October/November 2015 Vol. 42 No. 1 Published by
Senior Services of Snohomish County
The power of music…
Music therapy helping victims of dementia By Teri Baker Jan Link....
She’s passionate about helping kids succeed Pages 4
Veterans’ Club
Vets have chance to share their stories Pages 6 & 7
Savvy Senior
Dealing with those pesky telemarketing robocalls Page 18
Social Security …
Eight trivia questions for the 80th Anniversary Page 11
Medicare Open Enrollment
Now is the time to review your coverage
Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia can leave once highly-functioning and capable people unable to remember loved ones or even what they had for breakfast. They can become withdrawn, angry, depressed, fearful, even delusional. It’s a condition that leaves them, their families and their caregivers beyond frustrated. But there is a ray of hope for improving the lives of victims of this cruel disease. Evidence-based research has shown that music therapy can make a world of difference in addressing cognitive, speech, sensory and motor needs. Snohomish County Music Project, which grew out of Everett Symphony, has partnered with Quail Park Memory Care in Lynnwood for nearly year, beginning with a four-month pilot study that has yielded remarkable results. “I believe music therapy absolutely has the potential to decrease the use of medications in some of our residents,” says
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Columns… BookNook....................................... 26 Elder Info......................................... 10 GetAways (Sr. Travel)..................... 15 Mr. Modem...................................... 28 Meal Times (Nutrition News)....... 22 Perspective on the Past................ 20 Senior Spotlight............................... 4 Volunteer Connections................. 23
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non ProFiT orG The Senior Focus is a publication of uS PoSTAGe Senior ServiceS oF SnohomiSh counTy PAiD 11627 Airport rd., Suite B SounD PuBLiShinG everett WA 98204-8714 The Senior Focus is published bi-monthly (February, April, 98204
June, August, October and December) as a community service by Senior Services of Snohomish County. We are committed to educating and entertaining readers with information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community.
Senior Services of Snohomish County
(left to right): Dester Summers music therapy intern Taylor Woodruff and Ed McClean. To help relieve anxiety, Woodruff spends one-on-one time with each participant. photo courtesy of Quail Park
Christine Browne, memory care life-enhancement director. “With this project I’ve seen how using personalized music play lists decreases anxiety, tearfulness, even combative behavior.” She mentions Cora, 86, whose father died when she was a child. “She’s reliving things,” Browne says. “She’s emotional and anxious. Music therapy has helped her to ultimately celebrate his life. We sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and other songs to him and talked about his life. All this helped her
replace traumatic thoughts with positive ones. Now she becomes joyful, sways to the music and sings along.” Another fellow who is often combative calms right down when he hears the song “Big Bad John.” Then there’s Betty, 93, who suffers from delusions. “It’s difficult to redirect her,” Browne says. “Her iPod music alleviates her anxiety, and sometimes she’ll hum all day.” iPod? CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
Hunger and older adults... an ongoing concern By Cheryl M. Keyser In 2013, close to four million low-income older adults – more than 1 in 5 – did not know where their next meal was coming from, according to a recent study from the General Accountability Office (GAO). Nor is this situation new. It is unfortunately “similar to the results reported in 2011, using 2008 data,” added the GAO report. Thus, for some seven years, at least, there has been no major change in getting meals to older adults, despite a growth in the population over the same time period. Furthermore, this affects the most vulnerable older adults – those living on fixed incomes while prices continue to go up. And this continues, even in light of several nutrition programs which provide meals specifically for older adults. Under Title III of the Older Americans Act, geared to those over 60 years of age, congregate meals, such as those served at senior centers, and home-delivered meals, such as Meals-on-Wheels, are available regardless of income. Yet, confirmed the GAO, “fewer than five percent” of those defined
as “food insecure” (read hungry) receive a meal at home or at a senior center. The GAO defines food insecurity as “running out of food before getting money to buy more, skipping meals because there was not enough money for food, or not eating for a whole day because there was not enough money for food.” As the numbers have shown, there are many hungry people in this country who simple cannot afford to put food on the table and cannot find alternative ways to obtain the help they need. In a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, signed
ays D 2 y Onl
by 32 senators, it was noted that “the demand for these programs is great, and in many areas of the country, vulnerable seniors are on waiting lists for services that they desperately need.” The letter request a modest 12 percent increase in the budget for programs under the Older Americans Act, especially those related to “unnecessary nursing home placement or hospitalizations due to poor nutrition and chronic health conditions.” And the problem is not confined to older adults, it also affects what are known as “pre-seniors,” ages CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Editorial
Meeting the transportation needs of Snohomish County By Emmett Heath
Community Transit CEO
We’ve all seen tremendous growth in Snohomish County, and there’s more on the way. The Puget Sound Regional Council forecasts the county’s population will increase another 240,000 people by 2040 – that’s about 10,000 people a year! In addition, Emmett Heath the county estimates that the percentage of our population over the age of 65 will grow by 50 percent during that time. Keeping Snohomish County
moving – now, and in the future – is Community Transit’s mission. On a busy day, up to 40,000 people ride Community Transit buses, vanpools and DART paratransit vehicles – that’s a lot of cars that are NOT on the road. Our service helps protect our quality of life and helps our economy grow. Last year our ridership increased 8 percent, and it continues to grow this year. Our commuter service to Seattle fills up at the first stop, and people are standing in the aisle for the entire commute. We’re currently stretched beyond our limits to meet demand. Thankfully, we have an opportunity to make investments that
will improve our transit service. Our Board of Directors – made up of elected leaders from around Snohomish County – has placed a measure on the November ballot to increase transit service. If approved, the three-tenths of 1 percent increase in sales tax would cost the average adult $33 a year and would enable us to add: More trips on local bus routes throughout the county, along with longer hours of operation. More commuter bus trips to downtown Seattle and the University of Washington. New service to emerging job, housing, retail, health and education centers throughout the county. New routes, such as Marys-
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ville-to-McCollum Park via Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Silver Firs via Highway 9. More DART paratransit service to accompany the new routes. A second Swift bus rapid transit line between Boeing/Paine Field and the high-tech job center at Canyon Park/Bothell, along Highway 526. More east-west bus trips in South Snohomish County and a possible third Swift line to connect to light rail when it gets here in 2023. Our long term vision is to have a network of multiple Swift lines for fast, frequent bus service throughout the county. Even better, we can begin delivering the improvements right away. If the measure is approved in November, we can have more trips on the road next March. We need these transit investments to help our economy grow and protect our quality of life. Eighty-percent of our riders use Community Transit to go to the work every morning. They’re heading to their jobs, earning a paycheck and boosting our economy. In the evening, 80 percent of our riders use Community Transit to come home. They’re meeting friends, going to Little League games and sitting on the porch with loved ones. We have the opportunity to add more bus trips, take more cars off the road, help more people get to their destinations, and make our homegrown transit service even better. It’s up to us to ensure that our future here in Snohomish County is just as amazing as the community we love today. For more information on Proposition 1, go to www.community transit.org/futuretransit.
Senior Focus October/November 2015
HUNGER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
50 to 64. These are individuals who are trying to keep or find jobs in an unsteady labor market and when they do find employment, it is often not enough to make ends meet. It also applies to a growing profile among older adults – those who take in a grandchild to raise. According to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, “77 percent of these households live at or below the poverty line.” Lacking a regular and healthy diet, the consequences can be severe. “Some of the demonstrated outcomes of undernutrition in older individuals include poorer functional status, greater health services utilization and higher likelihood of mortality,” according to an article in the Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics. However, once able to obtain the necessary food, according to
Published by Senior Services of Snohomish County 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B Everett WA 98204-8714
Editor Sharon Ostant 425.290.1277 Advertising Account Manager Susan Shoults 425.263.1868 Published bi-monthly with a readership of 38,000+, the Senior Focus educates and entertains readers (seniors, family caregivers, service providers, and other interested persons) with news and information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community. Signed articles are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of Senior Services or the Senior Focus. Distribution: 20,000 papers are mailed to households and senior friendly businesses in Snohomish, North King and Island counties; 3,500 papers are distributed at drop-off locations such as senior centers, retirement communities, hospitals, medical clinics, etc. Advertising: The inclusion of advertising (including political advertisements) is not meant as an endorsement of the individual, service, or product by anyone except the advertiser.
the Journal authors, even a short period after eating normally again, the health and mental outlook of the recipients improved markedly. Angela Curtiss is a typical example of an older adult (91 years of age) who needs help and receives it from Meals on Wheels. It is difficult for her to leave her house to shop for food and she also has trouble using the stove and preparing meals. But, she knew where to go to obtain services. Many other older adults do not know there are programs that will help them or are too ashamed to ask for help. On the national level, the Administration on Aging (AOA) has authorized a three-year funding grant to determine the best ways to reach those who may need help. On the state level, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is promoting the availability of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. “Three in five eligible seniors do not participate in SNAP,” according to the NCOA, which attributes this to a lack of understanding about the program. A part of that may be due to the shame mentioned earlier, as SNAP is the new name for the food stamp program.However, it does put some extra money into one’s pocket, estimated at $113 a month, with which to buy food. Locally, all older adults, over age 60, are eligible to lunch at a senior center or can apply for home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) if they are homebound and lack support. Unless some significant action is taken, the future looks bleak for many older adults. As the GAO summed up; “if current trends continue, the number of adults who need services like those provided by OAA Title III grants may continue to increase with the retirement of the baby boom generation.” It is already happening.
Nutrition services in Snohomish County For information about the Senior Dining, Meals on Wheels and/ or Basic Food programs in Snohomish County, call Senior Services Nutrition Program at 425347-1229 or visit sssc.org.
Retain
Traci Mitchell Evere� School Board
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Every 13 seconds an older adult visits an emergency room for an injury related to a fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls are the leading cause injuries, both fatal and non-fatal. The reasons are as varied as the people involved and can be anything from slipping on an area rug or dizziness because of a reaction to a medication. There are ways to prevent falls, but many people ignore them due to a form of circular reasoning. “People who are afraid of falling often limit their activities to avoid situations that might cause a fall,” said Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging. “But limiting physical activities can diminish physical fitness, which makes a fall more likely.” The Department of Health and Human Services has developed ways for a doctor to assess fall risks and reduce them through fall prevention programs “that build strength and improve balance,” added Greenlee. And the National
A “thank you” goes out to Senior Focus readers who responded to our informal survey about how you get (or prefer to get) information, especially when it relates to health and wellness concerns. Results will be published in the next issue of the Senior Focus. In the meantime, congratulations to Jeanne Hackett of Edmonds whose name was drawn for the iPad Air and Carol Falor of Everett who received the $50 gift certificate. Council on Aging has established the first National Falls Prevention Center with a grant from the Administration for Community Living to provide information for consumers and health professionals on how to prevent falls. As Jim Firman, President and CEO of NCOA notes, “falls are not an inevitable part of growing older.” For some excellent fall prevention information visit ncoa. org. – Cheryl Keyser
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October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Her passion is helping kids succeed Senior Spotlight Someone We’d Like You to Meet…
By Teri Baker A replica of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland holding a clock and lamenting, “I’m late. I’m late. For a very important date,” sits in the entryway of Jan Link’s house. It’s one of many clocks that grace the not-so-retired teacher’s Mukilteo home. “I like clocks, not to remind me of the time, but the idea of time,” Jan, 74, says. “Time is so frustrating to me because I never have enough of it. All of us have a certain amount of time and we should use it well.” That doesn’t mean all work and no play, but it does mean using her time wisely and productively. Blessed with a fine mind, a superb ability to communicate and a great deal of experience, Jan is
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happily spending her retirement helping kindergarten through college students who are struggling with school to achieve academic success. “Failing kids is the worst thing you can do in life because you’re not giving them a chance,” she says passionately. “In today’s world just coming out of high school doesn’t give you a lot of tools. Washington has a 77 percent graduation rate, but is tied for 48th in the nation for graduates meeting entrance requirements for a four-year college. It’s 50th in third-year college students. Half the students need remedial classes once they get to college. That has to change.” With 38 years as a teacher, curriculum director as well as elementary and high school principal behind her, Jan wanted to give back to her profession, especially by helping youngsters one-on-one. So Jan, with her daughter, started Academic Link, a tutoring center in Kirkland that is still going strong.
ACADEMIC LINK OUTREACH
In 2006, tired of the commute, she left running the center in her daughter’s capable hands and started Academic Link Outreach (ALO), a nonprofit organization devoted to educating the public about the need for “outside of
school hours” academic support for higher academic achievement for students. She says ALO also focuses on building relationships with pupils, teachers, parents and tutors that will help students meet and exceed state standards and be better prepared for college or the workforce. Toward that end, Jan got a grant for Path to College Success that followed 50 students in Edmonds from sixth grade through high school to see what works and what doesn’t. She reports, “We learned that weekly monitoring of students, interacting with them when they’re struggling, communicating with parents and rewarding academic achievement are absolutely necessary.” Jan is justifiably proud of Path results. Students were expected to have a 3.0 or above grade average with no Ds or Fs. Ninety percent got As or Bs; nine percent got Cs and one percent got Ds. No one got an F. “Everything we do is done in a positive not a punitive way,” Jan says, “and it works.” Now Jan promotes Learning Labs where middle-school children can get one-on-one help after school. She lobbies individual legislators and works with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and with Boys and Girls Clubs to get a few
school districts to provide Learning Labs. She works all over the state as a provider for Supplementary Educational Services (SES), a federal program that offers free tutoring to students in schools where many students are from low income families and qualify for free lunch. Although she works mostly in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and King Counties, Jan also works in the Tri-Cities where her mother and sister live. It’s a busy life, but she balances it well with gardening, time with her daughters and two grandchildren, and refurbishing antique trunks. Explaining the trunks, Jan says, “I like watching the transformation. It gives me a good feeling that if you take something old and make it nice, it will be preserved for a long time.” She also likes decorative boxes because they, like the trunks, are useful for keeping things organized.
FAMILY FARM
She enjoys spending time in Pullman at the home where she grew up. The farm it stands on has been in her family since 1887. The house, which she describes as three-bricks thick, was built in 1917. She and her daughter bought it several years ago and CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Elect John SPENCER
Elect Carin Chase Edmonds School Board Dist. 1
to Mayor of Lake Stevens…
ELECT EXPERIENCE
I Support: Sound fiscal and academic decisions that direct resources to the classroom and our students; Rich, engaging curricula that help all students fulfill their potential and enjoy learning; Giving teachers the professional respect and support they need to do their jobs well.
Endorsed By:
Edmonds Education Association Washington State National Organization for Women/PAC National Women’s Political Caucus Sierra Club Equal Rights Washington 1st, 21st and 32nd Districts & Snohomish County Democrats Snohomish County Executive John Lovick King County Auditor Lloyd Hara Senator Maralyn Chase Representatives Cindy Ryu, Luis Moscoso & Lillian Ortiz-Self Edmonds School Director April Nowak Former Edmonds School Board President Susan Paine Seattle School Director Sue Peters Edmonds City Council President Adrienne Fraley-Monillas Snohomish County Councilmembers Brian Sullivan & Stephanie Wright and more.
Remember to return your ballot by November 3rd! Paid for by Friends of Carin Chase www.carin4schools.com
John is a experienced manager who will provide quality leadership for Lake Stevens. He has lived in Lake Stevens 31 years, raised his family in the City, was co-founder of the Clean Lake Association and worked as a Boy Scout leader. He’s been on the City Council for two terms and served as president during each 2’ x 2’ Corex Signs term. Now retired, John is ready to devote his time and energy to the mayor’s job and will engage fully in the work as your mayor.
Un-paralleled qualifications: • • • • •
Two terms on City Council; Council President during each term 20 years in managing environmental and engineering consulting throughout the United States Former PUD General Manager Director of Seattle Metro wastewater Utility Former Director of WA Dept. of Ecology
John’s vision is to keep Lake Stevens the quality place it is for families to live, go to school, enjoy great recreation and have safe neighborhoods.
His priorities are:
• • • • • • •
Solve the traffic congestion at Highway 9 and 204 Construct the multi-use park planned for Cavelero Park. Engage with neighborhoods and civic groups to leverage enthusiasm to maintain a clean, beautiful and safe city. Be an advocate for and support our police officers with quality training, resources and tools to be the best in State. Increase efficiency of city government Work with builders to make t-shirt layout Lake Stevens the place to do business small front & Keep the Lake clean
big back
John’s promise: Government will be open and transparent, financially prudent, professional, and efficient.
Paid for by Citizens to Elect John Spencer, Mayor
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Senior Focus October/November 2015
JAN LINK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
rent out the farm, keeping the main house for the family to use. Growing up the middle of three sisters, Jan happily rode horses across the fields with her cousins, older sister and friends, but her mother and younger sister were serious horsewomen who entered shows throughout the Northwest. One of Jan’s fondest memories is of her mother sitting high on her stately horse with its silver parade saddle and bridle gleaming in the summer sun. Jan says being a Bluebird in the second grade, and later becoming a Campfire Girl, made her aware of the value of step-by-step accomplishment as she earned the organization’s signature beads. “Now I enjoy watching this achievement in other people,” she says. “This interest in competition and the rewards of positive recognition carried on throughout my life.”
STRONG WORK ETHIC
A strong work ethic was instilled in her at an early age. High school and college summer jobs included cooking at a camp for blind children, being a mother’s helper, caring for her grandmother, and working at a plant packing frozen peas. During her teen years, she was immersed in school and school activities. She says, “In my world, I didn’t even think about not going to college; it was just expected.” Jan went to Washington State University where she worked in the library. In 1962 she married a man she met in speech class when they were sophomores two years earlier. “The superintendent from Pasco flew up to interview my husband and me and hired us both on the spot,” she says. “He taught high school biology and I taught first grade. All teachers should begin their teaching with first grade, for that’s a lesson in itself. My first class had 36 stu-
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dents, none of whom had attended kindergarten.” She pauses and adds with a rueful smile, “What I didn’t learn in college, I learned that year.” The couple moved to Shoreline, where Jan taught fifth and sixth grades while her husband pursued his doctorate. When he became a professor at Oregon State University in 1970, the family moved to Corvallis. Jan taught sixth grade in Albany while earning a degree in administration from the University of Oregon in Eugene. She became curriculum director for Philomath School District near Corvallis and was an elementary, then a high school principal. Meanwhile, their two daughters pretty much grown, the couple had amicably divorced in 1978. Nine years later she married the district’s high school principal and moved to Snohomish County where her husband became principal at Mariner High and she a principal in the Edmonds School District. The two drifted apart after five years, and Jan continued to work for the district until her retirement in 2000. The job may have ended, but her passion for helping kids succeed didn’t. “When I was teaching, I continually worked to figure out how we could get all students to be their most capable,” she says. “What I saw was that frustration about lack of achievement often led districts to change the curriculum and testing programs.” Dumbing down is not the answer in Jan’s book. “Children need to learn to be accountable. Kids cannot be allowed not to turn in their work,” she insists. “Giving an F is not holding a kid accountable. We need to make kids resilient. They need to know who to go to when they’re struggling, whether that’s a relative, teacher or tutor.” That’s why her tutoring center is one-on-one for all ages through college. Everything is scheduled. It’s not a drop-in center. Classes focus on homework, preparation and strategies for taking state tests, and help getting into college. One of her once struggling students is now at Annapolis; another is preparing to enter Harvard.
Jan Link helps Kristofer Anderson with his homework.
She still keeps in touch with the Path students even though the grant has run out. “They’re my kids,” she says, “and I care about them.” She also cares about the ALO volunteer tutors, many of whom are from RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), who help students succeed.
GRANDPARENT’S ROLE
Jan believes grandparents can play a significant role in children’s success. “Grandparents are saints,” she says. “They can help in so many ways; just listening, buying lessons, taking grandchildren on little field trips like to the airport, a horse show, the beach, and discussing these places with them.” Jan’s academic help extends even beyond ALO, the tutoring
center, talking with legislators and promoting learning labs. She and her daughter give the “little house” that sits on the family farm property near their own “big house” rent-free for three years to a WSU sophomore veterinary student. “Horses have always been a part of our family’s life,” Jan says. “This is a way to help young people studying to care for animals. The students mow the lawn and watch over the place, and we kind of adopt them. We’re on our fourth student now.” Hers is a busy life, but Jan wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m in great health because the kids keep me young,” she says. “I honestly believe I’ve never worked a day in my life. I picked what I love, and I thrive on it.”
Solid Leadership for a Bright Future
“I am honored to be your Snohomish County Executive and ask for your vote. Seniors are the cornerstone of our communities and I will continue to work hard for you. Together we can build strong and successful communities!”
– John Lovick
John will fight for you to stop the County Council from cutting Public Safety John brings a common sense approach to County finances John’s leadership led to significant increases in jobs! Working for your security, independence and peace of mind. ELDER LAW • ESTATE PLANNING • PROBATE • FAMILY LAW Peggy L. Sanders, Attorney | peggy@sanderslawgroupnw.com Ph: 425.640.8686 | 152 Third Ave. S., Suite 101 | Edmonds, Washington 98020
www.SandersLawGroupNW.com
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www.electjohnlovick.com Paid for by Retain John Lovick (D), 2403 157th Pl SE, Mill Creek, WA 98012
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October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Club gives vets a chance to talk with others who served By Teri Baker Ernie Arnold knows what it’s like to be under fire thinking this might be his last moment. He knows what it’s like to watch buddies die, hear the screams of the wounded and bury the dead in faraway places. But, Arnold has learned to focus on the good experiences he had in World War II and the Korean Conflict, live a productive life and create a happy retirement. He’s also discovered that veterans can help each other do that too. That’s why he formed the Veterans Club at Carl Gipson Senior Center in Everett nine years ago to allow veterans to talk about their military service with people who can truly understand. In no time 20 veterans gathered. Today there are about 40 men and women from every branch of the military in the club, with meetings averaging about 25.
Arnold speaks of Lupe Blankenship who served in Vietnam and of Fred Taucher, a Jew who, as a child, was a prisoner of the Nazis. Joe Polocz, who lived in Hungary during WWII and was forced to join the German army, is a valued member. This is the second vet’s club Arnold has started. The first was in Arizona where he lived in a retirement community. “I was at the clubhouse when a man who knew I was a WWII vet came up to me and said, ‘I have something to tell you. I have to talk to someone,’ and his story came pouring out.” Pilot of a ten-person aircraft, the man had been taking Allied spies out of France when the plane crashed in a field. People ran to help and said they would help hide the group. While they all crouched between two buildings, one of the rescuers pointed toward a French
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girl about 18 or 19 years old and said not to trust her because she was going out with a German soldier. Before he knew what was happening, Arnold watched in horror as someone shot her dead. Arnold says quietly, “He carried that alone for 60 years.” Realizing there were other vets who might unburden themselves to other veterans, Arnold immediately started a still-active club where they could do just that. When he came back to Everett, he did the same thing. “When a new man or woman comes in, we have them tell their story,” he says. “We’ve found that a lot of vets who haven’t told people much about their experience will talk up a storm here.” Talking about his own experience helps foster that. Arnold graduated in the top 10 in his class from Everett High School in 1938 and went to work for Boeing where he worked on B-17 airplanes, which meant he had a deferment from military service after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Six months later Arnold enlisted in the Navy as an apprentice seaman. After a rigorous boot camp he was sent to Hadley Technical School in Missouri for four months. Because he graduated in the top 10 percent of the class, he was upgraded four stripes to Avi-
ation Electrician Third Class. Assigned to the Navy’s Fighting 33 Air Squadron, it was his job to repair electrical problems on planes after air battles. He has vivid memories of being on the hangar deck of his carrier during an attack. He and his crew inflated their own life jackets and threw them to sailors stranded in the water even though it meant he and his crew would be left without that protection if the ship sank. Arnold was on the first carrier transport to New Hebrides Island and also was at the invasions of the Solomon IsErnie Arnold lands, including Bougainville, Guadalcanal and Green Island, and at the invasion of Okinawa. He survived countless bombings, relentless shelling and numerous kamikaze attacks. He would see more action during the Korean Conflict. Long retired as a chief petty officer after 20 years in the Navy, Arnold has a handful of medals and a lot of memories of great men and women in the military. At age 94 is healthy and strong and still fits in his uniform. The Veterans Club meets at 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Carl Gipson Senior Center, 3025 Lombard in Everett. Veterans from all branches of the military are welcome.
“For over 25 years, I have served you by providing the high level of customer service at the Assessor’s Office that residents should expect from their county government. As Assessor, I will: • Apply my extensive knowledge in mass appraisal resulting in fair and equitable assessments
ENDORSED
• Be transparent, accountable and fiscally responsible • Use my comprehensive experience in all aspects of the Assessor’s Office to effectively serve the public I would be honored to have your vote.” – Linda BROAD SUPPORT: Snohomish County Assessor Cindy Portmann
U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene
Aerospace Machinists Local 751
Snohomish County Executive John Lovick
U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen
Snohomish County – Camano Realtors Assoc.
Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary
Everett, Granite Falls, and Lake Stevens Firefighters
Snohomish County Democrats
Snohomish County Councilmembers Sullivan, Wright, Somers, and Ryan
AFSCME Local 1811S and 1811C
Snohomish County Labor Council
For a complete list, please visit LindaForAssessor.com
Everett Firefighters Snohomish County Democrats WA Conservation Voters
“For the past 35 years, I have worked to represent you. It would be an honor to be re-elected and continue to work every day for you as your voice on the Snohomish County Council.”
Snohomish Co Labor Council Aerospace Machinists Senator Marko Liias - 21st LD Senator John McCoy - 38th LD Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self - 21st LD Representative Strom Peterson - 21st LD Representative Mike Sells - 38th LD Representative June Robinson - 38th LD
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Senior Focus October/November 2015
Vet club members share their stories Friendships have formed in the Veterans Club, and members often get together at the senior center outside of club meeting times. Here’s what some of them were kind enough to share while hanging out there on a recent Saturday morning. Pierre Wilbourn, 61, is one the senior center’s younger members. When he found out about the club two years ago, he checked it out. “The first time you get to know who’s who,” he says. “The second time it became easier. Most of the guys are older, but they’ve done stuff and we can understand each other. You can’t talk to someone about a military experience if they haven’t been there, even if they’re family.” Wilbourn was in the Navy for 21 years and served in Vietnam and in Desert Storm. He enlisted because he liked his uncle and his uniform. Wilbourn became a SEAL whose primary job was bomb disposal. Then he was sent to sniper school, where he was in the top 10 in his class. “I used to hunt with my dad,” he says. “My longest shot where I hit the target was 1,500 yards.” “I was trained to do it,” the retired master chief says. “I was also trained in the bush to be almost invisible. I learned stealth and how to stay in one position without moving at all for eight hours at a time.” He pauses and adds soberly, “The government trained me and gave the green light to be an assassin. I had 30 kills. It was something you had to do.” The vets around him nod in understanding. They know it’s not easy to pull the trigger on someone. They are glad Wilbourn will share with them. They know that many who have never served can’t comprehend having to do such a thing. Wilbourn doesn’t take it lightly. “Before I got out I spent a year and a half in therapy,” he says. “There was so much anger in me.” He squares his shoulders and says, “One reason we’re here is to help the new vets. We do it in stages because they have no one to talk to. Here they can find a release.” Phillip Thompson, 84, served on a supply ship during the Korean Conflict. Recalling getting a notice he was to be drafted into the Army, he says, “I said, ‘No I ain’t!’ I showed the letter to the Navy recruiter and he said, ‘Sign right here.’ ” He was supposed to be in for two years, but a paperwork glitch kept him in for four. The first tour he was on a destroyer; the second, on a tender. He laughs about that second tour and says, “Where I was it was like McHale’s Navy in the old TV show or like in the movie Mr. Roberts.” His focus on the lighter side helps club members recall some
of their own humorous experiences. The camaraderie and sense of brotherhood often found in active military units is much in evidence in this new unit – the Veterans Club. Milton “Mick” Brown, 90, was 18 when he enlisted in the Navy in 1943. “I had an older brother (in the service) who was an aviation machinist, and I wanted to do my part,” he says. “I went with a bunch of friends to join up. They didn’t make it in, but I was on my way.” Brown served as a gunner’s mate on a battleship in the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific during World War II. He still has the
shrapnel that blasted into his right hip when a kamikaze plane attacked. It’s a tangible reminder that he’s a survivor.
Jim “Doug” Douglas, 69, was a 20-year military man. A high school friend talked him into enlisting. “He told me women like a man in uniform,” he says, adding with a grin, “And that they had good food.” Douglas joined the Navy Reserves in 1963 and, put on active duty in 1964, was sent to Vietnam for two years. He says a lot of down time was punctuated by flurries of action. He recalls his homecoming vividly. He had served honorably, do-
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7
ing what his government told him to, and was shocked when his ship arrived in San Francisco to shouts of “Baby killers!” “There were all these hippies and things were pretty tense,” he says. “They were climbing the fence to get to us. So we turned hoses on them in a solid stream and knocked them off the fence. We were told that it was all right because they were trespassing on government property.” Gary Haddenham, 62, stops by for a quick hello. “I enlisted because my dad said I had to,” he says. Haddenham served from 1972-1975 on the aircraft carrier USS Midway in Vietnam. The group doesn’t mind that he doesn’t have time to share. They know he’ll be at the next meeting, willing to talk and to help others share their own experiences.
“Neil is a respected community leader with an outstanding record of public service.” Stephen Clifton, Former Edmonds Economic Development Director
· Current Everett School Board director · Small business owner for over 13 years · Master’s Degree in Business Administration · Two children currently enrolled in Everett Public Schools · A passion for public education and helping students succeed
October/November 2015 Senior Focus
8
Re
Medicare
Benjamin Goodwin is:
ct ele
Make smart choices for 2016
Husband Father Eagle Scout Financial Clerk in church congregation
Past small business owner Graduate: University of Washington Civic volunteer Lynnwood University graduate Current Councilmember
I spent many summers with my grandmother and during those Ɵmes she taught me many things. A few of the ideas she taught me that have helped, and will conƟnue to help, me on the council are:
Be accountable for my acƟons—our acƟons on the council have consequences, good and bad, for our city
Live frugally—we have agreed to a BudgeƟng for Outcomes based budgeƟng method and I will conƟnue to push for not spending more than we are already bringing in
Be honest—part of my duty is to make sure the ciƟzens know what is happening both concerning our nancials maƩers and our city in general, and I will conƟnue to ght to keep our government open and honest
Vote Goodwin! Help make Lynnwood better today than we were yesterday and better tomorrow than we are today!
It’s that time of year when people with Medicare need to consider their options for 2016. Even if you are satisfied with the coverage you have, you are wise to spend at least a few minutes making sure it will continue to meet your needs. Here are some key questions that people with Medicare should ask. When is the enrollment period? Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. During this time, you can make changes in your Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare advantage plan. Or, if you don’t have a plan, this is the time to select one. If you currently have original Medicare and a supplemental plan (either a medigap plan or a plan with a former employer), be careful before dropping your supplemental plan. You may not be able to get that plan back later. How should I prepare for open enrollment? If you have
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a Part D or medicare advantage plan, find out what, if any, changes will be made for 2016. By now, you should have received in the mail an Annual Notice of Change and/or Evidence of Coverage from your plan provider. These notices will highlight any changes in the plan’s costs, benefits, and rules for the upcoming year. Use these resources to find out whether your plan will cover the same services, drugs, doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies. Are premiums changing? What about copay? Once you know what your current plan will cover next year, you can start making comparisons. If I like my current plan, do I need to do anything? Even if you like your current plan, it is always wise to check to make sure it still fits your needs. However, if you are planning to stay with your current plan, you do not have to do anything. How can I get more information? You can get information about your options on the Medicare website, medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. The best way, however, to get help is with individual counseling from a SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor) volunteer. SHIBA volunteers are very busy during the open enrollment period, so call early to make an appointment. (See page 9).
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If you prefer to research options on your own, visit medicare.gov. There are some tools provided to help you understand your options. Medicare Eligibility Tool: Select the Sign Up/Change Plans tab. Medicare Plan Finder: Provides personalized information about Medicare prescription drug plans, advantage plans, and supplement insurance (medigap) plans. Select the Find Health & Drug plans tab.
Special enrollment periods
Discounts for Low-Income Seniors Reduce your PUD bill by 20% to 60%, depending on income level Questions?
Customer Service: 425-783-1000 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Save Energy, Save Money! Incentives for installing insulation, insulated windows and heat pumps; $50 mail-in rebate for efficient clothes washers; and special pricing for efficient lighting & showerheads at local participating retailers. Some restrictions apply.
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There are Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) that are available when certain events occur to change your Medicare coverage or eligibility; for example, you change where you live. SEPs may also be available if you lose your current coverage, have an opportunity to change your coverage (such as being offered coverage through an employer), and more. To see if your situation qualifies for special enrollment, call Medicare at 800-633-4227. You can also visit medicare.gov; in the search box type special enrollment periods. SHIBA volunteers can also answer your questions. In Snohomish County call 425-290-1276; outside Snohomish County call the Insurance Commissioner’s office, 800-562-6900.
Senior Focus October/November 2015
Need help with premiums, prescription drug costs?
The Time is Now …
Review your Medicare coverage Do you need help determining which Medicare supplement, managed care or prescription drug plan will best meet your needs? SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor) volunteers and Senior Services staff will be available at locations in Snohomish and Skagit counties to help you understand your health care coverage options and evaluate and compare health and prescription drug plans. There is no charge for this confidential and impartial counseling service. An appointment is required and can be made by calling Aging and Disability Resources at 425-513-1900 or 800-422-2024 after October 1. When you attend the session, bring your Medicare card, a list of your prescription drugs including dosages, your current plan card, and any letter(s) you may have received from your insurance plan.
19000 44th Ave. W., November 5. Lake Stevens Senior Center, 2302 Soper Hill Rd., October 21. Stanwood Community Center, 7430 276th St. N.W., November 18. Stillaguamish Senior Center, 18308 Smokey Pt. Blvd., Arlington, November 24. Verdant Health Center, 4710 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood, November 12 & December 1. Senior Services, 11627 Airport Rd., Suite B, Everett, Mondays & Fridays, October 17 through December 5. Closed November 11, 26 & 27.
Skagit County:
An appointment is required and can be made by calling 800422-2024 after October 1. Burlington Library, 820 E. Washington Blvd., November 12. Burlington SHIBA office, 1650 Port Dr., October 15 & 29; November 4 & 25; December 3. Snohomish County: Camano Community Cen- Goodwill Job Training Site, ter, 606 Arrowhead Rd., Octo- 205 Roosevelt Ave., Mt. Vernon, October 23 & November 6 & 20. ber 29 & November 19. Goodwill Job Training Cen- LaConner Senior Center, ter, 210 S.W. Everett Mall Way, 104 Commercial St., October 27 Everett, October 23 & Novem- & November 24. ber 6. Sponsored by the Carl Mt. Vernon Manor, 2410 Austin Lane, October 19. Gipson Senior Center. East County Senior Center, PeaceHealth United Gener276 Sky River Parkway, Mon- al Medical Center, 2000 Hospital Dr., Sedro Woolley, October roe, November 10. Edmonds Senior Center, 21 & 28; November 3, 10, 18 & 220 Railroad Ave., October 20 23; December 1 Sedro Woolley Senior Cen& November 17. Ken Baxter Senior Center, ter, 715 Pacific St., October 26 Skagit Library, 514 Delta Ave., Marysville, Oc- Upper 45770 Main St., Ste. B, Contober 28. crete, Size:3X5 November 5. Ad#:0001749807-01 Cust:ERICKSON Lynnwood SeniorDate:09/13/11 Center, Day:TUE +
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During these challenging times with the cost of gas, food, housing, etc. going up, it can be difficult to pay for everything, especially if you are on a fixed income. If you are struggling to make ends meet, here are a couple of options that help income-eligible people with healthcare costs. One option is the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) which helps pay the Part A and Part B Medicare premiums. The monthly income limits for this program are $1,313 for an individual and $1,770 for a couple with assets limited to $7,160 an individual or $10,750 for a couple. MSP will also pay any Medicare deductibles and co-pays for an individual with a monthly income of $973 or a couple with a monthly income of $1,311. To apply for MSP contact your local DSHS Community Service Office or call Medicare at 800633-4227. If you need the phone number for the CSO in your area, call Aging and Disability Resources at 425-513-1900. Assistance is also available through a program called Extra Help which helps with Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. Extra Help is available for those with limited income and resources. This program will pay for all or most of the monthly premium and annual deductible and will lower
the co-payments related to your prescription drug coverage. To apply for Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs, call Social Security at 800772-1213 or visit ssa.gov. To qualify for the Extra Help, an individual’s monthly income is limited to $1,459; for a married couple the monthly income is limited to $1,966. Resources are limited to $13,440 for an individual and $26,860 for a couple. Your house, car or personal possessions are not counted as resources. The income eligibility requirements change annually (in the spring). If you have questions about either of these programs, you can also contact a SHIBA volunteer. In Snohomish County call 425290-1276; outside Snohomish County, call 800-562-6900. Quality Senior Living Community
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10 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Tip to help you feel ‘grateful’ this holiday season Elder Info Have a Question? We Have an Answer!
By Karen DeGuzman
Senior Services of Snohomish County
Q
I have had a difficult year and, as Thanksgiving approaches, I am finding it hard to feel grateful. Do you have any suggestions?
Often there is pressure to feel grateful and happy as the holidays approach. The media shows images of happy families celebrating the perfect holiday together. Thanksgiving, according to images we see on TV, is supposed to be a time of gathering, a time for feasting, a time for visiting, watching football, going to pa-
rades, and partaking in other various, fun-filled, holiday traditions. However, there are many reasons why it may be difficult to feel grateful. Some people have experienced health problems, financial losses, family misunderstandings, arguments, worries, or the death of a loved one. Major life changes can affect our lives, such as a change in housing, retirement, loss of pet, and loss of ability to drive a car. There is also the barrage of negative news on the TV. As we try to settle down for the evening, the TV brings us events such as war, terrorism, thefts, car accidents, or natural disasters. If you are experiencing losses and stressors and find it difficult to face the upcoming holidays, here are a few suggestions: Identify and acknowledge the difficult feelings and know that
they are normal and valid. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with losses and stress. Write in a journal about your feelings. Give yourself “breaks” from these difficult feelings. Connect with others who are positive and supportive. These can be family members, friends, neighbors, professional helpers, co-workers, or former co-workers. Try not to isolate yourself. Draw from the sources that give you strength: your faith, family members, friends, nature, hobbies, or volunteering. Adapt to changes in family situations, and modify your traditions. Be creative with new ways to celebrate or acknowledge the holiday. Acknowledge that in real life nothing is perfect. Re-examine your expectations, and try not to strive for the perfect holiday. Focus on the positive aspects of your celebration.
MRS. JONES STORY
“DART paratransit gives me the freedom to go shopping, visit with friends and get out and enjoy my community. I can count on a safe, reliable ride on Community Transit.” Laura A. DART Customer
To learn more about the future of transit in Snohomish County, visit www.communitytransit.org/futuretransit
I recently had the privilege of crossing paths with Mrs. Jones who shared some of her story with me. She was warm and polite as she welcomed me into her home and made sure that I was comfortable. She looked tired but smiled easily. As we talked, it became apparent this was a very difficult year for Mrs. Jones. There had been the stroke with a hospitalization and rehabilitation stay, worry about finances, and concerns about her son losing his job and home. Given these losses, I expected to hear a story of struggle with sadness, worry and loneliness. To be truthful, there were some of these difficult feelings present during our conversation. However, they did not dominate or take over. No, Mrs. Jones was determined and deliberate with her choices. She explained that she was intentionally being thankful. In fact, Mrs. Jones spoke of how blessed she felt for a kindness shown by a stranger, family member, a small pleasure, and special opportunities. I was struck by her sincerity and gratefulness. She was a good reminder that we can choose our attitude in life situations. It’s difficult but, like Mrs. Jones, we can be determined and
intentional! There are many benefits to gratitude. According to Dr. John Denninger, Director of Clinical Research at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, it is important to pay attention to the good things around us. He reminds us that we do not want to ignore or deny the problems in our life. But, we can try to counterbalance our more negative thoughts and feelings with noticing things for which to be grateful. Robert Emmons of University of California-Davis, in his book, Thanks: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, lists out some benefits of being grateful: Gratitude brings us happiness; gratitude boosts feelings of optimism, joy, pleasure, enthusiasm. Gratitude reduces anxiety and depression. Gratitude is good for our bodies: it strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, and reduces symptoms of illness. We are also less bothered by our aches and pains when we are grateful. Grateful people sleep better (count blessings not sheep!). Gratitude makes us more resilient – it has been found to help people recover from traumas. Gratitude strengthens relations – we feel closer and more committed to relations when gratitude is expressed. Gratitude promotes forgiveness. Gratitude makes us want to “pay it forward.” As you go forward this holiday season, think of these words from author Thornton Wilder: “The happiness of life is made up of little things – a smile, a helping hand, a caring heart, a word of praise, a moment of sharing laughter. We are most alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Karen DeGuzman is a Mental Health Specialist with the Senior Peer Counseling Program. Information and Assistance is the gateway to access services for older adults and people with disabilities in Snohomish County. To speak with an I&A Specialist who will listen to your concerns and explore options, phone 425-513-1900 or 800-422-2024.
Spanish: Para obtener más información en su idioma, por favor llame al (425) 353-7433 o (800) 562-1375. Spanish: Spanish: Para obtener más información en su idioma, por favor llame al (425) 353-7433 o (800) 562-1375. Korean: Para obtener más información en su idioma, por favor llame al (425) 353-7433 o (800) 562-1375. 귀하의 언어로 된 정보를 얻으시려면 (425) 353-7433번 또는 (800) 562-1375번으로Spanish: 전화하시기 Korean: Para obtener más información en su idioma, por favor llame al (425) 353-7433 o (800) 562-1375. Spanish: 바랍니다. Korean: 귀하의 언어로 된 정보를 얻으시려면 (425) 353-7433번 또는 (800) 562-1375번으로 전화하시기 Para obtener más información en su idioma, por favor llame al (425) 353-7433 o (800) 562-1375. 귀하의 언어로 Spanish:된 정보를 얻으시려면 (425) 353-7433번 또는 (800) 562-1375번으로 전화하시기 바랍니다. Korean: Russian: Para obtener más información en su idioma, por favor llame al (425) 353-7433 o (800) 562-1375. 바랍니다. 귀하의или 언어로 된 정보를 얻으시려면 (425) 353-7433번 또는 (800) 562-1375번으로 전화하시기 Korean: За дальнейшей информацией на вашем языке обращайтесь по телефону (425) 353-7433 Russian: (800) 귀하의 언어로 된 562-1375. 정보를 얻으시려면 (425) 353-7433번 또는 (800) 562-1375번으로 전화하시기바랍니다. Russian: Korean: За дальнейшей информацией на вашем языке обращайтесь по телефону (425) 353-7433 или 바랍니다. 귀하의 언어로 된 정보를 얻으시려면 353-7433번 (800) (425) 562-1375번으로 전화하시기 За дальнейшей информацией на вашем языке(425) обращайтесь по 또는 телефону 353-7433 или (800) 562-1375. Chinese (Simplified): Russian: (800) 562-1375. 바랍니다. 如需获取您的母语版本的更多信息，请拨打 (425) 353-7433 或 (800) 562-1375。 За дальнейшей информацией на вашем языке обращайтесь по телефону (425) 353-7433 или Russian: Chinese (Simplified): За дальнейшей информацией на вашем языке обращайтесь по телефону (425) 353-7433 или (800) 562-1375. Chinese (Simplified): 如需获取您的母语版本的更多信息，请拨打 (425) 353-7433 或 (800) 562-1375。 Russian: (800) 562-1375. 如需获取您的母语版本的更多信息，请拨打 (425) 353-7433 或 (800) 562-1375。 За дальнейшей информацией на вашем языке обращайтесь по телефону (425) 353-7433 или Chinese (Simplified): (800) 562-1375. 如需获取您的母语版本的更多信息，请拨打 (425) 353-7433 或 (800) 562-1375。 Chinese (Simplified): 如需获取您的母语版本的更多信息，请拨打 (425) 353-7433 或 (800) 562-1375。
(425) 353-7433 • (800) 562-1375 • TTY Relay: Dial 711 www.communitytransit.org
Senior Focus October/November 2015
(12 people were still trying to use it as late as 1977).
Social Security…
Eight trivia questions for the 80th Anniversary By Kirk Larson
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Eighty years ago, on August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Here in Washington State, Social Security plays a major part in supporting our community. Over 1.25 million people receive monthly payments. Most are retired workers but about 180,000 are disabled workers and 75,000 surviving spouses. Here are eight questions to test your knowledge of Social Security. 1. In 1935, what budget was given to the newly created Social Security board? A. $0 B. $50,000 C. $100,000 D. $250,000 2. What was the original percentage of payroll tax withholding for Social Security? A. 1 percent B. 2 percent C. 3 percent D. 5 percent 3. How many people tried to use the most-used Social Security number of all time? A. 20 B. 453 C. 1,000 D. 40,000
4. In what year did Social Security begin using computer systems? A. 1949 B. 1956 C. 1962 D. 1971
AND THE ANSWERS ARE:
5. When did the Department of Defense first begin using the Social Security number instead of a serial number to identify military personnel? A. 1954 B. 1962 C. 1969 D. 1974
2. A) Payroll tax withholding for Social Security began January 1, 1937. The original SS contribution rates were 1 percent for the employee and 1 percent for the employer on wages up to $3,000. In 2015, the contribution rates are 6.2 percent for both the employee and the employer on wages up to $118,500.
6. How many phone calls have been placed to Social Security’s 800 number? A. 1.3 billion B. 2.2 billion C. 3.4 billion D. 4.2 billion 7. How many possible combinations does the 9-digit Social Security number have? A. 650 million B. 724 million C. 876 million D. 1 billion 8. How much money has Social Security paid in benefits? A. $125 million B. $40 billion C. $15.2 trillion D. $92 trillion
11
1. A) In 1935, the newly created Social Security Board had no budget with which to begin operations. The proposed budget for the Social Security Administration for fiscal year 2015 is $12.5 billion.
3. D) In 1938, a wallet-manufacturing company included a sample Social Security card in each wallet. The sample card had the actual SS number of the company’s vice president’s secretary. Until the number was voided more than 40,000 people had attempted to use that number
4. B) On February 27, 1956, Social Security’s first electronic computer system, an IBM 705, posted earnings records, computed benefit amounts, and reinstated incorrectly reported earnings. 5: C) In 1969, the Department of Defense began using the Social Security number instead of a military service, or serial, number to identify personnel in the armed forces. 6: B) Social Security implemented its nationwide 800-number customer service number in October 1988. Since then there have been more than 2.2 billion phone calls. More than 6,000 employees are currently trained to answer calls. 7: D: Social Security has issued more than 453 million SS numbers. There are about one billion possible combinations of the SS number – giving us enough new numbers for future generations. 8: C) Since it began in 1935, Social Security has collected $18.0 trillion and paid out $15.2 trillion in benefits and administrative costs.
Snohomish Senior Center is keeping seniors active … Offering over 75 programs and services so plan to join the fun … Bingo and social card games Computer classes Creative crafters (knit/crochet) Special events and trips Nutritious lunches
Massage and acupuncture Foot, blood pressure and hearing clinics Alzheimer’s support group about event Exercise and dance classes Ask hall rentals for Plus a whole lot more celebrations,
And... stop by the first Saturday of the month for our Community Breakfast, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and Bingo Bash, 5:30-9 p.m.
parties, meetings, fundraisers, etc.
Snohomish Senior Center 506 4th St. 360-568-0934 www.snohomishcenter.org
12 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Music therapy includes individualized playlist CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Karla Hawley, director of music therapy services for SCMP, explains that when the music therapy started, she spent time every week with each participant developing a playlist of 20 songs. Family members helped by suggesting tunes their loved one used to sing. Now when a resident becomes agitated or fearful, the staff soothes him or her with the personalized music. There’s a great deal of science and a heavy dose of common sense in music therapy. Neurologic Music Therapists must have a bachelor’s degree; advanced training in music therapy treatment techniques, including how to read physical and emotional responses to music; complete a six-month internship; and pass a rigorous
exam to become certified. They must also be proficient in at least four instruments: voice, guitar, piano and percussion. Another aspect of music therapy enhances life at the memory care center. Hawley has identified songs that everyone seems to react to positively and can be used in a group setting. If a popular song of yesteryear has a negative association for any person, it doesn’t make the group playlist. To focus on each individual and create a safe place for them, the group is kept to six to eight members. It becomes a community within the community. A group in session at the moment illustrates how group therapy works: “Oh what a beautiful mornin’, oh what a beautiful day.” The familiar lyrics from the musi-
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cal “Oklahoma” evoke smiles from the elders as they join in one or two at a time, some in full voice, others more quietly and one simply miming the words. Seated in comfortable chairs, they focus their attention on Taylor Woodruff, a charming young music therapy intern, as she moves around the circle engaging each elder one on one. Hawley explains that the song helps them orient to present day. Woodruff strums a guitar, tells them it’s Thursday and gives cues to tell what month and season it is. “We choose songs with a definite one-two-three-four beat,” Hawley says. “They have to have a solid four-on-the-floor beat. Music has a way of waking a person up, especially songs we grew up with. Once we wake up, we need to be socially, emotionally and cognitively engaged.”
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Being physically engaged helps, too. A delightfully animated Woodruff pulls a wagon into the circle and tells her charges, who are happily singing “Hey, Good Lookin, what ya got cookin’?” that it’s time to do some cooking of their own. She pulls out “ingredients” made of cloth. The group sings all four stanzas, some from memory, some reading from songbooks, as she passes out the makings for spaghetti. One person gets noodles, another tomato sauce; someone gets a pan and others a couple of meatballs. As fellow intern Victoria Gillman mimes playing the violin, Woodruff produces a whiteboard decorated like a stove top and goes from person to person, calling each by name as they add their ingredient to the pan. The last to participate uses handheld shakers to season the dish with salt and pepper. These dementia residents are not only enjoying music, they’re using listening, memory and social skills and improving locomotion. Some pretend to lead the orchestra, mimic playing an instrument or tap their feet to the beat. Hawley looks on, pleased to see the residents having fun. “You should see them when we play “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” she says. “They each get a ball and get to hit it with a boom whacker. That’s a lightweight holCONTINUED ON PAGE 13
of Lynnwood
Our Tribute Program Focuses On: • Whole Person Care • Knowing Each Person’s Life Story • Communication and Understanding • Partnering in Care Memory Care Residences Offer: • 24-hour Trained Care Partners overseen by a Licensed Nurse • Secured Environment and Home-like Suites • Creative Life Enhancement Program • Family Caregiver Support
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Senior Focus October/November 2015
MUSIC THERAPY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
low plastic tube tuned to the Cscale.” It takes a person who loves music and loves people to be a music therapist; qualities Hawley says her interns have in abundance. Music therapy is not offered in most colleges. The only one in the Northwest is Seattle Pacific University. Woodruff, who graduated from Kansas State, says, “I knew I didn’t want to sit in front of a computer all day. My high school choir teacher suggested I look into music therapy so I learned more about what it is and who it works with and got excited. And it was offered at a college in my very own state.” She says she’s thrilled about the opportunity to work with the residents at Quail Park. “I like this population,” she says. “Coming here is the highlight of my week and always makes me smile. I see individuals come in confused, but after the music their anxiety is relieved. The group is fun and a place they can be silly for awhile. Older people are to be valued. I love coming here. I feel like I’m making a difference in their day.” “I love how playful and spontaneous we get to be with them,” adds Gillman, who was trained at the University of Arizona. “It’s crazy to think this is our work because really we get to come here
and play.” Gillman, who has been with the Music Project for a year, will soon be board certified. “Music groups are an opportunity to make personal connections,” she says. “It’s not about performance; it’s more
Gillman smiles and says, “They notice if we had a haircut.” One man calls the weekly gathering the Togetherness Group. The memory others thought was gone has kicked in, and he reminds Woodruff that the group is
“My favorite part,” (Karen) Hawley says, “is being able to use the music to offer them a piece of themselves back by stirring up some memories from 70 or 80 years ago.” process and person oriented. “With the Music Project I get to work with several populations from youth to seniors.” Speaking of the Quail Park residents, she smiles and adds, “I’ve developed a real fondness for them.” Browne says she is pleased with the caring attitude and professionalism Hawley and the two interns display. “We want to address our residents’ individual needs, focus on what they can still do and nurture their present relationships,” she says. “Music therapy really helps us do that.” The day’s music group is going strong as members clap to the beat during the goodbye song that signals the end of the session. The song is repeated until each person has been individually named and heard the others sing, “I’m so glad you came.” For some the benefit outlasts the moment. Gillman and Woodruff glow with excitement as they report that participants remember them even after two weeks.
supposed to have its picture taken the following week. “Music therapy gives people a sense of belonging,” Browne says. “It’s been so eye opening for us and for family members. We’re
13
able to make real connections.” Browne pauses and says softly, “We had a patient on hospice here. The songs on her iPod helped soothe her. When she died, we offered the iPod to her daughter. It’s a cherished memory of her mom.” “My favorite part,” Hawley says, “is being able to use the music to offer them a piece of themselves back by stirring up some memories from 70 or 80 years ago.” SCMP has been so successful that music therapy sessions continue at Quail Park beyond the pilot study. In addition, Living Care Lifestyles, Quail Park’s parent company, is considering bringing music therapy into its other facilities. See related article on page 24
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14 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Steve Ahern wins volunteer award At 70 years young, long-time Snohomish County resident and volunteer Steve Ahern received one of United Way of Snohomish County’s most prestigious volunteer awards and threw out the first pitch at the Everett AquaSox
Steve Ahern (center) receives this year’s Roger Bouck Award for Volunteerism in Action. The award was presented by United Way Board Chair Toraya Miller (L) and President and CEO Dennis G. Smith (R).
game on August 17. “Volunteering is rewarding to me,” Steve says. “There’s nothing better than being able to help a friend or neighbor.” The award Steve received was the 2015 Roger Bouck Award for
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I’ve worked hard to make a difference in our City by providing thoughtful, independent leadership to benefit seniors and all Everett residents. Helping citizens and making sure people have a voice in City government have always been my priorities. I am proud to serve you and our combined efforts have resulted in positive outcomes for Everett. I want to remain your voice on the Council.
”
On the Council, Ron is Working for All of Us! Fiscal Discipline Ron believes the Council must tighten its belt and make wise budget decisions in these tough economic times. He remains committed to responsible spending and maintaining essential City services. Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Ron Gipson Everett City Council
tion Project Board, the City of Everett Neighborhood Council, and the RSVP Volunteer Advisory Council. Additionally, he has also served with Cocoon House, the Senior Consortium, the Housing Consortium, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and many other nonprofits in our community. Volunteer Appreciation Night, organized by United Way and the Everett AquaSox, honors the work of volunteers from throughout Snohomish County with free tickets to the game. “United Way and every other nonprofit in the county wouldn’t exist without our dedicated volunteers,” said Dennis G. Smith, president and CEO of United Way. “This annual event is a great way to celebrate the power of volunteering.”
Safe Neighborhoods: Ron believes all neighborhoods are important and each deserves fair treatment with public safety and spending issues. Every neighborhood, it’s residents and their safety must always come first! Keeping Our Children Safe: Ron believes the City Council must focus on our youth as City plans and programs are developed. As a juvenile corrections officer, he understands the importance of supporting parents, schools and recreational programs in keeping our children healthy and safe. Public Safety: Ron’s record and commitment to public safety exemplifies his priority of keeping all neighborhoods and our City safe. A leader on public safety issues, he understands the significance of timely response, life saving medic services, and police presence for all Everett neighborhoods. Seniors and Services: Ron has been a strong voice for supporting human services, para transit, and programs designed to assist seniors. He supported the expansion of the Senior Center allowing for expanded use, efficiency, and safer access.
Senior Focus October/November 2015
15
Arizona Cowboy College reins in riders gives way to the one-handed neck rein. After all, one hand must be free in the West to rope steers and Adventures in Travel shoot rattlesnakes. The day began with some instruction from ranch manager By Fyllis Hockman Elaine Pawlowski whose main goal was to keep us from falling Scottsdale, AZ – Heels down. off the horse and avoid getting Toes out. Squeeze with calves, not kicked when not on it. knees. Lighten up on the reins. Before even thinking about ridSink your butt into the saddle. ing, I was shown how to safely This was just the beginning of my groom and brush Billie, a brown first riding lesson at the Arizona mare. Elaine showed me how to Cowboy College. pick up this 1,200-pound quarter Despite Scottsdale’s claim to horse’s feet and clean out the bot300 days of sunshine each year, tom of the hooves with a pick to it was cold and rainy; and I was Photo courtesy of the Cowboy College remove the excess dirt, pebbles wrapped in multiple layers, inADVERTISER: GARDEN COURT RETIREMENT and nails before taking her out. cluding winter jacket, wool cap A ride through the Arizona desert is part of Cowboy College’s curriculum. PERSON: NEXT RUN DATE: 08/23/15 My experience1704 up to then had and gloves borrowed from SALES the alien to them. about 25 miles north. The next been anBY: occasional trail ride where bankment was CREATED SHOPPE PUBLICATION: HERALD RETAIL ranch. Elaine kept reassuring them four days are spent doing whatevthe horse appeared all spruced up Riding in the desert is different PUBLICATION: HERALD RETAIL SIZE: 2 col X 5 in the horses were fine with it. She er needs to be done – rounding up and saddled, and all I was expectterrain than what most riders are also kept reminding Carol, accuscows, moving cattle from one pased to do was mount it. used to. This difference was parttomed to English saddles, to stay ture to another, finding missing During Saddling 101, my staly what brought race-horse ownlow in the saddle. steers, branding and castrating, tus as first-rate tenderfoot was ers Bob and Carol Skinner to the vaccinating, separating the mafurther confirmed when I tried to When I finally dismounted Bilcollege. lie, my legs were so wobbly I could mas from the calves, fixing fences, pick up the saddle and collapsed Bob, who has been around a lot barely make it to the corral. checking water supplies, or helpunder its weight. That I was supof race-horse disciplines, pointed But we weren’t done. It was ing other ranchers. That’s the life posed to get it atop the horse out that each discipline claims time for our roping lesson. Fortuof the cowboy and the wanna-bes. seemed ludicrous. its methods are the correct ones. nately, no actual calves were in According to Elaine, “Partici While I had absolutely no clue He came to Cowboy College to volved, just wooden “dummies.” pants range from novices to more how much work went into getting see how the cowboy crowd differs experienced riders but no matter the animal ready to be ridden, I This was day one of the Cowboy from racers. Carol was a more College curriculum, and the end what the level of expertise, after was much less aware of the intriexperienced rider, but cowboy of my attendance. riding five to six hours a day and cacies involved in riding it in the steeds were still a mystery to her. Day two is a more intense imbeing immersed in cowboy traindesert. To begin with, racers ride Eastmersion into the cowboy’s world ing, they’re pretty comfortable Before our inaugural ride, we ern saddles that carry with them involving cows, before heading and ready for the trail experihunkered down to the bunkhouse rules of posture and deportment out to a working cattle ranch ence.” for chow. That it was bologna, much more regimented than the – Mature Life Features© ham and cheese on white bread more-relaxed Western riding. The with mayo seemed perfectly fitracing two-handed split reins ting. Then we headed out – Bob on a paint, Carol on a mustang, and me on Billie. In the East, most trail rides are through woods. Here, there was no trail. Our rides carried over sand, around rocks and sagebrush, past cacti as tall as small buildings, all immersed in a monochromatic panorama of gray and tan and We help people age muted greens. where they’re most We rested atop a mesa in Tonto National Forest. Soaking in the comfortable. 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16 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Live, Love, Laugh … Link! By Anne Ashley As a child, I knew when we got a television with a remote control that I had pretty much reached the top of my technical appreciation. It wasn’t so much I couldn’t work out how to change the channels or settings with the newfangled contraption; it was that I didn’t want to. I was never interested in how it worked or what the gadget was capable of. I had been quite happy manually moving from one station to the other, looking for cartoons or sitcoms. Although, to be fair, in the olden days we only had five or so channels to choose from and the early remote controls were nothing like the modern-day versions. On, off, volume up or down, possibly a color adjustment was about as much as we had to con-
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tribute to our viewing pleasures. Moreover, I could search channels for whatever I was in the mood to watch in time less than it now takes me to figure out which hi-tech keypad works which hitech appliance using our new hitech NASA-inspired device. The last time I attempted to switch the TV to stereo, I pretty much deleted the entire operating systems of both! On the other hand, my brother dissected every single electronic or mechanical device in the house within days of its arrival. His curiosity rendered toasters, radios, and lamps; heating blankets, mixers and remote controls; etc., etc. unusable until he could figure out their magic. Today I would be considered a technophobe. Then, I was just considered … well, a kid and my brother was the oddity. Anyway, fast forward to today and everything you can imagine has a computer or, at the very least, a computer accessory attached to it. From remotely locking up your entire household, to programming alarm clocks to go off at three minute intervals with intensifying volume, lest one cannot manually operate the complicated snooze button, we are increasingly becoming dependent on programming software to perform even the easiest of tasks. Your personal phone/PC/supreme ruler can now assist with
vacation lists, shopping lists, favorite TV program schedules, hotel bookings, flight bookings, health tips and more – much, much more. You can post to the entire world where you are eating, sleeping or playing at the touch of a screen (buttons are now so passé). Although, why you’d want to is a mystery. I’m always tempted to text or post back that if the meal is so “scrumptious” or the night “so romantic,” the event so much “fun,” what are you doing on your phone? Honestly, I can hardly muster up the interest in where I’ll be eating, sleeping or playing, let alone anyone else’s goings-on. And it’s not just adult playthings and apparatuses affected by the hi-tech invasion…. Just recently, while attending a family gathering at a local restaurant, upon being seated the youngest members of our group were automatically given computerized ordering and game playing pads – apparently meant to pacify the dreaded monotony of having to engage in conversation with rarely seen family and friends! No adult was asked if they did not wish to see their little cherub’s face throughout dinner nor were the parents asked if their offspring could play with (and presumably, order from) such gadgets without supervision. The device was handed out as routinely as the menus. Sadly, gone are the days where a child is entertained by a handful of broken crayons and a sheet of paper with puzzle and games while waiting for the meal to ar-
rive. From digital thermometers for bath time to sing-along books that require at least three months’ training in order to successfully advance from chapter to chapter, children are less and less required to use their own imaginations for playtime. And don’t even start me on interactive storytelling! While trying to navigate a state-of-the-art children’s book and participate in the storyline, I became so frustrated with the repetitive yet unhelpful “guidance” that I swore while it recorded …. Needless to say, my grandchild’s first word wasn’t the expected dada or mama. Even something as straightforward as potty training is no longer the “sit here and do that” affair it used to be (for adults or children) because potties now have iPad holders, lest junior can’t be persuaded to give up the computer long enough to learn how to give up the diaper! How absurd that our entire lives are now monopolized by instantaneous linking between the World Wide Web and our IQs, from infancy to maturity. Gone is the antiquated phrase, Home Sweet Home replaced by today’s more germane, Hi-Fi Sweet Wi-Fi. Be sure to follow me on twitter @anneashley57. – Senior Wire©
Feel better, be in control Coping with an ongoing health condition such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, etc. You can take steps toward a better life. Sign up for a Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshop offered by Senior Services. For information, call 425-3471229.
Senior Focus October/November 2015
Qualis Health seeks patients and families to speak out on delivery of healthcare When you or a family member received care at a doctor’s office, hospital or nursing home, did you think there were things that could have been done better? Do you have ideas about how to make sure other patients and families get the best care possible? Share your perspective – and help improve how healthcare is delivered. Qualis Health, Medicare’s Quality Improvement Organization for Idaho and Washington, is looking for patient and family advisors to advocate for healthcare that centers on the needs and preferences identified by patients and families, rather than care based on assumptions about what people want. Qualis Health works with medical providers and consumers to improve the quality of care for people with Medicare. Qualis Health does not provide healthcare to patients. Instead, the non-profit organization works toward a vision of better healthcare, better community health, and lower costs. They are experts in evidence-based quality improvement methods, and their work to improve healthcare is not complete without the voices of patients and their family members. What do patient and family advisors do?
There are various ways that patient and family advisors can get involved, depending on your interests and availability. Share your story. Advisors help by talking about their experiences, and providing perspective on how the healthcare system can best serve people who have diverse values, beliefs and behaviors. Participate in discussion groups. Advisors share what it’s like to be a patient and what “quality” means from a patient perspective, as well as make suggestions for improvements. Review or help create educational or informational materials. Work on short-term projects. Advisors participate in learning networks to help healthcare providers understand how to meet patient expectations and needs. This includes sharing ideas about how to deliver care in a way that meets social, cultural and linguistic needs. Time commitment could be as little as a one-time event or as much as volunteering on a quarterly basis. Together we can improve healthcare quality and value for everyone! Learn more at Medicare.QualisHealth.org click on the Patients and Families tab then Advisor Program or call Paula at 206-288-2470.
Finding joy and wellness in aging Wondering how to find joy and wellness as you grow older? Plan to attend Loving Your Life: Finding Joy and Wellness in Aging on Thursday, October 22 at WSU Snohomish County Extension Office, 600 128th St. S.E., Everett (near McCollum Park) from 9-12 noon. This free program will offer concrete suggestions and evidence-based techniques for enhancing our bodies and minds as we age and offer an antidote to society’s negative images of aging. Kamilia Dunsky, a mental health therapist, will explain that how we choose to manage our
moods and connect with the community plays an important role in how much joy we experience. William J. Kelleher, Ph.D., will show how humor and music can lighten our burdens and enlighten our self-image. In addition, Danae Willson, will share techniques to keep you mobile and moving forward with a happy body and vital being. Local organizations will participate with information and programs that can help you. To register, please call Stefanie Novacek at 425-388-7019 or email s.novacek@snoco.org.
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18 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Dear Savvy Senior
Dealing with those pesky robocalls By Jim Miller
Q
What can I do to stop the perpetual prerecorded robo-calls I keep getting? I’m signed up with the National Do Not Call Registry, but it seems like I still get three or four robo telemarketing calls a day offering lower credit card interest rates, medical alert devices and more. - Fed Up Senior
Dear Fed Up, Millions of Americans on the
National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) complain they still receive unwanted calls from robocallers. Why? Because most robocalls are scams run by con artists only trying to trick you out of your money, and they simply ignore the law. But there’s good news on the horizon. A few months ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed a rule giving telecommunication companies
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hether you simply want to ensure that your wishes are carried out, or you want to protect your family from making difficult decisions at a time of loss, planning your final arrangements in advance is an important responsibility, and one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones.
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more leeway to block robocalls. Before this ruling, the FCC has always required phone companies to complete all calls, much as the postal service must deliver all your mail, even the junk. So, look for your phone service provider to offer call-blocking tools in the future. But in the meantime, here are things you can do to reduce those unwanted calls. Set up “anonymous call rejection” option: This is a free landline-calling feature available from most telephone companies. It lets you screen out calls from callers who have blocked their caller ID information – a favorite tactic of telemarketers. To set it up, you usually have to dial *77 from your landline, though different phone services may have different procedures to set it up. Call your phone service provider to find out if they offer this feature, and if so, what you need to do to enable it. Sign up for Nomorobo: This is a free service and works only if you have an internet-based VoIP phone service. It does not work on traditional analog landlines or wireless phones. Nomorobo uses a “simultaneous ring” service that detects and blocks robocalls on a black list of known offender numbers. It isn’t 100 percent foolproof, but it is an extra layer of protection. To sign up, or see if Nomorobo works with your phone service provider, visit Nomorobo.com.
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Buy a robocall-blocking device: If you don’t mind spending a little money, purchase a callblocking device like the Sentry 2 ($59) or Digitone Call Blocker Plus ($100), sold at Amazon.com. These small devices, which plug into your phone line allow you to blacklist numbers you no longer wish to receive, and set up a whitelist or manually program the phone to recognize and accept some safe numbers. Both devices are very effective. Don’t pick up: If you have a caller ID, another tip is to simply not answer the phone unless you recognize the number. But if you answer and it’s a robocall, just hang up the phone. Don’t press 1 to speak to a live operator and press no other number to complain about the call or get your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, you’re signaling that the autodialer has reached a live number and will probably lead to more robocalls. Get a cellphone app: To get help with robo telemarketing calls and spam texts to your cellphone, get a call-screening app like Truecaller (truecaller.com) or PrivacyStar (privacystar.com) that screens and blocks them. It’s also important that you report illegal robocalls to the Federal Trade Commission at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call 888225-5322 and sign the Consumer Union petition at End Robocalls. org to pressure phone companies to offer free call-blocking technology.
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Senior Focus October/November 2015
Marysville joins the Alzheimer’s Café movement In September, a new Alzheimer’s Café was started at the IHOP restaurant 16518 Twin Lakes Ave. in Marysville. The next one is October 12, 2-4 p.m., and will continue on the second Monday of each month. An Alzheimer’s Café is a place where persons living with Alzheimer’s disease (or other dementia) may socialize in a supportive environment where there’s no judgment or expectations. In 2012 the Greenwood neighborhood in north Seattle organized the second Alzheimer’s Café in the U.S. Today, monthly Alzheimer’s Cafe’s take place throughout Puget Sound as well as in dozens of communities nationwide. In this model, a restaurant or café sets aside a specific time to especially welcome people living with dementia. They offer a simplified menu and staff who are aware of the customers’ special needs. There is no fee to attend. The cost is just for items ordered from the menu. “People living with dementia and their families and caregivers often struggle with isolation as they feel less comfortable going out into the public,” says Moe Pocha, program manager at Full Life Care’s Snohomish County Adult Day Health Center. “At an Alzheimer’s Café people can enjoy socializing in a relaxed community setting. There is no set agenda and everyone is accepting and nonjudgmental.” The inaugural Marysville café welcomed 14 attendees (seven persons living with dementia and their care partners). No RSVP is needed; walk-ins are welcome. In addition to the Marysville location, an Alzheimer’s Cafe is
Retired Public Employees Council
Help save your benefits! RPEC is focused on protecting pension benefits for members of the Washington State Retirement System. We need your support to save those benefits.
Join RPEC FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Jim Brandley @ 425-337-0884 or visit www.RPECWA.org
Learn about and services available to seniors. Scan the QR code or visit www.sssc.org. Like us on
Senior Services of Snohomish County
offered at Pagliacci Pizza, 10200 Edmonds Way, Edmonds on the third Monday of the month, 2-4 p.m. For more information about the Marysville or Edmonds Alzheimer’s Cafes, call Moe Pocha at 425355-1313 or visit alzcafes.org. The website also lists other Puget Sound locations. The Marysville Alzheimer’s Café is sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association-Washington State Chapter, Center for Healthy Living, Caregiver Support Program of Snohomish County, Full Life Care, IHOP, Senior Services of Snohomish County, and the Stillaguamish Senior Center.
Our Mission: To enrich, empower and embrace seniors, families and the community. Center Cafe offers:
Nutritious lunch: weekdays, 12 noon, $3 if over 60; all others $6. Dinner: Mon., Weds. & Fri., 5 p.m., $4. Programs and Services:
Foot clinic Salon services Facility rentals Bingo
Educational workshops Massage, fitness & yoga Medical transportation Thrift store, Mon.-Sat., 10-4
360-629-7403
7430 276th St. N.W. Stanwood, WA 98292
Senior Stanwood www.stanwoodseniorcenter.org
ECA DEMENTIA-INCLUSIVE SERIES 2015/16 The mission of ECA’s NEW Dementia-inclusive Series is to create opportunities for individuals with memory loss, their family members and care partners to engage and experience joy through music, theatre, and film. For more information, contact Gillian Jones, Education & Outreach Manager, at gillian@ec4arts.org or 425.275.9483.
FALL 2015
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952)
Saturday, October 10 | 10:00 am $10 General Admission / All 3 films for $25 $2 Arts for Everyone tickets available based on financial need. Please contact Gillian Jones to apply. Singin’ in the Rain is a special co-presentation by ECA and Northwest Film Forum, made “dementia-inclusive” with the consultation support of Elderwise. Although the event is designed for people affected by dementia, their care partners and family members, Singin’ in the Rain is open and welcoming to an all-ages audience.
RE-IGNITE THE MIND WITH IMPROVISATION & PLAY October 20 & 27, November 3 & 10 | 10:30 am $10 per class, free for care partners
This 4-session drop-in class is taught by theatre professionals from Taproot Theatre. Through improvisation and theatre games, workshops promise 90 minutes where individuals experiencing early stage memory loss (ESML) find success as they learn new things, interact socially, and live creatively in the moment. To register, contact Gillian Jones, Education & Outreach Manager, at gillian@ec4arts.org or 425.275.9483.
SPRING 2016
PETER PAN (1924) with live harp accompaniment by Leslie McMichael Saturday, March 5, 2016 | 10:00 am $10 General Admission / All 3 films for $25
$2 Arts for Everyone tickets available based on financial need. Please contact Gillian Jones to apply.
GOLDEN ERA SING-ALONG
Saturday, April 30, 2016 | 10:00 am $10 General Admission / All 3 films for $25
$2 Arts for Everyone tickets available based on financial need. Please contact Gillian Jones to apply.
ec4arts.org | 425.275.9595 410FOURTHAVENUENORTH EDMONDSWA98020
Affordable Senior Apartment Homes
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Independent Senior Living The Meadows Community is located at 12th and Rainier in Everett
For information call 425.252.6930 Email: Themeadows@coastmgt.com
Rental Office: 1115 Rainier Ave., Everett WA 98201-5415
20 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Cedar Stump
Red cedar monument has enduring history Perspective on the Past By Jack O’Donnell Of all the western red cedar monuments in Snohomish County probably the largest and the most enduring is the drive-through stump now located in the rest area at Milepost 207 on I-5 between Smokey Point and Island Crossing. The huge tree, some 20 feet in diameter, 200 feet high and over 1,000 years old, grew in the fertile Stillaguamish valley just south of the river. Joe Husby, “The Sage of the Stilly” who wrote for the Everett Herald, wrote in an August 15, 1963 article he was an eye witness to the fire that destroyed the tree some 70 years earlier in July 1893. His family’s cabin stood in a clearing only 400 yards away. A young, single, lonely hired hand had discovered that mature cedars such as this one were hollow, and the dead wood facing the hollow inside was tinder dry in the summer. This was one of about a dozen he set fire to just to watch the inferno. Husby said the fire raced up the flammable hollow from the opening between two stems sending smoke high above the surrounding forest. The young man’s action was one of pure destruction; but
Husby reminded readers that had the tree not burned, within the decade, loggers would certainly have taken the marketable timber and probably would have destroyed the enormous bowl of burls. For years, what remained of the tree was a backdrop for photographing groups of people, including Husby’s school picture when he attended the Old District No. 22 Island (Crossing) School nearby. In 1916 the two burnt-out stems projecting about 100 feet in height, each with several burntout suckers, were removed. Paul Wangsmo and Ole Rodway cut archways in the stump allowing room for a vehicle to pass through. About this time a new road was surveyed to connect Marysville with the Arlington-Silvana road. The stump stood on the right-ofway, about 30 feet from Ole Reinseth’s barn. When the road was built, the stump was just east of the road before it made a Y into the other road creating a triangle where the Island School stood (River Rock Smoke Shop and Island Crossing Counseling Services are now in this triangle). The stump became a tourist attraction, and a tradition of creating post cards began. In 1922 the Stillaguamish Association of Washington Pioneers sponsored a movement to trim the big bowl. It was sawed off near the ground. Ole Reinseth and Slim
7 things you need to know about The Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett
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Did you know that we offer computer classes? Did you know that you can request the type of class you want and we will try to arrange that for you?
Did you know that ballroom dancing with Lauren Petrie will be held on October 24 and New Year’s Eve from 1-3 p.m.? Entry fee is $5. Age 50+.
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Did you know that when the senior center is not open and there is an event at Xfinity, you can park in spaces 1-39 and pay $5 which helps support functions at the senior center? Did you know that our Annual “Octoberfeast” on Saturday, October 10, 9:30-12:30 is free? It’s a great way to check out senior living food as well as senior insurance and finance options? Some call this a Taste of Retirement; we call it a win-win for all. Did you know that the vendors pay a fee to be here and the fee helps pay for our USO dance? Did you know that we are counting on you to attend?
Did you know that we will host our 5th Annual Ernie Dunton Memorial International Table Tennis Tournament on November 7 and 8? Open to player age 50+. Sign up required by October 25.
Did you know that we will host our 10th Annual USO dance on Veteran’s day, November 11? Admission is free for Veterans. You must be age 50+ to attend. Tickets available after October 1.
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Did you know that due to unforeseen circumstances, our 40th Annual Holiday Bazaar has been postponed until 2016?
For information, call 425-257-8780 or visit www.everettwa.gov/seniors
The Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett 3025 Lombard Ave., Everett
Oct. 2015
Husby used horse teams to drag it north 150 yards where it was set on a concrete base. This put it in the school triangle at the south tip of the yard. While at this location, a roof was added to protect the stump from the elements. By 1939 the stump was cracked. It was taken apart, ready to travel to its third location alongside the newly realigned Highway 99 to the west, just north of Portage Creek. It was reassembled – without an overhead roof – in time for Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha of Norway to drive through on May 27. I am certain that other readers join me in having photographs of themselves here as children. Highway 99’s name was changed to Interstate 5 by the late 1960s, and another road-building phase was underway as the route was converted to a divided limited-access highway. The stump was in the way and would have to move yet again. By early September 1969 the smaller trees which shaded the parking area had been felled, and preparations were underway to move the giant stump to the new rest area about seven-tenths of a mile south. The stump was in its fourth location by 1971, just a little over a mile from where it grew. On September 14, 1984 it was nearly destroyed by another fire. By the time firefighters arrived flames were pouring out both sides of the archway. A protective metal covering was removed, and the blaze was soon under control. However, embers in deep fissures in the wood continued to burn which threatened the base of the stump. Finally a spray machine was used to saturate the wood and make it unnecessary to cut into the wood. It is no longer possible to drive through the stump. A metal framework is inside supporting a protective roof. This is probably one of the least used rest areas for most of us in the county since it is so close to home. However, it is worth a visit to see this relic dating to the Middle Ages. An informative sign has much of the information included here and a map showing all four locations.
The stump where it grew. View looks north. The old Island (Crossing) School would have been in the background to the left of the stump.
The stump in its second location at the southern tip of the school playground. View also looks north. A roof has been added and an informational sign above the arch. Note the signs on the tree itself directing motorists to Stanwood or Arlington.
The stump in its third location where it was in a turn out for north bound traffic on the new highway. View also looks north.
The stump in its fourth and probably final location. View looks westerly. This is an early photograph in the rest area. Today it looks much different with the braces and roof and new trees grow all around it. – images are from Jack O’Donnell’s post card collection
Family Caregiver Support Program Answer Questions – Explore Care Options
425.290.1240 or 800.422.2024 www.sssc.org • www.snocare.org
Senior Focus October/November 2015
Alzheimer’s – steps taken, but it’s back to the lab by Cheryl M. Keyser “The risk of Alzheimer’s increases with age, and as baby boomers get older, the number of people developing the disease will rise to levels far beyond anything we’ve ever seen before,” said Maria Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association (AA) Chief Science Officer. To find ways to prevent, treat, or cure this scourge was the focus of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) of scientists, researchers, and other experts held this summer in Washington D.C. under the sponsorship of the AA. Although promising steps were taken, there was no single finding that stood out and it was back to the research labs with just a few more pieces added to the intricacies this disease presents. Those attending – from around the world – indicated the seriousness with which the need for a solution is taken. It is estimated that more than 28 million people in the United States alone will develop Alzheimer’s between now and mid-century and its manifestations will be more severe. Furthermore, the cost of caring for individuals with this disease will also grow. It is expected that by the year 2040, Medicare spending for Alzheimer’s patients will represent almost 25 percent of all the health program’s costs. As Carrillo added, “public funding for (Alzheimer’s) research is extremely limited compared to the magnitude of the problem.” And she noted, investments in treatment for other illnesses such as heart disease and cancer have produced some positive results, reducing the death rates from these conditions. “Now is the time to do the same for Alzheimer’s disease,” she asserted. What has been accomplished? Although the conference drew on the work of many and made some significant observations, no magic bullet has been found. The steps uncovered are incremental – and small – for such a heartbreaking illness. Among the findings are some which are gender-based, others involving the biochemistry of the brain, and others which offer hope of some delay in its progression. Although Alzheimer’s affects both men and women, it is predominately a female disease. Almost two-thirds of older adults who have Alzheimer’s are women, and even those with a mild case will see a decline in cognition two times faster than men. “Our findings suggest that men and women at risk for Alzheimer’s may be having two very different experiences,” said Katherine Amy Lin of Duke University Medical Center. She interprets this as indicating “yet undiscovered gender-specific genetic or environmental risk factors that influence
the speed of decline. Uncovering those factors should be a high priority for future research.” In what seems like an odd point to study, but which turns out to have significance, is that while all older adults are at risk for longterm problems with cognition and functioning after surgery which involves general anesthesia, men had less of a problem than women. “This is one of the first studies to suggest that among older adults, women are at a higher risk for post-operative brain dysfunction than men,” said Katie Schenning, M.D. of the Oregon Health and Science University. All of this sounds grim, but new drugs being tested may provide more hope. These work on two areas of the brain that have been identified for a long time as being possible culprits in the cause of the disease – the amyloid plaques and tau tangles, known as “the hallmark lesions of Alzheimer’s.” Several groups, including pharmaceutical companies, are studying drugs that could remove the effects of these toxic elements. NeuroPhage Pharmaceuticals of Cambridge, Mass. is due to begin clinical trials in people on one of these in early 2016, drawing on
its expertise in protein testing. The Alzheimer’s Association, along with British and Canadian scientists, have launched a global initiative to research brain diseases which has been funded with $1.25 million. In another finding, researchers have a new tool to help people with dementia improve the quality of their lives – exercise. There is “a growing body of evidence,” according to the AA, that regular physical activity may reduce the risk of dementia. Danish researchers found that people who exercised had far fewer neuropsychiatric and depressive symptoms. A similar study in Canada found that “aerobic exercise such as running and brisk walking, may be a very promising strategy against vascular cognitive impairment,” said Teresa Liu-Ambrose of the University of British Columbia. She did, however, caution these results need to be replicated in larger and more diverse groups. Also announced at the Conference is a campaign by the Alzheimer’s Association to raise $5 million for a new program, the Women’s Alzheimer’s Research Initiative, to award grants for study into gender-related issues
Family Caregiver Conference The Alzheimers Association will host two family caregiver conferences in Snohomish County. The first conference will be held October 10, 9:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m., at Alderwood Community Church in Lynnwood. Workshops include Effective Communication Strategies; Assessing and Addressing Pain; and Building Your Safety Net. The second conference will be held February 27, 2016 at the Stillaguamish Senior Center in Arlington. Workshops include Understanding and Responding to Dementia-related Behaviors; Managing Mind, Mood and Stress for Family Caregivers; and Reawakening the Person with Music. Pre-registration is required and can be made online at alzwa.org or by calling Debbie at 206-3535500, ext. 8169 by October 7 for the Lynnwood conference. There is no charge for family caregivers thanks to the Snohomish County Long-Term Care and Aging and Verdant Health Commission underwriting the event. which may affect dementia. As Carillo noted: “results presented at the AAIC 2015 begin to shed light on this issue, but much more research is needed. “ For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
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ARLINGTON 326 S. Stillaguamish Ave. Arlington, WA 98223 Medical: (360) 572-5400 Dental: (360) 572-5430 EDMONDS 23320 Hwy. 99 Edmonds, WA 98026 Medical: (425) 640-5500 Dental: (425) 640-5533 EVERETT-NORTH 1424 Broadway Everett, WA 98201 Medical: (425) 789-2000 Dental: (425) 551-1000 EVERETT-SOUTH 1019 112th St. SW Everett, WA 98204 Medical: (425) 551-6200 Dental: (425) 551-6001 LYNNWOOD 4111 194th St. SW Lynnwood, WA 98036 Walk-in Medical: (425) 835-5200 Dental: (425) 835-5204
22 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
When to Supplement: Part One
Supplements shouldn’t be a replacement for healthy food Meal Times All the Nutrition News You can Use
Ciera M. Buzzell RDN, CD
Senior Services of Snohomish County
Because vitamins and minerals cannot be produced by the body, food must be consumed to obtain these essential nutrients. They work with other nutrients for optimal functionality, growth, and development of the human body. Older adults face many physical changes that directly affect nutrition status including a decrease in calorie needs, reduced absorption of nutrients, and slower digestion. These changes cause an increase in nutrient needs, for example, vitamins D and B12. Evidence suggests that the way these two vitamins are metabolized changes as the body ages, indicating possible need for supplementation. Aside from physical changes, factors such as genetics, chronic disease, some medications, multiple medication use, physical mobility, and poor dietary habits can lead to possible deficiencies and malnutrition. Research demonstrates there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to supplementation in Ciera Buzzell is a registered dietitian with Senior Services Nutrition Program. For information about Senior Nutrition, call 425-347-1229 or 800824-2183.
the elderly population. Therefore, vitamin and mineral supplement intake should be considered highly individualized based on the factors listed above.
Vitamins
Vitamins, 14 in total, are chemical substances that perform a wide range of functions in the body. These include neurological and immune function enhancement, tissue maintenance, and cell protection and repair, all of which can lower risk for developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. Vitamins are divided into two subtypes, water and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins (Bcomplex and vitamin C) can cause adverse effects if taken in megadoses; however, symptoms are shorter and quickly remedied through loss of bodily fluids such as urine and sweat. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can be toxic if taken in excess because of the body’s difficulty in excreting them. Vitamin overdoses are rarely related to food intake and are mostly from over-supplementation.
Minerals
Like vitamins, minerals are required for the body to function. Minerals are classified into two subcategories: macro and micro/ trace. Macro minerals include calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and
OCTOBER MENU Fri: Coleslaw vinaigrette, teriyaki chicken, rice, asian vegetable, mandaThurs: Coleslaw vinaigrette, sweet rin oranges. & sour chicken w/stir fry vegetables, rice, mandarin oranges. October 19 – 23 Fri: Tossed salad, tuna melt, hot pasta Mon: Hearty lentil soup, egg salad salad, fresh fruit. on wheat bread w/lettuce, apricots, cookie. October 5 - 9 Tues: Fruit salad, chicken parmesan Mon: Citrus salad, spanish omelet, on spaghetti w/sauce, green beans, potatoes o’brien, pudding. garlic bread stick, sherbet Tues: Dilled cucumber salad, baked Weds: Taco salad w/ beef, cheese & sole almondine, rice pilaf, brussels rancho beans on chips w/salsa & sour sprouts, pineapple. cream, pineapple, flan. Weds: Tossed salad, baked chicken Thurs: Oktoberfest. Bratwurst w/sauthigh w/gravy, roasted sweet potatoes, erkraut & peppers, bavarian potato broccoli, pears. salad, apple strudel. Thurs: Vegetable soup, grilled turkey Fri: Hot turkey sandwich, mashed & cheese sandwich, chips, fresh fruit. potato w/gravy, kale, fresh fruit. Fri: Tossed salad, meatloaf, mashed potato w/gravy, carrots, fresh fruit. October 26 – 30
October 1 - 2
October 12 – 16 Mon: Tossed salad, cheese pizza w/ veggies, peaches, pudding. Tues: Tossed salad, swedish meatballs on noodles, spinach, fruit cocktail. Weds: Coleslaw, fish burger on whole wheat bun w/lettuce & tomato, potato wedges, fresh fruit. Thurs: Broccoli salad, turkey pot roast, mashed potato w/gravy, carrots, fresh fruit.
Mon: Tossed salad, vegetable quiche, vegetables, applesauce. Tues: Coleslaw, fish & chips w/tartar sauce & ketchup, tropical fruit. Weds: Broccoli salad, chicken ala king on baked potato, beets, apricots. Thurs: Tossed salad, salisbury steak, mashed potato w/gravy, parslied carrots, fresh fruit. Fri: Halloween. Swamp grass salad, chicken fingers, garlic fries, pumpkin fruit bar.
sulfur and are needed in larger amounts than the micro/trace minerals including chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Regardless of subcategory, minerals work together and with other nutrients by combining with one another to form bone, teeth, cartilage, and body tissues. Minerals also help to stimulate muscle contraction, e.g., the beat of the heart. They also play a role in maintaining fluid balance within the body’s tissues.
Information...or misinformation?
Information on nutrition is abundantly available through many forms such as online articles, social media pages, family and friends, books, and magazines. With this increase in technology and accessibility, information can’t be regulated and often leaves the average consumer vulnerable to not only misunderstanding, but misinformation. The result can have dangerous consequences. Therefore, consultation with your healthcare provider is essential because he or she can order laboratory tests to assess most vitamin and mineral levels. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) can conduct a thorough diet analysis to better evaluate the need for supplementation. If your doctor or RDN has recommended a supplement, knowing what to look for is important. There are many over-the-counter choices available in every CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
Asparagus, Mandarin Orange, Chicken and Rice Salad The 30 minute power packed recipe below is a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins A, C and B6, thiamin, niacin, folate, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc, and a good source of vitamin E, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, iron and copper. Serves 2. 1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed 1 11-oz can mandarin oranges, drained, reserve juice 6 ounces cooked chicken breast, cut into chunks Instant brown rice to make 1-1/2 cups cooked Vinaigrette
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1-1/2 tablespoons mandarin orange juice 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce In a small bowl whisk vinaigrette ingredients; set aside. Cook rice according to package directions. Place asparagus in a large skillet with 1-1/2 inches of water. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2-5 minutes. Rinse with cool water and cut into 1-inch pieces. In a medium size bowl, toss all ingredients. Nutrition information per serving: calories: 440; total fat: 11g; saturated fat: 2g; protein: 33g; carbohydrates: 51g; cholesterol: 70mg; dietary fiber 6g; sodium: 300mg.
– fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org
Meal site menu – what you need to know Meal includes 1% milk, roll or bread and margarine. Fresh produce is subject to availability. Substitutions may be made without notice. Suggested meal donation is $3 ($6 for non-eligible person). For information, call Senior Nutrition, 425-347-1229 or 800-824-2183.
Senior Focus October/November 2015
Volunteer Connections Volunteers wanted! John McAlpine
RSVP Program Recruiter
RSVP exists to help older adults 55+ find fulfillment in volunteer work and will match your lifetime of skills and experience to the organization of your choice. Sponsored by Catholic Community Services, RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for persons over 55 and the only agency where the collective contribution of the senior volunteer is recorded. Volunteer opportunities exist all over Snohomish County. No matter where you live we can probably match you with a job. Volunteer Transportation – If you have a few hours a week to spare; a vehicle with working lights, brakes, horn; and want to be of service to others, this is a job for you. Clients need rides to the doctor, dentist and other essential errands. Taking the bus isn’t always an option. We match you with someone in your general area, and you help him/her get to and from the appointments. Drive as often or as little as you like. Mileage reimbursement is provided. We are really in need of drivers in the Monroe and Gold Bar area. Food Banks – Food banks all over the county can use help. We have openings
SUPPLEMENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
store, which can be overwhelming. Always look for industry quality seals, such as USP, when buying supplements. Quality seals verify identity, potency, purity, bioavailability, consistency and good manufacturing practices. Most vitamin/mineral supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but not all are. So take caution! If you take a multivitamin/ mineral supplement, make sure it has only 100 percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). No matter how helpful supplementation can be, do not forget that mindless supplementation can produce toxic and dangerous pharmacological effects if taken in large doses. Poor nutrition can be caused by both inadequate and excessive levels of nutrients and more does not always mean better, especially with vitamins and minerals. Multivitamin/mineral supplements are not replacements for healthy foods in your diet. A “foods first” approach is always the place to begin. Supplementation can fill nutritional gaps where healthy eating is insufficient. When structuring your diet,
in every food bank. You can help clients, pick up food, work in the back or provide other support. The food banks are located in Stanwood, Arlington, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Everett, Lynnwood, Snohomish and Mountlake Terrace. Red Barn Community Farm (RBCF) – The harvest season is upon us and the Red Barn Community Farm can use help. Work parties are every Saturday starting at 10 a.m. (excluding holiday weekends). There are also opportunities for groups to help. Located in the Lowell area of Everett, the RBCF provides fresh, organic produce to local food banks. If you like being outdoors and in the fresh air, this is for you. Tutors/Mentors – Even though school has just begun, there are opportunities to help children with their reading. You can be of assistance all over the county. Help out for an hour or two a week or every day. Work in school or after school. Call me to find out where. Tax Preparers – Before you know it, tax time will be upon us. I’d like to ask you to call me and let me know if you can help. The United Way and AARP both have tax preparation programs designed to help low income families and individuals. Training is provided, and there are jobs behind the scenes at sites all around Snohomish County. If you have questions about RSVP, volunteering or any of the agencies you see listed above, contact John McAlpine at 425-374-6374 or send an e-mail to johnm@ccsww.org.
remember to choose a wide variety of foods from healthy sources including lean meats, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, legumes, low-fat milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables. Last, always consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and/ or a medical doctor for proper dosing and initiation of supplements before use.
Advance directive packet What kind of medical care would you want if you were too ill or hurt to express your wishes? Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to spell out your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They give you a way to tell your wishes to family, friends, and health care professionals and to avoid confusion later on. Senior Services’ Information and Assistance program has an advance directive packet that includes the forms for a health care directive (living will), durable powers of attorney for health care, and Physicians Orders for LifeSustaining Treatment. Also included is an explanation for each form. To receive a packet, call 425513-1900 or email seniorinfo@ sssc.org.
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Providing counsel in King, Snohomish & San Juan Counties
Estate planning and
Elder law Wills TrusTs ProbaTe PoWers of aTTorney advance HealTH care direcTives long Term care Planning guardiansHiPs Marilyn J. KliMan law, PLLC
Board of Directors, Edmonds Senior Center National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Seattle Select Attorneys Washington State Bar Association King and Snohomish County Bar Associations
510 Bell Street, Edmonds, WA 98020
206.499.0993
Email: Marilyn@MarilynJKlimanLaw.com Web: www.MarilynJKlimanLaw.com
Join us … FREE for our
Back Care Classes
Every Friday in October
Call Rhonda Grinde to register 425-356-2107
“No More Worries About Mom” Best of Everett Award Recipient in Senior Citizen Information and Assistance 5 Star Rating by CMS
Offering a Continuum of Care... Independent Living, Assisted Living, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Care Including Palliative Care and Hospice Services
Seeing is Believing... Call or Visit Today
Sunrise View RETIREMENT VILLA & CONVALESCENT CENTER
425-353-4040
2520 Madison • Near I-5 in South Everett
Family owned and operated for more then 40 years
e-mail: dlopes@sunriseview.org www.sunriseview.org
Come for the view, stay for the friendships
Edmonds Senior Center
NATURAL MEDICINE CLINIC WITH BASTYR UNIVERSITY
Provides naturopathic medicine to seniors and all ages. Treatments may include dietary and lifestyle counseling and education, handson physical therapies, and herbal and nutritional supplements with products offered free of charge by Bastyr University. Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call for an appt. ENHANCE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Under the guidance of a nurse and social worker, design an individual wellness plan and have your progress measured over six months. A wonderful way to take control of your health. Call for an appt. or drop in any weekday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Funded by the Verdant Health Commission. Fitness, yoga, tai chi Trips, classes, games Nutritious lunches Music groups Computer lab Coffee bar Facility rentals Great Thrift Store Stop by or call for more information about activities and services offered at the Edmonds Senior Center 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds 425-774-5555 or visit http://edmondssc.org
24 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Music Project benefits community in many ways By Teri Baker What was once the Everett Symphony has evolved into the Snohomish County Music Project, a thriving nonprofit organization that uses the power of music to transform the lives of individuals and the entire community. The project combines the services of dedicated, talented musicians; nationally board-certified music therapists; and members of the community to form an artistic hub that is creating positive change in the county. Here’s a look at what the project is doing:
Music therapy
Music was used as therapy long before the term was invented. In 1697 British playwright William Congreve wrote in The Mourning Bride, “Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.” Although often misquoted as “soothe the savage beast,” the message is clear. The biblical record from over 2,000 years earlier recounts that when he felt tormented, Saul, Israel’s first king, would call for the shepherd David to play the lyre (a u-shaped harp) for him, and that it always made the king feel better. Modern scientific research has helped figure out why this is
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so and how music can help with cognitive and behavioral issues among those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The music project uses highly trained neurologic music therapists to work with not only that population, but with others. There’s a program for at-risk teens where they can get guitar instruction, write songs, do group drumming and have jam sessions. Another music therapy program helps Vietnam-era veterans, and another works with men over 50 who are prone to depression or suicide. Referrals come from veterans organizations, social services, the healthcare community and the juvenile justice system.
Helping nonprofits help others
Although it has no in-house orchestra, the project contracts with passionate, talented musicians who make up the Sound Edge Orchestra which hold events and fundraisers to benefit other nonprofits. Among them is an annual performance at Senior Services fundraiser to augment the agency’s critical programs for helping seniors and the disabled. Performances usually include a 40-piece orchestra and a five-piece cover band paying tribute to artists of the sixties and seventies.
Northwest Music Hall
Snohomish County Music Project also manages the Northwest Music Hall located where the old Everett Mall Theater was. Now a spacious, multipurpose performing arts and events center, the hall is a popular venue for performances, nonprofit fundraisers, educational events, seminars, business meetings, holiday parties and weddings. For more information about the music hall or any facet of the Music Project, call 425-258-1605, visit scmusicproject.org or email info@scmusicproject.org.
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Senior Focus October/November 2015
A box of fortune cookies By Saralee Perel I was always uneasy around a disabled person until I became one myself. The proper term is “differently abled” but “disabled” works for me because after all, who isn’t disabled in one way or another? My husband, Bob, and I were at the supermarket. “I have to buy fortune cookies,” I said. “David’s bagging groceries today.” David is very tall and thin and looks about 45. Years ago, he was in a car crash and suffered a traumatic brain injury. “When David’s working,” I told Bob, “I buy him fortune cookies and say, ‘These are for you to have good fortune.’ He never remembers me, but that doesn’t matter.” With difficulty (due to my spinal cord injury), I hobbled to David. I was using my cane with one arm. The box of cookies was tucked under my other. He didn’t see me at first. He was diligently and ever-so-carefully putting shoppers’ items in bags. He said kind words to each customer. Simple words that came from his heart: “I hope you have a wonderful day, sir.” “David?” I said, repeating his name until he could figure out I was there. I handed him the cookies and said, “These are for you to have good fortune.” He had a five-year-old kid’s look of astonishment. “Are these for me?” He then looked around as if he had done something wrong – as if he shouldn’t be taking the time to hold a box of cookies. The cashier appeared annoyed at him. He stammered to her, “These are a present to me, from this young lady.” He pointed to me. “She paid for them and everything.” I had put the receipt with the box because I had a strange feeling he’d be questioned. Yet, even though David had explained, the cashier still insisted that I confirm he was telling the truth. I said, “These are paid for. They’re a gift for David.”
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She begrudgingly nodded and said to him, “Then you can keep them.” He said, “Oh thank you.” He was so excited. “These will be my lunch!” He awkwardly reached out to hug me, not noticing the impatient look from the cashier. What a pair we made, with me being so short and him being so tall that I couldn’t reach up around his shoulders. As we hugged, we were both wobbling so hard that we needed to hold onto one another for balance. Yet, wobble and hug we did. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. Then I walked away. Ever since I’ve been disabled, I’ve noticed the stares. Most have been kind “Can I help you?” stares. Children stare at my cane, wondering what it’s for and if they can play with it. Some adults avert their eyes when they see me. That’s what I used to do – before. On the ride home, Bob said, “Sometimes I’m uncomfortable around disabled people.” “You’re not uncomfortable around me.” “That’s because I don’t see you that way.” “What way? “I don’t see you as different.” I could see gorgeous water lilies on our ride. Did their varied colors mean that one was “different”? I don’t think so. Each one was lovely in its own way. I pictured David in the back room of the supermarket, savoring his lunch of fortune cookies. And just like I knew him to be – sharing his good fortune with everybody else. Award-winning columnist, Saralee Perel, can be reached via her website saraleeperel.com
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Petries celebrate 70th Anniversary Congratulations to George and Thelma Petrie who recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. George and Thelma met at Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana. During World War II, George served as a naval aviator in the South Pacific. Thelma went to Washington D.C. to work for the government but transferred to Seattle after the war started. They kept in touch and married on VJ Day in Fresno, California. August 15, 1945; it was the day that Japan had surrendered and George and Thelma surrendered their hearts to each other and the family that they would build. The Petries eventually settled in Everett where George retired as Paine Field Airport Manager and as a Navy commander in the Navy Reserve. Thelma retired from the government and much
later from Mariner High School. Both have been active in local community charities. They have three children and two grandchildren. Like Us On…
Senior Services of Snohomish County
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26 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
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‘Good’ Grief…
Books offer hope for the future with his family, his friends and the world.
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Survival Lessons by Alice Hoffman Another very short book. Alice Hoffman shares lessons she learned about making choices following the death of loved ones and her own medical scares. With chapter headings of Choose your Heroes, Choose Whose Advice You Take, and Choose to Love, she guides you through the possibilities in making your own choices for the future.
Settle in and Enjoy
By Bonnie Gerken Fall has arrived and winter is on its way. As the trees lose their leaves and become silhouettes against the sky, I find myself thinking about those who are no longer with us. We’ve all had major life traumas, and dealing with grief can be difficult. Looking forward to the rest of your life after a loss may be helped by learning how others have dealt with something we’ll all experience at one time or another. There are many books on the subject to choose from at your local library and bookstore; here are a few that will give you something to think about and a hope for the future.
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult Jenna Metcalf is searching for her mother who mysteriously disappeared many years before from an elephant sanctuary in New Hampshire. Told in alternating chapters by Jenna, her mother, a psychic, and a former police/now private detective. Together, they discover what happened that fateful day and the effect that grief can have on people and elephants. Fiction
Travels with Epicurus by Daniel Klein Subtitled A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life. And that is exactly what the 73-year-old author does in this short memoir as he figures out how to live a good, gratifying, and content old age with the help of the ancient philosophers and a few old Greek men. A gentle and optimistic guide to living the best possible rest of your life.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Ove knows the right way to do things and also, that he is surrounded by idiots. After his wife dies, he feels that he should join her. But people keep interfering with his plans. Funny, sweet and heartwarming. Fiction Benediction by Kent Haruf In a small town in the high plains outside of Denver, “Dad” Lewis has received word that he has only a few more months to live. During those months, we learn what kind of man he is and how his illness affects his family, neighbors and friends. Fiction
Mortality by Christopher Hitchens Christopher Hitchens chronicles his own decline from terminal cancer with truth, dry humor, and no self-pity. In less than 100 pages, he describes how his disease transformed his relationship
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Senior Focus October/November 2015
Thank you… Community Sponsors
Senior Services of Snohomish County serves more than 38,000 seniors, people with disabilities and those who care for them each year. Our community sponsors play an important role in helping us provide nutritious meals, safe and affordable housing, accessible transportation, and access to services through aging and disability resources.
Together in 2015, we will…
Reduce hunger, isolation, malnutrition and chronic disease through Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining. Provide a safe and affordable place to call home through Home Repair and Affordable Senior Housing. Increase mobility and independence through DART (Dial-A-Ride Transportation) and TAP (Transportation Assistance Program).
Help people find the support and resources they need that improve their health and well-being through our Social and Information Services Senior Service proudly acknowledges the following sponsors for their annual support and commitment to seniors and people with disabilities in Snohomish County.
PLATINUM SPONSOR
DIAMOND SPONSOR
EMERALD SPONSORS
SAPPHIRE SPONSORS
RUBY SPONSORS
11627 Airport Rd., Suite B, Everett WA 98204 www.sssc.org 425-355-1112
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28 October/November 2015 Senior Focus
Screen captures – they’re easy to do Ask Mr. Modem Helpful Advice for Computer Users
By Richard Sherman
Q
How do I capture or save what appears on screen?
Depending on the version of Windows being used, press the Windows Logo Key and the Print Screen key, which is sometimes displayed as the PrntScrn or PrtSc key. Pressing the Print Screen key copies what appears on screen to the Windows Clipboard. You can then paste it into another document or email message. If you want to capture only the active window – the window in which you are currently working – and not any other window that might be lurking in the background, hold down the ALT key first, then press the Print Screen key. When I create a screen shot of
a window or an error message or some other dialog box, I paste it into Windows’ integrated graphics program called Paint, which can be found under Programs > Accessories or just go to Start > Search and type in “Paint.” You can use any other graphics program as your pasting destination, then save the resulting file via File > Save, if you wish.
Q
When sending a message using Gmail, I needed to include a link to a website. When I typed it, there was no color and no line underneath it telling me that it was an active, clickable link. I had to go down to the bottom of the email toolbar, highlight the address, then click the link button so it showed up as working. Is there an easier way to do this?
You really don’t have to do anything to the URL or web address. When you are typing a link in your Gmail message, it will not show up as an active link. However, as
soon as you send it (or preview it), it will appear as a living, breathing, colorful clickable link to your recipients.
Q
I’m using Windows 7. How can I change my account name? The computer was given to me by my daughter and it shows her name. Thanks, Mr. M.
You can change the name that appears on screen when you log in quite easily. To change the name displayed, click Start and type “account” (without the quotes). From the search results, click User Accounts followed by Change Your Account Name. Type in a new name, then click Change Name. Presto, change-o! You can also delete any user account and create a new user account in its place, if you wish.
Q
Lately, when I view photographs, there are no red colors or reddish tones in the pictures displayed on screen. If I print them, they’re fine. Is there some kind of adjustment
Need Help?
At Heritage Court, we care for those with Alzheimer’s and Memory Loss Our community provides a secure, warm and comfortable environment, allowing our residents and their families to have peace of mind.
I can make to fix this problem?
Possibly. Most monitors have adjustment capabilities that can fine-tune the hue, among other things. Feel around the top, bottom and sides of your monitor for any such buttons or touchsensitive surfaces. If you are using an older monitor, you may find a hinged door that opens and contains several buttons or dials, similar to older television adjustments. The easiest way to determine if your monitor is the culprit is to hook the monitor up to another computer. If the problem persists, you will know it’s time to replace your monitor. If the problem disappears, then it’s most likely a problem with your system’s video card and any reputable computer repair shop should be able to check that out and replace it, if necessary.
Mr. M’s DME (Don’t Miss ’Em) Sites of the Month BBC’s Country Profiles Geography buffs and travelers will appreciate this site’s historic, economic and political profiles on nations around the globe. The site also provides interesting information about well-known international organizations and covers subjects of international interest such as the environment, technology and business. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_ profiles Cheap Cooking If you’re not paying attention, restaurants and supermarkets can leave your monthly food budget in shambles. If you’re interested in lowering your food bill, without lowering the quality of your edibles, this site is full of culinaryrelated advice, recipes and other useful information that focuses on great food on a tight budget. After browsing the articles and recipes, check out the tips on shopping and “kitchen organization” – an oxymoron, if ever there was one. cheapcooking.com/
Our experienced and loving staff works hard to promote dignity, independence and choice. Licensed staff and certified aides are on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With wonderful food, great activities, excellent coordination between doctors, families and caregivers, Heritage Court is dedicated to providing the best care possible for the residents we serve. Please call.
425-259-7200 or 1-888-259-7200 4230 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98203 E-mail: office@heritagecourt.org; visit us at www.heritagecourt.org
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The Same Game Invented by Kuniaki Moribe (as if you didn’t know) in 1985, the board is filled with different colored bubbles. Clicking two or more adjoining bubbles of the same color will make them disappear. Bubbles no longer supported by removed bubbles will fall down, and empty columns will be trimmed away by the remaining bubbles sliding to the left. By removing a number of bubbles you will be rewarded with points. Therefore, the more bubbles you remove at one time, the higher your score will be. The object of the game is to clear the board completely, with the highest score possible. mah-jongg.ch/samegame To subscribe to Mr. Modem’s awardwinning weekly computer-help newsletter and receive personal responses to your questions, visit MrModem. com. – Senior Wire©