Senior Guide Book Q3 2015

A NEW ERA IN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY DINING.

Q3/2015

seniorguidebook.com

Mirabella’s Executive Chef, Tamas Ronyia, recently won the WA State Chefs Association’s Chef of the Year award and is redefining retirement living dining.

Seniors’ biggest fear seems to be losing their independence!

At Garden Court, we understand that. So, we have built a lifestyle to honor seniors’ need to be in charge of their own life.

With OPEN DINING* hours You eat when you want plus you have many options to choose from.

With OPEN TRANSPORTATION* You are not dependent on others to hitch a ride.

You are in the driver’s seat but we do the driving.

Call Today to Schedule Lunch and a Tour!

425.438.9080 Locally Owned and Operated since 2002 *Some restrictions apply.

425.438.9080 RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

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

COMMUNITY MATTERS.

That’s why LGBT Seniors will Always Have a Place in Ours.

Mirabella Seattle is a retirement community for healthy, active people; also offering the security of continuing care should you ever need it in the future. In addition, we offer 24-hour nursing care and rehabilitation as well as Assisted Living and Memory Care services.

To learn more, call us today or find us on the web!

(206) 254-1441 | Toll-free: 1 (877) 477-5658 | www.retirement.org www.seniorguidebook.com

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Seniors and Sexual Intimacy: Let’s talk about it!

by David Haack

When seniors age in the late stages of their lives, that doesn’t mean they lose their sexual intimacy. In fact, seniors are having sexual relations more often than not. Many times however, the issue is challenged by family members, healthcare professionals, and others seeing the need to interfere.

We are sexual beings, and that doesn’t change as we age. Occasionally, sons and daughters are not happy about mom or dad’s sexual proclivities, in a community or facility setting.

Case in point, Henry Rayhons, a 78-year-old former Iowa Republican state legislator was accused last summer of sexually abusing his wife.

His daughter-in-law made the claim, after he had sex with his wife in the nursing home where she lived as a dementia patient. His wife, Donna Lou Rayhons, died on Aug. 8, 2014, a week before her husband was charged with one count of third-degree sexual abuse.

Fortunately he was found not-guilty, but it raises an important question, which many likely wonder about. Is it ok for seniors in their last stages of life to have sexual intimacy, married or not, in a community care setting?

More importantly, are they having safe sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? Statistics show a relatively high number of seniors are having sex, (almost 30 percent of seniors over 80 years old) but more alarming, STDs have doubled among this population.

Here are some safe sex tips to consider. Whether you are a caregiver or someone else working with seniors on a regular basis, these will help to ensure they lead healthy and active sex lives during their remaining years: • Talk about it – Encourage seniors to discuss their sex lives with you.

Silence limits an honest conversation about their health and sexual habits.

• STD testing – Many seniors don’t believe this is necessary, due to their upbringing and other factors. Seniors should be encouraged to get tested because their lives depend on it. No one is too old to get HIV/AIDS. • Safe partners – Seniors need to be open and honest with their significant others or sex partners, and have open and honest conversations about sexual health before the lights are turned off.

• Condoms for men and women – If you are a senior, use them when having sex, and if you are a caregiver, ensure they use them “properly and safely.”

• Lube – After menopause, women experience a reduction of natural lubrication. Seniors should use water-based lube to help reduce micro-abrasions that can increase the chance for infections.

As people age, the assumption is that they no longer are sexually active.

Unfortunately, it has become a taboo subject, even amongst healthcare providers. With Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications, sex among the elderly is at an all-time high.

• E-resources – There is a plethora of information about safer sex for seniors online, including: recent studies, trends, educational resources and much more!

When our society is uncomfortable thinking about sex and seniors, it becomes a form of discrimination. As a result, we begin to deny senior citizens their privacy in assisted living, Memory Care, and other facilities.

Add to the fact, that in their golden years, seniors usually don’t use contraceptives like condoms, or worry about STDs such as HIV/AIDS.

Seniors at practically any age are having sex, and there’s a tremendous need to give them their respect, dignity, and especially educational information. That way, seniors can be open and enjoy a healthy sex life.

They can be safer about avoiding STDS and other diseases that have no cure, and can affect their overall health.

Safe-sex among seniors is often ignored. According to an AARP study, seniors didn’t receive the talks about incurable STDs such as genital herpes and HIV/AIDS. There are many contributing factors why STDs are on the rise at alarming rates among seniors. The bottom line is that we need to better educate physicians, healthcare providers, and caregivers at senior communities about the increase of STDs. Seniors can then be made aware of how to prevent them by using condoms and other supplies, to decrease and eliminate the chance for seniors to get infected.

David Haack is the VP of Sales & Marketing at Living Care Lifestyles. He has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, including implementing sexual intimacy privacy policies for seniors. He is also the co-founder of the Northwest LGBT Senior Care Providers Network (www.nwlgbtseniorcare.org).

For more information, please email David at Davidh@livingcarelifestyles.com or call (206) 441-1770. Visit www.LivingCareLifestyles.com Note: Information from AARP, and the National Institute of Health was used for this article.

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Q3 / 2015 FEATURES 2 Seniors and Sexual Intimacy David Haack

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Editor’s Letter Jennifer Blair

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Retirement at the New “Urban Oasis” on Green Lake

10 12

Madison House – The Story

ADVERTISERS Front Cover Back Cover

Mirabella – Seattle

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

You Dern Fool Kelley Smith Top Tips for Downsizing Lindsey Hanson

Front Inside Cover

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Moments of Our Lives David Ensor

Back Inside Cover

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Kate’s Story Patrick Shepard

22

Extraordinary Lives Tracy Willis

23

A Better Day – A Better Life Jane Meyers-Bowen

24

3 Natural Tips to Fight Allergies Bastyr Center for Natural Health

26

Essential Oils MIght Be the New Antibiotics Tori Rodriguez

28 29

SPOTLIGHT – Photo by Michael Aycock Directory

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

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

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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 7

Mirabella – Seattle Living Care: Quail Park of Lynnwood Village Cove at Green Lake – Seattle (Now Open) Hearthstone at Green Lake – Seattle

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CarePartners: Vineyard Park at Mountlake Terrace (Now Leasing), Vineyard Park at Bothell Landing, Everett Plaza – Everett, The Cottages at Marysville, The Cottages at Mill Creek

11 13 15

Madison House – Kirkland

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.

Garden Court Retirement Community – Everett

18 19 21 25 27

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 ERA Living (See Inside Back Cover) ERA Living (See Inside Back Cover) The Stratford at Maple Leaf – Seattle Integrated Rehabilitation Group Weatherly Inn – Kent

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Letter From The Editor Each quarter at The Senior Guidebook we do our best to choose articles that will grab our readers by the shirt collar, and enlighten them on topics they may not typically find themselves reading about. If we leave most of them with the, “well, I learned something new today!” bug, then we know we’ve succeeded in providing both entertaining and informative reading. In this quarter’s magazine we truly believe we have met our mark with the wonderful articles we have to share with you.

There is an article this month that I particularly enjoyed, because it combines a great read, with spirited and funny, laugh-out-loud moments.

Speaking of moments, this issue features an article all about life’s most memorable moments. The ones we all see coming: marriage, graduation, buying a first home. It discusses another we also see coming, but don’t want to: downsizing and moving from our home of many years.

In another article, we will learn that downsizing our life doesn’t have to mean downsizing our happiness.

Surprisingly, the opposite tends to be the case: life becomes lighter and more fulfilling as a result.

Once seniors make the move, and they don’t have all the responsibilities they once had, it can leave them some free time for a make out session with their significant other. You can read all about this taboo subject in “Seniors and Sexual Intimacy: Let’s Talk About it!”

In this issue we will take a peek into the fascinating lives some extraordinary seniors led, before retiring and settling into their later years.

If you’re suffering from the hard-hitting seasonal allergies so many of us have unfortunately fallen victim to this year, the “3 Natural Tips to Fight Seasonal Allergies” may provide you with a little relief.

Finally, “Essential Oils Might be the New Antibiotics” provides us with “a bird’s eye view,” pun intended, of alternatives we might use in the future to kill certain strains of bacteria. You’ll just have to read on though, to find out what I’m talking about.

So, settle in, kick back, and get ready for a literary adventure.

And until we meet next time surrounded by the golden yellows and burnt oranges the fall will surely bring, enjoy a beautiful summer only the Northwest can offer.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at jenblair@mac.com.

Jen Blair Editor / Senior Guidebook

www.seniorguidebook.com

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Retirement at the New “Urban Oasis” on Green Lake Do you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city with easy access to the beauty of the outdoors right outside your front door? Are you looking for a walkable, niche community where you can leave your car behind and stroll to restaurants and shopping nearby? 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.

Celebrating 50 years serving seniors in the Seattle area, the Hearthstone just opened a new active retirement community Village Cove in April. Situated near the shores of Green Lake, this new community takes retirement to the next level. Mary Lou Stuenzi, CEO at the Hearthstone and Village Cove shared her excitement about the new community.

“When we purchased the property on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Latona, we envisioned a place where independent retirees could live an active lifestyle with walkability shopping, restaurants, and outdoor activities right outside the door, as well as the security of long term care for their future. In our initial discoveries we understood there would need to be a partnership with ecology. We purchased the property with this awareness, and quickly learned it would be an extensive process to prepare our new land for senior housing! The journey to build this beautiful community was neither simple nor quick, and after a ten year process, Village Cove is now a unique and wonderful addition to this niche neighborhood. It has been well worth it!”

Green Lake, founded in 1855, has become “Seattle’s choicest suburb” just as was predicted by a 1891 newspaper advertisement. Although technically an urban area, it was set apart early in its history as one of a series of interconnected greenspaces around the entire city of Seattle and limit the development of the area. Green Lake is now surrounded by 2.8 miles of walking and bike paths as well as a beautiful park with physical and aquatic activities galore. With cultural happenings and events such as theatre productions, the Milk Carton Derby Regattas on the lake, and nearby farmer’s markets, you can take advantage of this village-like lifestyle within a short walk from home.

Green Lake also offers an experience that surpasses other retirement options. From ethnic restaurants, organic shopping and coffee shops to suit any palate, living in the city provides unique dining and shopping experiences as well as attractions and entertainment without the hassle of parking and traffic jams. With a 91% walkability score, it is the perfect area to remain active throughout retirement. Of course, there are times when the heart of the city calls, and Seattle’s many downtown attractions are just minutes away. Even then, you can take advantage of the excellent public transportation available to get you there.

The sunset years can bring medical challenges along with them, so choosing a retirement community close to excellent medical facilities is a crucial consideration. Village Cove at Green Lake offer seniors access to all the best hospitals in the Seattle metropolitan area. Four out of five of the top hospitals in Seattle (ranked by US News) are all located nearby. Partnering with the Hearthstone, a continuing care retirement community, retirees also have access to higher levels of care such as Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Memory Care should a future need arise. This gives you the security of knowing you will always be cared for.

Village Cove offers 28 apartments with full amenities and ample square footage. Each apartment includes perks like housekeeping, maintenance, a state of the art fitness area and access to The Bridge, a brand new community resource center that will host educational and cultural events for seniors living in the Green Lake area. Located just one block from Green Lake Park, with coffee shops, shopping and restaurants surrounding the community, seniors enjoy a unique urban retirement experience.

Join the host of seniors who have made their retirement home at Green Lake. Enjoy the urban hustle and bustle without the hassle. Take time to stroll the lake, enjoy sunsets by the shore, and know that your future is in good hands.

The Hearthstone and Village Cove are a non-profit continuing care community, offering independent, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing services. For more information, or a private tour, please call 206-517-2110 or email us at villagecove@hearthstone.org.

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Now Open! Call to schedule a tour today!

Active Retirement at Green Lake

VILLAGE COVE

Call us for more details: 206-517-2110 Email: villagecove@hearthstone.org Web: www.villagecove.org Address: 6850 Woodlawn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/villagecovelivinglifeatgreenlake

Welcome to CarePartners Living We provide a unique combination of apartment living, personalized assistance, supportive services and compassionate healthcare in professionally managed, carefully designed, senior living communities. www.carepartnersliving.com

“You Dern Fool”

by Kelley Smith

Three elderly sisters, ages 92, 94, and 96, shared a house together.

One evening, the 96 year old sister went upstairs to take a bath.

As she put her foot into the tub, she paused. Then she yelled down to the other two sisters and asked, “Was I getting in the tub or out?”

“You dern fool,” said the 94 year old. “I’ll come up and see.” When she got half way up the stairs, she paused. “Was I going up the stairs or down?”

The 92 year old sister was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea and thought, “I hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood.” She shook her head and called out, “I’ll be up to help you both as soon as I see who’s at the door.”

You can laugh. Its ok! It is healthy to find humor in our society, about things that we find stressful. Ask anyone, and you’ll find that most people find the reality of aging to be stressful. However, funny enough, it can also be wonderful.

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

In 2011, Huffington Post interviewed a centenarian named Ruth. Since the age of 92, Ruth has committed to weekly Pilates classes. She also has a mean sense of style.

• Don’t look at the calendar. Just keep celebrating every day.

• Invest in quality pieces, they never go out of style.

• I make myself go out every day, even if it’s only to walk around the block. The key to staying young is to keep moving.”

NBC talked to a 100-year-old doctor who still ran his own practice.

He had a few untraditional pieces of medical wisdom to share.

• Exercise, to me, is totally unnecessary. I think it’s mostly overrated.

• The use of vitamins? Forget it. And I don’t encourage going to a lot of doctors, either.

• Fall in love, get married. Sex is to be encouraged.

This centenarian shared advice about love, forgiveness, and passion: • Even if you feel hatred, keep it to yourself. Don’t hurt other people for any reason.

• Don’t ever give up on love.

• Nobody else controls you.

• Make time to cry.

• Travel while you’re young and able. Don’t worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is far more valuable than money will ever be.

• Don’t compare. You’ll never be happy with your life. The grass is always greener.

• If you are embarrassed to be dating someone, you should not be dating them.

• Do one thing each day that is just for you.

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

425.258.6408

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

• • • • • •

Don’t be a cheapskate.

Forgive.

Find your passion and live it.

Most times things will figure themselves out.

Choose the right parents.

Have a pet. Life gets lonely sometimes. Pets are reminders of how we’re all living things.

• I’m not saying you have to practice one religion or another, or not practice one religion or another...I’m just saying that you should figure out what you believe in and live it completely.

• Learn to adapt.

• Take time to mourn what you’ve lost.

NOW OPEN!

425.678.6008

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

And my advice...laugh when you can.

Two elderly ladies had been friends since their 30s. Now in their 80s, they still got together a couple of times a week to play cards.

One day they were playing gin rummy and one of them said, “You know, we’ve been friends for many years, and please don’t get mad, but for the life of me, I can’t remember your name. Please tell me what it is.” Her friend glared at her. She continued to glare and stare at her for at least three minutes. Finally, she said, “How soon do you need to know?”

Kelley Smith, Director of Sales and marketing for CarePartners Senior Living kelley@carepartnersliving.com or 425-931-2951 Kelley – https://twitter.com/carepartnersmgt – Follow us! www.seniorguidebook.com

425.379.8276

13200 10th Drive SE Mill Creek WA 98012 www.thecottagesassistedliving.com 9

Madison House Independent and Assisted Living Community Managed and Owned by Koelsch Senior Communities

Our story began in 1958 in a modest Kelso, WA nursing home. It was here that Koelsch Senior Communities’ founders, Emmett and Alice Koelsch, established the family’s commitment to excellence in senior care. Over the years, the Koelsch family has maintained the highest standard of care. We have done this by developing an acute understanding of our residents’ needs. As our communities grow, it is clear that Emmett and Alice’s legacy of entrepreneurial ingenuity and commitment to compassionate senior care guide our business philosophy.

Today, we are proud to remain family owned and operated. Aaron Koelsch, son of Emmett and Alice, has led the company for the past 25 years, and continues to lead the company under the family’s founding principles.

Aaron says, “We are really proud of Madison House and feel that our family-run company, with its long legacy serving seniors, is the perfect fit for the Kirkland community. We have completed our 3.5 million dollar enhancements to the Madison House exterior, interior common areas and residential apartments and are excited for the community to come take a look. Our special programming, with 24/7 nursing services is a hallmark of Koelsch Senior Communities. Madison House is near Evergreen Hospital, has spacious apartments, full kitchens, elegant restaurant-style dining, a bistro serving every kind of coffee drink, a large swimming pool, and on-site therapy program. Residents will continue to find Madison House their perfect fit for senior living.” What sets us apart is the Koelsch family philosophy: “Treat each resident with the respect they deserve and the special attention they need.”

Aaron Koelsch, CEO & President of Koelsch Senior Communities & his wife, Judy Koelsch, Principal Designer

Madison House Amenities & Services Madison House offers assistance as needed in an environment of personal independence. Each person is unique and we understand those needs and preferences vary. These amenities and services are available: • 24-hour on-site licensed nurses • Nursing services available in every apartment • Diabetic Management Program • Scheduled transportation to appointments and shopping • Entertainment and social activities including live music, theater, seminars, happy hour and scenic drives plus much more • Three meals daily featuring many choices and daily specials served in our restaurant-style dining room – special diets accommodated • Fitness programs including water aerobics in our indoor heated pool • Towel and linen service • Weekly housekeeping • Complimentary cable TV in all apartments • Respite care Madison House Community Features The Madison House lifestyle is enhanced with beautiful common areas available to everyone. These include: • Therapeutic swimming pool and hot tub • Large activity spaces for a variety of uses including; game rooms, sun room and billiards room • Courtyards and patio including resident garden • Walking paths for strolling through the gardens • Beauty and Barber shop • On-site Physical and Occupational Therapy Program • Accommodations for overnight guests • Pet friendly We invite you to come in for a tour and see our exciting newly completed rejuvenation!

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

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

~ Save the Date~

Madison House "Grand Reopening"

Since 1958

Thursday, July 30th 2015 • 3-6pm Join our "reveal" of the Rejuvenated Madison House!

We’re excited about our transformation and want to share it with you!

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, tours and wonderful door prizes!

Questions? Please call 425-821-8210

Madison House

Independent & Assisted Living Community A Koelsch Senior Community 12215 NE 128th Street • Kirkland, WA 98034

www.seniorguidebook.com

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Top Tips for Downsizing Practical tips for simplifying your move – and your life

by Lindsey Hanson Moving into a retirement community offers many advantages: less time and money spent on upkeep, a worry-free lifestyle, a wider range of activities, and more. However, a move can be stressful for older adults — not to mention physically exhausting. It can seem that the tasks associated with a move will just be too overwhelming. Whether you believe it or not, with a little help and the following tips, the process can be much more manageable.

Begin Early It can be daunting to organize years’ worth of possessions and furniture, but starting the process well in advance will help eliminate the feeling of being rushed to prioritize and pack. Starting early means being in control of the process.

Start Small So often, people jump into the downsizing process and begin sorting items with a lot of sentimental value, which can quickly leave them feeling emotionally exhausted. Start the process with items that don’t hold as much emotional value, and then move on to more important items.

Focus on ‘Rightsizing’ Plan carefully for which possessions will actually fit in your new living space. One of the most common complications on move-in day is bringing too much. Calculate the percentage difference in square footage from your old and new residences so you have a point of reference for how much you can bring along.

Organize with Purpose Separate possessions into groups: Keep, donate, sell, and discard. Colorcoded stickers are an easy way to quickly identify which category an item belongs in.

Managing Emotions Allow yourself time to experience your feelings. Remind yourself that the meaning attached to possessions is in the memories, not the item itself.

Allow yourself to relive the memories as you sort, but also remember that not all items attached to memories need to be kept.

Define Your Goals When it comes to giving things away, it can be helpful to define your goals.

Your goals could include “I want my things to go to people who will use and appreciate them the most” or “It’s important to me that everything is fairly and evenly divided among family members.” Defining these goals can help bring clarity to your purpose in giving things away.

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Take Breaks Work in blocks of time, and make a point each day to take a break from sorting. Go for a walk, see a movie, or meet a friend for a meal. You’ll feel recharged and ready to take on more when you get home.

Set Small Goals It can be overwhelming to think of sorting through your entire house at once. Set small goals for each day, and complete your goal before moving on to the next task. The junk drawer in the kitchen or the hall closet can be great places to start.

Minimize Disruptions When starting the downsizing process early, there’s no need to disrupt your home and your life. You can begin in an area that you don’t use every day, such as a guest bedroom. One tip for sorting clothes is to push all the hangers to the middle of the closet. As you sort items, move items to keep to the right end of the closet and items to donate to the left end of the closet. This way if you need to take a break from sorting, you aren’t left with a pile of clothes to clean up later.

Use Your Community Contact Know who will be there from your new community to greet you. When a new resident arrives on the day of his or her move, it is important to ensure that someone will be there to answer questions and handle lastminute issues.

Settling In Completing the downsizing process and moving to a new residence is worth celebrating! But it’s also normal to still experience feelings of loss.

It can be helpful to recreate some of the arrangements you had in your previous home – placing books or pictures in the same way, or displaying pictures of important people in your life. Give yourself time to adjust and look for ways to get involved in your new community and meet your neighbors.

A final word of advice: don’t do it alone. Family, friends, neighbors and professional services can all provide valuable help! Downsizing doesn’t need to be a draining process; in fact, it’s a necessary step closer to an unencumbered home and a positive new life.

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

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 ones 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.

www.seniorguidebook.com

Peninsula Gig Harbor | 253-858-4800

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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

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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

#

Get closer to what matters most.

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

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19

Kate’s Story

by Patrick Shepard

It was September of 2009, when Kate at age 51 began to realize something might not be right. So I don’t get ahead of myself, let’s first rewind to June when Kate was at work, where she is a Registered Nurse. She had worked in the same clinic for 23 years, and had a great routine down. On this particular day Kate went in to take a patient’s blood pressure, and completely forgot how to do it. She began to get angry, and then she broke out into a deep sweat. She had to go get a coworker to come take the blood pressure. Kate was not able to admit that she forgot how to do it. All she could do was get upset, and act as if her blood pressure cuff was broken.

Several weeks later Kate was on a summer evening walk at about 8:00pm, doing the same walk she had done every night for 14 years. At 10:30 pm, Kate’s husband Gary called her cell phone to see if she was okay, as her walks usually only took her an hour at the most. When Kate answered the phone she was in a panic, and told her husband she was at the Grocery 4 miles from home. Gary hurried to pick Kate up from the store. When he asked what happened, Kate began to sob. She told Gary she had gotten lost, and could not find her way home. She then began to tell Gary about the issues she was having at work.

Over three years later, Kate now lives in a memory care community where she receives 24-hour care. She is completely nonverbal now, but still has her smile and is able to walk safely in her secure memory care community.

Kate’s story is just one of the many thousands of people discovering they have early onset Alzheimer’s. After the night Kate became lost on her walk, she was then able to talk with her husband about the signs he had been seeing for quite some time, but chose to ignore. It can be so very difficult to speak with someone who is experiencing memory loss, but is still quite cognitive. There are many resources available to help guide you through this process, from the Alzheimer’s Association, to your local Memory Care Community Expert.

Here are just a few signs to look for if you suspect possible, early onset Alzheimer’s: • • • • •

Difficulty at work Forgetting names of close friends or loved ones Having trouble with simple tasks Word confusion Anxiety when asked about any of the above

Having a loved one with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, or any form of Alzheimer’s, is very difficult. There is no need to feel alone in this journey. Take advantage of the many organizations and communities out there to help you.

Patrick is the Administrator for Rosewood Courte Memory Care of Edmonds Washington. For more information you can call, or email Patrick Shepard at Patrick@ rosewoodcourte.com or 425-673-2875.

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Home is where the heart is...

What’s important in life are the things we share. We make a difference because we share comfort, past experiences and new adventures. We share laughter and face challenges together. We are more than partners. We are a larger family, living together to provide the love and support to make a better life for the one you love.

The Stratford at Maple Leaf offers the continuum of care – Independent, Assisted Living, and Memory Care all under one roof.

No Minimum AGE

206.729.1200 9001 Lake City Way NE Seattle WA 98115 www.stratfordretirement.com www.seniorguidebook.com

Call today for a complimentary lunch and tour – 206.729.1200

Celebrate Life with a Compassionate Spirit of Caring Mention this ad and receive a flat screen TV after 90 days of occupancy.

21

Extraordinary Lives

by Tracy Willis

According to the National Survey of Residential Care Facilities, there are almost one million seniors living in assisted living communities nationwide.

Here is a small sampling of amazing stories about residents living in Village Concepts communities.

Fifteen years ago, I left my job at the public library to work in an assisted living community. Though I knew I would miss being surrounded by books, I hoped that supporting seniors would provide a purposeful career that I would feel good about. I had no idea that I was about to open the door to an extraordinary collection of living biographies, representing amazing experiences, events, and circumstances spanning over decades.

I met Dorothy Roth when she was 92. Dorothy is a Grandview Village resident, and former pitcher from the 1945 National Girls Baseball League.

When staff heard of Dorothy’s achievements, they arranged for her to throw out the first pitch at a Mariners game. The story caught media fire, and led to a meeting with Governor Inslee. He declared January 7th to be “Dorothy Roth Day,” honoring the contributions of seniors to society. Prior to retelling her story, Dorothy had been ashamed of her baseball career, because of the old stigma attached to women playing traditional male sports. Today, having experienced the positive public reaction to her story, Dorothy is proud of her historic baseball career.

an alteration company, that was one of the first owned by a Hispanic woman in the area.

There is the story of Jack, a Spiritwood resident and B29 Bomber, who flew in WWII. At first, Jack didn’t want to talk much about his time flying planes, but when Spiritwood’s program manager told him that Fifi the B29 Bomber would be flying into Boeing field, he suddenly became interested in a reunion. Staff arranged for the residents to take a trip to support Jack, as he met with his old aircraft for the first time since the war. Jack wore his original bomber jacket, and watched with pride from his wheelchair as the B29 landed.

There are also more subtle stories. Teachers who devoted their lives to education, and parents who raised their children to be good citizens.

Stories about farmers who worked tirelessly to keep their crops growing, and soldiers who fought for our country. There are stories of their widows too – women who worked and raised children alone, because their husbands paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Also from Spiritwood are Tom and Sally Kitano, Japanese-Americans who were relocated to internment camps when they were children. The staff arranged to have Sally, a former elementary school teacher, share her story at a local school for a 5th grade class studying Japanese-American history.

She recounted personal details, describing the special dress she wore on the train, and the loneliness she felt when she returned to her family’s farm after the war. The children sat in awe as she shared her experience, one that they had previously only read about in books.

I’ve spent time in many of the Village Concepts communities over the years, and have watched as residents continue to add to their collection of life stories, through their relationships and experiences. As care providers, it remains imperative that we prioritize support for seniors, so they may continue to grow, learn, and ultimately thrive in their assisted living environment. This remarkable generation, who spent lifetimes safeguarding our country and contributing to the whole of society, should be honored. We are stewards of their life stories, and should celebrate their ordinary and extraordinary achievements, drawing inspiration from their contributions.

A resident from El Dorado West spent much of his life volunteering for humanitarian missions in Africa. He overcame great danger in his quest to provide better living conditions in poverty, and famine stricken regions.

At one point he stood in front of a firing squad, before being rescued by a villager who paid off executioners to spare his life.

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.

Maria Montes was a seamstress in the 1940’s who worked with Joan Crawford, and other stars in Hollywood. She relocated to Burien to start

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

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

A Better Day – A Better Life

by Jane Meyers-Bowen

The number of certified Geriatricians in the US fell 25% between 1996-2010, even though the number of seniors is increasing rapidly. It is partly due to the incomes associated with geriatrics and adult primary care, which are among the lowest in medicine.

Dr. Atul Gawande, author of the book Being Mortal, speculates that a lot of doctors don’t like taking care of the elderly. Many people have had high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis for 50 years, so there is nothing the doctor can do to cure it.

Geriatricians know you can’t stop the aging process, but there are many things that can be done to make it more manageable and at least avert the worst effects. So, it really becomes about preserving the quality of seniors lives, and their ability to participate in life as fully as possible.

Falls represent the greatest risk to seniors’ participation, and their health. 350,000 Americans fall and break a hip each year. Forty percent end up in a nursing home, and 20 percent are never able to walk again. Muscle weakness, balance issues, and taking more than 4 medications correlate with increased falls. Other contributing factors are poor eye sight, extension or phone cords, and scattered rugs.

At Garden Court Retirement, there is a real intent on building a culture around mobility.

It has been our experience that mobility supports one’s independence. In protecting and preserving their mobility, our residents’ live by the motto that, “we are not going down easy!”

General well-being is usually built on the sense of having control over one’s life. When someone feels “at home,” it is based on the idea that it is the one place where you get to do what you want to do. Washington State’s regulations declare that residents in a retirement assisted living community get to choose! They don’t have to do anything they don’t want to for reasons of safety or institutional convenience. However, in an Oregon study it was confirmed that few seniors traded their health for freedom.

As we age, our lives can narrow, but Dr. Carstense, a Stanford psychologist, found that the narrowing doesn’t necessarily reduce our happiness. In fact, the reverse is typically true. We find it more fulfilling to shift our everyday pleasures and relationships, rather than focusing on having, achieving, and getting. The question then is, “what took us so long?” “The common view was that these lessons are hard to learn. Living is a kind of skill.”

Carstensen had her own explanation, seeing it as one’s personal sense of how finite your time is in this world.

However, her research found that age differences disappeared between young and old, when they faced that their time was limited.

Making the move to a simpler lifestyle can be terrifying. I have witnessed many seniors trapped by their possessions, suffering from a life on-hold. They are lonely and bored, spending their days at home without having frequent human contact. Without the burden of 3000 square feet of home and 3000 square feet of stuff that goes in the 3000 square foot home, life lightens up. With less to “protect and service,” people have more time to share with the people they love or find people to love. Who said, you can’t find new friends, neighbors, or even lovers?

Is being safe, with a house, food, and breathing really living? Every being can benefit from balancing safety with independence; privacy with community; engagement with solitude; and risk with reward.

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. www.seniorguidebook.com

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3 Natural Tips to Fight Seasonal Allergies Through natural medicine, you can learn to minimize and even eliminate symptoms caused by allergies year round.

With trees blooming in the Puget Sound area, the spring growing season is off and running – leaving allergy sufferers cowering in their closed-up homes.

But the increase in pollen and other allergens doesn’t mean you have to hide from the season.

Through natural medicine, you can learn to minimize and even eliminate symptoms caused by allergies year round, says Melinda Bower, ND, who supervises naturopathic medicine appointments at Bastyr University’s teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health.

“Ultimately we want to figure out what’s causing your allergies,” Dr. Bower says. You might assume you’re allergic to trees because your symptoms show up in the spring, but it’s possible the trees are simply the “trigger” that puts you over the edge.

Maybe what’s causing you the most harm is Don’t hide from the season – treat the cause with natural medicine. actually a dust allergy, but your body is able to manage it until the pollen counts start to soar.

“Think of it as a cup that’s half-full from your dust allergy,” Dr. Bower 2. Herbal Medicine says. “Adding trees on top of that could cause your ‘cup to overflow’ Sometimes the symptoms are so bad that you turn to non-steroidal antiand your allergy symptoms to skyrocket. If you eliminate the dust from inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Claritin. But that’s just a temporary your environment, the cup level lowers and you’re able to manage your solution, Dr. Lumiere says. symptoms again.”

“When you take a Claritin, you might feel better for the afternoon,” Figuring out your allergies through a simple blood test with a she says, “but the symptoms will likely return because you’re not actually naturopathic doctor is a first step. Then it’s time to get back outside and treating the problem.” Dr. Lumiere explains that herbal medicines can enjoy the season with these three natural tips to help you fight allergies: strengthen your immune system along with fighting symptoms. For example, quercetin has been shown to reduce allergy symptoms, but the 1. Diet and Lifestyle flavenoid’s anti-inflammatory properties also support your overall body Sometimes the problem goes beyond the pollen and dust you’re breathing, function, helping you cope with symptoms better in the long run.

Dr. Bower says. Food allergies can also cause your “cup” to overflow when Dr. Bower adds that quercetin, which is a plant pigment found in fruits spring allergy season kicks in. such as apples, can be taken in pill form such as in Vital Nutrients’ Aller-C Kathleen Lumiere, DAOM, LAc, a core faculty member in the Bastyr and other supplements available in the Bastyr Dispensary.

University Department of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine, adds that other lifestyle issues such as digestion also can contribute to your 3. Acupuncture seasonal allergy symptoms.

For some people, acupuncture also can help with symptoms, Dr. Lumiere “If you strengthen your other systems by cleaning up your diet to aid says. As an added bonus, an acupuncture treatment can help you in other digestion and increase nutrition, you can improve your body’s reaction to ways, such as reducing anxiety or improving mood and sleep, which can allergies,” she says. Her approach is to work with patients to help them decrease the severity of allergy symptoms. eat foods that are in alignment with their Chinese medical diagnoses, and “Because we’re treating the whole person, the benefits go beyond thus provide balance for their “qi,” or energy force. eliminating allergy symptoms,” she says.

“We take a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approach when we These are just a few of the many ways that natural medicine can help look at diet,” says Dr. Lumiere, who supervises acupuncture and Chinese you minimize the symptoms of seasonal allergies. You can learn more from herbal medicine appointments at Bastyr Center. “It’s different from the the following Living Naturally talk by Drs. Bower and Lumiere, “Natural Western approach to nutrition, but the two work well together.”

Ways to Ease Spring Allergies”: Dr. Bower adds that eating a diet high in inflammatory foods, such as fried foods and processed sugars, also can cause your symptoms to flare up. “Stick with whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains To make an appointment at Bastyr Center for Natural Health, call (206) 834-4100. when your body already is fighting inflammation,” she says.

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SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Essential Oils Might Be the New Antibiotics

by Tori Rodriguez

Essential oils often evoke thoughts of scented candles and day spas, but their benefits beyond relaxation are less wellknown. Essential oils are ultimately just plant extracts – and those are used in countless cleaning and personal-care products. They are also the main ingredient in some pestcontrol products, over-the-counter medications, and some lice sprays. They’re used in the food industry because of their preservative potency against foodborne pathogens – thanks to their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Various oils have also been shown to effectively treat a wide range of common health issues such as nausea and migraines, and a rapidly growing body of research is finding that they are powerful enough to kill human cancer cells of the breast, colon, mouth, skin, and more.

Rampant use of antibiotics has led to “superbugs” that are becoming increasingly resistant to these drugs that are used, and it is only poised to get worse: a recent report commissioned by the U.K. government estimates that drugresistant microbes could cause more than 10 million deaths, and cost the global economy $100 trillion by the year 2050.

These drugs are also being used to treat infections in livestock, speed up their growth, and compensate for the cramped, unsanitary living conditions the animals endure. “The loss of antibiotics, due to antimicrobial resistance, is potentially one of the most important challenges the medical and animal-health communities will face in the 21st century,” says Dr. Cyril Gay, the senior national program leader at the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service.

This disaster has been pending for nearly 40 years, a couple of decades after farmers discovered that putting small amounts of antibiotics in the animals’ feed resulted in increased growth. Even back then, one study found that chickens developed resistance to the antibiotic tetracycline at a rapid pace – within a week, the animals had resistant bacteria in their gut. Months later, the stubborn bugs had spread to untreated chickens and even the farmers. Unfortunately, the buck didn’t stop there. Those resistant bacteria also became resistant to other antibiotics that the chickens hadn’t even consumed.

What’s being done to confront this major contributor to this obvious, growing world health threat? The FDA has asked those in the agricultural industry to voluntarily reduce their use of antibiotics, but no one is keeping track of whether they do (nor has there been a record of the antibiotic use all these decades).

Farmers can still say they’re using it for prevention of infections. “We really want to convince the farmers that this is a practice that should be eliminated.”

Numerous recent studies – including several done by the USDA – have shown great promise in using essential oils as an alternative to antibiotics in livestock.

One of their studies, published in October 2014 in the journal Poultry Science, found that chickens who consumed feed with added oregano oil had a 59 percent lower mortality rate. Other research, from a 2011 issue of BMC Proceedings, showed that adding a combination of plant extracts – from oregano, cinnamon, and chili peppers – actually changed the gene expression of treated chickens, resulting in weight gain as well as protection against an injected intestinal 26

infection. Researchers have also directly compared the effects of commonly used antibiotics with those of various essential oils. One such study, from the March 2012 issue of the Journal of Animal Science, found that rosemary and oregano oils resulted in the same amount of growth in chickens as the antibiotic avilamycin, and that the oils killed bacteria, too.

Additional findings have shown that essential oils help reduce salmonella in chickens, and another study found that a blend of several oils can limit the spread of salmonella among animals. It is not yet exactly known how the essential oils work, but researchers have some strong evidence that they are functioning by both an antibacterial action in the intestine, as well as stimulating the intestinal cells ability to recover from disease more quickly – either by local immunity or helping to keep the intestinal cells themselves healthier.”

A study found that a Staph-infected wound actually healed faster when they were treated with vapors of tea-tree oil, than with conventional methods. It has also been shown that basil and rosemary oil were both effective in inhibiting the growth of 60 strains of E. coli retrieved from hospital patients.

The medical community is growing increasingly aware of the severity of the situation at hand. When testing is performed to determine the appropriate medication for a patient, it is often found that there are no longer any effective antibiotics in existence to treat the bacteria in question. Health Care Providers feel helpless in the face of this growing threat, and the answer as to why we have not made more progress on this front is simple: economics.

Essential oils are truly a secret weapon, an unsung hero being used successfully but not quite openly. They contain some of the most potent antimicrobial compounds available, and furthering our understanding of them may lead to the development of entirely new classes of drugs. We should all hope that the prevailing winds of change move this field of research forward, so we may benefit from their healing properties.

SENIOR guidebook – bridging generations

Finding the Connection Since 1989

Providing Premier Memory Care Permanent, Respite and Day Stay Available “Where it’s home and you’re family” Stop by for a tour today!

253-630-7496 15101 SE 272nd Street • Kent WA 98042 Close to Hwy 18 on Kent-Kangley www.seniorguidebook.com

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SPOTLIGHT

Herb Weissblum Herb, a resident of Whidbey Island (WA), is originally from Boston. He obtained his B.A. from Michigan State University, and an LL. B. from Boston University School of Law. He practiced law, primarily as a business litigator, for 35 years after graduating.

He has been active in the sport of boxing for most of his entire life. As a student at Michigan State University he was on the Varsity Spartans, one of the last intercollegiate boxing teams, and the 1956 NCAA boxing champions. While still in law school, Herb became a trainer, coach, manager, and promoter of amateur and professional boxers and boxing shows. He was legal counsel to the U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials in 1992, and was also a successful amateur and professional boxing referee for 35 years.

Having been raised on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay and Boston’s North Shore, he has a deep interest in maritime history and wooden boat sailing. He served as a seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marines, before his military service in the U.S. Infantry Airborne Rangers. He is currently a member of the board of directors at the Northwest Maritime Center and Wooden Boat Foundation of Port Townsend, WA. Weissblum was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame, International Veterans Association, Ring 4, Boston, in 1998 and the New England Boxing Hall of Fame, International Veterans Association, Ring 99, in 2001.

Photo by Michael Aycock 28

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

www.seniorguidebook.com

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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KING COUNTY

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

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

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

Spring Creek Retirement, Assisted Living & Memory Care 223 E Bakerview Road Bellingham WA 98226 360-302-2275

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

WHATCOM COUNTY

St. Francis Extended Health Care Licensed Skilled Nursing 3121 Squalicum Pkwy Bellingham WA 98225 360-734-6760

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

AUBURN Brannan Park Retirement Retirement / Assisted Living 2901 I Street NE Auburn WA 98002 253-736-2800

Summit Place at Mt. Baker Assisted Living 2901 Connelly Ave Bellingham WA 98225 360-738-8447

BELLEVUE Aegis of Bellevue Assisted Living / Memory Care 148 102nd Ave SE Bellevue WA 98004 425-453-8100 The Bellettini Independent & Assisted Living / 62+ 1115 108th Avenue NE Bellevue WA 98004 425-450-0800 The Garden Club Retirement / Independent Living 13350 SE 26th Street Bellevue WA 98005 425-643-7111

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

The Gardens at Town Square Independent, Assisted Living, Dementia Care 933 111th Avenue NE Bellevue WA 98004 425-688-1900

ISLAND COUNTY

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

Sunrise of Bellevue Assisted Living & Alzheimer’s Care 15928 NE 8th Street Bellevue WA 98008 425-401-5152 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 Home Place Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 171 SW 6th Ave Oak Harbor WA 98277 360-279-2555

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

Regency on Whidbey Assisted Living, Independent Cottages, Harbor Care 1040 & 1045 SW Kimball Dr Oak Harbor WA 98277 360-279-0933 & 360-279-2224

Chateau Bothell Landing Independent / Assisted Living / Memory Care 17543 102nd Ave NE Bothell WA 98011 425-485-1155

Summer Hill Retirement and Assisted Living 165 SW 6th Ave Oak Harbor WA 98277 360-679-1400

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

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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

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.

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