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2 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016
Diet, exercise and nutritional supplements key in aging well Jim French for the
Ravalli Republic
Other things being equal, simpler explanations are generally better than more complex ones. As expressed by William of Occam in the early 1300’s, and later termed by Sir William Hamilton in the 1800’s, Occam’s razor implies a shaving away of unnecessary assumptions in order to simplify the proposition. Unfortunately, there is nothing simple about heart disease, diabetes, and other health maladies that afflict Americans, especially senior citizens. The medical community endeavors to the highest level to treat and care for patients once the health issue emerges, but the simpler solutions to health issues begin well in advance of illness. A healthy diet starts the wellness process. The western diet, lots of processed foods and meats, lots of added unhealthy fats and sugar, lots of everything except fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, is creating a growing pandemic caused not by some new bacteria, but from eating habits. During World War II when meat, dairy products, and sugar were scarce, heart disease plummeted. The disease increased rapidly when rationing ended. Four of the top ten causes of American deaths; coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer have well established links to diet, particularly through the abundance of cheap calories of sugar and unhealthy types of fat. Attempt to follow a three stage rule of eating. Eat real food, not too much, and mostly plants. Exercise is medicine! Inactivity is a risk factor for disease. Hundreds of studies have demonstrated that regular exercise can impact disease prevention, increase life expectancy, minimize the limitations of aging, ease symptoms of depression, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance the overall quality of life. A workout regimen of 30 minutes, three times a week is a mini-
mum starting point. Work slowly to achieve this level, and after a reasonable amount of time, increase the strength and cardio training to a comfortable level. Several key suggestions for success include working out with friends, setting fitness goals, trying a new sport or piece of fitness equipment or use technology to monitor progress or just to have fun. The older you are the more important taking nutritional supplements become. Deficiencies in nutrient levels in older folks put them at risk for degenerative disease. Multivitamins and supplements are a valuable insurance policy against the harmful effects of a poor diet, and the unknowns in a decent diet. The human body is naturally balanced and the lack of key nutrients and vitamins can throw systems off. Blood panels reveal needs, and with the advice of your physician, balancing systems can improve overall health, and begin to ward off health issues. Greek medicine reached a zenith point about 420 BC with the school of Hippocrates. His approach to the medical arts were far in advance of anything prior. Primarily he believed in the healing power of nature. He held if disease is not too serious, nature will assert itself and health will be restored. Hippocrates taught diet and exercise are the best guarantee of good health, and taught that food should be our medicine. Now we know we cannot live forever, but we all can live well. But we need to act now. Help must not arrive too late. The keys: diet, exercise, and nutritional supplements. Therefore, other things being equal, simpler explanations are generally better than more complicated ones. Jim French is the owner of the Canyons Athletic Club.
Vaccinations are not just for kids LuAnn Burgmuller for the
Ravalli Republic
All adults, including those age 50 and olde, need vaccines. Some of the adult vaccine recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently changed. So even if you think you’ve been keeping up with your vaccines, it’s important for you to review the CDC’s list of vaccine recommendations and talk with your health care provider. Td (tetanus, diphtheria) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccines Who needs it: Everyone How often: Once for Tdap; once every 10 years for Td booster If you’ve never received a Tdap vaccine, you should be vaccinated once, even if you are over age 65 (this is a change from CDC’s prior guidance). Due to a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the United States, the Tdap vaccine is especially crucial for people who have close contact with infants younger than 12 months of age -— including parents, grandparents, and child-care providers. If you have received Tdap in the past, you should get a Td booster every 10 years. Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine Who needs it: Everyone over age 60 How often: Once Zoster vaccine is recommended for everyone over age 60, regardless of whether you’ve had a prior episode of Shingles — a painful, blistering skin rash, caused by the varicella-zoster virus — which can be especially painful in older adults. The CDC recommends that everyone over 60 get vaccinated because more than 99 percent of Americans over age 40 have had chicken pox, even if they don’t recall getting the disease. Also, the older patients
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are, the more severe are their cases of shingles. Pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia) Who needs it: Everyone age 65 and older, and people 50 and over with certain risk factors. How often: Once Notes: You should talk to your doctor about getting this vaccine if you are a smoker or have serious health problems, including chronic lung or heart disease, diabetes, asthma, leukemia, lymphoma or alcoholism. Influenza vaccine Who needs it: Everyone over 6 months of age How often: Annually Flu kills around 36,000 people every year in the United States, and older Americans are among the most vulnerable groups. Because each year’s vaccine is formulated to combat that season’s predicted influenza strains, you should get a dose every year. Flu shots are given during the September-to-March flu season. For adults over age 65 there is a high-dose formula that provides a better immune response in older individuals and therefore offers better protection against the flu. Other adult vaccines recommended by the CDC are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, MMR, and Meningococcal and should be discussed with your provider to determine necessity and risk based upon prior vaccinations and health status. Remember that a healthy lifestyle includes staying up to date on your vaccinations! LuAnn Burgmuller is the Ravalli County Public Health Nurse
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4 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016
Cross-Country Skiing is for Every Age Mike Hoyt
views, and the consistently superb grooming. The trails at Chief Joseph are rated from easy to difficult and provide enough elevaWhen most people think about skiing, their minds go immedition gain and descent to give anyone a great workout. We have ately to downhill, high speeds, found that cross-country skimessed-up knees, and broken ing is a perfect wintertime legs. activity for staying in shape Seldom does the thought and being in good condition of skiing at a more sedate helps each of us enjoy life pace on less hilly terrain even to the fullest even at what enter people’s minds. Lots of some consider a ”mature people downhill ski, but many age.” my age – over 55, actually well The Bitterroot Crossover – are more likely to ski Country Ski Club works with cross-country than downhill. the Forest Service to groom Cross-country includes skithe trails at Chief Joseph ing on both groomed and Pass. As with many nonungroomed trails. profit volunteer organizaSkiing on ungroomed trails tions of this sort, many of the is often referred to as backclubs members are close to country skiing and requires or past retirement age. They using slightly wider and are also some of the trail heavier skies than those used systems most frequent users on groomed trails. Most who and ski three or more times ski on groomed trails use one a week. Mike Hoyt A group of senior cross-country skiers enjoy a lunch break at Chief Joseph Pass. or another type of “skinny Many folks who live in skis” and ski in preset tracks Montana are outdoor types, (classic style) or on a corduroy that is, rather than sit and watch TV, we like to recreate outside. surface using a motion similar to ice skating, called skate skiing. The Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club’s members are likely For those living in or near the Bitterroot Valley, there are many some of the most active of those “outdoor types.” Members over places to backcountry ski. When snow-covered, almost any trail 55, indeed well into their late 70s, are some of the most frequent or Forest Service road in the Bitterroot Mountains is good for this skiers at Chief Joseph Pass and still going strong. activity. It is never too late to learn to cross-country ski. Many Ski Club One of the most popular areas for backcountry skiing is on the members will help you learn at no charge. Ski equipment is availroads and trails above and south of Lake Como. able for rental from several of the valley’s sporting goods stores. Both Lolo Pass (north end of the valley) and Chief Joseph Pass I encourage everyone, especially those who are over 55, to get (south end of the valley) have groomed ski trails systems. involved in this wintertime activity. It will enrich your life. The Chief Joseph Cross-Country Ski Trail System seems to be the more popular of the two, probably because it receives more Mike Hoyt is a longtime member of the Bitterroot Cross-County snow, has over 32 miles of groomed trails (20-plus miles of which Ski Club. are dog friendly), is close to the Lost Trail Powder Mountain downhill where parents can drop off the kids, and is groomed Thursday through Sunday (each week during ski season) with a PistenBully snowcat that provides a perfect ski surface. My skiing friends, most of whom are at least 55 years old, ski at Chief Joseph Pass. We enjoy the varied trail system, the beautiful for the
Ravalli Republic
Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016 - 5
Aging in place: Summit Independent Living offers Seniors Transition Services Becky Burke Boykin
ramp or place grab bars in a bathroom. Senior Citizens (65+) Summit also has a website currently represent about that offers information about 14.5 percent or one out the concept of visitability in of every seven people in homes as well as web resources population according to the for people to successfully age Administration on Aging in place. “Visitability” is defined website (http://www.aoa. as, “one zero step entrance acl.gov/Aging_Statistics/ on an accessible path of travel Profile/2015/2.aspx). from the street, sidewalk or These older adults often driveway, doorways that prodevelop mobility disabilities vide 32 inches clear space which make living at home throughout the home’s main and getting out into the comfloor and hallways that provide munity almost impossible. 36 inches of clear width, and Additionally, these numbers basic access to a half or (prefare expected to rise as the erably) full bath on the main baby boomer generation confloor.” tinues to age. Becky Burke Boykin Visitable homes offer features Mickey Boykin, a peer advocate with Summit Independent Living in Hamilton, using the In Montana, the aging that can benefit our local compopulation makes up at least accessible kitchen. munity, “whether it be older 21 percent and in some areas adults who wish to remain in of the state is even higher (http://www.aoa.gov/AoA_Programs/ their home, people with mobility needs”, or easy access for emerHPW/Behavioral/docs2/Montana.pdf , 2012). Therefore, it is impera- gency services. “These three primary requirements are often paired tive for communities to plan how to meet the needs of Montanans with many other simple, low-cost features to maximize usability of a as they age. Montanans with disabilities and senior citizens often home” (http://www.visitablemt.org). have the same issues including transportation, accessible parking, Summit also offers individual or community advocacy on accesaffordable and accessible housing, access to public and commercial sibility issues such as working with the city council in Hamilton buildings and recreational spaces such as downtown businesses and to develop a city ordinance that would regulate accessible parklocal parks. ing based on guidelines from the Americans with Disabilities Act. Summit Independent Living is an advocacy and resource center for Additionally, Summit provides information and referral about serpeople with disabilities run by people with disabilities. Summit offers vices located in Ravalli county. Summit also has support groups for a wide variety of services for people with disabilities of all ages. adults of any age to increase their participation in the community One of these services of particular interest to older people is nurs- and decrease their sense of isolation. For more information about ing home transition. If an older person experiences an age related the services Summit Independent Living offers in Ravalli County, injury such as a hip break due to a fall, she may suddenly find herself please contact our branch office at 363-5242. Our office is located at unable to go back home. 299 Fairgrounds Rd., #4, Hamilton, MT 59840. Summit Independent Living staff can offer nursing home transition services to the person and their families. For example, this service Becky Burke Boykin is the Ravalli County Coordinator at Summit could be teaching people to make a home more accessible and safe Independent Living by offering information on where to find a resource to help build a for the
Ravalli Republic
6 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016
Cintinuing education at the Bitterroot Community College KATE JOHNSON for the
Ravalli Republic
Bitterroot College continues to expand its Continuing Education course catalog, and many of its courses are the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill, improve technological awareness, or explore new ideas. If your computer or phone isn’t as user-friendly as you thought it might be, consider enrolling in a technology course. “Computer Confidence – Windows 10” teaches continuing education students how to use their computer with the new Windows 10 software. “iPhone Basics” will introduce students to the range of functions their iPhones provide, from calling and text messaging to taking photos to surfing the Internet. Interested in the newest technology? Stop by the Bitterroot Fab Lab, located at 404 S. 1st St., and take a class that introduces you to the future. “3D Printing in Action,” “CNC Programming & Operation,” and “Python – Introduction” will introduce students to the advanced manufacturing, programming, and robotics technology that the Bitterroot Fab Lab offers Bitterroot Community College class. to students and Fab Lab members. If you’re looking for a creative outlet, consider enrolling in one of Bitterroot College’s many art classes. “Colored Pencils for NonArtists” and “Watercolor Pencils for Non-Artists” show participants how to use simple techniques for using colored pencils or watercolor pencils and encourage experimentation with color, material, and design. If your digital SLR camera isn’t used as often as you’d like, get yourself motivated to capture the world with “How to Take
Great Pictures With Your Digital SLR.” Beginner and experienced artists alike are invited to join “Painting with Steve” and create oil paintings. For advanced artists, stop in during one of several “Open Figure Drawing” classes. If you love the Montana landscape and want to translate your adventurous spirit into art, enroll in “Wildlife in Glass” or “O Lovely Palette Knife, You Beseech Me!” “Crossing the Threshold of Aging: A Reflective Journey” encourages discussion and reflection on the aging process. Look up at the night sky during “Explorations in Astronomy.” Brush up on your skills behind the wheel in “Defensive Driving.” Embrace balance in your diet and life through” Nutrition Made Simple!,” then reflect on food adventures in “Roving Gourmands: Food Writing is Life Writing.” Bitterroot College’s Continuing Education courses are open to all persons interested in lifelong learning. Find more courses listed in the Bitterroot College Continuing Education course catalog or on the Bitterroot College website at www.umt.edu/bc. Once you find the course that’s calling your name, register Todd Goodrich by mail, online, by phone, or in person.
Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016 - 7
Ravalli Council on Aging offers assistance in variety of ways Caroline for the
Caroline deRoos, Senior Resource Specialist Ravalli County Council on Aging
deRoos
Ravalli Republic
The Ravalli Council on Aging, located at 310 Old Corvallis Rd, is a well- known source of assistance for seniors in the Bitterroot Valley. Programs such as Meals on Wheels and the Lifeline Medical Alert System have become effective resources for area seniors looking for support to stay in their homes as long as possible. The Bitterroot Bus is a familiar site in the valley, offering curb to curb service to anyone who needs a ride. Seniors needing help with their Medicare are welcome to contact the two SHIP counselors for assistance at no
charge. The Money Management Program offers seniors a variety of options to help with financial issues while still maintaining complete control of their money. A new program being offered by the Ravalli Council on Aging is Options Counseling. Often, having a direct and meaningful discussion with a senior regarding their changing health condition and the many avenues for long term care can be very challenging for families. The conversation can feel uncomfortable and raise topics which are not easy to discuss. However, these conversations are very important. Open discussions are the best way to make sure a senior has a powerful voice in the decisions surrounding living situations and care options. An Options Counselor can lead a family group through these topics and help create an action plan. The Options Counseling program is based on the premise of assisting families and caregivers with clear conversations about future choices and options as someone ages. Options Counselors are trained to work with seniors and their circle of friends and family to assure everyone has a chance to voice their concerns and help put a plan in place for the best possible lifestyle for a senior. Options Counseling can be a very helpful tool for a wide variety of living situations and the creation of an action plan for the future can reduce the stress for the entire family. Please contact Caroline at 3635690 for more information about this new program and how Options
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8 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016
Senior centers and senior groups of the Bitterroot Dominic Farrenkopf for the
Ravalli Republic
Up and down the Bitterroot Valley, you will find clubs and organizations. For seniors there are many options to consider. The following interviews will shed some light on the groups and programs available to join and ways to participate. Florence Senior Lunch If you live in the Florence area, a great place for Monday lunch is the Florence Senior Lunch at the Florence Fire District Station 1. The address is: 234 Holloway Lane. “The food comes hot from the Stevensville Senior Center,” Margie O’Brien said. “We do have a salad bar, beverages and dessert as well.” The meal starts at 11:30 a.m. and costs $3.50 for seniors 60 and over and $6 if you are under 60 years of age. “This is a great time to just get together as friends and talk and visit,” O’Brien said. “Average attendance of the lunch is about 20 people, but we would like more people to come.” On Monday mornings, O’Brien and Deb Reed clean the tables, set place mats and prepare the food line. “My favorite part is sharing the meal and visiting,” O’Brien said. “We decorate the hall for holidays and folks really seem to enjoy it. We celebrate birthdays on the second Monday of each month. Brenda Dahl from Physical Therapy Specialists of Florence always provides the
cake.” For more information, call Ravalli County Council on Aging at: 363-5690. Stevensville Senior Center With 254 members, the Stevensville Senior Center is strong and thriving. Ken Krout, president of the senior center, proudly reported, “We are open to all seniors over 65 in the Bitterroot Valley as well as Missoula. Our dues are $5 a year per person. The responsibilities of our group are to show up and eat a good meal. We try to get our seniors involved in the many activities of the center.” The activities offered are indeed many. A quick glance at the calendar will show: exercise, bridge, pinochle, cribbage, painting and Bingo. Krout continued, “We provide toe-nail service, flu shots, bonedensity screenings and Meals on Wheels. We serve a lunch each weekday. The Monday through Friday lunches begin at 11:30 a.m. and are $3.50 if you are over 60. We have an entree, salad bar, beverages and dessert.” Krout couldn’t help but smile as he talked about the birthday lunch. “We have a birthday dinner once a month to recognize the people who have a birthday that month,” he said. “Birthday lunch is fun – actually, they all are.” Stevensville Senior Center prepares meals for Meals on Wheels and the Florence Monday lunch. “We are part of Ravalli County Council on Aging and they pro-
vide assistance to seniors, helping them maintain their independence,” Krout said. Located at 100 Mission Street in Stevensville, the center is always seeking new members. “We welcome everyone for a good and nutritious meal. They are also welcome to get involved in all activities and meetings. It’s their senior center and we are very proud of it,” smiled Krout. Other ways people can get involved are by donating medical equipment, money and their time for fundraisers, said Krout. Krout has been president for five years and he doesn’t see his term ending anytime soon. “I’ve put in my resignation, but they haven’t found a replacement. So, I’m looking at doing more time,” Krout joked. For more information call 7775681. Victor Senior Center If you live in the Victor area and you are looking for a group to join, consider the Victor Senior Center. “There is no age limit to join,” said Albert Fawcett, the president of the senior center. “Dues are $5 a year and we like our members to volunteer and participate. We have about 70 members and we always welcome new folks to join.” There is plenty to do at the Victor Senior Center. At 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday is men’s coffee hour. Ladies meet for coffee at 10 a.m. Friday mornings. These coffee hours are free, though you can make a donation
to the senior center. Bingo is played from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday nights. Pinochle is played from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Po-Keno and cribbage alternate Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. These activities cost $1. “One of our most popular events is our lunch. We serve lunch at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. It’s $3.50 if you’re over 60 years of age, and $6 under 60,” Fawcett said. “We also do Meals on Wheels. That is a program we need volunteers for. It is a very rewarding experience to come to the door and be greeted by a recipient with a big smile on their face.” Fawcett was elected president five years ago. “My mother was very active in the Victor Senior Center, and they were having trouble managing the center. My mom asked me to help, as I have plenty of experiencing managing organizations. I operate two businesses. And with a lot of hard work from myself and others, the center is on an even keel,” Fawcett said. “I also do lawn maintenance and building maintenance – unless it’s the furnace, then we call a pro.” The senior center survives off of donations and government grants. The grants have reduced over the years, so the center holds special fundraisers to fill the financial gap. The senior center is hoping to remodel its kitchen, and it will host a fundraising breakfast from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday,
Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016 - 9
Oct. 31. The breakfast costs $6 for adults and $3 for children under 10 years of age. The menu consists of biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, scrambled eggs and beverages. For more information call 6423320. Hamilton Senior Center Hamilton Senior Center is a busy hub for people over 50 years of age. “Anyone over 18 can join but you need to be over 50 to be a voting member,” said Jim Humphreys, president of the senior center. The monthly board meetings and the annual membership meeting are held at the Hamilton Senior Center. Those are only a few of the myriad activities happening at the center. Humphreys is proud of the events hosted at the senior center. “We have dances, card parties, dance lessons and exercise classes. There are monthly birthday dinners, holiday dinners, and Monday, Wednesday, Friday lunch,” he said. “Lunch is affordable, as it is $3.50 if you are over 60 years of age. If you’re under 60 it’s $6. We have silent auctions, monthly flea markets, and family health fairs. Private groups can and do rent the center for any get-together you can imagine.” Computers with Wi-Fi and high-speed internet connections are available for walk-in use, which Humphreys said is a big asset for the senior center. Hamilton Senior Center has approximately 265 members. Humphreys said they don’t expect a lot. “Dues are $12 a year per person. Members receive a monthly
newsletter. Responsibilities of members include being a good citizen and hopefully participating in activities and volunteering when needed, he said. “We are always seeking new members. In addition to seeking new members, our needs are constant. The kitchen, repairs, maintenance and general upkeep of the building all require attention.” Donations of time, materials and money are always welcomed and appreciated. Humphreys has served as president of Hamilton Senior Center for the past two years. He is an elected official and in his final term. “My favorite aspect of the center is the camaraderie of the people I meet,” he said. “My favorite activity is assisting people with their income taxes. We do taxes for anyone with an income. As long as their taxes are not too complicated, we can help. There is a general list at the post office and at the center that shows the qualifying factors. Ninety-nine percent of the time we can do their taxes.” Humphreys and three others, all with tax experience, are certified by AARP and the IRS before they can provide this free service. “We are a senior-oriented service organization,” Humphreys said. “We are there for the benefit and enjoyment of the senior population, however, we welcome everyone of all ages to come and participate in the games and activities.” For more information call 3635181. Darby Silvertops Lowell Baltz is the president
of The Darby Silvertops, which is seeking new members. “If you are 55 or older and live in the Darby School District, you are eligible to join,” Baltz said. “We meet at the Darby Clubhouse at 106 North Main Street in Darby.” “The dues are $6 per year, and the responsibilities of the members is pretty simple. “We ask that you act as a host, hold office or sit on a committee, provide potluck dishes and be congenial and friendly,” said Baltz. “We are a very active club. We have just agreed to a threeyear commitment to help eradicate weeds along the hiking trail in Darby. We are partnering with Ravalli County Weed Control and the Trail Committee.” Field trips are also very important, Baltz said. “We’ve taken trips to the Lee
Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Ravalli County Museum and the Rocky Mountain Laboratory,” he said. The Darby Silvertops have donated large print books to the Darby Community Library and food to Darby Bread Box. “As far as donating to our club, we really need new activity and program ideas. We enjoy slideshows of people’s travels, and we’d like more of that,” said Baltz. “We are a fun bunch, and that’s what I like best about us. My favorite times are socializing with club members, catching up, reminiscing and telling jokes.” The officers are: Blatz, president; Martha Hayes, vice president; Ruth Baltz, treasurer; and Veryl Kosteczko, secretary. For more information call 8213095.
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10 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016
Bitter Root Humane Association offers free adoptions for seniors interested in senior pets EVE BURNSIDES
happier when they have a pet to talk to and love. These pets Seniors, both people and also provide a feeling of secupets have a lot to teach us. rity and general well being. A lifetime of accumulated When there is a pet in the knowledge and experience home, just waking up and carenrich the lives of others that ing for a furry creature gives few youngsters can equal. the person a sense of responPeople and their pets, sibility as well as the pure joy especially seniors of both of being completely loved in species, benefit from the return. loving companionship that We here at the Bitter Root being together brings. Humane Association firmly Seniors often feel isolated believe in our “Senior for a and removed from our fast Senior” program. paced and mobile society. What is true of our human Having a pet provides the seniors holds true for our much needed emotional senior animals; they are spesupport and unconditional cial and deserve our love and Perry Backus love that may be missing in respect. Several years ago, Paul Driesbach and Jacques have become best of friends after the pair met at the their lives. Bitter Root Humane Association shelter in Hamilton. The shelter offers a Senior for a Senior program When a senior citizen (60 that offers senior citizens the opportunity to adopt older pets at no cost. The nurturing and caring years or older) adopts a senior that goes into providing a pet (7 years or older) we waive good home for the pet promotes connectivity to the outside world. Vet the adoption fee. It’s a heart healthy event for all involved. It’s an investvisits, shopping for food, grooming and walking are just a few of the “to ment and affirmation of a good life prolonged thanks to this new relado” things that keep seniors and their pets moving. tionship. In many studies, seniors who have pets are generally healthier and We also have a Community Pet Pantry for those in our community who cannot afford food for their pets. This is food donated by caring people throughout the county as well as local businesses who support the program. The food is freely distributed to all so that pets can remain with those who love them... for the
Ravalli Republic
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Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 16, 2016 - 11
RSVP helps seniors find good opportunities to volunteer Colleen Gilligan Dahlstrom for the
Ravalli Republic
When we picture our older years, what do we see? Are we retired or do we pursue work or a passion that energizes us? Some may envision enjoying our favorite activities like travel, hunting, kayaking or golfing. As we age we often have to deal with numerous challenges that may include medical issues, a fixed income, caring for a loved-one who has become ill, managing depression, suffering the loss of a lifetime partner, or not feeling seen by our communities. Working as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Hamilton, I have met volunteers who serve our communities with such passion and dedication, despite the challenges that life throws at all of us. Their resiliency and commitment to the Bitterroot Valley makes me reconsider how I envision my older years and view my future retirement as possibly some of my most productive years. In Stevensville, Pantry Partners is a non-profit food bank run by all volunteers (most are seniors) who provide food to those who need a little help to get through a challenging financial time. Often people who go to Pantry Partners only need the service once or twice to get through to the next paycheck. Pantry Partners shops, organizes and provides an experience for clients that is confidential, dignified and positive. The Clothes Closet shares the same building as Pantry Partners and is also an all-volunteer run organization with many senior vol-
unteers. They provide free clothing to those in need and organize their store like a clothing boutique that is clean, friendly, and fun. I recently met with a new volunteer who lost her spouse after a long illness. She was already volunteering and wanted to offer more of her time to other places in the valley to ensure she had a routine each week where she could help her community, get out of the house, and meet new people. I thought this was such a healthy approach in a difficult time of grief and loss. If you are 55 or older and interested in volunteer opportunities in Ravalli County, please contact me (363-1102) and we can try and find a good match for your life experience, background, talent, and interests. We are affiliated with over 60 different workstations and would love to try and find a good match for you. The next chapter will involve challenges, but it also might be the most exciting, productive, and surprising one yet. Colleen Gilligan Dahlstrom is the volunteer coordinator for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in Hamilton.
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