Senior Guide Book Q4 2015

Feeling out on a limb...all alone in your big house?

Maybe it’s time for a new Nest!

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RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Q4/2015 seniorguidebook.com

“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”

– George Burns

At Garden Court, residents live as if there is no tomorrow.

Why not? Forget about the cooking, cleaning and the yard, and spend your life doing those things that fill you up and make you laugh.

Call today for lunch and a tour – just for the fun of it. 425.438.9080

425.438.9080 RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

520 - 112th Street SW Everett WA 98204 www.gardencourtretirement.com

www.seniorguidebook.com 1

Why Music Therapy Should Be Provided In Every Memory Care Community

by Kris Batiste

When composing music, musicians know how intuitively it affects our bodies. Opera singer, Irene Gubrud said, “As a very young child, I experienced who I was through sound. I felt whole.” She and many other musicians remind us, that our early connection to sound is another reason for its power. Since we live in a visual society, most believe we focus on sight more than sound.

However, scientific evidence and pilot music studies tell us otherwise. The ear has a head start over the eye, because unlike the eye, the ear is active in the womb. Sound literally penetrates the human body. We don’t see anything until we are out of the womb, but the ear starts to function during the first stages of life.

Music therapy can be a very effective tool for individuals with Alzheimer’s, and late stages of dementia. Since music and sounds are the first things we hear in life, and music is controlled by our early memories, it can be extremely effective in improving their mood, emotional states, and decreasing agitation.

Music therapy pilot study We decided to partner with the Snohomish County Music Project (SCMP), to conduct a pilot study at Quail Park of Lynnwood, to see firsthand how music can make a difference in our residents’ lives.

After a few sessions, the participants showed consistent memory recall with their songs and other-related information, improvement of their moods and emotions, a decrease in agitation and aggressive behaviors, and increased cognitive function. Participants were given iPods loaded with their favorite genre of music, and songs, to use during the music therapy sessions.

Christine Browne, the life enhancement director at Quail Park of Lynnwood said, “the music therapy sessions literally had an “awakening” effect among the participants. Most of the residents in the study had agitation problems; some were very aggressive, while others couldn’t communicate.

However, with the music therapy sessions, their bad behaviors went away,” said Browne. “Feelings are often lost in the late stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s. So, more importantly, music brought back their emotions and feelings of life that nothing else really could.”

Left brain, right brain The singing sessions in the pilot study engaged more than just the brain, and the area related to singing. As singing activated the left side of the brain, listening to music sparked activity on the right side of the brain.

With so much of the brain being stimulated, the participants were exercising more mind power than usual. This led to a dramatic increase of positive social behaviors, and interactions with the caregivers and staff.

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Steps to music therapy If you are thinking about implementing music therapy, whether at a community or at home, here are some recommended steps you can take to provide music to your loved ones or significant other: • Select a list of her or his favorite songs – especially songs they enjoy singing.

• Purchase an iPod, or a similar portable music device to store and play their favorite songs.

• Schedule once-a-week music therapy sessions in an open space, in memory care communities. In the beginning, you’ll have some residents who will want to participate, and others not so much. It is important to remain patient with them, and aim to hold the music therapy sessions on the same day and time of the week. You’ll see how all your residents will eventually want to be involved.

• Play an instrument, and encourage residents to sing-a-long with you.

• Videotape the music therapy sessions – This will give you the opportunity to watch and record the progress and improvements made by your residents.

By creating your own music therapy sessions, you can expect it to lessen anxieties, decrease the need for certain medications, deal with traumatic memories or dreams, and improve your residents’ mood and overall emotional well-being.

Kris Batiste is a nurse, and is a regional director at Living Care Lifestyles. For more information about music therapy and the pilot project, please call Kris at (425) 640-8529 or email at krisb@livingcarelifestyles.com. *Some of the information provided by the American Music Therapy Association, and by “The Power of Music” by Elena Mannes.

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

of Lynnwood

Q4 / 2015 FEATURES 2 Why Music Therapy Should be Provided in Every Memory

Care Community Kris Batiste

6

The Bridge to Connect with Community Seniors Cynthia Graham

8-9 Who We Are

Jake Montzingo

10 12

Footsteps

Coffee & Community Lindsey Hanson

14

Moments of Our Lives David Ensor

18

Training For Your Future Kyle Ciminski

20 22

Bring Medications or An Accurate List with you to the Hospital

When It Rains, It Pours Jennifer Blair

24

Transitioning Well Tracy Willis

25

Some say Why Move? Others say Why Not? Jane Meyers-Bowen

26

Moving Into The Unknown Angelia Brigance

28 29

SPOTLIGHT – Jared Curtis

Directory

ADVERTISERS Front Cover Garden Court Retirement Community – Everett Back Cover Mirabella – Seattle Front Inside Cover Village Concepts: Riverside East –

Bothell, El Dorado West – Burien, Covington Place – Covington,

High Point Village – Enumclaw, Sound Vista Village – Gig Harbor,

Channel Point Village – Hoquiam, Spiritwood at Pine Lake – Issaquah, Grandview Village – Marysville, Alder Ridge – Milton,

Mill Ridge Village – Milton, Harbor Tower Village – Oak Harbor,

Pioneer Village – Moses Lake, Parkview Villas – Port Angeles,

Country Meadow Village – Sedro Woolley, Brannan Park Retirement – Auburn

Back Inside Cover

ERA Living: Aljoya Mercer Island, Aljoya

Thornton Place – Northgate/Seattle, Ida Culver House Broadview/Seattle, Ida Culver House – Ravenna/Seattle,

The Gardens at Town Square – Bellevue, The Lakeshore – Seattle, University House – Issaquah, University House – Wallingford/Seattle

Center 16 Center 17

Rosewood Courte – Edmonds

Frontier Management: Edmonds Landing – Edmonds, The Bellingham at Orchard – Bellingham,

Where The Heart Is – Burlington, Home Place – Burlington,

Home Place – Oak Harbor, The Terrace at Beverly Lake – Everett,

Bay Pointe – Bremerton, Marine Court – Bremerton,

Clearwater Springs – Vancouver

1 3 5 7

Garden Court Retirement Community – Everett Living Care: Quail Park of Lynnwood Affinity at Bellingham Village Cove at Green Lake – Seattle (Now Open) Hearthstone at Green Lake – Seattle

8-9 CarePartners: Vineyard Park at Mountlake Terrace (Now Leasing), For advertising information contact: DAVID KIERSKY, Publisher 213 V Avenue, Anacortes WA 98221 360.588.9181 d.kiersky@frontier.com JENNIFER KIERSKY BLAIR Chief Editor/Production Copyright 2015 Kiersky Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Kiersky Publishing Senior Guidebook to Western Washington is published quarterly by Kiersky Publishing, Inc. The opinions, advice or statements expressed by contributing writers don’t reflect those of the editor, the publisher or of Kiersky Publishing Senior Guidebook to Western Washington.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content contained herein. Furthermore, Kiersky Publishing, Inc. makes no representations and, to the fullest extent allowed by law, disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to, warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purposes regarding the suitability of the information; the accuracy, reliability, completeness or timeliness of the content, services or products advertised herein. The content published herein may include inaccuracies or typographical errors.

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Vineyard Park at Bothell Landing, Everett Plaza – Everett, The Cottages at Marysville, The Cottages at Mill Creek

11 13 15

Madison House – Kirkland

19 21 23 27

ERA Living (See Inside Back Cover)

Cristwood – Shoreline, Crista Shores – Silverdale

Holiday Retirement: Bridge Park – Seattle,

Capital Place – Olympia, Cascadian Place – Everett,

Evergreen Place – Renton, Fernwood at the Park – Normandy Park, Parkway Chateau – Bellingham, Peninsula – Gig Harbor,

Point Defiance Village – Tacoma, The Garden Club – Bellevue,

Willow Gardens – Puyallup

Island Hospital – Anacortes Foundation House at Bothell Chateau Retirement: Chateau Pacific – Lynnwood, Chateau Bothell Landing – Bothell, Chateau Valley Center – Renton

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Cominger Decemb 2015

Affinity at Bellingham A Refreshing New Option for Active Adults 55+

At Affinity, you get alot more for one amazingly affordable rent All utilities paid including WiFi, Cable Television & Air Conditioning Studios, 1 & 2 Bedroom Homes • Rents starting at $1249/month Spacious Bathrooms • Washers & Dryers Controlled Access • Smoke Free Community

Plus special places to pursue your passions Dilly Dally’s Pub • Outdoor Kitchen & BBQ Heated Salt Water Swimming Pool & Spa • Movie Theater Internet Café • Workshop • Craft Room • Fitness Center Library • Guest Suite • Game Room Community Garden • Outdoor Fire Pit

Pet Friendly (restrictions apply)

1.866.774.6120

3930 Affinity Lane Bellingham WA 98226 www.affinityatbellingham.com www.seniorguidebook.com 5

The Hearthstone Sponsors The Bridge To Connect With Community Seniors

by Cynthia Graham

The Green Lake area, just north of the heart of Seattle, has become a top retirement choice for hundreds of seniors looking for an active lifestyle with unique benefits.

Green Lake is surrounded by 2.8 miles of walking and bike paths, as well as a beautiful park with physical and aquatic activities galore. In addition, there are restaurants to suit any palate, organic shopping, coffee shops, and sporting goods retailers abound. With a 91% walkability score, Green Lake is the perfect area to remain active throughout retirement.

The Hearthstone, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) celebrating fifty years on the east side of Green Lake, has opened a brand new active retirement community located one block from their landmark building. Village Cove features 28 luxury apartments for independent seniors. According to the Hearthstone’s CEO Mary Lou Stuenzi, “We envisioned a place where independent retirees could live an active lifestyle with walkability shopping, restaurants, outdoor activities right outside the door, and the security of long-term care for their future.” That vision has become a reality in the Village Cove project. As a non-profit, faith- based organization there was a calling to do more for local seniors and the Green Lake community. The goal being, that it would significantly contribute to the quality of life for the Hearthstone and Village Cove residents.

That search for a way to serve local seniors, and the shortage of affordable meeting space coincided with the building of Village Cove. Through this union, The Bridge was born; a gathering place for area seniors and the organizations that serve them. Located on the street level of Village Cove, The Bridge amenities include: 1700 sq. ft. of meeting space, equipped with a state-ofthe-art sound system, and a 71” SMART TV. The space is ideal for educational and social gatherings for groups of up to 60 people. The interior design is modern, warm, and inviting. The space is open and is easily adapted for table groupings, (both round and rectangular) and theater- style seating.

The Bridge is being offered on a space available basis, at no cost to non-profit, senior-related organizations. In addition, there will also be Hearthstone/Village Cove sponsored events, and programs that will be open to local seniors. Cynthia Graham, Director of Community Outreach, is enthusiastic about the possibilities. “We’ve just opened and we are already reserving space for some wonderful educational events, all at no cost to seniors. We have a marine educator coming for a presentation about sharks in August, a Health & Wellness Fair is planned for October, and Alaskan Bear Biologist and author, Steven Stringham, will be a guest speaker. We also hope to host programs and events in partnership with senior organizations, like LeadingAge, Senior Services, Seattle Parks Lifelong Recreation, Northwest Center for Creative Aging, UW, Osher, and other learning institutions.”

A weekly neighborhood “Coffee Klatch” will begin on September 2nd, and will be held every Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:00 am indefinitely. “We would love to see The Bridge full of folks every week, socializing with their neighbors,” says Ms. Graham. Getting the word out about what is happening at The Bridge will be her focus for the next couple of months. A website and e-newsletter are planned for this fall, but any “chronologically gifted” folks who want to be invited to Bridge events now, should join the list by emailing their name to: thebridge@hearthstone.org Any group reservation inquiries or programming suggestions can be directed to: Cynthia Graham, Director of Community Outreach The Bridge, 6846 Woodlawn Avenue NE, Suite B, Seattle, WA 98115

Direct Phone: 206-517-2112, email: cgraham@hearthstone.org 6

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

This Place is Where:

Who We Are

by Jake Montzingo

You’ll do your best Janis Joplin imitation while showering.

You’ll rent a movie and eat ice-cream at 2am.

Your granddaughter will come tell you are going to be a Great!

YOU’LL decide when and how for your healthcare.

This place is home. And we’re happy to see you.

www.carepartnersliving.com

425.485.8900

10519 E Riverside Drive Bothell WA 98011 www.vineyardpark.net

360.322.7561

1216 Grove Street Marysville WA 98270 www.cottagesatmarysville.com 8

It goes without saying, that Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. Besides ultimately ending the life of the diagnosed, it takes a tremendous toll on all family, friends, and loved ones involved. However, Alzheimer’s disease or any memory disease under the umbrella of dementia, does not define the character of your loved one. Rather, it is the disease they have, and the unfortunate burden with which they’ve been dealt. We are very good as a society at separating the person from their cancer, diabetes, or arthritis. We even go as far as to say, “You beat cancer!” So, why does society as a whole have a much harder time separating memory loss, or change in cognition, from who we are? Your loved one is: a professional, a spouse, a parent, a cherished individual with dreams, hopes, and feelings. What your loved one is not the symptoms of their disease.

Let’s say you were to stumble walking at the park, and felt a very sharp pain in your ankle. A trip to the doctor will give you a definite answer about whether it is broken, the treatment necessary, and an expected resolution date. If you started getting angry and agitated in the evenings, the natural response from most of us would not be a trip to the doctor. If we even comprehended the change, many of us would spend a month or even years, trying to figure out what had changed. On the flip side, if you’re the spouse or child viewing these changes in your loved one, you might just assume they were having a bad week or any number of external factors. If you ultimately do go to the doctor, because you might decide that this is more than just dad’s temper, your doctor could give you a very generic answer. He might give you a blanket diagnosis of “294.8 Dementia NOS without behavior disturbance,” with no known onset date and unknown what the future holds for the disease process specific to you. This is not to say that the medical community isn’t doing all they can to combat Alzheimer’s and dementia, but being that it is a brain related disease, we just don’t know as much as we would all like.

The good news is, there is a treatment that improves the health and quality of life in most people who have dementia. Proper medication (some of which can be dementia related), nutrition, hydration, and dementia specific caregiving, (keeping them safe, redirecting, allowing them to make choices) can drastically improve someone’s health and quality of life. However, they still have this disease, and the best treatments are already in place to treat the disease process. For example, when a doctor diagnoses someone with insulin dependent diabetes, which is causing a decline in their health and lifestyle, the treatment is insulin and most likely their condition will improve. We know dementia is a disease where the most common symptoms affect memory and behavior, so we should expect an improvement in health, behavior, and lifestyle with proper memory care related treatment. It is because of this continuous proper treatment and care

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

425.258.6408

2204 12th St Everett WA 98201 www.everettplazaassistedliving.com

NOW OPEN!

425.678.6008 for the disease process, or previous lack of care, that’s causing the person to thrive. Just because you are in great health for a month, while you are taking insulin, it doesn’t mean that you should cease the treatment.

The goals, when someone has dementia or is suspected to have dementia, are to separate the person from the disease. They should be allowed to have the best quality of life during that challenging and dynamic process, whether that lasts six months or ten years.

It may be counterintuitive, but one sign of a good memory care setting can be an improvement in your loved one’s daily function.

If they are on proper medications as ordered by their doctor, proper nutrition and hydration, and surrounded by respectful, dementia specific caregiving, they can improve both in health and in lifestyle.

This alone, is the best reason to ensure that they continue to get necessary memory care.

Kelley Smith is the Director of Sales & Marketing,CarePartners Senior Living. kelley@carepartnersliving.com or 425-931-2951 Kelley- https://twitter.com/carepartnersmgt - Follow us!

23008 56th Ave West Mountlake Terrace WA 98043 www.carepartnersliving.com

425.379.8276

13200 10th Drive SE Mill Creek WA 98012 www.thecottagesassistedliving.com

www.seniorguidebook.com 9

Footsteps A guiding principle at Madison House is there is nothing more important than family. We enjoy our residents and hearing them say “living at Madison House is just like coming home”. That is our goal! With that in mind, we’d like to share some very special stories with you of our 2nd generation residents. Knowing that your parents were happy and enjoyed their lives at Madison House is a compelling reason to follow in their footsteps. And for that, we are honored. Please allow us to introduce you to: Toni Blier ~ Toni’s mother was a resident at Madison House. After the passing of her father, Toni’s mother, Olive Hathaway, didn’t want to live alone.

From a close bridge friend at Madison House came an invitation to consider a move there. While living at Madison House, Olive met her second husband, Jack McKinsey. Toni recalls Jack inviting her mother to go on trips with him, but Olive declined, as they were not married. Jack found a simple solution – he suggested they get married – which they did, and were fortunate to enjoy many wonderful years together.

Toni recalls “Mom was very picky, and if she was happy at Madison House, then I knew I would be too!” After visiting Madison House, Toni’s two sons, Roger from Kirkland & Kevin from Redmond, said “they could definitely see their mom living here and knew she would love it.” This past summer, when Toni became a widow, she made the move to Madison House. Toni couldn’t be happier with her new home. “The staff is delightful, kind, and everyone is warm and thoughtful.” This makes Toni and her many friends who come by to visit feel at ease and very welcome.

Betty Little ~ The next 2nd generation resident we’d like to introduce you to is Betty. She followed in her Aunt’s footsteps, Mary Chamblin, who had moved to Madison House in 1982. Mary and her husband had lived in Ojai, California, but after his passing, Mary wanted to be closer to family and made the decision to move to the Seattle area. Betty recalls her aunt reminiscing of how she had watched Madison House being built, and what a beautiful retirement community it was. Her Aunt Mary had commented often of how much she liked it at Madison House and especially enjoyed the dining experience, where residents made it a special occasion by “dressing up” for dinner.

Betty made the move to Madison House in 2005. She states that, “she chose Madison House because it’s a very beautiful place and my Aunt Mary loved it there until her passing in 1985.”

Mary Holmberg ~ The last resident we’d like to highlight is Mary Holmberg. Mary’s mother, Rhoda Barrie, moved to Madison House in 1980. “After my dad’s passing my mom hated being alone. Nonetheless, we were very surprised when she announced she was making the move to Madison House and had done all the research on her own. She was very content and happy there.”

Mary says, “At the time of my mother’s move, Madison House was very new and the first of its kind in the Kirkland area. Mom was always very social.

She was so enthusiastic about Madison House that she offered to be ‘the hostess’ and gave tours on Sundays.”

Rhoda & her husband raised 3 children, and Mary was their middle child.

In 2005, two years after Mary lost her husband, she moved to Madison House. “I didn’t like living alone anymore, and didn’t want to maintain my large home. I wanted to have company, and knew how much my mom loved her time here.” Mary remembered while visiting her mother, seeing people working on ceramics which they would sell at the fall bazaar. There was always a bridge game to join and friends and staff to keep her company.” Mary is very pleased to find that Madison House continues to be a vibrant place to live.

Thank you to Toni Blier, Betty Little, and Mary Holmberg for making Madison House their home and sharing their memories with all of us.

Madison House has completed it’s exciting transformation, which began August 2014. It’s a fresh and updated look to compliment a new enthusiasm for customer care and service.

Some of our new enhancements are: • Resident apartment renovations including total kitchen & bath remodels with updated lighting, flooring and walls.

• Added Features: Resident services desk, laundry on every floor, a café/bistro, movie theatre, private dining room for families, additional family gathering spaces & an updated salon.

We’re very excited about our new look and want you to come see what everyone is talking about!

For More Information contact Madison House: (425) 821-8210 • 12215 NE 128th Street • Kirkland, WA • www.madisonhouseretirement.com 10

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Since 1958

See What Everyone’s Talking About!

Our “rejuvenation” is complete and it’s the talk of the town!

Come by for a visit soon to see our beautiful new look and feel.

Let us show you why we’re the new leader in Eastside senior living.

Madison House

Independent & Assisted Living Community A Koelsch Senior Community

(425) 821-8210 12215 NE 128th Street, Kirkland www.madisonhouseretirement.com

www.seniorguidebook.com 11 Madison House, Senior Guidebook, 7.5” x 10”, August 2015

Coffee & Community

by Lindsey Hanson

At the heart of CRISTA Ministries’ Shoreline campus is the Arbor Deli, a café that serves as a central hub to the seven different ministries: CRISTA Senior Living, World Concern, Christian Veterinary Mission, CRISTA Media, King’s Schools, Seattle Urban Academy, and CRISTA Camps. It’s a place where a simple cup of coffee can turn into a time of encouragement and lunch can span across generations. The students, staff, residents, visitors and family members who meet at the Arbor are a tangible representation of the various people who make up the different components and generations of CRISTA. The Arbor thrives on a strong community of regular customers, but there’s only one customer who has an engraved plaque with his name and “office hours” at his favorite table. Meet Al Bartlett, a resident of Cristwood who loves fellowship, studying God’s Word, and a good practical joke.

Al moved to the Garden Apartments at Cristwood almost ten years ago, but he had been familiar with CRISTA long before then. As a college student, he remembers hearing Mike Martin, CRISTA’s founder, speak about acquiring the land for his ministry to teens. Over the years, Al has been connected to many of the ministries of CRISTA. His son graduated from King’s Schools, his daughter volunteered at CRISTA, his son-in-law worked for World Concern, and countless friends from church have been connected with the various ministries. After traveling for several years following retirement, moving to Cristwood was a natural fit.

A few days each week, Al arrives at the Arbor as the first customer of the morning. With a cup of coffee, newspaper, and iPad, he gets settled at his table. Some mornings are filled with planned meetings where friends drop by to catch up on life. Other mornings are filled with spontaneous interactions, where simply picking up a latte on the way to work leads to a meaningful conversation with Al. Whether chatting with a neighbor, praying with a teacher, or playing checkers on his iPad with a kindergartener, Al views the Arbor as a place of ministry. “I never know what’s going to happen,” he explains, but he knows that God has a plan for each person that he meets.

Sharing a favorite Bible verse, talking about the joys and hardships of life, or simply joking around, Al approaches each day with an undeniable sense of joy. The engraved plaque was a birthday gift to Al from the Arbor staff several years ago, a formality that acknowledged his already integral contribution to the CRISTA community. Al explains his outlook on life simply by saying, “I’m so grateful for my life, that I get to live in a place like this and share life with people of all ages.” And CRISTA couldn’t be happier to have him here.

For more information on living a life connected at Cristwood, visit cristwood.org or call (206)546-7565.

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Live life Imagine living in a place where you’re connected to all generations, where you can be a part of a vibrant community filled with people of all ages.

Imagine knowing that you have all the extra help you need to stay independent and productive—and that more care is available if it is required. Imagine joining together with like-minded people to carry on a missiondriven life.

That is what you’ll find at Cristwood.

connected.

Call for a tour today: 206.546.7565

19303 Fremont Avenue N Shoreline, WA 98133

cristwood.org

Moments of Our Lives

by David Ensor

Our lives are made up of moments. Some moments happen so frequently that they seem to bleed into each other like a long line of never ending repeats.

Some moments are a little more rare, they come along every few years or so, and are what make up most of our memories. You might remember the time the family went to Yellowstone, or the time the raccoon got into the trash and scared mom. We all have these moments, some cherished and others we try our best not to think about. These are the good and bad blending together to weave the tapestry that is our lives.

There are also the truly rare moments, life altering, fork in the road moments. The points in our lives when a major decision needs to be made, that will lay the path for the next chapter of our story. Those moments only come along a handful of times in a life. The day you graduate college, your wedding day, the birth of your first child, your first house, or moving into a retirement community.

Every day seniors are faced with a major life moment, disguised as a simple move. It’s just downsizing, simplifying our lives...or so they try to convince themselves. This might be the most under rated milestone in a person’s life. We have all moved before, some of us dozens of times. You might try and tell yourself that this one isn’t any different, but it is very different. In many cases it’s giving up the homes we’ve raised our children in, and/or the places we’ve lived in for a half a century. Not to mention the fact that we are thinking of giving up our anonymity, and moving into a community where everything is shared; the events you attend, the meals you enjoy and even movie nights, all shared. Are we really ready for this? Do we want to give up our home, and live within this big place, in a small apartment, and surrounded by a bunch of old strangers? Can we afford to live in a place like this? Will our money last? What about the kids? These are the major questions facing seniors today as they embark on the last great milestone of their lives.

Those who are lucky enough to have families to share in this decision are more often than not faced with fights, guilt, and arguments. Everyone knows what needs to be done, but no one agrees. As a regional director of sales in the senior living industry, I have seen this happen all too often. Families that mean well, trying their best to help their parents with a move, only to end up making the decision more difficult. These Seniors want to better their lives,but find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. They are frozen, unable to make a decision, because they just can’t please everyone. Don’t get me wrong, this is not the children’s fault. This is no one’s fault, and everyone’s fault at the same time.

We, as a society, do a very good job of recognizing most of the big moments: the graduations, weddings, births, mortgages. We just have a bad habit of failing miserably when it comes to seniors.

So, how do we best help mom and dad with this decision? The first step is to recognize how big, scary, and necessary the decision is that’s facing us. Once we realize the magnitude of the moment, we generally are able to rise to the occasion and make the best of it.

For more information please visit holidaytouch.com, or contact David Ensor at david.ensor@holidaytouch.com or 253-279-9289.

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Bridge Park West Seattle | 206-938-6394

Capital Place Olympia | 360-357-9922

Fun, stress-free, and all-inclusive.

The way retirement living should be.

Cascadian Place Everett | 425-339-2225

Evergreen Place Renton | 425-226-3312

Holiday Retirement communities make retirement living simple and enjoyable by taking care of life’s daily details, allowing residents to focus on what’s most important to them.

From three chef-prepared meals served daily to live-in managers available 24/7, we provide everything seniors need to live healthy, safe and stress-free lives.

Fernwood at the Park Normandy Park | 206-242-1455

The Garden Club Bellevue | 425-643-7111

Parkway Chateau Bellingham | 360-671-6060

And with all of the many benefits included in one monthly fee, retirement living at a Holiday Retirement community is an incredible value.

Call today to schedule your complimentary meal and personal tour!

Welcome to Holiday.

Welcome home.

Peninsula Gig Harbor | 253-858-4800

Point Defiance Village Tacoma | 253-759-8908

Willow Gardens Puyallup | 253-848-4430

www.seniorguidebook.com 15

425.673.2875 | 728 Edmonds Way | Edmonds WA

www.RosewoodCourte.com

Try our Adult Day Stay Program for as little as $10 per hour.

No hourly minimum.

As little as 30 minutes or up to a full day.

Specialized disease focused activities.

3 home cooked meals.

Individual care.

ADULT DAY STAY | RESPITE CARE | LONGTERM CARE

Call us today to schedule a tour. 425.673.2875 16

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

He Loves To Go For A Ride

She Prefers A Long Walk.

He loves finishing the crossword. She can’t sit still through breakfast.

She calls out Bingo with gusto. He yawns through game night.

They may be opposites, but they can agree on one thing: Frontier gives them enough options to make them both happy.

Retirement - Assisted Living - Memory Care Bay Pointe Retirement & Marine Court Memory Care

Edmonds Landing Assisted Living Community

HomePlace Special Care at Oak Harbor (Memory Care)

966 Oyster Bay Court (Bay) 948 Oyster Bay Court (Marine) Bremerton, WA 98312 baypointeretirement.com

180 Second Ave. South Edmonds, WA 98020 edmondslanding.com

171 SW 6th Ave. Oak Harbor, WA 98277 homeplaceoakharbor.com

The Terrace at Beverly Lake A Memory Care Residence 524 75th Street SE Everett, WA 98203 theterraceatbeverlylake.com

Clearwater Springs Assisted Living

HomePlace Special Care at Burlington (Memory Care)

201 NW 78th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 clearwaterspringsseniorliving.com

210 N. Skagit St. Burlington, WA 98233 homeplaceburlington.com

The Bellingham at Orchard A Memory Care Residence 848 West Orchard Drive Bellingham, WA 98225 thebellinghamatorchard.com

Where The Heart Is Assisted Living & Memory Care 410 Norris St. Burlington, WA 98233 whereheartis.com

Schedule Your Personal Tour Today!

www.seniorguidebook.com #

Training For Your Future

by Kyle Ciminski

Fitness is a growing theme in healthcare. If you are like many Americans, your doctor has prescribed an exercise regimen. As it’s commonly known, exercise helps keep excess weight off, prevents disease, and improves your overall health. Although, we know these are the facts, how many of us actually do it? The American Heart Association recommends thirty minutes of exercise five times a week. This can be difficult to maintain if you experience problems with balance, or back pain. With a couple of simple exercises, that can be done in the comfort of your home, you can help alleviate this discomfort and make a regular workout routine achievable.

I had a client who came to me several years ago with balance and posture issues. Her back hurt so badly, that she was beginning to lose the ability to travel and enjoy her retirement. She had noticed her posture slipping as she aged, and felt her movement was beginning to be restricted. This meant she would have to limit her travel plans to accommodate her limited movement. A simple at-home exercise to prevent, or improve upon this, is a standing plank. You simply place your arms at a ninety degree position (in line with your shoulders) with your forearms against the wall. Take a slight step back so your body is at an angle, and lift your heels so your weight is on your toes. Focus on keeping your head in line with your spine, and your eyes pointed between your elbows. Hold this position for 15 seconds, while engaging your core and lower back. Focus on breathing deeply. To increase the difficulty of the exercise, gradually step back or practice on the floor for a more challenging position.

Increasing your abdomen and back strength will improve your posture, by rounding the shoulders back and bringing the chest up.

Another practice to improve your posture, is to give yourself several “posture checks” throughout the day.

Start by rolling your shoulders back, tightening your core and lifting your chin. As we age, many people find themselves looking down as they walk. By lifting your chin, your chest will naturally rise and your back will straighten. As an added benefit, your breathing will improve as your ribcage is not being obstructed.

If you have experienced poor posture as you’ve aged, you might also have felt your balance worsen. This shows itself in a hesitation to walk on uneven terrain, or a reliance on guardrails or canes if you are otherwise healthy.

Untreated balance issues oftentimes leads to tripping, or accidents that can threaten your mobility and be debilitating. A simple exercise to remedy balance issues, is a stork pose. Stand upright next to a wall or beam, in case you need to assist yourself. Center your body weight over one foot, and slowly lift your opposite leg a couple inches off of the ground. As you improve, lift your leg up to a ninety degree angle. Hold the pose, starting with fifteen seconds and working your way up to thirty seconds. Alternate your legs and repeat three times. Be mindful to keep your hips level, and to not lock your knee on the standing leg. Exercise the good posture tips discussed above, and keep your chin up.

Simple steps can be taken now, to prevent big problems in the future. As a personal trainer, I have seen many of my clients arrive with balance and posture issues that affected their day to day health. Using exercise as a medicine, they have alleviated the pain they’ve been living with, and experienced more energy and a better quality of life. By taking a few minutes a day to complete these exercises, you will start to see the benefits within a few short weeks.

Kyle Ciminski is a personal trainer at Thrive Community Fitness Center in Anacortes, WA. He can be reached at (360) 9691386 or by email at kmc1986@comcast.net

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Congratulations to Chad McKenzie

Recipient of the 2015 Washington Health Care Association’s Red Carpet Quality Award for exemplary service in Assisted Living

Chad McKenzie, Culinary Services Director at Ida Culver House Ravenna

Whatever your passion, Era Living offers eight unique retirement communities designed to bring you closer to everything you love.

eraliving.com

www.seniorguidebook.com 19

Medication List Bringing medications or accurate lists with you to the hospital Far too often patients come to the hospital, including the Emergency Department, without accurate and complete information on the medications they are taking. This includes both prescription and nonprescription medications – including vitamins and supplements – their doctor or healthcare provider need to know to better manage their care.

The most complete and accurate way to approach this, is to bring in your current medications for the doctor’s at an appointment, or for hospital staff to review. Island Hospital’s Patient Portal, myIslandHealth, includes the user’s medication list that can be reviewed from home and corrections made, if necessary, upon admission to the Emergency Department or Island Hospital.

Maintaining an up to date medication list to include the following can be also very effective: 1. The name of each medication you are taking (brand or generic name is acceptable) 2. Strength of medication 3. Dosage 4. Dosage form (i.e., tablet, capsule, extended release) 5. How often or number of times a day taken 6. Last day and approximate time you took your medication Medications brought to the hospital, will be used to better identify which medications you’re currently taking. Yes, it’s recommended to place all your current medications in a bag with their original prescription containers, as this the best way to provide your doctor and other hospital staff accurate and complete medication histories. These will be returned to you, or your caregiver to be taken back home. Due to patient safety, most, if not all medications taken in the hospital, will be provided by the hospital.

After all the information is recorded, your bag of medications can be sent home with a friend or loved one. While you’re in the hospital, all your medication will come from the hospital pharmacy for numerous safety reasons.

Your doctor and hospital will want to compare the medications you’re taking at home with the medications your doctor will order in your hospital care, to evaluate and document medication needs. Each medication will be evaluated and decided which you need to continue, hold temporarily, or stop completely.

Prior to discharge, it is important to discuss your continuing medication needs with your physician. You should completely understand how to take any new medications added during your hospital stay. At Island Hospital, you will receive a complete medication list with easy-to-understand instructions. The medication list is provided as part of a comprehensive 20

education, and information packet. The medication list will also be updated on the myIslandHealth Patient Portal.

You can help to prevent medication errors that can happen after you leave the hospital too.

Doctors may have prescribed pills you need to take at home, in addition to other pills you’re already taking for other problems. However, if the hospital doctor has changed those medicines or the dosage, it can get pretty confusing.

Before discharge, most hospitals do what’s called a medication reconciliation. It means that someone has looked at the medications you were taking before your hospital stay, medications you took during your stay, and medications your doctors want you to take after your stay. The goal is to make sure that everything is correct and that there aren’t any conflicts.

Before you leave, be sure you understand which medicines you should take and which medicines you should stop taking. If something doesn’t seem right to you, ask questions.

For more information, please speak with your nurse, doctor, or ask to speak with one our pharmacists during the hospital stay. For more about myIslandHealth visit www.islandhospital.org.

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

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When It Rains, It Pours How to manage your time effectively

by Jennifer Blair

We all have those days, weeks, or even a dreaded month when our heads are swimming with all we have to get done. You are already running on empty and don’t know where you will gather the strength, time, or drive to do it all. Maybe Mom or Dad aren’t driving any longer, and need you to pick up a prescription for them, or drive them to an appointment. If you are a member of the Sandwich Generation, taking care of your young ones and your parents, then you are no doubt being pulled in a thousand different directions. With all of this errand running, cooking, and caring for others, how much time is carved out for you? Where is the finish line in this mad race? It would be so easy to throw your hands up, and wave the white flag. Though, with so many people counting on you, a selfish move like that is no option. Wouldn’t it be nice if life had a “pause button?”

There is no Magic Button Unfortunately, that magic pause button doesn’t exist, but time management might just be the next best thing. If you don’t already practice it, now is the time to start. Without this skill you are a car without a driver, a ship without a captain. Do you catch my drift? When you practice time management, you are in control, without leaving things to coincidence.

Time management has many benefits, and once you get the hang of it, your eyes will be opened to a whole new world.

Reaping the Rewards of Time Management The benefits of time management are endless. The more organized you are, the more focused and productive you will be. This will allow you to create less roadblocks for yourself and more solutions. Properly managing your time means less rushing from task to task, and place to place. Let’s be honest, do you find at times that you often create your own problems?

Whether it is a forgotten appointment, a missed dose of medication, or having to run back out, because you forgot an item at the grocery store.

Being organized results in less rework, and fewer mistakes.

Quick Tips and Tools Now that you know how time management can make your life easier, where do you begin? Below are a few tips to help get you started.

1. Create a daily plan – Plan your day before it begins to unfold. Map out the best routes and timing for your day. This way, you won’t get caught off guard, and there will be fewer surprises.

2. Use an organizer –This tool is central to keeping your to do lists, appointments, and any other miscellaneous items in order. It is helpful if you can find one with a calendar, which will further help you manage your daily activities.

3. Don’t be afraid to say, “No” – As the saying goes, “don’t bite off more than you can chew.” There are many distractions throughout the day that can easily throw us off course. Learn to firmly say, “no,” or defer it to a later period.

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4. Plan to be early – Plan to be early to appointments, or when meeting a deadline. I’d bet that more times than not, you run late.

When you aim to be early, you are more likely to arrive on time.

5. Focus and block out distractions – Focus on one thing at a time.

Multi-tasking can create a lot of mistakes, and ultimately rework, as mentioned earlier. You’ll be more efficient if you focus solely on what you’re doing. Block out any distractions: turn off the TV, let your messages go to voicemail, and create a quiet space so you can concentrate on the tasks at hand.

6. Don’t get hung up on unimportant details – You can’t get everything done exactly the way you want. Being a perfectionist isn’t always perfect! When you get hung up on little details, you become less effective and less efficient.

7. Leave buffer time in-between – Leaving a good 5 to 10 minute gap in between tasks will ensure you complete what you’re doing before moving on to your next “to do.”

Just when we think we’ve got everything under control, our to-do list starts to gain momentum again. Before you know it, you are back to where you started, and that feeling of being overwhelmed starts to take over.

Squash that unsettling feeling before it creeps up on you, by using the tips above, and even creating some of your own along the way. We all get the same 24 hours in a day. So, why do some people achieve so much more with their time than others? The answer lies in good time management.

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

If living well is an art...then here is your canvas Discover the Finest in Independent Senior Living

• Month-to-month rent– no long term lease • Complimentary membership at the Northshore Senior Center – the largest senior center in the region • No move-in fees or large buy-in costs – just a refundable deposit to hold your apartment • Full sized washers & dryers in every apartment – no need to take your turn at a communal laundry room • Scrumptious food – breakfast, dinner and Sunday brunch is included • Spacious, light-filled apartments

At Foundation House at Bothell you’ll rediscover the YOU that you thought had been left behind.

With no worries about cooking, cleaning and yard work, you’ll be free to do all the things you’d planned to do when you retired. That’s why we call it “Independent Living”. You’ll have so much independence that you can plan your day any way YOU like. You could even paint that masterpiece you’ve always wanted to do.

Call us today to reserve your complimentary meal and personal tour. Mention that you saw our ad in the Senior Guidebook and receive $500 off your first month’s rent.

Please call Mary Blakey or Tracy Simonson at 425.402.9606 or send an email to mary@fhbothell.com A not-for-profit retirement community benefiting education

17502 102nd Avenue NE / Bothell WA 98011 425.402.9606 / www.fhbothell.com www.seniorguidebook.com 23

Transitioning Well Positive focus in the wake of the “L word”

by Tracy Willis

We are plagued by a four-letter word in senior care and it’s not a very pleasant one.

The word is loss. Loss is a term we hear far too often – loss of friends, family, physical and cognitive function, and loss of the ability to drive, travel and work. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the idea of loss, which is often associated with depression, anxiety, loneliness and isolation. The longer we live, the more likely we are to experience the effects of loss.

What if, as senior living providers, we were to strike the word from our collective vocabulary? Certainly we could replace it with more positively charged verbiage, such as change, transition, or challenges?

These concepts are much more manageable and, consequently, capable of positive outcomes for seniors who entrust us with creating an improved quality of life for them in our communities.

Most would agree that when a senior or their family member initiates contact with an assisted living community, they have a specific need for our services. Sometimes it is a physical challenge that requires assistance. Perhaps they’ve experienced the loss of a spouse or a caregiver. Other times they may simply desire a more social environment in which to engage with others and enjoy a higher level of activity than they are able to while living alone. Whatever the reason, it is our responsibility to find ways to provide quality care and programming to support their needs. By focusing on helping new residents transition through changes and overcome challenges, we help accommodate whatever need it was that drove them to consider assisted living in the first place.

A first step in shifting focus from loss to positive changes is to relate with empathy to individuals who are experiencing one of the greatest changes of their lives. It is important to realize the magnitude of the change they are facing and to be sensitive as we help facilitate their process. We should become acquainted with new residents on an individual basis so that we may better understand the needs that brought them to our door.

It’s not enough to facilitate this life-changing transition in a “one size fits all” manner. The process should be as customized as the individuals involved, taking into consideration their unique personalities, interests and backgrounds.

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Village Concepts, a Washington based assisted living company, has developed a philosophy called Evergreen, which is incorporated into resident activities and staff training.

Evergreen’s foundation includes four core elements: Adaptability to Change; Positive Outlook and Gratitude; Brain/ Body Connection; and Re-Imagining Yourself. The program has been widely successful in creating a positive focus and creating an environment of gratitude and hope.

As a provider of senior care, there are no sweeter words than to hear a resident say they are happy that they made the decision to move into their new home. We tack their thankyou cards on the break room bulletin board, relate positive feedback at staff meetings and share their success stories with our families at the dinner table.

This is the stuff that, at the end of the day, makes our work most meaningful.

We measure our own success on our ability to shift focus from loss to gain, improve lives and create positive outcomes for residents.

Losses may be an inevitable part of life but our attitude toward them is key to helping seniors focus on their futures, and all the positive days ahead. Our goal should be to ensure that once residents are settled into their new homes, that they are not focusing on the “four letter word”, but instead feeling that they made a positive decision to make a change for the better.

Village Concepts, a third generation, family-owned business is committed to improving the senior living industry at all 15 of its senior living communities, serving more than 1,400 residents throughout Puget Sound, the Olympic Peninsula and Central Washington.

For more information about Village Concepts Assisted Living, please contact Tracy Willis at 206-316-7555 or tracy@villageconcepts.com

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Some Say Why Move? Others Say Why Not?

by Jane Meyers-Bowen

Now close your eyes and repeat after me, “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.” Sound familiar? There are many of us that feel the same way Dorothy did, back in “Oz.” Most people are creatures of habit, and the comfort of familiarity is a great feeling. Memories, years of family celebrations, and friendly neighbors can do a lot for the soul. The feeling of belonging somewhere, being known, and being a part of something creates a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Most of those comforts and feelings never go away, even if we move away. As many seniors watch family members, friends, and neighbors move away from the place they call home, they are left savoring the sweetness of earlier times and deep friendships.

Forty years ago, seniors had 3 options of where to live as they aged. The first choice was to stay in their home.

The second option was to move in with their children.

The third and least appealing, was to move into a nursing home.

Although today’s generation of seniors have a longer list of options, a majority of them still fear moving into a retirement community. They are worried they will lose their connection to the past. So, they question the need to move, while others see no reason to stay. The truth is, there are as many good reasons to stay in your home, as there are to move to a retirement community. The most important question you need to ask yourself is, “Where am I likely to be healthier in a year?”

As you ponder this question, review what your doctor has advised for good brain/body health? Over time, we witness that seniors who have moved from their homes, come in de-conditioned about what has happened over a 5-7 year period. It may have started with the loss of their driver’s license, loss of a spouse, diminished eye sight or hearing, or increased pain in their joints. Commonly, until something happens like a fall or injury, a suspicious incident with a stranger, or an out of character action – the family may not notice these changes of condition.

Although we can’t reverse aging, we can reduce the impact that aging has on your life and your sense of well being. These are just a few questions that will guide you in making a decision about whether it’s time to make a move for a better life.

Time for a 50,000 mile check-up? It is important to define well being in all segments of your life: heart, mind, body, spirit.

Physical exercise? Doctors almost always recommend physical exercise.

What does your doctor recommend for you? Are you meeting that goal?

Nutritional diet? How many meals per week do you eat that are packaged frozen dinners?

Mental stimulation? What was the last thing you were engaged in learning about? Technology? A musical instrument? A foreign language?

Social connections? Do you go without human contact for 3-4 days per week?

There are a couple of report cards to rate retirement communities.

The Washington State Survey being one, and the Resident Satisfaction Surveys are the second. If you decide to start taking tours of retirement communities, be sure to ask for a copy of their State Survey from the last couple of years (by law they must be posted for the public). You can also request a copy of feedback given by their residents, and their families.

If you are beginning to question whether it’s time to explore other options for a new home, take all of your options into consideration. Most importantly, keep in mind that home is not just the place you live, but as the saying goes, “Where your heart is.” So, follow your heart, and find a sanctuary where you feel safe, loved, and important.

If you would like more information, or to set up a tour or a family education meeting, call Garden Court at (425) 438-9080. You can also go online and visit our site at www.gardencourtretirement.com.

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Moving Into The Unknown

by Angelia Brigance

There is a point in each of our lives when we begin to look at our parents differently. We move between the roles of child, friend, and caretaker with relative ease. These are the several hats one can expect to wear throughout a relationship with their parents.

A simple phone call is all it takes to move these comfortable roles into the unknown.

A few months ago my mom called to say, “Hello, and by the way I had a small episode yesterday.” Being in the healthcare business, alarms rang through my head. What she described to me next were the symptoms of a mild stroke. A few probing questions later, I discovered that she had not been following her doctors’ orders.

Isn’t she the one who made me take my medicine as a child, and watched over me through surgeries as an adult? How could she ignore her own health, and doctors’ advice? Although a lecture wanted to explode through my lips, I took a deep breath and began a new phase in our relationship. I became the professional, and the caretaker. Although, I must admit, a lecture did follow.

It may be a phone call from your parent, a neighbor, or a medical professional that throws you into this new role. It’s possible that while visiting with your parents, you notice changes that raise your own alarms. Their forgetfulness is now affecting everyday activities. They’re slowly beginning to isolate themselves from family and friends. Do they seem exhausted, and to be dropping a significant amount of weight? These are all early signs that should not be ignored. So, what do you do when you are faced with these challenges?

First and foremost, do a safety check. Where is the immediate risk? What steps do you need to take to alleviate this risk?

Next, take a deep breath and look at the full picture. What information do you need to know and from whom? Talk to your parents to get their perspective. If needed, talk to other family members, medical professionals, and your parents’ friends or neighbors. This can help you to develop a clearer perception of the situation. When you have gathered all your information, prioritize it by the impact it would have on your parents’ current lifestyle.

If you’re a parent, you know how hard it is to let go and allow your children to be independent. It’s even more difficult for a parent to let go of his or her own life, and allow their child to manage some of their independence. Remember, this is your parent’s life. Be sensitive to the impact that change has on it, and keep them involved at all levels of the solution.

Solutions come in many forms: Medication management, healthy meals, home health support, senior housing, assisted living, and skilled nursing. Sometimes the answers are easy and quick, and other times they involve major decisions.

There are many professionals who you can turn to for advice and counsel. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and church members are all willing to help you and your parents through these changes. There is one bit of advice I would like to suggest you consider throughout this process. If you do not feel comfortable with one professional and their advice, seek another. However, if you keep receiving the same advice, look at it closely. It may have merit, even if it isn’t what you want to hear.

As for my mom, she’s doing well. I still ask about medication, her blood pressure, and diet. However, this police work makes up just a small part of our relationship. She rolls her eyes at me occasionally, like she already knows what I’m about to say and doesn’t want to hear it. However, at the same time, she respects my advice and knows I want the best for her. The best prescription for our parents and us, are patience, love, and understanding.

Molly Cole is the VP of Sales and Marketing at Chateau Retirement. For any questions, please call Molly at 425-471-8417.

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SPOTLIGHT Bill Hoppin Breaks A Barrier

by Jared Curtis

I’m going away But I’ll be back Though I go 10,000 miles The Mary Chapin Carpenter lyrics came to mind, while talking with resident Bill Hoppin, about a recent milestone he reached. Since February 19, 2011, when he started keeping a log, Bill has walked 10,000 miles in a total of 1109 days. He averages over nine miles a walk. When asked what got him started on his trek through time, he replied, “My son gave me an electronic mile-counter and said, “I bet you don’t know how many miles you walk – this will count them for you,” and so it began. Bill, in his late 70s, had always been a golfer and jogger, and had taken up walking in parks near his home in Seattle.

As Bill walked, the device counted. At first, he started with short distances of three to four miles. Soon however, he felt his body was telling him, “walk further, you can do it!” He listened, and within a year he had lost twenty pounds and was hooked on walking. His distances quickly increased to produce a nearly ten-mile average per walk, over the four years since his start.

“There are other forms of exercise,” I pointed out. “Why walking?” The simple answer was, “Oh, I love it.” Rain or shine, hot or cold, he starts early in the morning. He often chooses the Elliott Bay waterfront north and west to Magnolia, Discovery Park, and on to Ballard, Fremont, and other nearby Seattle neighborhoods. “It’s restorative, therapeutic even, to get out on foot before the sun is up and see Seattle from a whole new point of view. Whatever might be bothering me, a good walk puts it out of my mind.” He adds, that his walks are never boring. He often meets people on their way to work, or like him, just out for a morning walk. He always carries a plastic shopping bag to pick up litter when he comes across it, and more than once those he passes have stopped him to say, “Thank you.” Sometimes he is asked for directions, and takes pleasure in the chance to play the role of Seattle booster. Over time, he has learned not only the best places to walk, but also the history of those places. The sights of “this beautiful Seattle” are what prompt his most enthusiastic words of praise: sunrise viewed from high ground in Discovery Park, the bluffs of Magnolia above Seattle’s harbor, the Ballard Locks and its park, the appealing Shilshole Bay, and the delights of Golden Gardens.

I asked him if an especially impressive sight came to mind, and he told of walking south with a strong wind at his back from Pier 91 along the Myrtle Edwards Park trail. Out in Elliott Bay he spotted an odd array of black wedge-shaped objects sticking straight up out of the water, and moving south at about his pace. He realized, as he followed them along, that it was a raft of sea lions using their flippers as sails. The first group soon caught up with another raft of sea lions that had raised their flippers to the sun to warm themselves. Together, they all sailed on down the bay.

Published originally in the Mirabella Monthly August 2015 issue 8/volume 7.

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

DIRECTORY SNOHOMISH COUNTY ARLINGTON Olympic Place Retirement & Assisted Living 20909 Olympic Place NE Arlington WA 98223 360-207-6327 EDMONDS Aegis of Edmonds Assisted Living / Alzheimer’s Memory Care 21500 - 72nd Ave West Edmonds WA 98026 425-776-3600 Edmonds Landing Assisted Living 180 Second Ave South Edmonds WA 98020 425-744-1181 Rosewood Courte Assisted Living/Alzheimer’s Memory Impaired Only 728 Edmonds Way Edmonds WA 98020 425-673-2875 Sunrise of Edmonds Assisted Living/Alzheimer’s Care 750 Edmonds Way Edmonds WA 98020 425-673-9700 EVERETT Bethany at Silver Crest Assisted Living / Nursing Home Adjacent 2131 Lake Heights Drive Everett WA 98208 425-385-2335 Cascadian Place Retirement / Independent Living 3915 Colby Avenue North Everett WA 98201 425-339-2225 Clare Bridge Silver Lake Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 2015 Lake Heights Drive Everett WA 98208 425-337-6336 Everett Plaza Assisted Living 2204 12th Street Everett WA 98201 425-258-6408 Garden Court Retirement Community Independent and Assisted Living 520 - 112th Street SW Everett WA 98204 425-438-9080

South Pointe Independent, Assisted Living 10330 4th Avenue West Everett WA 98204 425-513-5645 The Terrace at Beverly Lake Dementia Care Community 524 - 75th Street SE Everett WA 98203 425-348-8800 Washington Oakes Retirement and Assisted Living 1717 Rockefeller Ave Everett WA 98201 425-339-3300 GRANITE FALLS The Village Independent Living 302 North Alder Avenue Granite Falls WA 98252 360-691-1777 LAKE STEVENS Ashley Pointe Independent and Assisted Living 11117 - 20th Street NE Lake Stevens WA 98258 425-397-7500 LYNNWOOD Aegis of Lynnwood Assisted Living 18700 44th Avenue West Lynnwood WA 98037 425-712-9999 Chateau Pacific Indepedent / Assisted Living / Memory Care 3333 - 148th Street SW Lynnwood WA 98087 425-787-9693 Clare Bridge Lynnwood Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 18706 - 36th Ave W Lynnwood WA 98037 425-774-3300 Fairwinds – Brighton Court Retirement/Assisted Living 6520 - 196th Street SW Lynnwood WA 98036 425-775-4440 Quail Park of Lynnwood Independent & Assisted Living / Memory Care 4015 164th Street SW Lynnwood WA 98037 425-640-8529

Scriber Gardens Independent & Assisted Living / Wellness Services 6024 200th Street SW Lynnwood WA 98036 425-673-7111

SKILLED NURSING CARE Bethany at Pacific - Everett 425-259-5508

MARYSVILLE Grandview Village Retirement / Assisted Living 5800 - 64th Street NE Marysville WA 98270 360-653-2223

Delta Rehab Center - Snohomish 360-568-2168

The Cottages at Marysville Memory Care Community 1216 Grove Street Marysville WA 98270 360-322-7561 MILL CREEK The Cottages at Mill Creek Memory Care Community 13200 10th Drive SE Mill Creek WA 98012 425-379-8276 MOUNTLAKE TERRACE Mountlake Terrace Plaza A Merrill Gardens Community Independent and Assisted Living 23303 - 58th Ave W Mountlake Terrace WA 98043 425-672-4673 Vineyard Park at Mountlake Terrace Independent / Assisted Living / Dementia (NOW LEASING) 23008 56th Avenue West Mountlake Terrace WA 98043 425-678-6008 MUKILTEO Harbour Pointe Independent and Assisted Living 10200 Harbour Place Mukilteo WA 98275 425-493-8555 STANWOOD Josephine Assisted Living / Nursing Home Adjacent 9901 - 272nd Place NW Stanwood WA 98292 360-629-2126 Stanwood Community & Senior Center Independent Living 7430 - 276th Street NW Stanwood WA 98292 360-629-7403 Warm Beach Senior Community Independent & Assisted Living/ Skilled Nursing 20420 Marine Drive Stanwood WA 98292 360-652-7585

Bethany at Silver Lake - Everett 425-338-3000

Josephine Sunset Home - Stanwood 360-629-2126 Lynnwood Manor Health Center Lynnwood 425-776-5512 Madeleine Villa Health Care Marysville 360-659-1259 HCR Manor Care - Lynnwood 425-775-9222 Marysville Care Center - Marysville 360-659-3926 Merry Haven Health Care Center Snohomish 360-568-3161 Regency Care Center at Arlington Arlington 360-403-8247 Regency Care Center of Monroe Monroe 360-794-4011

SKAGIT COUNTY ANACORTES Cap Sante Court Retirement 1111 32nd Street Anacortes,WA 98221 360-293-8088

Chandler’s Square Retirement / Assisted Living 1300 “O” Avenue Anacortes WA 98221 360-293-1300 Lighthouse Memory Care 3502 K Ave Anacortes WA 98221 360-399-7263 BURLINGTON Home Place Memory Care 210 N Skagit Street Burlington WA 98233 Creekside Retirement / Assisted Living / Memory Care 400 Gilkey Road Burlington WA 98233 360-755-5550

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Where The Heart Is Assisted Living / Memory Care 410 Norris Street Burlington WA 98233 360-755-8007

Country Meadow Village Retirement / Assisted Living 1501 Collins Rd Sedro-Woolley WA 98284 360-856-0404

Shuksan Health Care Center Licensed Skilled Nursing 1530 James Street Bellingham WA 98225 360-733-9161

LA CONNER La Conner Retirement Inn Independent, Assisted Living 204 North First Street La Conner WA 98257 360-466-5700

Life Care Center of Skagit Valley Skilled Nursing 1462 West SR 20 Sedro-Woolley WA 98284 360-856-6867

The Bellingham at Orchard Memory Care Community 848 W Orchard Dr Bellingham WA 98225 360-715-1338

MOUNT VERNON The Bridge Assisted Living/Respite 301 S LaVenture Mount Vernon WA 98274 360-416-0400

WHATCOM COUNTY

Highland Greens Senior Apartments Affordable Senior Apartments 3100 N 30th St Mount Vernon WA 98273 360-848-8422 Highland Greens Cottages Senior Residences Village Court @ 3200 N 30th St Mount Vernon WA 98273 360-540-1438 Salem Village II Senior Residences 2601-2617 N LaVenture Rd Mount Vernon WA 98273 360-540-1438 Salem Village Apartments Affordable Senior Apartments 2619 N LaVenture Rd Mount Vernon WA 98273 360-428-5662 Life Care Center of Mount Vernon Assisted Living / Skilled Nursing / Rehab / Alzheimer’s 2120 E Division Mount Vernon WA 98274 360-424-4258 Logan Creek Retirement / Independent Living 2311 E Division Mount Vernon WA 98274 360-428-0222 Mountain Glen Retirement / Assisted Living 1810 East Division Mount Vernon WA 98274 360-424-7900 SEDRO-WOOLLEY Birchview - A Memory Care Community Assisted Living / Enhanced Adult Residential Care 925 Dunlop Ave Sedro-Woolley WA 98284 360-856-1911

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BELLINGHAM Affinity at Bellingham Active 55+ (Open November 2015) 3930 Affinity Lane Bellingham WA 98226 866-774-6120 Alderwood Park Licensed Skilled Nursing 2726 Alderwood Bellingham WA 98225 360-733-2322 Bellingham Health Care & Rehab Licensed Skilled Nursing / Specialized Care 1200 Birchwood Bellingham WA 98225 360-734-9295 Highgate House Assisted Living / Specialized Care 151 & 155 East Kellogg Bellingham WA 98226 360-671-1459 Highland Care Center Licensed Skilled Nursing 2400 Samish Way Bellingham WA 98226 360-734-4800 The Leopold Retirement & Assisted Living 1224 Cornwall Ave Bellingham WA 98225 360-733-3500 Mt. Baker Care Center Licensed Skilled Nursing 2905 Connelly Ave Bellingham WA 98225 360-734-4181 Parkway Chateau Retirement / Independent Living 2818 Old Fairhaven Parkway Bellingham WA 98225 360-671-6060 Rosewood Villa Retirement/Assisted Living 702 32nd Street Bellingham WA 98225 360-676-9193

KING COUNTY

AUBURN Brannan Park Retirement Retirement / Assisted Living 2901 I Street NE Auburn WA 98002 253-736-2800 BELLEVUE Aegis of Bellevue Assisted Living / Memory Care 148 102nd Ave SE Bellevue WA 98004 425-453-8100

Spring Creek Retirement, Assisted Living & Memory Care 223 E Bakerview Road Bellingham WA 98226 360-302-2275 St. Francis Extended Health Care Licensed Skilled Nursing 3121 Squalicum Pkwy Bellingham WA 98225 360-734-6760 Summit Place at Mt. Baker Assisted Living 2901 Connelly Ave Bellingham WA 98225 360-738-8447

The Garden Club Retirement / Independent Living 13350 SE 26th Street Bellevue WA 98005 425-643-7111 The Gardens at Town Square Independent, Assisted Living, Dementia Care 933 111th Avenue NE Bellevue WA 98004 425-688-1900

Woodway Senior Living Independent / Assisted Living 1712 E Maplewood Bellingham WA 98225 360-647-1095

Sunrise of Bellevue Assisted Living & Alzheimer’s Care 15928 NE 8th Street Bellevue WA 98008 425-401-5152

ISLAND COUNTY

FREELAND Maple Ridge Retirement & Assisted Living 1767 Alliance Avenue Freeland WA 98249 360-207-6322

Wynwood Bellevue Assisted Living Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 1640 148th Ave SE Bellevue WA 98007 425-373-1161

OAK HARBOR Harbor Tower Village Retirement / Assisted Living 100 E Whidbey Ave Oak Harbor WA 98277 360-675-2569

BOTHELL Aegis of Bothell Assisted Living / Memory Care 10605 NE 185th Street Bothell WA 98011 425-487-3245

Home Place Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 171 SW 6th Ave Oak Harbor WA 98277 360-279-2555 Regency on Whidbey Assisted Living, Independent Cottages, Harbor Care 1040 & 1045 SW Kimball Dr Oak Harbor WA 98277 360-279-0933 & 360-279-2224 Summer Hill Retirement and Assisted Living 165 SW 6th Ave Oak Harbor WA 98277 360-679-1400

The Bellettini Independent & Assisted Living / 62+ 1115 108th Avenue NE Bellevue WA 98004 425-450-0800

Chateau Bothell Landing Independent / Assisted Living / Memory Care 17543 102nd Ave NE Bothell WA 98011 425-485-1155 Foundation House at Bothell Retirement / Independent Living 17502 102nd Ave NE Bothell WA 98011 425-402-9606

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Life Care Center of Bothell Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing 707 228th Street SW Bothell WA 98021 425-481-8500

University House - Issaquah Independent &Assisted Living 22975 SE Black Nugget Road Issaquah WA 98029 425-557-4200

Merrill Gardens at Island House Independent & Assisted Living 7810 SE 30th St Mercer Island WA 98040 206-204-5421

North Creek Retirement, Assisted Living & Memory Care 1907 201st Place SE Bothell WA 98012 425-209-0605

KENMORE Spring Estates - Kenmore Assisted Living / Memory Care 7221 NE 182nd Street Kenmore WA 98028 425-481-4200

Sunrise of Mercer Island Assisted Living & Alzheimer’s Care 2959 76th Avenue SE Mercer Island WA 98040 206-232-6565

Riverside East Retirement / Assisted Living 10315 East Riverside Drive Bothell WA 98011 425-481-1976

KENT Aegis of Kent Alzheimer’s / Memory Care 10421 SE 248th Street Kent WA 98030 253-479-1768

Vineyard Park at Bothell Landing Independent & Assisted Living Community 10519 East Riverside Drive Bothell WA 98011 425-485-8900 BURIEN El Dorado West Retirement / Assisted Living / Memory Care 1010 SW 134th Street Burien WA 98146 206-248-1975 COVINGTON Covington Place Independent Senior Apartments 26906 169th Place SE Covington WA 98042 253-398-2700 ENUMCLAW High Point Village Retirement / Assisted Living 1777 High Point Street Enumclaw WA 98022 360-825-7780 FEDERAL WAY Foundation House Independent Living / Personalized Assisted Living 32290 1st Avenue S Federal Way WA 98003 253-838-8823 ISSAQUAH Aegis of Issaquah Assisted Living / Memory Care / Hospice 780 NW Juniper Street Issaquah WA 98027 425-526-6037 Spiritwood at Pine Lake Retirement / Assisted Living 3607 228th Avenue SE Issaquah WA 98029 425-313-9100

NORMANDY PARK Fernwood at the Park Retirement / Independent Living 17623 First Avenue S Normandy Park WA 98148 206-242-1455

Farrington Court Retirement / Assisted Living 516 Kenosia Avenue Kent WA 98030 253-852-2737

REDMOND Aegis of Redmond Assisted Living / Memory Care 7480 W Lake Sammamish Parkway NE Redmond WA 98052 425-883-4000

Weatherly Inn Memory Care 15101 SE 272nd Street Kent WA 98042 253-630-7496

Fairwinds – Redmond Retirement / Assisted Living 9988 Avondale Rd NE Redmond WA 98052 425-558-4700

KIRKLAND Aegis of Kirkland Assisted Living / Memory Care 13000 Totem Lake Boulevard Kirkland WA 98034 425-823-7272

Peters Creek Retirement / Assisted Living / Memory Care 14431 Redmond Way Redmond WA 98052 425-869-2273

Aegis at Totem Lake Retirement / Assisted Living / Memory Care 12629 116th Avenue NE Kirkland WA 98034 425-814-2841

The Marymoor Retirement & Assisted Living 4585 W Lake Sammamish Parkway NE Redmond WA 98052 425-556-9398

Kirkland Lodge Assisted Living 6505 Lakeview Drive NE Kirkland WA 98033 425-803-6911

RENTON Chateau Valley Center Independent / Assisted / Memory 4450 Davis Avenue S Renton WA 98055 425-251-6677

Madison House / Totem Lake Retirement / Assisted Living 12215 NE 128th Street Kirkland WA 98034 425-821-8210

Evergreen Place Retirement / Independent Living 1414 Monroe Avenue NE Renton WA 98056 425-226-3312

Merrill Gardens at Kirkland Independent & Assisted Living 201 Kirkland Avenue Kirkland WA 98033 425-285-7743

The Lodge Retirement / Assisted Living 1600 South Eagle Ridge Drive Renton WA 98055 425-793-8080

MERCER ISLAND Aljoya Mercer Island Continuing Care Retirement Community 2430 76th Avenue SE Mercer Island WA 98040 206-230-0150

Merrill Gardens at Renton Centre Independent and Assisted Living 104 Burnett Ave S Renton WA 98057 425-243-2941

SEATTLE Aegis at Northgate Memory Care 11039 17th Avenue NE Seattle WA 98125 206-440-1700 Aljoya Thornton Place - N. Seattle Continuing Care Retirement Community 450 NE 100th Street Seattle WA 98125 206-306-7920 Ballard Landmark Retirement/Assisted Living 5433 Leary Ave NW Seattle WA 98107 206-782-4000 Bridge Park Retirement/Independent Living 3204 SW Morgan Street Seattle WA 98126 206-938-6394 Cristwood Retirement Community Independent / Assisted Living / Skilled Nursing / Rehabilitation / Memory Care 19303 Fremont Avenue North Shoreline WA 98133 1-877-639-3292 Faerland Terrace Assisted Living / Alzheimer’s Care 1421 Minor Avenue Seattle WA 98101 206-624-7637 Foundation House at Northgate Independent & Assisted Living 11301 3rd Ave NE Seattle WA 98125 206-361-2758 Hearthstone at Green Lake Independent & Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing / Memory Care Rehab 6720 East Green Lake Way N Seattle WA 98103 206-517-2213 Ida Culver House, Broadview Independent, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, Alzheimer’s, Dementia Care 12505 Greenwood Avenue N Seattle WA 98133 206-361-1989 Ida Culver House, Ravenna Independent & Assisted Living 2315 NE 65th Street Seattle WA 98115 206-523-7315 The Lakeshore Independent & Assisted Living 11448 Rainier Avenue S Seattle WA 98178 206-772-1200

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Mirabella Independent, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing & Memory Care 116 Fairview Ave N Seattle WA 98109 206-254-1441 Northgate Plaza A Merrill Gardens Community Independent & Assisted Living 11030 5th Ave NE Seattle WA 98125 206-388-5061 Remington Place Retirement 3025 NE 137th Street Seattle WA 98125 206-367-0369 the Stratford at Maple Leaf ­­Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care 9001 Lake City Way NE Seattle WA 98115 206-729-1200 University House, Wallingford Independent & Assisted Living 4400 Stone Way N Seattle WA 98103 206-545-8400 Village Cove at Green Lake (NOW OPEN) Independent Living 6860 Woodlawn Avenue NE Seattle WA 98115 office 6720 East Green Lake Way N Seattle WA 98103 206-774-5153 SHORELINE Aegis of Shoreline & Callahan House Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care 14900 & 15100 First Avenue NE Shoreline WA 98155 206-367-6700 and 206-417-9747 Anderson House Independent / Assisted Living / Nursing & 2 Adult Family Homes 17201 15th Ave NE Shoreline WA 98155 206-364-9336 WOODINVILLE Fairwinds – Brittany Park Retirement / Assisted Living 17143 - 133rd Ave NE Woodinville WA 98072 425-402-7100 The Creekside A Merrill Gardens Community Independent Retirement Community 18200 Woodinville-Snohomish Rd NE Woodinville WA 98072 425-286-8974

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KITSAP COUNTY

BREMERTON Bay Pointe Assisted Living 966 Oyster Bay Court Bremerton WA 98312 360-373-9904 Marine Courte Memory Care 966 Oyster Bay Court Bremerton WA 98312 360-373-9904 PORT ORCHARD Park Vista Retirement & Assisted Living Community 2944 SE Lund Avenure Port Orchard WA 98366 360-207-6324 SILVERDALE Crista Shores Independent, Assisted Living 1600 NW Crista Shores Lane Silverdale WA 98383 1-800-722-4135

PIERCE COUNTY

BONNEY LAKE Cedar Ridge Retirement & Assisted Living 9515 198th Avenue East Bonney Lake WA 98391 253-235-4121 GIG HARBOR Peninsula Retirement / Independent Living 3445 50th Street Court NW Gig Harbor WA 98335 253-858-4800 Sound Vista Village Retirement / Assisted Living 6633 McDonald Avenue Gig Harbor WA 98335 253-851-9929 LAKEWOOD Maple Creek Residential Care 10420 Gravelly Lake Drive SW Lakewood WA 98499 253-588-0227 MILTON Alder Ridge Independent Senior Apartments 2800 Alder Street Milton WA 98354 253-878-5665 Mill Ridge Village Retirement / Assisted Living 607 28th Avenue Milton WA 98354 253-925-9200

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY

PUYALLUP Meridian Hills Assisted Living 1813 South Meridian Street Puyallup WA 98371 253-841-4909

HOQUIAM Channel Point Village Retirement / Assisted Living 907 K Street Hoquiam WA 98550 360-532-9000

Silver Creek Retirement & Assisted Living Community 17607 91st Avenue East Puyallup WA 98375 253-236-0430

CLALLAM

Willow Gardens Retirement / Independent Living­ 4502 6th Street SE Puyallup WA 98374 253-848-4430

Merrill Gardens at Tacoma Independent & Assisted Living 7290 Rosemount Circle Tacoma WA 98465 253-617-0100

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Point Defiance Village Retirement / Independent Living 6414 N Park Way Tacoma WA 98407 253-759-8908

EAST WENATCHEE Bonaventure of East Wenatchee Assisted Living / Retirement / Memory Care 50 29th Street NW East Wenatchee WA 98802 509-255-8339

CHELAN COUNTY

WENATCHEE Columbia Heights Assisted Living / Retirement 1550 Cherry Street Wenatchee WA 98801 509-255-8338

THURSTON COUNTY

LACEY Bonaventure of Lacey Retirement, Assisted Living & Memory Care 4528 Intelco Loop SE Lacey WA 98503 360-207-6320

BENTON COUNTY

RICHLAND Riverton Retirement / Assisted Living 1800 Bellerive Drive Richland WA 99352 509-255-8340

Woodland Retirement & Assisted Living Community 4532 Intelco Loop SE Lacey WA 98503 360-207-6321 OLYMPIA Capital Place Retirement / Independent Living 700 Black Lake Boulevard Olympia WA 98502 360-357-9922 PORT TOWNSEND Seaport Landing Retirement & Assisted Living Community 1201 Hancock Street Port Townsend WA 98368 360-207-6323

GRANT COUNTY

MOSES LAKE Pioneer Village Independent Senior Apartments 816 E Sharon Ave Moses Lake WA 98837 509-764-7600

TACOMA Charlton Place Assisted Living 9723 South Steel St Tacoma WA 98444 253-589-1834

JEFFERSON COUNTY

PORT ANGELES Park View Villas Retirement / Assisted Living 1430 Park View Lane Port Angeles WA 98363 360-452-7222

CLARK COUNTY

VANCOUVER Bonaventure of Salmon Creek Retirement / Assisted Living / Memory Care 13700 NE Salmon Creek Avenue Vancouver WA 98686 360-209-1932 Clearwater Springs Assisted Living 201 NW 78th Street Vancouver WA 98665 360-546-3344

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Get closer to what matters most.

Whatever your passion, Era Living offers eight unique retirement communities designed to bring you closer to everything you love.

Aljoya Mercer Island (206) 230-0150 The Lakeshore South Seattle (206) 772-1200

Ida Culver House Broadview (206) 361-1989

Ida Culver House Ravenna (206) 523-7315

The Gardens at Town Square *University House Downtown Bellevue Issaquah (425) 688-1900 (425) 557-4200

*University House Wallingford (206) 545-8400

Aljoya Thornton Place (206) 306-7920

Call today for a personal visit, or view video testimonials and more at eraliving.com *Proudly affiliated with

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Mirabella Put yourself in the middle of it.