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Island Senior Resources - December 2023 eNews
Serving Whidbey and Camano islands
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Greetings Neighbors!
Announcements
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Read our website text in Spanish. Click “en Espanol” at the top of the home page.
- Lea el texto de nuestro sitio web en español. Haga clic en "en Español" en la parte superior de la página de inicio.
- ISR offices and Senior Thrift will be closed on Monday, December 25, and Monday, January 1.
Highlights/events this month
- Senior Engagement: New! ISR now has downloadable Activity Books for seniors and caregivers here. These engage thinking, creativity, and fun! New books will be added every month filled with puzzles, mazes, word games, art, and more. There is also a companion monthly Caregiver Wellness Guide full of ideas for sharing these activities with someone you care for. Each PDF file is printable in black and white on 8-1/2 x 11 paper. Just click on a book, print it out, and get started.
New blog posts (click to view)
- Healthy Aging Part 12: Resilience: Rising Beyond Challenge, how to nourish your resilience
- Learning From Experience: Tips from Elders
- On the Beauty and Fragility of Thin Skin, a story by Charles LaFond
- Thinking Outside the Box: Courageous and Creative Choices in Care, a real-life tale of questions and answers
- Leadership Corner: Glimmers of Joy, holiday thoughts by Katheryn Howell
- Sno-Isle Libraries: End the Year with Radiant Reads
- Benefits and Risks of Digital Banking
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 THIS FALL!
Every gift given this fall will be doubled! 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. If we raise $139,000 from 500 of our regular and new donors, we will reach our 2023 goal! Every gift counts.
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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Thank You Puget Sound Energy for your generous support of Meals on Wheels. | |
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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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On Medicaid?
Recertification is Occurring
Medicaid is medical insurance for folks who qualify based on a low income. Income can change for a variety of reasons, so the government requires that income be reviewed on an annual basis.
During the Public Health Emergency (Covid), the government waived the annual recertification requirement for individuals on Medicaid to determine if their coverage should continue. Now, the state is contacting well over one million people on Medicaid in monthly batches to ask them to recertify their eligibility.
Failure to recertify will mean that Medicaid insurance will end, and alternative medical coverage must be found. If you are on Medicaid, you should receive a letter telling you when your recertification is due.
ISR’s Aging and Disability Resources Department can assist with the recertification process. ISR’s SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) volunteers can help you find an alternative medical plan if you are eligible for Medicare. Call ISR at 360-321-1600 Ext 0 if you need assistance or would like more information.
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Are You Enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan?
If so, this information may be important to you
If you are dissatisfied with your Medicare Advantage Plan for any reason and want to change plans, you can do so from January 1 - March 31, 2024. You can leave the plan you're in and start fresh with one that better meets your needs.
A SHIBA volunteer can answer your questions and help you understand your options. Please call Island Senior Resources at 360-321-1600 for an appointment. SHIBA (State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) is a program of the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Island Senior Resources.
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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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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:
- Tuesday December 12 at 1 p.m. in-person at The Center in Oak Harbor, 51 SE Jerome St Oak Harbor
- 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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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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ARTICLES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | |
Healthy Aging. A better conversation about Aging | |
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View our latest film about caring for our island’s aging seniors. 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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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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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
Are you looking for help? 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
Everyone is welcome to attend these free activities. Our 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 | |
Copyright © 2023 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
All proceeds benefit Island Senior Resources
5518 Woodard Avenue
Freeland, WA 98249
Phone 360-321-1600
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