Board Vice-President, at 360-321-1600 or email kathryn@islandseniorservices.org
For more information about ISR, contact Michele Cato, Executive Director, at 703-999-3091 or email michele@islandseniorservices.org
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Our Staff and Board
Do you need to find the name of someone you’ve talked with before at ISR? Or maybe you’d like to see names of our staff who are here to help you.
Our Staff | Our Board Members
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Learn the Basics of Social Security
- How and when to apply for benefits
- Types of benefits you may qualify for
- Your Social Security rights
- Benefits based on earnings, spousal earnings (current and former)
- Survivor benefits for widow(er)s
This Island Senior Resources workshop will be presented via Zoom by Annette Barca who has been conducting pre-retirement seminars for 15 years.
Date:
Tuesday, January 30 at 1:00 p.m.
Pre-registration required:
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Getting Ready for Medicare
Going on Medicare? Want to know more?
Attend a free “Getting Ready for Medicare” seminar offered by SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) volunteers. Questions answered following the event.
Seminar covers:
- “Basic” Medicare benefits, options for additional insurance(s)
- Medicare parts A and B
- The differences between “Medigap” (supplemental) insurance and Advantage plans
- Financial assistance for qualifying low-income individuals
- Prescription drug plans
Dates:
- Thursday, January 18 at 1 p.m. in-person at Island Senior Resources, Bayview, 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA
- Tuesday, January 23 at 1 p.m. in-person at The Center in Oak Harbor, 51 SE Jerome St Oak Harbor
- Wednesday, February 21 at 1 p.m. in-person at Island Senior Resources, Bayview, 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA
Pre-registration required:
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ARTICLES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | |
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Join Charles LaFond at his potter’s wheel, his kitchen, and his outdoor wok as he honors the benefits and challenges of aging on Whidbey and Camano Islands. (Film produced and donated by Chris Douthitt).
Click to View
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Volunteer
Volunteering is highly satisfying, good for your health, connects you to others, and makes a huge difference in someone’s life. We have many volunteer opportunities available.
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Private In-Home Providers Directory
Not sure who to hire for odd jobs around the house? Or maybe you are in search of a caregiver who is the right fit for your family member and will provide you with some much-needed respite time. Our Private In-home Provider (PIP) directory might have just the person you need.
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Medical Equipment Lending Library
Island Senior Resources has free medical equipment lending libraries for medical equipment, assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.), and hygiene products/personal care items including disposable underwear, pads, wipes, bed pads, no water shampoo, body wash, and more.
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Support Groups
Our free professionally facilitated Support Groups meet regularly via Zoom and in-person.
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Parkinson’s Support Group. For people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers to share experiences. Friendly connections are made that help with this challenging condition.
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Caregivers Support Group. For people caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementias to share experiences, knowledge, and support. Friendly connections are made that help those caring for someone with this challenging condition.
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Grief Support Group. For those experiencing grief associated with receiving a diagnosis of a progressive, life-changing disease, loss of a loved one who has passed away, loss due to an accident, or any other loss that is impacting your life.
When and where?
To find times and locations for Support Groups visit our calendar page (here) or contact us for additional information on attending a Support Group.
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Nutrition Programs
Eating well is key to a robust immune system and maintaining health and well-being.
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Our programs:
- Meals on Wheels. Meals can be delivered to your doorstep Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Ensure and Glucerna can also be delivered. For details call 360-321-1600 or meals@islandseniorservices.org.
- Take-out meals, pick up a meal yourself. Learn more.
- Community Meals. Come join and share in the spirit of community. Find time and locations
- Liquid Nutritional Supplements, available by the case. Learn more.
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Senior Thrift
Senior Thrift offers new and lightly used clothing, furniture, household goods, outdoor items, tools, crafts, books, jewelry, and children’s items. Visit our housewares department and year round Christmas room.
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5518 Woodard Avenue
Freeland, WA 98249
(off SR 525 just north of Main Street in Freeland)
View Map, phone: 360-321-1600
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OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST | |
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Copyright © 2024 Island Senior Resources. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you requested it or opted in to keep up on news at Island Senior Resources. Thanks for your interest!
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Island Senior Resources
P.O. Box 939
Freeland, WA 98249
Phone 360-321-1600
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Senior Thrift
5518 Woodard Avenue
Freeland, WA 98249
Phone 360-321-1600
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